When we booked our MSC Virtuosa cruise with St Vincent on the itinerary, we knew straight away what we wanted to do while we were there! We’re HUGE Pirates of the Caribbean fans so visiting the movie set at Wallilabou Bay was an absolute must. We weren’t disappointed and our excursion was easily one of our favourites we’ve ever done in the Caribbean.
There’s lots to do in St Vincent though. It’s green, rugged and volcanic. We really enjoy cruise ports that let you feel like you’re seeing the real Caribbean and it genuinely felt like that.
The city of Kingstown itself is packed with historic forts and local markets but the real highlights are found further afield. Whether you want to walk through the oldest botanical gardens in the region or track down Captain Jack Sparrow, this guide breaks down exactly what you need to know for a great port day in Kingstown. Aargh!
Quick Guide to Kingstown Cruise Port
- Location: Kingstown Cruise Terminal, St Vincent
- Typical Time in Port: 8 to 9 hours
- Walkable: Yes (you walk straight off the ship into the main city streets)
- Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) but US Dollars are accepted in most places
- Language: English
A Little Bit About Kingstown
Kingstown is the capital of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The country is actually made up of 32 different islands and cays and Kingstown sits on the main volcanic island of St Vincent. It’s called the ‘City of Arches’ because of its stone architecture and colonial doorways. It’s a busy working city and feels a lot more rugged and authentic than some of the highly polished tourist ports nearby like Castries in St Lucia or Bridgetown in Barbados.
The island was fought over by the French and the British for centuries. The British finally took full control in the 18th century which is why you’ll see so much colonial history dotted around the capital. The country peacefully gained its full independence in 1979.
Because it’s a volcanic island, the landscape is dramatic and lush. You won’t find many flat sandy beaches here. Instead you get green mountains, deep valleys and unique black sand beaches that make it an interesting cruise port to stop at. It actually feels very similar to the wild volcanic landscape you find in Guadeloupe.
Docking Info & Port Layout
Sailing into Kingstown gives you a lovely view of the lush volcanic hills. We actually stopped for a quick photo looking over the town on our excursion but it started to rain almost immediately. It’s incredibly green here for a reason!
The ship docks right at the main harbour so getting off couldn’t be easier. You step straight off the gangway into the main cruise terminal building. It has a few small duty-free shops and a great little souvenir shop which Denis was straight into before we even left the port.
The port area is very secure and once you walk out the terminal gates, you’re immediately in the hustle and bustle of the capital. You’ll find plenty of taxis and tour guides waiting right outside if you haven’t pre-booked an excursion.
Getting Around Kingstown
If you just want to explore Kingstown itself, walking is by far your best option. The city centre is flat and right next to the port so you can easily ramble around the churches and markets. It’s a very busy city with a lot of traffic so just keep your wits about you when crossing the roads.
For anything further afield like the botanical gardens, Fort Charlotte or the beaches, you’ll need transport. Taxis are waiting everywhere right outside the cruise terminal gates but they don’t use meters. Make sure you agree on the exact price before getting in the car to avoid any hassle later.
St Vincent also has privately owned minivans that act as local buses. You’ll find the main bus terminal just a short walk from the port at the Leeward Bus Terminal. They’re incredibly cheap, play loud music and are an adventure in themselves but we opted for an organised excursion to make sure we saw the sights further up the coast without any stress.
Curious Facts About St Vincent
- St Vincent is home to an active volcano called La Soufrière which last erupted in 2021.
- The nation is actually made up of 32 different islands and cays known as the Grenadines.
- The St Vincent Botanical Gardens are the oldest of their kind in the entire Western Hemisphere.
- Captain William Bligh (famous for the Mutiny on the Bounty) introduced breadfruit to the island in 1793.
Top Things to Do in Kingstown
If you’re planning a DIY walking tour around the capital, these are the top sights you shouldn’t miss within a short distance of the ship.
St Vincent Botanical Gardens
Located just a short taxi ride or a very steep 30-minute walk from the port, these gardens have been open since 1765. They’re very peaceful and are home to the rare St Vincent parrot. It’s a nice place to escape the busy city streets and cool down under the tropical trees. Entry only costs a few dollars and you can easily spend an hour or two rambling through the grounds.
Kingstown Central Market
If you want to see the real Caribbean, you need to walk through the central market. It’s located near the waterfront so you can’t miss it when walking from the ship. It’s packed with locals selling fresh fruit, spices and fish. It gets incredibly busy and noisy but it’s a great spot to soak up the actual atmosphere of the island and pick up some local hot sauce to take home.
Fort Charlotte
This historic British fort sits high up on a ridge overlooking Kingstown and the cruise port. It was built in 1806 and interestingly, all of its cannons point inland to defend against native attacks rather than out to sea. The views from the top are amazing. It’s only a ten-minute taxi ride from the terminal and there’s a small museum inside the old barracks that breaks down the island’s history. You can also opt for a guided tour to Fort Charlotte like this one.
St George’s Anglican Cathedral
You can’t miss this church as you walk through the city. Built in the early 1800s, it features gorgeous stained glass windows and classic Georgian architecture. It’s a lovely quiet spot to pop into while exploring the main streets. The chandelier inside is very impressive and it only takes a few minutes to look around before heading back out into the heat.
Top Excursions in St Vincent
If you want to get out of the capital and see the island’s landscape, these are the best trips to book.
Wallilabou Bay
If you love the movies, you HAVE to book an excursion to Wallilabou Bay. This is where they built the Port Royal set for the very first Pirates of the Caribbean film. They also used it for the second and third movies. The production crew covered the existing buildings with fake facades and built a few from scratch.
When you arrive you’ll see what remains of the set. It feels like they just went around and picked up anything that was left after filming finished. You can see the old fibreglass coffins, the docks where the Black Pearl sailed in and some of the original horse carriages. There’s even a chance to get a photo with Captain Jack Sparrow. We’re huge fans of Pirates of the Caribbean so we absolutely loved it! The drive takes about an hour from the port but the coastal views along the way are stunning. It’s best to book a Pirates of the Caribbean shore excursion or tour in advance.
Mount Wynne Black Sand Beach
After the movie set, we drove down a very bumpy track to reach Mount Wynne beach. Because St Vincent is volcanic, most of its beaches have black sand. This one is very secluded and is famous for being the spot where Queen Elizabeth II used to anchor her royal yacht for a private swim.
The weather was a bit overcast and nippy when we first arrived but we just made the most of it. We grabbed a pineapple juice and a rum punch from the bar and had a brilliant time chatting with fellow cruisers (hello to Alan and Sue from Ontario!). It’s a nice spot to escape the crowds and have a relaxing afternoon.
Dark View Falls
If you aren’t bothered about the beaches, a trip to Dark View Falls is a great alternative. It features two waterfalls tumbling down high cliff faces. To get to them, you have to walk across a bridge made entirely of bamboo which is an adventure in itself. You can swim in the clear pools at the bottom of both falls so it’s a brilliant way to cool down. It’s located further up the coast from Wallilabou Bay so it’s usually combined into a full-day island tour. You can book a tour to Dark View Falls here.
Mesopotamia Valley
If you want to see exactly why St Vincent is known as one of the greenest islands in the Caribbean, you should book a scenic drive through the Mesopotamia Valley. It’s called the food basket of the island because the volcanic soil is so rich. The valley is packed with banana plantations, coconut groves and tiny local villages. The roads wind high up into the mountains giving you great views looking back down towards the coast.
Tips For Your Visit
- Bring Small US Notes: While the local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, US Dollars are accepted everywhere. Just bring smaller notes because you’ll get your change in local currency.
- Prepare for Tropical Rain: St Vincent is incredibly lush and green because it gets short and sudden rain showers. Even if it looks sunny when you dock, throw a light rain jacket into your bag just in case.
- Agree on Taxi Fares: The local taxis right outside the terminal don’t use meters. Always confirm the exact price and what currency you are paying in before you actually get in the car.
- Sundays are Quiet: If your cruise ship happens to dock on a Sunday you’ll find that almost all the shops and markets in Kingstown are closed. It’s definitely a day where you’re better off booking a beach excursion or an island tour.
Kingstown Cruise Port FAQs
Is Kingstown walkable from the cruise port?
Yes, the main city of Kingstown is right outside the terminal gates. You can easily walk around the local markets, churches and shops on foot.
Do I need an excursion to see the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set?
Wallilabou Bay is quite a drive up the coast from the port. You’ll either need to book a ship excursion or hire a local taxi for the day to get there because it isn’t within walking distance.
Are there white sand beaches in St Vincent?
The main island of St Vincent is volcanic so most of the beaches like Mount Wynne have black sand. If you want white sand you usually need to book a boat trip over to the smaller Grenadine islands like Bequia.
Is it safe to explore Kingstown?
It feels very safe around the port and the main shopping streets during the day. It’s a busy working capital so just use your common sense and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded market areas.
Are there beaches right at the cruise terminal?
No, Kingstown is a busy commercial harbour so there’s no swimming beaches right next to the ship. You’ll need to grab a short taxi ride out of the city centre to reach places like Villa Beach or Indian Bay for a proper swim.
The Verdict on Kingstown
We absolutely loved our day in St Vincent. We honestly weren’t expecting to enjoy it as much as we did. We’re massive Pirates of the Caribbean fans so walking around the actual Port Royal set at Wallilabou Bay was the absolute highlight for us. Getting to see exactly where the Black Pearl first appeared and messing about with the leftover props made the entire cruise worthwhile.
Once you add in the peaceful afternoon paddling at Mount Wynne beach, St Vincent gives you a fantastic glimpse into authentic Caribbean life. Between the lush green hills, the historic forts and the brilliant local people, it’s an island we would happily come back to again!
