The Grenadines: Bequia
The Caribbean as it was: tiny volcanic islands linked by mail boats and day charters, culminating in the Tobago Cays, an uninhabited cluster of islets inside a horseshoe reef where you snorkel with turtles in knee-deep turquoise.
- Best forBeach lovers · Divers & snorkellers · Couples
- In July27°C · 22 rainy days · sea 29°C
- Ideal stay10–14 nights
- Approx. flying time~7h 55m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyXCDEast Caribbean dollar
- LanguageEnglish
- Local time07:145h behind the UK
- PlugsType A / B / GUK plugs fit
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+1
Why go
A chain of small islands trails south from Saint Vincent towards Grenada, most of them low, volcanic and reached by boat rather than plane. Sailing sets the rhythm: mail boats, ferries and day charters carry people between anchorages, and the Tobago Cays sit inside a horseshoe reef where turtles graze in shallow turquoise. Bequia is the friendly, functional base, with a whaling and boatbuilding history still visible.
Ten days to a fortnight suits it, whether on a chartered boat or hopping by ferry. December to May is the dry season with steady trade winds; hurricane season runs from June to November. Connections come through Barbados or Saint Vincent and take patience. This is not a place for large resorts, nightlife or reliable timetables, which is rather the point.
- Ideal stay
- 10–14 nights
- The vibe
- Salty, small-scale, blissfully slow
From our guides
Base yourself on friendly Bequia, splash out on a day sail past Mustique, and accept that your standards for 'clear water' are permanently ruined.
Featured in Ten island-hopping routes for the perfect beach fortnight
Things to do
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Tobago Cays
Five uninhabited islets inside Horseshoe Reef, protected as a marine park, where green turtles feed in shallow water over seagrass beds.
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Princess Margaret Beach
A curve of sand on Bequia reached by the Belmont walkway from Port Elizabeth, with calm water and shade at the northern end.
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Bequia's boatbuilding
The island has a long tradition of building wooden boats and detailed models by hand, explained in a small museum and local workshops.
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Mustique by day sail
The private island can be visited on a day charter, with quiet beaches and a low-key sense of exclusivity rather than any spectacle.
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Union Island and Mayreau
The southern Grenadines, with a hilltop walk on Union and the single-village island of Mayreau above Salt Whistle Bay.
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Ferries and mail boats
Scheduled boats connect Saint Vincent, Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Union, and riding them is half the reason to come.
Getting there
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Fly to
Kingstown (SVD)
Nearest airport to Bequia, about 18km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Port Elizabeth
Bequia's own airstrip (BQU) is about 15 minutes by taxi from Port Elizabeth, but most visitors fly into Saint Vincent (SVD) and take the ferry across, which takes about an hour.
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On the ground
Getting around
Port Elizabeth's Admiralty Bay is walkable and the waterfront path leads to Princess Margaret Beach. Everything further afield, the Tobago Cays and a look at Mustique, is done on a day charter or the local boats.
Public transport: Shared minibuses and water taxis cover Bequia, and the inter-island ferries and charter boats handle the rest.
Flights
Los Angeles Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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Roughly 7h 55m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 26°C in February to 28°C in September. Driest February to May; wettest in July, with rain on about 22 days. The sea is warmest in September at around 31°C, coolest at 27°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
July27° · rain 22 days · sea 29°Warm and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Small family-run hotels, guesthouses and villas rather than resorts, with a few upmarket boutique places. Mustique is private-villa rental only, and there are no chains anywhere.
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Best base overall
Port Elizabeth, Bequia
Admiralty Bay's harbour village, where the ferries dock and the day charters leave, with restaurants along the water. Small and sleepy, which is the point.
Find stays in Port Elizabeth, Bequia -
Best with children
Lower Bay and Princess Margaret Beach, Bequia
Calm swimming beaches a short walk over the headland from town, with guesthouses and villas above. The paths are steep and there is no pavement at all.
Find stays in Lower Bay and Princess Margaret Beach, Bequia -
Closest to the sights
Union Island, Clifton
The nearest inhabited island to the Tobago Cays, so day boats are short and cheap. Rooms are basic and the island itself is workaday rather than beautiful.
Find stays in Union Island, Clifton -
Quietest
Friendship Bay, Bequia
The windward side, with a long beach, few visitors and a couple of small hotels. You will need taxis for dinner, and they stop early.
Find stays in Friendship Bay, Bequia
Worth knowing before you book: The high season from December to April books far ahead and the islands have few rooms. Check ferry days before you commit, since some sailings run only a few times a week.
Search everything else in Port Elizabeth by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Connections run via Barbados or Saint Vincent, then ferry or small aircraft. Allow a full day each way and avoid tight connections.
- Timing
- The dry season runs December to May. Hurricane season is June to November, when some businesses close entirely.
- Cash or card
- The East Caribbean dollar is used and cash matters outside the larger hotels. ATMs exist on Bequia and Union but not everywhere.
- Snorkelling
- Bring your own mask and fins if you can. Do not stand on coral or approach turtles closely inside the marine park.
- Pace
- Boats and shops run to island time. Plan buffer days, particularly before an international flight home.
Similar places
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Culebra, Puerto RicoAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 29°C in July (27°C here) · cheaper to stay
The Andaman Coast: Phuket
Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta, ThailandAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 28°C in July, as here · cheaper to stay
Lanikai Beach
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit The Grenadines: Bequia?
Daytime highs run from about 26°C in February to 28°C in September. Driest February to May; wettest in July, with rain on about 22 days. The sea is warmest in September at around 31°C, coolest at 27°C.
How long should I spend in The Grenadines: Bequia?
Our suggestion: 10–14 nights.
How do I get to The Grenadines: Bequia?
Bequia's own airstrip (BQU) is about 15 minutes by taxi from Port Elizabeth, but most visitors fly into Saint Vincent (SVD) and take the ferry across, which takes about an hour.
Do I need a car in The Grenadines: Bequia?
No. Shared minibuses and water taxis cover Bequia, and the inter-island ferries and charter boats handle the rest.
What currency and language are used in The Grenadines: Bequia?
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD). Language: English. Plugs: type A and B and G.
Who is The Grenadines: Bequia best for?
Best for beach lovers, divers & snorkellers and couples. In a phrase: salty, small-scale, blissfully slow.