The Grenadines by boat: planning Bequia, Mustique and Mayreau

The pace of an inter-island cruise

On a map, the Grenadines seem to form a chain that is easy to travel. In practice, each island change requires planning: preparing the boat, sailing, reaching an anchorage, going ashore by dinghy and agreeing on a return time. The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines tourism authority cites sailings of two to five hours in its example of a one-week cruise. This gives a sense of scale, but does not determine the duration of each of your crossings.

For a first visit to Bequia, Mustique and Mayreau, we would recommend eight to ten nights on the islands, with some buffer before your international return. This is a suggested pace, to be adapted by the skipper to the boat, your chosen departure point and the weather. A week is still feasible if you reduce the number of stops or the time spent ashore. Any additional islands should be decided based on the corresponding time at sea, rather than the number of beaches photographed.

A boat lets you sleep near your stops and move your accommodation with you. A land-based stay is better suited if you want a fixed room, more meals in villages and only a few trips out to sea. Bequia offers several types of accommodation and a lively base in Port Elizabeth. To also visit Mustique and Mayreau, you will need to arrange transport separately to suit your dates.

Choosing the boat and skipper

A cabin booked on a shared cruise may suit a couple who want to leave the sailing to someone else. Chartering a sailboat or catamaran offers a group travelling together more flexibility. Focus on comparing the space actually available: berths, bathrooms, storage, shaded areas and access to the water. The boat’s stated size alone does not describe everyday comfort.

For a first trip to the archipelago, we would favour a professional skipper familiar with the stops. They can discuss the order of the stages, arrange daytime arrivals and revise the programme according to conditions. A skipper’s presence should be distinguished from cooking or housekeeping services: ask who prepares meals, shops and handles tidying up. How these tasks are shared can make a significant difference to days aboard.

Before paying a deposit, get the exact embarkation and disembarkation ports, the boat handover times and a breakdown of additional expenses. Also clarify what alternatives are planned if a stop becomes inaccessible. An itinerary listing three island names must leave the person in charge of the boat free to choose a suitable shelter and change a crossing.

Arriving via Kingstown and Bequia

To reach Bequia from Saint Vincent, the journey typically involves Kingstown ferry terminal and the ferry. Book your first night based on your actual flight arrival, baggage collection and the confirmed boat departure for that day. Check the schedule with the operator before travelling; an old reference to the “last ferry” is not enough to guarantee a connection.

The selected private transfer runs between the airport and the Bequia ferry terminal in Kingstown, or in the opposite direction, depending on the booking. The listing specifies an air-conditioned vehicle and a 30–40-minute drive. That is the road journey alone: allow extra time for arrival formalities and waiting before boarding. The ferry ticket must be arranged separately, as it is not among the listed inclusions.

Give the provider your flight number, transfer direction and details of the luggage you will be carrying. If travelling as a group, confirm the vehicle capacity and final price, including any possible surcharges. A late arrival may make it sensible to stay overnight on Saint Vincent and continue to Bequia the next day. This night also lets you start the cruise without making the entire first day dependent on a tight connection.

Bequia and its maritime heritage

Port Elizabeth opens onto Admiralty Bay, a wide bay where boats are central to the landscape. The tourism authority places the town on Bequia’s leeward coast and highlights its maritime history. For a first stop, take time to connect the waterfront, port services and the places you want to visit ashore.

The maritime museum, model sailing ships and viewpoints at Fort Hamilton offer several ways into the island’s history. Choose one or two rather than trying to pack too many trips into a short stop. Opening hours and visiting arrangements should be confirmed locally. A walk through Port Elizabeth may also be enough to observe the relationship between the village, the ferry terminals and the sailboats at anchor.

Bequia is a practical stop for preparing for what comes next: the tourism authority mentions banks and ATMs in Port Elizabeth, as well as shops and restaurants. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the local currency. Before setting off for a smaller island, check with the crew about water, provisions and the payment methods you will need. Meals ashore can then alternate with those prepared on board, depending on the time available.

Mustique and stopover requirements

Mustique requires specific preparation. The Mustique Company organizes air connections in particular and may offer a private boat from Saint Vincent or the nearby islands. If arriving on a cruise yacht, confirm anchoring, landing, and movement conditions before treating the island as a definite stop. Booking a boat does not automatically grant permission to visit every part of the island.

Build the day around an approved itinerary: arrival in the chosen bay, authorized landing, a possible lunch, and a return to the boat. The official website lists Basil’s Bar among Mustique’s dining venues. If lunch there is the reason for your stop, check directly that it will be open and confirm the arrangements for your visit. Private villas are private property and must be respected; their presence is no reason to improvise a tour.

For a stay on the island with an air arrival, the company notes that aircraft cannot land after sunset and that connections are adjusted accordingly. Keep your medication and the essentials for one night in your carry-on. This is particularly relevant to travelers combining a few nights in Mustique with a stay elsewhere in the Grenadines.

Mayreau, between two bays

Mayreau is also worth exploring on foot. Saline Bay, in the south, has a landing point; Saltwhistle Bay is in the north. Between them, the main road climbs inland toward the village of Old Wall. The tourism office estimates about an hour to walk the length of the island, including the climb to the village. This gives you a sense of the effort involved, not including breaks, the heat, or time spent at the beach.

A stop can therefore combine a walk through the village, the stone church mentioned by the tourism office, and some time by the water. Bring suitable shoes, water, and sun protection for the walk. Agree on the pickup point with the crew before leaving shore: returning to the same bay or meeting the boat elsewhere requires different coordination.

Sailors are drawn to Saltwhistle Bay for its anchorage and beach. The skipper decides where to spend the night based on conditions and available space. To enjoy Mayreau, leave half a day free on shore rather than reducing the island to a technical stop before the Tobago Cays. Confirm which shops and restaurants will actually be open during your stay.

The Tobago Cays and the marine park

The Tobago Cays add a day focused on the marine environment to your trip. The park describes a lagoon fringed by beaches, coral reefs, and seagrass beds that are home to turtles, among other wildlife. Its proximity to Mayreau makes it possible to include both stops in the same trip, with arrangements handled by the person in charge of the boat or a local operator. The precise itinerary depends on sea conditions and permitted areas.

Park regulations prohibit anchoring on coral or seagrass: use the designated moorings or suitable sandy areas. Fishing, removing marine life, and discharging wastewater are also prohibited. When snorkeling, control your movements to avoid hitting the coral. For scuba diving, the park requires you to be accompanied by staff from a registered local operator.

When observing turtles, give them space and let them move freely. Ask your guide how to enter the water, where to stay, and how to return to the boat. Park and mooring fees should be included in the quote or in your budget for expenses on site. We do not repeat an outdated rate schedule: confirm the rates that apply to your booked departure.

A duration suited to your stops

For a trip of eight to ten nights, a reasonable outline is to allow some flexibility around your arrival, spend time in Bequia, stop in Mustique if access is confirmed, then visit Mayreau and the Tobago Cays. The skipper determines the order and which nights are best spent underway or at anchor. Plan the return to your disembarkation port from the outset, especially if you are returning to the same place.

Departing from one port and arriving at another can change the balance of the itinerary. Ask whether the charter company allows this and what fees or transfers it involves. Then compare the whole trip, including nights on shore and connections to airports. An extra day on the boat may be less useful than an overnight transit stop that makes your return more reliable.

With only four or five nights, we would choose a base in Bequia and a suitable boat trip, or a cruise with a more limited itinerary. Combining all three islands is still an option to discuss based on the exact departure port and boat. Keep one activity you can drop without disappointment: this flexibility makes it easier to change stops because of the weather.

The season and marine weather

For planning a first trip, December to April is a period to consider first, outside the Atlantic hurricane season officially defined by the National Hurricane Center. It sets the season as June 1 to November 30 and notes that storms can also occur outside these dates. These seasonal guidelines do not describe sea conditions during your particular week.

Wind strength, swell, and conditions for entering a bay still need to be checked close to departure and each day with the skipper. A sunny day on shore may still mean an uncomfortable crossing for someone prone to seasickness. If you are concerned about seasickness, discuss the pace, stops, and suitable options with the crew and a healthcare professional before traveling.

For a November departure, take the same precautions for monitoring conditions and staying flexible as you would during hurricane season. Also review the cancellation terms for each booking, particularly when flights, boats, and hotels are purchased separately. Choosing a month is no substitute for appropriate insurance or carefully reading exclusions related to sailing.

Budget and life on board

Compare cruise budgets on a like-for-like basis. Ask about the cost of the boat or cabin, skipper, any meals, fuel, cleaning, water, port fees, and park fees. Add any necessary transfers and nights on shore. The onboard expense fund should specify which expenses it covers, how it is funded, and how any balance is handled.

Provisioning is worth discussing before departure: how many meals will be eaten on board, drinking water, dietary requirements, and space to store food. If you have an allergy, give the person responsible for meals precise information. Restaurants at stops add variety, but spending and opening hours need to fit the sailing itinerary.

Choose soft-sided luggage that is easy to stow, and agree on rules for shoes, showers, and charging devices. Ask how the dinghy works and what level of independence is expected when boarding. For families, safety equipment must suit the children on board; if you have reduced mobility, ask about the transfers between dock, dinghy, and boat rather than relying on a general statement about accessibility.

Staying connected during stops

A mobile connection can help you find a booking, contact a driver, or notify your accommodation during stops. The selected Airalo plan offers five gigabytes for fifteen days in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The official page lists the Digicel network and data plans. Before buying, check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, as well as the activation terms for your chosen plan.

This option can help while traveling on shore. Reception between islands and at each anchorage depends on the network; a land-based eSIM does not guarantee a connection offshore and is not a substitute for any marine safety equipment. Download confirmations and useful contact details before leaving an area with a connection. If you continue to another country, check separately whether the plan you are considering covers it.