- Pace
- For a first visit, give it 7–10 nights and use two bases—usually Bequia and Union Island—or choose a slower one-base Bequia holiday. A two-week trip can sensibly add Mustique or Canouan. Do not try to collect every island: Bequia is a poor base for a Tobago Cays day trip, and even short-looking crossings can consume a day because ferries are infrequent and flights or private boats cost dearly.
- When to go
- December–April is the dependable window: dry, breezy and best for beaches and sailing, but small hotels, boats and flights fill quickly—especially over Christmas/New Year and Easter. May–June is the value compromise, with more heat, occasional showers and thinner opening hours. July–November is greener and cheaper but increasingly unreliable for boat-heavy itineraries; September–October is the quietest, wettest and most disruption-prone period.
- Daily budget
- EC$650–1,250 (US$243–466)
Grenadines Parish is not one destination but St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ scattered southern island chain: small, dry, sea-facing islands where distance is measured in ferry days, wind, boat schedules and flight connections rather than road miles. For travelers, it is a choice between Bequia’s lived-in sailing culture, Mustique’s tightly controlled private luxury, Canouan’s resort-heavy beaches, and the rougher, more independent southern cluster around Union, Mayreau and the Tobago Cays. Come for water time, small-island rhythm and inter-island movement—not for a frictionless resort circuit.
Known for
- Bequia’s sailing culture, Admiralty Bay and independent-traveler atmosphere
- The Tobago Cays’ protected lagoon, turtles, reefs and snorkeling
- Mustique’s private-villa luxury and discreet exclusivity
- Union Island’s kiteboarding, sailing access and local energy
- Mayreau’s near-roadless quiet and Salt Whistle Bay
- Inter-island sailing, beach coves and small-boat travel
Where to go
Base · 4–5 days
Bequia: Port Elizabeth, Admiralty Bay and Belmont Walkway
The practical northern gateway and the best all-round base: ferry access, guesthouses, provisions, diving, casual bars and the parish’s most dependable dining scene. Stay here if you want the Grenadines without turning every meal and transfer into a project.
Southern and Windward Bequia
Base · 2 days
Lower Bay and Princess Margaret are the easy swimming beaches; Friendship Bay, Industry and Hope feel quieter, hillier and more rural. It is the beach side of Bequia, best explored by taxi rather than optimistic walking in the heat.
3Mustique
Base · 3 days
A tightly managed private island for villas, serious quiet and polished beaches, not local-island spontaneity. A day sail from Bequia is a glimpse; staying overnight is the point if the budget allows.
Canouan: Charlestown and the Southern Public Side
Base · 3 days
A strategic mid-chain stop with exceptional water and sand, but much of the prime coast is wrapped into the resort estate. Worth it for resort guests, golf or an airstrip-led itinerary; less compelling for independent wandering.
Mayreau: Saline Bay and Salt Whistle Bay
Short stop · 1 day
The chain at its smallest and least hurried: one village, sparse roads and Salt Whistle Bay’s near-perfect anchorage. Stay for silence and simplicity, not for choice, ATMs or backup plans.
Tobago Cays Marine Park
Short stop · 1 day
The essential water day in the southern Grenadines: turtles in seagrass, reef snorkeling, iguanas and the lagoon inside Horseshoe Reef. Visit by charter, yacht or water taxi rather than trying to treat it as a land-based stop.
Union Island: Clifton, Ashton and Chatham Bay
Base · 3–4 days
The southern group’s working hub and the sensible base for Tobago Cays trips, kiteboarding and boat charters. Clifton handles services and provisions; Chatham Bay is the quieter anchorage, while the island retains more local energy than its neighbors.
Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent
Private-island retreats just beyond Union, built for low-density luxury, soft sand and switching off from normal logistics. Choose either as a destination in itself, not as a cheap or efficient exploration base.
Don't miss
The Botanical Gardens are the essential green respite in Kingstown and a strong first stop for understanding St. Vincent’s lush interior. They work particularly well before tackling the city or setting out along the island’s west coast.
The Tobago Cays are the defining seascape of the Grenadines: shallow luminous water, reef snorkeling, and small uninhabited islands viewed from a boat. Make this a full-day sailing or speedboat excursion and prioritize a reputable operator who adjusts plans to sea conditions.
Princess Margaret Beach is Bequia’s classic first-time beach: easy to reach, genuinely beautiful, and sociable without requiring a full boat expedition. Combine swimming here with a walk from Port Elizabeth or a drink at neighboring Lower Bay.
Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau delivers the archetypal tiny-island beach stop, with clear water, sand, and anchorage views in one compact place. It is a natural companion to a Tobago Cays itinerary, whether on a day trip or an overnight sail.
Mayreau is worth experiencing as a whole rather than ticking off one monument: a small inhabited island, steep lanes, expansive sea views, and easy access to remarkable bays. Allow time to walk up from the landing and see the island away from the boat-day crowds.
Getting your bearings
Pins are the top attractions, ranked by the corner badge — click one for details.
The mental map
Think north to south. Bequia is the practical northern gateway and strongest all-round base; Mustique is a separate private-island stay rather than a casual ferry stop; Canouan is a compact resort-oriented middle island. South of there, Union is the service and excursion hub, Mayreau is for near-total quiet, and the Tobago Cays are a boat-only water day between them. Stay on Union for the Cays and Mayreau; stay on Bequia for Bequia, local beaches and perhaps a Mustique sail.
When to go
December–April is the dependable window: dry, breezy and best for beaches and sailing, but small hotels, boats and flights fill quickly—especially over Christmas/New Year and Easter. May–June is the value compromise, with more heat, occasional showers and thinner opening hours. July–November is greener and cheaper but increasingly unreliable for boat-heavy itineraries; September–October is the quietest, wettest and most disruption-prone period.
Pacing a visit
For a first visit, give it 7–10 nights and use two bases—usually Bequia and Union Island—or choose a slower one-base Bequia holiday. A two-week trip can sensibly add Mustique or Canouan. Do not try to collect every island: Bequia is a poor base for a Tobago Cays day trip, and even short-looking crossings can consume a day because ferries are infrequent and flights or private boats cost dearly.
Book before you land
Getting in
SVDArgyle International Airport, St. Vincent
The main international gateway for the country. From here, continue by domestic flight to Bequia, Canouan or Union where schedules work, or transfer to Kingstown for the Bequia ferry. Do not plan a tight same-day international-to-ferry connection.
Flights and transfers into KingstownBQUJ. F. Mitchell Airport, Bequia
The most useful arrival point for a Bequia stay, reached on regional services from St. Vincent and selected Caribbean hubs. Port Elizabeth and the island's accommodation are a short taxi ride away.
UNIUnion Island Airport
The practical southern-Grenadines gateway for Tobago Cays, Mayreau and Union itself. Use it if the Cays are central to the trip; it avoids wasting a day getting south from Bequia, but schedules are limited and weather-sensitive.
CIWCanouan Airport
Useful for Canouan resort stays and some southbound island-hopping itineraries. It is not a strong independent-traveler hub: onward public transport and dining outside the resort sphere are limited.
BGIGrantley Adams International Airport, Barbados
A common regional air hub for onward connections to the Grenadines, particularly when direct service to St. Vincent is inconvenient. Treat it as a connection point, not a substitute for building overnight slack into an inter-island itinerary.
Before you go
Questions worth settling
How many days do I need for the Grenadines Parish?
Allow 7–10 nights for a first trip, ideally split between Bequia and Union Island. With two weeks, add Mustique or Canouan; avoid trying to collect every island, since transfers can consume most of a day.
Where should I base myself on a first visit?
Base on Bequia—around Port Elizabeth, Admiralty Bay or Belmont—for the easiest all-round stay, with restaurants, provisions, beaches and ferry access. Add Union Island if Tobago Cays, Mayreau or southern-island sailing is a priority.
Which islands are worth combining, and which should I not try to do as day trips?
Combine Bequia with Union Island for the most practical first itinerary: use Union for Tobago Cays and Mayreau, and Bequia for local beaches such as Lower Bay and Princess Margaret. Do not use Bequia as the default base for a Tobago Cays day trip; it is a long, weather-dependent run, while Mustique is best treated as a planned private-island stay rather than a casual stop.
Do I need a visa to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines?
US, Canadian, UK, EU and many Commonwealth passport holders can generally enter visa-free for short tourist stays, subject to a valid passport, onward-travel proof and immigration approval. Other nationals may need a visa in advance, so confirm current SVG Immigration requirements before booking—especially if connecting via Barbados.
How do I get between the islands?
Use domestic flights when schedules work for Bequia, Canouan or Union Island, and use scheduled ferries or private water taxis for sea transfers. Ferries are inexpensive but infrequent, while flights and private boats save time at a premium; plan full transfer days and reconfirm schedules locally.
When is the best time to go?
December–April is the most dependable period for dry weather, beach time and sailing, but small hotels, charters and flights book up quickly. May–June offers better value with more heat and showers; September–October is cheapest but the wettest and least reliable for boat-heavy plans.
What should I book ahead?
Reserve Tobago Cays day charters from Union Island well ahead for December–April, Easter and regatta periods. Book Mustique accommodation and arranged air transfers early, and secure Bequia or Union lodging early for Easter, when the Bequia Easter Regatta and Union Island Easterval tighten limited capacity.
What should I know before staying on Mayreau or visiting Tobago Cays?
Mayreau has no airport and very limited supplies, cash access and dining, so bring cash and essential medication and consider arranging meals in advance. Tobago Cays is boat-only; use registered operators, expect the EC$15 per-person 24-hour Marine Park entry fee, and do not touch or remove coral or marine life.
Known for
- Bequia’s sailing culture, Admiralty Bay and independent-traveler atmosphere
- The Tobago Cays’ protected lagoon, turtles, reefs and snorkeling
- Mustique’s private-villa luxury and discreet exclusivity
- Union Island’s kiteboarding, sailing access and local energy
- Mayreau’s near-roadless quiet and Salt Whistle Bay
- Inter-island sailing, beach coves and small-boat travel