To the south of St Vincent lies a paradise of islands.

 

Bequia, the gateway to the Grenadines, is encircled by glorious white sand beaches, secluded and uncrowded. For a small island, Bequia has an excellent and wide choice of restaurants including Tantie Pearl, De Reef, Coco's Place, De Bistro, Green Boley, L'Auberge des Grenadines, and the Whaleboner. Nightlife is provided at The Flame Tree, Frangipani, Plantation House, De Reef, and Timberhouse. The famous natural rock formation of Moonhole featured in the Hollywood blockbuster movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Geoffrey Rush. Bequia offers accommodation at the Frangipani Hotel and Plantation House both set on Admiralty Bay, the Old Fort Country Inn, a castle-like estate house set in 30 acres bordering the Caribbean, and apartments at Port Elizabeth and Freinship Bay. Yacht charters and day tours are available to explore the neighbouring islands of Mustique, Mayreau, Canouan, Union, Palm, and Petit St Vincent.

 

Just 18 miles south of Bequia lies internationally famous Mustique, with it's exquisite hotel, the Cotton House, and Basil's Bar & Restaurant on Britannia Bay is well worth a visit particularly on Wednesday for the legendary "jump-up" involving live music and a barbecue.

 

Three hours south of Mustique is Canouan with some of the most fantastic white sand beaches. Raffles Resort boasts an 18 hole golf course, health spa, world-class restaurant, and casino. Superb accommodation is also available at the Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club.

 

Immediately south is Mayreau, with just one 200 yard stretch of paved road, has two superb anchorages. Saltwhistle Bay provides the only accommodation on the island in a dream come true setting a crescent bay with crystal clear water. At Saline Bay divers can explore the wreck of a First World War gun boat.

 

Less than an hour's sail lie the Tobago Cays, a group of 4 tiny uninhabited islands considered to be the jewels of the Grenadines. The islands are protected by some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world including the incredible Horse Shoe Reef, a paradise for snorkellers and divers.

 

Union Island, the centre of the Grenadines is a mountainous island with a small airport, and a bustling harbour at Clifton, the location of the famous Anchorage Yacht Club, a plantation-style hotel with an excellent restaurant. On the west coast is Chatham Bay with a beautiful usually deserted anchorage where frigate birds and pelicans are common, and sightings of turtles and schools of rays are frequent.

 

Palm Island is a privately owned resort island, but visitors are welcome. Palm Island with it's 135 acres and unspoilt beaches offers accomodation in 44 stone built bungalows, cottages, and tree houses. Dinner at the ocean side, Royal Palm Restaurant, is an unforgettable experience.

 

Petit St Vincent , another privately owned island of 113 acres of rolling hills surrounded by white sand beaches, is often referred to as "one of the world's most enchanting hideaways". With beautiful landscaping throughout the island, the resort offers a great restaurant with panoramic views over Petit Martinique and Carriacou, the northern most of Grenada's Grenadines.

 

The Grenadines offer unspoilt islands with magnificent beaches, sky blue and turquoise crystalline waters, and unparalleled watersports including snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, sailboarding, windsurfing, sports and reef fishing.