Kingstown

Mopion Islet is less an island and more a cartoonist's doodle come gloriously to life-a perfect scrap of sand in the Grenadines barely big enough for a volleyball court, crowned by a lone thatched umbrella, defiantly poking out of aquamarine Caribbean waters. There's absurd charm in this speck of maritime whimsy: it's the island equivalent of discovering your own private speakeasy, except here the bartender is Mother Nature herself, pouring stiff sunshine and salty breezes. Visit early in the morning to dodge flocks of Instagrammers trying to capture their next influencer masterpiece, and don't forget sunscreen, snacks, and a sense of humor-the island's amenities are precisely zero, which is part of its sandy charm. Budget around $50 for a boat ride from nearby Union Island or Petit St. Vincent, and book a day ahead through a laid-back local captain who'll probably claim he's distantly related to every pirate who sailed these waters. Sure, at first glance Mopion may seem like the Caribbean's answer to minimalist decor, but stand on its tiny shores, and suddenly you're Columbus meets castaway-explorer of both new worlds and quirky selfies. Go, if only to forever drop into conversations the casual tidbit that once upon a vacation, you conquered an island you could cross in ten leisurely paces.

Perched defiantly above the pastel-hued roofs of Edinboro, Fort Charlotte is exactly the sort of place you'd choose to defend (or dramatically lose) a Caribbean empire. Built in the late 1700s by the British-who clearly had a thing for dramatic scenery and cannons pointed meaningfully seaward-the fort whispers vivid tales of pirates, colonial intrigue, and soldiers sweating profusely in wool uniforms regrettably ill-suited to tropical climates. These days, ammunition has been swapped out for selfie sticks, and the biggest battle you'll face is timing your visit to dodge the cruise-ship crowds. Go early morning, when the golden-hour sun pours generously over cannon-lined ramparts, or late in the afternoon, when the cooler trade winds mercifully replace relentless sunshine. Budget about an hour of your life, $5 US entrance fee, sunscreen, and a water bottle-unless you prefer your sunstroke authentic and historically accurate. Even if military fortifications aren't usually your jam, Fort Charlotte's stunning panoramas across the impossibly blue Caribbean Sea alone make it worth the climb, not to mention you'll leave with enough observational wit to spice up at least one dinner party anecdote.

Nothing spices up your Caribbean vacation like willingly trudging uphill to peer into the steaming mouth of La Soufriere, St. Vincent's reliably cantankerous volcano looming above the sleepy fishing village of Chateaubelair. For centuries, this fiery behemoth has been belching smoke and occasional mischief-most recently in 2021, reminding islanders (and nervous hikers) who's boss. To conquer the beast, start your ascent at dawn when temperatures are mercifully cool and the vistas bloom vividly in morning light. Pack sturdy boots, a rain jacket for unexpected tropical tantrums, and enough snacks to quiet your inner grump when the trail gets steep and muddy. Budget at least five hours round-trip and aim to book a reliable local guide at least a couple days in advance (because wandering lost around an active volcano is admittedly poor form). Your muscles will protest, your boots will never forgive you, and you'll probably curse your poor decision-making skills more than once-but standing atop this volcanic titan, adrenaline buzzing, and gazing out across emerald peaks to turquoise seas is worth every blister. Even if just to casually drop at dinner parties forever after: "This one time, on an active volcano in the Caribbean..."

Forget infinity pools at overpriced resorts; the Owia Salt Pond is Mother Nature's cheeky retort-a wild mosaic of Atlantic surf trapped within volcanic rock sculptures on the rugged coast of Owia, St. Vincent. Crafted by fiery geological outbursts from an angrier era (think Earth's teenage rebellion phase), this natural Jacuzzi offers bathers a salty embrace, softened by rock-filtered calm in a landscape that could easily double as the set for a quirky Wes Anderson adventure. Go early-around sunrise if your hangover allows-to beat selfie-stick-wielding crowds and capture that ephemeral calm. Pack sturdy water shoes to avoid unplanned foot acupuncture on volcanic edges, and bring your own snacks, unless you're keen on hoping for local vendors who operate on island time (read: unpredictably). Budget? Free entrance, but allocate about $15 to treat yourself afterwards to some street-side grilled fish and a cold beer-trust me, saltwater lounging boosts appetites. Even if volcanic geology or saltwater dips aren't your usual holiday pursuits, hitting the Owia Salt Pond is worth the trip if only for the right to casually mention at your next dinner party, "Oh, you like infinity pools? Cute... I prefer nature's volcanic hot tub."