Admiralty Bay and the Art of Slow Travel
Bequia is the second-largest island of the Grenadines, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, known for its sheltered Admiralty Bay, a boat-building tradition and an easy, unhurried island life. It covers about 18 square kilometres, or seven square miles, and is home to roughly 5,300 people. Port Elizabeth is the island's heart and ferry hub, a waterfront village of cafes, small shops and market stalls facing a bay full of yachts. The islanders' roots are African, Scottish and Kalinago, which gives the community its distinctive character.
The island's identity is maritime. Bequia has long been a centre of wooden boat-building and repair, and the skill is still a point of local pride. The waterfront promenade links Port Elizabeth to Princess Margaret Beach, named in honour of a royal visit in the 1950s, and continues towards beach bars and small restaurants. The Whaleboner Bar and Restaurant, with its distinctive architecture, is a landmark of the harbour front.
Beaches, Turtles and a Regatta to Remember
Beaches on Bequia are individual rather than grand. Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay are the best known, with soft sand, clear water and relaxed beach bars. The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary at Park Bay gives visitors a chance to see turtles up close in a place where conservation is part of daily life. Divers will find 28 identified dive sites around the island, from shallow reefs to deeper wall dives.
The Easter Regatta and Music Fest is the highlight of the calendar, bringing traditional sailing boats, yachts and live music to the island. It is the clearest expression of Bequia's character: warm, sociable and deeply connected to the sea. For a tourist board, a festival of this kind provides a strong anchor for marketing. The wider Grenadines are easily explored by boat from here, including Mustique and the Tobago Cays.
Read the full Bequia guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitBequia.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.