Bequia Island (Port Elizabeth, Grenadines)

Bequia Island is the 2nd largest island in Grenadines (sized 18 km2 / 7 mi2) - after Carriacou (dependency of Grenada). Bequia is part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Caribbean island country in the Lesser Antilles). The island is approx 15 km (9 ml) from Kingstown (a capital city located on St Vincent Island) and has a population of around 4,500.

Bequia (translated from Arawak as "island of the clouds") was also named Becouya. The island is a popular sea travel destination for boaters, mega-yachts, and cruise ship tourists. The annual Easter Regatta is among the busiest times of the year. Two scuba dive stores organize trips to 28 different diving sites around Bequia. Several shallow caves and wrecks are accessible to advanced divers.

Bequia Island is one of the few spots in the world where the International Whaling Commission still allows limited whaling. Natives are allowed to catch up to 4 humpback whales annually - by using only traditional hunting methods and hand-thrown harpoons in open sailboats. Port Elizabeth's waterfront features the Whale Boner Bar & Restaurant, with a beach entrance consisting of an arch made of 2 whale ribs. Whale vertebrae are mounted on the bar seats and a whale rib runs the restaurant's entire length.

Regularly daily-scheduled ferries run from St Vincent Island, with 3 ferries linking Port Elizabeth and Kingstown. The other Grenadines islands can be accessed via SS Friendship Rose - Bequia-built and Port Elizabeth homeported vessel and Caribbean's last operational original schooner. Friendship Rose is also used by the Bequia football teams during matches on other islands. The ferry offers daytime and overnight charters.

For season 2018-2019, Bequia Island had scheduled/booked 88 cruise ship calls, St Vincent Island - 82, Mayreau Island - 43, Tobago Cays - 31, Union Island - 26, Canouan Island - 3.

Bequia Island cruise terminal