Things to Do in Saint Vincent in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Saint Vincent
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season sweet spot - December sits right in the middle of Saint Vincent's driest months with only 150 mm (5.9 inches) of rain spread across about 10 days, meaning you'll get mostly sunny mornings and the occasional afternoon shower that clears quickly
- Perfect hiking weather - temperatures hover between 24-29°C (75-84°F) with lower humidity than wet season, making the climb up La Soufrière volcano or the Vermont Nature Trail actually enjoyable rather than a sweaty ordeal
- Calm Caribbean waters - the leeward (western) coast becomes exceptionally calm in December, with visibility for snorkeling and diving reaching 20-30 m (65-100 ft) around sites like New Guinea Reef and Bottle Reef
- Nine Mornings Festival season - the unique pre-Christmas cultural celebration runs from mid-December with street parties starting at 4am, traditional string band music, and local foods you won't find any other time of year
Considerations
- Peak season pricing without peak season crowds - December marks the start of cruise ship season, so accommodation rates jump 30-40% compared to September-November, though you won't see the February-March crowds yet
- Limited evening entertainment outside Kingstown - most restaurants and bars outside the capital close by 9pm even in December, which catches first-timers off guard if they're expecting Caribbean nightlife
- Unpredictable inter-island ferry schedules - December weather can still bring occasional swells that cancel or delay ferries to the Grenadines, so build flexibility into any Bequia or Mustique day trips
Best Activities in December
La Soufrière Volcano Hiking
December offers the most reliable weather window for tackling Saint Vincent's active volcano. The 1,234 m (4,049 ft) summit hike takes 3-4 hours up through cloud forest, and you'll actually want to start at 6am when temperatures are coolest at 22°C (72°F). The dry season means fewer leeches on the trail and clearer summit views across to Saint Lucia on good days. Late December can get busy with locals on Christmas break, so mid-December timing works best.
Leeward Coast Snorkeling and Diving
The western coastline from Layou to Barrouallie becomes a snorkeling dream in December. Water temperatures sit at a comfortable 27°C (81°F), and the calm conditions mean even nervous swimmers can explore sites like Bottle Reef where you'll see hawksbill turtles feeding on sponges just 3 m (10 ft) down. Dive operators run trips to deeper sites including the Anchor Reef wall that drops to 30 m (100 ft). Morning trips 8-11am offer the best visibility before any afternoon clouds roll in.
Windward Coast Exploration
December's drier weather makes the rugged eastern coast accessible via the dramatic coastal road. The drive from Kingstown to Georgetown takes 90 minutes through villages like Colonarie and Overland, passing black sand beaches and coconut plantations. Stop at the Rabacca Dry River to see the volcanic debris field from the 1902 eruption. The surf is still rough year-round here, so this is for looking not swimming, but the scenery is worth it and December roads are in better condition than wet season.
Kingstown Market and Food Culture Tours
Saturday mornings at Kingstown Market explode with activity from 6am-1pm, and December brings seasonal produce like golden apples, soursop, and breadfruit at peak ripeness. The market sits in the historic downtown where you'll find vendors selling fresh nutmeg, cinnamon bark, and bay leaves for a fraction of North American prices. Combine this with a walking tour through the Georgian-era buildings and stop at local spots serving roti, callaloo soup, and saltfish buljol. The cooler December mornings make the 2-3 hour walk actually pleasant.
Dark View Falls and Vermont Nature Trail
These two rainforest sites become much more accessible in December when trails dry out and rivers run clear but not flooding. Dark View Falls is a double waterfall where you can swim in the lower pool at 26°C (79°F) water temperature. The Vermont Nature Trail is a 2-hour loop through primary forest where you'll actually see the endemic Saint Vincent parrot if you go early morning around 7am with a guide who knows their calls. December timing means fewer mosquitoes and more comfortable humidity levels around 70% instead of wet season's 85%.
Traditional Boat Building and Fishing Village Visits
December is when boat builders in Barrouallie and Layou work on repairs before the peak fishing season. You can watch traditional wooden boats being constructed using techniques unchanged for generations, and December's drier weather means more outdoor work happening. Combine this with visiting fish markets when boats come in around 3-4pm with the day's catch of mahi-mahi, kingfish, and lobster. Some fishermen offer informal sunset trips for EC$100-150 (US$35-55) if you ask around the docks, though these aren't official tours.
December Events & Festivals
Nine Mornings Festival
This uniquely Vincentian pre-Christmas tradition runs for nine days leading up to Christmas Day, typically starting around December 16th. Street parties kick off at 4am with string bands, steel pan music, and traditional foods like black pudding, souse, and roasted corn. Each morning has a different theme in Kingstown's streets, and locals take vacation days specifically to participate. It's part cultural festival, part street party, and completely authentic - tourists are welcome but this isn't performed for visitors. The energy peaks on the final morning, Christmas Eve, when tens of thousands fill the capital.
Calypso Monarch Competitions
December marks the start of calypso season building toward Vincy Mas carnival in July. Throughout the month, you'll find tent shows where calypsonians perform new songs with sharp social commentary and humor. Victoria Park in Kingstown hosts shows most Friday and Saturday nights in December, with tickets around EC$25-40 (US$10-15). The music is witty, political, and requires some local knowledge to fully appreciate, but even first-timers enjoy the energy and can follow the choruses.