Bequia, which is pronounced as Beckway, is not the most widely known Caribbean Island, but it is truly a hidden gem. Located south of St. Vincent, Bequia is one of the hilly islands of the Grenadines. Because the island is not smothered in mass tourism, it has kept its quiet charm and authenticity. The island is home to less than 6,000 people and measures only seven square miles. Here, the residents are known to be friendly and easy going, and the pace of life to be relaxed and peaceful.
One of the striking features of the island is Admiralty Bay, which is a highly protected natural harbor surrounded by steep hills. A number of visitors to Bequia usually rent chartered yachts to explore the island and its surrounding waters and islets. Thus, Admiralty Bay always has its fair share of yachts. The village capital is Port Elizabeth, which is situated at the back of Admiralty Bay, and is characterized by wooden buildings of different colors. One of village’s most recognizable sections is the Belmont Walkway, a waterside path that provides great views of the ocean and houses several restaurants and bars.
Bequia, just like other small islands in the Caribbean region, offers gorgeous sandy beaches. However, what truly makes it extra special is the lack of commercial development on the beachfront and the fact that you will most likely have a big chunk of the beach all to yourself. Princess Margaret Beach, situated nearby Port Elizabeth, is one of the most popular beaches on the island. This golden sand, tree-fringed beach is quite bare except for one beach bar.
However, if you are looking for a more vibrant beach with more bars and a crowd, you just need Lower Bay, which is just around the headland that separates it from Princess Margaret Beach. Other beaches to consider visiting include the Industry Bay, known for its reefs and palm trees; and the more secluded Friendship Bay.
Aside from spending time on the island’s beaches, Bequia also has other attractions worth exploring like its luscious hillsides and little villages. You may also want to drop by at the Sargeant Brothers Model Boat Shop and the maritime museum, to find more about the island’s boat building heritage and whaling tradition.
Vacationing in Bequia is all about relaxing. Days spent here tend to be slow and non-hectic. But if you want to go for a trip, boat excursions are quite common. These excursions typically bring participants to nearby deserted islands like Tobago Cays and Mustique, which have excellent diving and snorkeling spots.
Despite of a relatively low population and commercial tourism, there is still a decent number of lodging places on Bequia. You have the choice to stay at a hotel, guest house, private apartment or a luxurious villa. There are also some bars and restaurants in the area that can keep you occupied in the warm tropical evenings.
Visitors coming to Bequia usually go for a direct international flight to Barbados or St. Vincent. From Barbados, you have to catch an inter-island flight with SVG Air to Bequia. If you’re coming from St. Vincent, you have the choice of taking a one-hour ferry ride to the island instead of flying.
