The name Bequia comes from the Kalinago word “Becouya”, meaning island of clouds. The French first settled here in the 1700s and later the island came under British rule, which led to a flourishing sugar industry. However, as the sugar trade (mercifully) waned, Bequia shifted to fishing and boat-building – an essential industry which continues today.
A charter flight from Barbados or St Lucia – or a ferry ride from St Vincent – will get you here. The best time to visit is December to April, when the weather’s dry and sunny, but for cheaper flights and fewer crowds, go for May to November, although intermittent rain showers are likely.
Accommodation-wise, take your pick from guesthouses, private villas or boutique hotels, including the Bequia Plantation Hotel, Frangipani Hotel and Sweet Retreat Hotel. The island’s most luxurious option is the Bequia Beach on Friendship Bay. This family-owned property offers beautiful gardens, ocean-view suites and exceptional amenities, such as a 35m superyacht, a state-of-the-art spa, a gym and a saltwater pool. It also boasts a collection of ultra-luxury villas, of which Rock Villa, with its eight en suite bedrooms, is the latest addition.
Bequia offers a variety of dining options, from casual beachfront bars to upscale venues. Papa’s in Port Elizabeth serves up Caribbean dishes with stunning harbour views, while Firefly offers local and international cuisine. For refined dining, Bagatelle at the Bequia Beach hotel specialises in fresh seafood. Jack’s Beach Bar is perfect for sunset cocktails, and grab amazing homemade ice-cream (including nutmeg flavour) at Maranne’s, in Belmont Walkway.
A local permit is required for driving a hire car, but being so compact, Bequia is a breeze to walk around. D & N Car Rentals is among the most reliable taxi company, and there are water taxis on hand to shuttle guests to Admiralty Bay’s beaches.
Speaking of which, the beaches here are heaven on earth. From Princess Margaret Beach (named after Queen Elizabeth II’s sister, who swam here) to Lower Bay, Friendship Bay and Crescent Beach, each offers outstanding spots for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling.
A favourite of sailors, Bequia is also steeped in maritime history. Check out Fort Hamilton and Bequia Heritage Museum. Other attractions include Firefly Estate’s tropical fruit gardens and the charming village of Port Elizabeth. For more adventurous types, the hiking trails on Mount Peggy offer stunning panoramic vistas.
Elsewhere, golfers can enjoy the eco-friendly nine-hole Bequia Golf Club. One of Bequia’s most notable features is its commitment to sustainability, as illustrated by Moonhole, a private community on the western tip. Founded in the 1960s by Tom and Gladys Johnston, it features unique homes built from whalebones, native hardwoods and sea-salvaged materials. Designed to blend in with the natural surroundings, these open-air homes use rainwater for bathing and solar power for electricity. This attitude extends to the island’s local craft shops, which sell model boats and handmade whale-bone jewellery.
Yes, if there’s any trouble in paradise, it’s the issue around whaling – part of Bequia’s history since the late 1800s, as highlighted in the island’s Whaling Museum in La Pompe. This is one of the last places in the world where citizens are allowed to hunt whales, with permission from the International Whaling Commission. While they’re permitted to catch four humpback whales a year using traditional methods (hand-held harpoons and open sailboats), this limited quota is rarely actually met, and in some years no whales are caught at all. Hooray for that.
Lysanne Currie is editor in chief of Meet the Leader. She also writes for Robb Report, Diplomat, The Guardian, Influence, Tempus and Investor
