Things to Do in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- You're arriving right at the tail end of hurricane season, which officially wraps October 30th. November typically sees calmer seas and more predictable weather patterns, making it actually reliable for island-hopping between the Grenadines without last-minute cancellations that plague September and October.
- The Tobago Cays are at their absolute best in November. Water visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft) as the summer sediment settles, and sea turtle activity peaks before winter currents shift. You'll share the anchorage with far fewer charter yachts than December through April when prices double.
- Breadfruit season is in full swing, and locals are preparing traditional roasted breadfruit dishes for the upcoming holidays. November is when you'll find the most authentic food experiences before the December cruise ship crowds arrive. Street vendors in Kingstown are selling roasted breadfruit for 5-8 EC (1.85-3 USD) versus the tourist-inflated prices later.
- Accommodation pricing sits in a sweet spot where hurricane season discounts still apply but availability is better than peak summer. You're looking at 30-40% lower rates than December-March, and properties are eager to book before the Christmas rush, so you've got actual negotiating power if booking directly.
Considerations
- November still averages 10 rainy days, and while showers tend to be brief afternoon affairs lasting 20-40 minutes, they're unpredictable enough to disrupt sailing schedules. If you're planning a tight itinerary hopping between Bequia, Mustique, and Union Island, you'll need buffer days built in.
- This is maintenance season across the islands. You'll find some beach bars and smaller guesthouses on Canouan and Mayreau closed for renovations, taking advantage of the slower period before high season. The major resorts stay open, but restaurant options on the smaller islands can be surprisingly limited.
- The hiking trails, particularly La Soufriere volcano on the mainland, can be genuinely muddy and slippery from accumulated rainfall. That 1,234 m (4,049 ft) summit hike becomes significantly more challenging when the volcanic soil turns to slick clay. Several hiking tour operators actually pause summit tours in November for safety reasons.
Best Activities in November
Tobago Cays Marine Park Snorkeling
November offers the clearest water visibility of the year at the Tobago Cays, typically 25-30 m (82-98 ft), as summer sediment has settled and winter currents haven't arrived yet. Sea turtle populations are highly active before seasonal migrations, and you'll encounter far fewer charter yachts than the December-April rush. The protected horseshoe reef is calm enough for beginners, and the water temperature sits at a comfortable 27-28°C (81-82°F). Morning departures work best as afternoon showers, while brief, can reduce visibility temporarily.
Kingstown Market and Street Food Tours
Saturday morning at Kingstown Market is when the entire agricultural output of SVG converges in one chaotic, colorful space. November brings breadfruit season, dasheen harvest, and the best local nutmeg before Christmas demand drives prices up. The market runs 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, but serious food enthusiasts arrive by 7:00 AM when vendors are most willing to chat and offer samples. The humidity is noticeable, but the covered market sections provide shade. This is also when you'll find women selling traditional pepper sauce recipes passed down for generations, typically 10-15 EC (3.70-5.55 USD) per bottle.
Bequia Boat Building and Maritime Heritage Experiences
November is actually working season in Bequia's boat yards as builders prepare vessels for the charter season starting December. You can watch traditional wooden boat construction techniques that haven't changed in 150 years, and craftsmen are generally happy to explain their work during this less-rushed period. The Bequia Maritime Museum provides context, and several workshops offer half-day experiences where you participate in actual boat maintenance. The island's whaling history and model boat building tradition are uniquely Caribbean, and November's lower tourist numbers mean more authentic interactions.
Dark View Falls and Vermont Nature Trail Hiking
The falls are fed by November rainfall, so water volume is impressive without being dangerously high like September-October. The 10-15 minute walk to the falls is manageable even in humidity, and the swimming hole at the base sits at a refreshing 23-24°C (73-75°F), noticeably cooler than ocean temperatures. The Vermont Nature Trail offers a less-crowded alternative with 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of maintained paths through the rainforest interior. Bird activity peaks in early morning, and you'll likely spot the national bird, the St Vincent Parrot, during November breeding season. Trails can be slippery after rain, so proper footwear matters more than other months.
Mustique and Canouan Island Day Trips
November offers the unusual advantage of experiencing these exclusive islands without the celebrity crowds and mega-yachts that dominate December-April. Mustique's beaches like Macaroni Bay and Lagoon Bay are genuinely quiet, and Canouan's reef-protected Godahl Beach provides excellent swimming conditions. Small plane flights from mainland SVG take 15-20 minutes and offer stunning aerial views of the Grenadines chain. The islands' luxury resorts are open but operating at lower capacity, meaning beach access is easier and restaurant reservations actually available.
Fort Charlotte and Colonial History Tours
The 1806 fort sits 195 m (640 ft) above Kingstown with panoramic views across the leeward coast and Grenadines. November's clearer post-hurricane-season atmosphere means visibility extends 30-40 km (19-25 miles) on good days. The fort's murals depicting Black Carib history provide essential context for understanding SVG's complex colonial past. Afternoon visits work well as the elevation catches breezes that make the humidity more tolerable. The site is rarely crowded in November, and you can easily spend 90 minutes exploring without feeling rushed.
November Events & Festivals
Independence Day Celebrations
October 27th marks SVG's independence from Britain in 1979, but celebrations extend into early November with cultural events, calypso competitions, and traditional food festivals. While the main parade happens in late October, various communities host follow-up events throughout the first week of November. You'll find street parties in Kingstown and smaller villages, with local bands performing and food vendors selling traditional dishes at non-tourist prices.