Island Hopping

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

My Quick, Wallet-Friendly Island-Hopping Adventure

When I first touched down in Kingstown, I was buzzing with excitement and a dash of nerves—my plan: explore the Grenadines without splurging on a yacht. Spoiler alert: hopping from island to island on local ferries ended up being one of my favorite travel hacks. Not only did I save hundreds of dollars, but I also met cool people along the way. Below, you‘ll find exactly how I wove together ferry schedules, island highlights, and a day-by-day itinerary that you can adapt—hopefully helping you feel as much at home in this corner of the world as I did.

I still can”t believe how easy (and affordable) island hopping here is—I jumped from Bequia to Union Island in under an hour for just a handful of EC dollars. Each quick boat ride felt like flipping through a photo album of the Caribbean: one minute I was laughing with fishermen in Port Elizabeth, the next I was sipping coconut water under Mustique”s swaying palms. In a region known for steep prices, Saint Vincent surprised me with big island vibes and wallet-friendly crossings that let me taste local flavors and chase hidden bays—all before lunchtime.

Day 1: Kingstown → Bequia

After some breakfast roti, take for Bequia Express for the  8:00 am departure. By 8:50 am, we slipped into Port Elizabeth Harbor, and I already felt the island”s laid-back heartbeat.

Morning in Port Elizabeth

I dropped my bag at The Liming Bequia (Friendship, US $350 per night for a double) and dashed to a shaded fish-cake stall on Lower Bay (XCD 5, US $1.85). Freshly fried, steaming hot, with a kick of pepper sauce—this little breakfast on the go became a Grenadines ritual all week.

A quick wander took me to the Bequia Heritage Museum (Tues–Sat, 9 am–3 pm; donation XCD 10/US $3.70). Inside a restored 1800s wooden building, models of traditional sloops, Garifuna artifacts, and faded photographs of Easter Regattas from the 1950s told the island”s story—absolutely priceless glimpses into local life.

Afternoon Snorkel at Princess Margaret Beach

By 1:00 pm, I had hopped into an openair taxi and headed to Princess Margaret Beach. The lagoon”s water was so incredibly clear.  Rental snorkel gear cost XCD 20 (US $7.40), and I spent hours swimming alongside bright angel and sergeant major fish.

Sunset, Rum and dinner 

Where to stay

Check infor 1 night in Bequia at:

$$$ Bequia Beach Hotel

$$ Liming Bequia

Things to do in Bequia

Day 2: Bequia → Mustique → Canouan (Sunrise to Sunset)

I set my alarm for 6:30 am to hike Mount Peggy—the island”s 118 m summit. By 7:15 am, I was at the top, sipping instant coffee from a Thermos and watching Union and Canouan float in the morning mist. My legs were jelly, but those 360° Grenadine views were worth every step.

Morning Ferry Shuffle

Back down by 9:00 am, I grabbed a quick roti at Tia”s Roti Hut (XCD 10) and taxis to Paget Farm (XCD 10/US $3.70)—that tiny hilltop road where the Mustique Ferry departs at 9:30 am (Mon/Wed/Fri). By 11:30 am, I was stepping onto Mustique”s pink granitic shoreline.

Lunch & Lounging in Mustique

At Macaroni Beach, I found calm surf on the Atlantic side and rented a paddleboard for XCD 50 (US $18.50). It was an adventure balancing seeing coral heads deep below me, and if you are lucky you can even spot a pod of dolphins cutting through deeper water off the reef. Midday hunger struck, so I wandered to Basil”s Bar, that legendary open-air hangout where swings hang over the sand and reggae floats in the breeze. 

Afternoon Return to Bequia & Onward to Canouan

The ferry back to Bequia left Mustique around 2:00 pm, landing at Paget Farm by 4:00 pm. I hustled a taxi back to Port Elizabeth (~4:30 pm arrival) and then caught the 6:00 pm Jaden Sun Fast Ferry to Canouan (arrived 7:05 pm).

By 7:30 pm, I checked into Bayciew Apartments (Canouan, XCD 240/US $90 per night). The gentle breeze off Saline Bay made me forget I”d been on four ferries that day—travel by island-hopping is strangely invigorating.

Where to stay

Check into 3 nights on Canouan at:

$ Bayview Apartments

$$ Soho Beach House Canouan

Day 3: Canouan Unwind & Explore

Canouan”s beaches feel like private terraces. I spent my morning at Saline Bay Beach, where coral gardens begin just meters from the shore. Snorkel gear rental was XCD 25 (US $9.25) for the morning, and I wound up swimming alongside a turtle munching on seagrass.

Midday Stroll & Lunch

Around noon, I wandered over to the Canouan Estate Resort gardens (day pass XCD 20/US $7.40). Even if you”re not staying there, the orchid-filled pathways and manicured lawns make you feel like you”ve stepped into a secret garden. A quick seafood platter at the Beach Club Restaurant (XCD 65/US $24) was a luxurious midday treat—grilled lobster tail and coconut-lime rice with a view of shimmering turquoise waters.


Afternoon Reef Adventure

At 3:00 pm, I hopped on a boat to Sherman”s Cay Reef (half-day tour XCD 80/US $30). Floating along the coral walls—where parrotfish, barracuda, and nurse sharks lurked—felt like swimming through a living aquarium.

Sunset & Dinner

Back ashore, I watched the late afternoon light fade at Pink Sands Club (day-pass splurge: coconut-milk piña colada for US $25). As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky shifted from gold to lavender. For dinner, I found a small open-air stall near the dock serving goat curry roti (XCD 40/US $15), and the gentle hum of cicadas kept me company as I devoured every bite.

Day 4: Canouan → Mayreau → Union Island (Day Visit Only)

Morning on Canouan
I woke up at 7:00 am in Canouan, letting the gentle sea breeze spill through my window at Treasure Isle Hotel. After a quick coffee, I strolled down to Saline Bay Beach—the morning light made the turquoise water look almost unreal. I rented snorkel gear for XCD 25 (US $9.25) and drifted over coral gardens, spotting parrotfish darting in and out of crevices. By 9:30 am, I was back at the dock, loading my backpack onto the Jaden Sun Fast Ferry.

11:55 am: The Jaden Sun eased out of Canouan Harbor, cutting a wake toward Mayreau. In under twenty minutes, we pulled into Salt Whistle Bay—that perfect horseshoe of sugar-white sand and calm, deep-blue lagoon.

I rented a paddleboard (XCD 40/US $15) and spent thirty magic minutes drifting above seagrass flats, where stingrays glided silently beneath.

At Peter”s Bar, lunch was a lobster sandwich (XCD 50/US $18.50) overflowing with sweet meat in garlic butter. I ate it barefoot on the sand, feeling the sun warm my shoulders.

12:20 pm: Back on the Jaden Sun, we buzzed across the channel to Union Island. Although Beryl had flattened much of Clifton Village, the harbor was still lined with battered fishing boats, and locals waved from what remained of the waterfront shacks.

I spent the next hour wandering the handful of open cafés—one lady, Mira, handed me a cold coconut water and insisted I thank her niece for survival supplies. In between, a small group of fishermen shared stories of rebuilding, their smiles as bright as the island”s tattered flags.

2:00 pm – Exploring Union”s Coast

Since there was no safe lodging, I skipped any uphill hikes (Mount Taboi is still off-limits) and instead took a water taxi (XCD 10/US $3.70) down to Palm Beach. Despite broken boardwalks and scattered debris, the beach itself was remarkably intact—soft sand, gentle waves, and a handful of families picking through driftwood.

A quick swim refreshed me, and two local kids offered me a sweet mango slice in thanks for sharing my granola bar. Their resilient laughter made me believe Union”s spirit will outlast every fallen coconut tree.

3:30 pm: Union Island → Kingstown
I caught the MV Gem Star II back to Kingstown (Union 3:30 pm → Kingstown ~ 5:30 pm; XCD 80/US $30). As the hull cut through the water, I watched Union”s silhouette shrink behind me—half-shrouded in smoke from rebuilding fires, half framed by palm trees still standing. Even ravaged, the island felt alive.

Evening in Kingstown
By 6:30 pm, I was back on solid ground in Kingstown. I found a breezy spot at a waterfront bar in Vila, ordered grilled mahi-mahi with callaloo (XCD 55/US $20), and sipped a rum punch. Church bells tolled in the distance, and I toasted Union”s quiet courage, knowing the island will rise again.

Day 5: Young Island Day Trip → Kingstown Farewell

I dedicated my last day to a really (!!) quick—and deeply restorative—visit to Young Island before wrapping up in Kingstown.

7:30 am: Kingstown → Young Island

  • A small skiff from Kingstown”s waterfront (XCD 25/US $9) dropped me on Young Island in under ten minutes.

  • Stepping onto that tiny private cay felt like entering a postcard: a single crescent of powdery sand, fringed by swaying palm trees, with the hull of St. Vincent”s mountains rising behind.

8:00 am – Beach & Snorkel on Young Island

  • I settled under a thatched palapa and watched the morning sun turn the sea from slate gray to every shade of turquoise.

  • A quick 15-minute snorkel off the western side revealed a living reef: schools of neon parrotfish, a couple of shy angelfish, and an old hawksbill turtle that looked me straight in the eye before paddling away.

  • By 9:30 am, I was back under my umbrella, nibbling on fresh coconut chunks from the bar (XCD 15/US $5.55) and sipping ice-cold sorrel juice.

2:30 am: Young Island → Kingstown

3:00 pm: Kingstown→Home
The islands—their people, their laughter, even their scars—had woven themselves into my travel story, and I knew I”d be back to see Union Island”s rebirth.

Where to stay

Check in for 1 night in Kingstown/Vila at:

$$ Paradise Beach Hotel

MORE THINGS TO DO IN KINGSTON

Practical Travel Tips for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Overall, yes — especially if you travel with awareness and patience. The Grenadines (Bequia, Canouan, Tobago Cays) generally feel very calm and easygoing. St. Vincent is more lived-in and less tourism-oriented, which means you need to be a bit more attentive, particularly in Kingstown and at night. I found that moving deliberately, asking locally, and not rushing made a real difference.

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is the official currency. Cash is widely used, especially on St. Vincent and the smaller Grenadine islands. Cards work in hotels and some restaurants, but I always found it practical to carry cash for taxis, small shops, boat rides, and local food spots. US dollars are sometimes accepted, but paying in XCD is simpler and avoids confusion.

On St. Vincent, minibuses and taxis are widely used, but they run on local logic rather than schedules. Renting a car helps if you’re comfortable with steep, winding roads. In the Grenadines, movement often happens by boat or short flights, and flexibility is key — connections depend on weather and demand.

Tap water is generally safe to drink. As when moving between islands or hiking, I preferred using a reusable water filter bottle for peace of mind rather than relying on bottled water.

The drier season from December to May is generally the easiest time to visit, especially if you plan to move between islands or spend time on the water. Conditions are more predictable, and transport runs more smoothly.

That said, traveling outside peak season can be rewarding if you’re flexible. Visiting after Beryl made it clear that the islands don’t shut down — things slow, adapt, and continue. Nature is greener, crowds are minimal, and the pace feels even more local. The key is allowing extra time and not planning too tightly.

– Choose from kayaking, paddleboarding, or jet skiing.
– Free afternoon to relax, shop, or explore more of Dhigali Island.
– Farewell group dinner under the stars with Bella.

English is the official language and spoken everywhere. Local speech has its own rhythm and expressions, but in my experience communication was always easy and never a barrier.

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