Things to Do in Saint Vincent in December

December marks the opening of Saint Vincent's dry season, making it one of the most pleasant months to visit. Daytime temperatures sit between 27–29°C (80–84°F), cooled by the northeast trade winds, with overnight lows rarely dropping below 22°C (72°F). Rainfall drops sharply compared to October and November — expect mostly sunny days with brief, light showers possible in the early weeks as the wet season fully clears. The sea temperature hovers around 27°C (80°F), good for swimming and snorkelling.

December is one of the best months to visit — the dry season begins, the scenery is lush from the wet season rains, and the island comes alive with the unique Nine Mornings Festival in the lead-up to Christmas. The trade-off is that accommodation prices rise from mid-December onward, and the Christmas–New Year window is the busiest and most expensive period. If you want festive atmosphere without peak crowds, arrive in the first two weeks of the month.

Nine Mornings is one of the Caribbean's most distinctive pre-Christmas traditions, unique to Saint Vincent. From December 16 to 24, Vincentians gather in Kingstown and towns across the island before dawn — starting as early as 4:30am — for cycling races, serenading, dancing, food stalls, and street parties that wind down before the working day begins. It's an entirely local event with deep cultural roots, and attending even one morning gives a window into Vincentian community life that no beach resort can replicate.

Saint Vincent sees noticeably more visitors in December than in the quieter wet-season months, but it remains far less crowded than Barbados or St. Lucia. The island's limited flight connections naturally cap tourist numbers. The Christmas and New Year weeks (roughly December 22 – January 2) are the busiest stretch, when yachties fill the anchorages at Blue Lagoon and Villa, and accommodation in Kingstown gets tight. Outside those dates, you'll find the beaches and hiking trails refreshingly uncrowded.

The combination of dry weather and lush post-rainy-season vegetation makes December good for hiking the La Soufrière volcano trail and the Vermont Nature Trail (one of the best places to spot the endangered St. Vincent Amazon parrot). Underwater visibility peaks as seas calm, so diving the Soufrière Wall and snorkelling the black-sand bays around Bequia is excellent. On the cultural side, catching Nine Mornings festivities (December 16–24) in Kingstown is unmissable. Day sails or multiday charters down through the Grenadines to Bequia, Mustique, and the Tobago Cays are also outstanding in December's steady trade winds.

Light, breathable clothing is the foundation — linen and cotton over synthetics in the heat. Bring a light rain layer for the occasional early-month shower and for La Soufrière hikes, where the summit can be cool and misty even in the dry season. Reef-safe sunscreen, a good UV shirt for water activities, and sturdy hiking shoes are essentials. For Nine Mornings events, pack something comfortable for pre-dawn cool — temperatures feel fresher at 4:30am than midday — and consider earplugs if you're a light sleeper staying near Kingstown.

December sits at the start of high season, so accommodation prices are 20–40% higher than the wet-season low. Guesthouses in Kingstown start around USD 60–80 per night; mid-range hotels on the leeward coast run USD 120–180. Christmas week commands a premium, and many properties require minimum stays of 5–7 nights over the holiday. Dining and activities remain reasonable by Caribbean standards — a local meal at a rum shop costs USD 8–15, and a guided La Soufrière hike runs around USD 40–60 per person. Booking flights and accommodation at least two months ahead is strongly advised for the Christmas–New Year period.

December is one of the finest months for island-hopping, with the reliable northeast trade winds making sailing conditions predictable and comfortable. The Grenadines Ferry (SVG Air and Bequia Express) connects Kingstown to Bequia, Canouan, Mustique, and Union Island year-round; ferries run several times daily to Bequia in roughly 1–1.5 hours. The Tobago Cays Marine Park, one of the Caribbean's premier snorkelling spots, is at its clearest and calmest in December. Book ferry seats or charter berths in advance over the Christmas–New Year period, as demand is high.

Beyond Nine Mornings (December 16–24), Kingstown hosts carol concerts and church services that are central to Vincentian Christmas culture — St. George's Cathedral and the Anglican Cathedral are worth visiting on Christmas Eve. New Year's Eve sees beach parties and gatherings at Villa Beach and Indian Bay, relatively low-key compared to party islands like Antigua, which suits travellers who prefer authentic local celebrations over resort-organised events. Check the local Vincentian newspaper or ask at your accommodation for any pop-up events, as programming varies year to year.