There are many top Caribbean Vacation Spots, the perfect kind of place for a Caribbean family vacation, where luxury abounds, but few like Canouan set right in the middle of the Grenadines.

Canouan is only five square miles in size, and it has the gorgeous white sand beaches that the Grenadines are famous for.  It is just 110 miles west of Barbados. The island has lush green rolling hills, and one of the largest coral reefs anywhere, which is home to a tremendous number of multi coloured fish and marine life, so snorkelling and scuba diving is very popular here.

For many years it was a retreat known and loved by a few people in the know, until it was discovered and one of the most exclusive five star resorts was built and is managed by Raffles International, which is one of two resorts on Canouan both of which are quite different but ideal for a Caribbean Family vacation.

Raffles Resort opens onto Carenage Bay, and has been rated the most luxurious resort in the Southern Caribbean. The accommodation is in villa suites near the beach, and there are 156 units. There is a golf course and a casino with 4 restaurants 4 bars and a gigantic outdoor pool. This is the place for a top end luxury Caribbean Vacation, and what with four tennis courts and a fitness centre this should ensure you stay trim despite the first rate cuisine from top chefs some of whom are Italian.

Another  resort is the Italian owned and managed Tamarind Beach Hotel which over looks Grand Bay Beach. It is a bare foot thatched roof seaside hideaway kind of place. All the bungalows have their own lush tropical garden and the emphasis is on wood, and ceiling fans so there is a rustic air to the place. The food here is good with 2 restaurants 2 bars.

There is another hotel called the Canouan Beach Hotel, and three guesthouses  the Anchor Inn, Crystal Apartments and

There are in the region of 2000 people who live permanently on Canouan many of whom are fishermen and they live in the only village on the island called Retreat Village.

Apart from lying on the beautiful beaches, swimming, improving your sun tan, there are a number of things to do whether or not you are here on a Caribbean Family vacation or just as a couple.

Firstly explore the southern Grenadines, and the magnificent Tobago Cays which is a marine park, and as beautiful as anywhere. Visit Mayreau a proper Caribbean Island, go to Union Island and visit the little harbour town of Clifton. The list of other islands isn’t endless but it would be a shame to come all the way to Canouan and not see the Grenadines.

If you are a golfer then you must play at Raffles, it has become one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.

Make sure you go to the other beaches on Canouan, for example Tamarind Beach, and CBA beach on a Sunday.

Hike up to the top of Mount Royal with a guide. Hire a mule through Raffles and use it to explore Canouan, eating out locally at places like the Crystal Apartments where they do Rotis to die for. You should also try Pompeys and Majellas on the beach.

There really is something for everyone on Canouan, and it has one of the very top Caribbean Vacation Spots, but if you arrive by yacht there are restaurants and bars to suit all pockets and tastes.