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Fishing
 Fishing is an island-wide pursuit, and many islanders will fish for hours from harbour walls, from the beach or riverside. Deep sea and game fishing is mostly for blue marlin and tuna which can weigh up to 1000lb, wahoo and white marlin, which can weigh more than 100lb and the fighting sailfish. Snapper, grouper, bonito, dorado and barracuda can all be kept close to shore. Licences are not necessary for pleasure fishing, although some areas are off-limits. You can get details from the Fisheries Department in the Government Offices building in Kingstown (456-2738). Permission is also required from the department if you want to use a spear gun. There are a number of boats available for fishing trips, and these can usually be arranged directly with the fisherman.
Sport
Cricket is the national game and played with such fervour that it is not surprising that the West Indies are good team. The game is played at every opportunity and anywhere. You can be driving in the countryside and find players using the road as a pitch. It is played on the beach even in the water if the tide is coming in. If the island team or the West Indies is playing, almost all the radios on the island are tuned in for the commentary. When cricket is not being played, football is the top sport. Also popular are volleyball, basketball and netball.
 For the visitor, there is a huge range of sporting opportunities from swimming and scuba diving, to horseback riding and hiking, to golf and tennis. There is cycling, sailing, squash and, of course, fishing either from shore or boat. The Atlantic coastline offers stronger swell for windsurfing and surfing but the seas can some-times be very rough and care is needed, while the Caribbean beaches offer safe swimming. Swimming in slow moving rivers and lakes is not advisable be-cause of the risk of bilharzia, a disease caused by a parasitic water-borne worm. Most hotels offer a variety of sports and water activities, and there are diving schools where you can learn what it is all about and progress to advanced level if you have the time.
Cycling
Cycling is a good way to get around especially on the Grenadines where there is much less motor traffic. On St Vincent care needs to be exercised when cycling on busy roads. Bikes can be hired from the Sailors Cycle Centre on St Vincent, 457-1712, and from the Lighthouse on Bequia, 458-3084.
Fitness Gyms/Exercise Centres
Grand View Hotel Health Club and Sauna
Villa Point, St Vincent
Hiking
 Walking is great fun and there are lots of official trails, especially in the mountains. Some hikes require a great deal of physical fitness so check first. It is also advisable to use the services of a guide on some of the longer interior hikes. Guides are not expensive, are very knowledgeable and work hard to ensure you get the most out of your trip. When walking inland, it is a good idea to wear long trousers and carry a waterproof top and light jumper. Stout foot-wear is essential. Wear a hat if not used to being out in the sun, use sun screen and insect repellent. Make sure you have adequate drinking supplies, if water is not available along the way.
Horseback Riding
Cotton House Hotel Mustique
Squash
Cecil Cyrus Squash Complex
Grand View Beach Hotel
St Vincent
Prospect Racquet Club St Vincent
Tennis
Many resorts and large hotels have their own tennis courts, often floodlit.
St Vincent
Grand View Beach Hotel
Kingstown Tennis Club
Prospect Racquet Club
Young Island Resort
Bequia
Friendship Bay Hotel
Plantation House
Spring on Bequia
Sunsports
Canouan
Canouan Beach Club
Mustique
Cotton House Hotel
Palm Island
Palm Island Beach Club
Petit St Vincent
Petit St Vincent Resort
Watersports
Available at all resorts and most large hotels, and through most tour and dive operators.
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