Fort Duvernette

Fort Duvernette occupies the top of a volcanic plug rising some sixty metres out of the sea beside Young Island off St Vincent's southern coast, fortified by the late eighteenth century to cover the anchorage - its garrison took in survivors of an attack on a convoy in 1795 - and the way up is a stairway of 255 steps cut into the rock. It had lost its military role by 1878 and passed to the National Trust in 1971. Cannon are still in place on two levels at the top. Boats run across in a couple of minutes from the Villa shore.

The main sights

• The rock - a volcanic plug rising some sixty metres straight out of the sea.
• The rock-cut stairway - the flight of 255 steps to the top.
• The cannon - the guns still mounted on the batteries at the summit.
• The anchorage view - Young Island and the Villa channel from above.

When to go

December to May is the dry season and calmest for the crossing. Steps are slippery when wet, and the fort was closed again over safety concerns on 31 January 2025, so check whether landing is allowed. Mornings are cooler for the climb.

Good to know

The stairway is steep and the handrails are in variable condition. Boats are arranged informally on the shore. There is no shade at the top and no facilities.

Nearby

Young Island is beside it, and Villa is on the mainland shore.

Key facts