My 13 Best Things to Do In Bequia | Fun & Adventure

Things To Do in Bequia The Honest Insider Guide

I have spent more time on Bequia than most travel writers spend on entire island chains. I came here first as a curious traveler, then I kept coming back. And back again. There is something about this island that refuses to let you go. It is smaller than you think it will be, more authentic than you hope it will be, and honestly, more rewarding than any glossy Caribbean postcard promises.

When I tell people I am planning another trip to Bequia, they often look confused. "Isn't it just a small island with a few beaches?" they ask. Yes and no. Bequia is small enough that you can walk between neighborhoods, but it is also dense with experiences that feel genuinely hard to find in the Caribbean anymore. The island has managed to stay largely unspoiled without feeling abandoned. The locals still run things. The money has not swallowed the soul yet.

I am writing this guide because the average travel site treats Bequia like an afterthought. They list the obvious beaches and move on. But when you actually spend time here, you discover that the best things to do in Bequia have nothing to do with following a checklist and everything to do with showing up curious and letting the island surprise you.

The Quick Answer: The best things to do in Bequia are walking the Belmont Walkway to Princess Margaret Beach, lazy afternoons at Lower Bay, a day trip to the Tobago Cays, sailing to neighboring islands like Mustique and Mayreau, snorkeling and diving the reefs, fishing with local fishermen, exploring Port Elizabeth's market, visiting the model boat workshops and whaling heritage sites, meeting the turtles at the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, and hiking to Fort Hamilton and Moonhole. I typically spend my mornings in the water, my afternoons exploring the island's quieter corners, and my evenings somewhere with cold rum punch and a sunset that looks almost fake in its perfection.

1. Walk to Princess Margaret Beach

Princess Margaret Beach and the Belmont Walkway

I need to be honest with you right away: Princess Margaret Beach is beautiful, and you will absolutely want to go there, but it is also the best-known beach on the island. When I first visited Bequia, I thought this was the main event. These days, I treat it more as a social hub than a secret. The sand is genuinely gorgeous, the water is calm and clear, and when yachts are anchored offshore it can feel busy by Bequia standards. But if you are looking for solitude, come early.

That said, the beach is perfect for your first day when you want to ease into island time. The water here is so calm that even nervous swimmers feel confident. I have watched children build elaborate sand castles for hours without worrying about rough waves. The snorkeling around the rocks at either end is decent, though nothing compared to what I will tell you about later. The beach is named after Princess Margaret, who swam here during a visit in the 1950s.

Getting There on the Belmont Walkway

The best way to reach Princess Margaret Beach is on foot along the Belmont Walkway, a waterfront path that starts in Port Elizabeth and hugs the edge of Admiralty Bay. Along the way you pass small hotels, restaurants and bars built right over the water, with yachts bobbing just offshore. At the end of the walkway, a short path over the headland leads down to the beach. The whole walk takes around 20 to 30 minutes and is one of the most pleasant strolls in the Caribbean, especially at sunset on the way back.

2. Spend an Afternoon at Lower Bay

Lower Bay Beach: Sand, Swims and Beach Restaurants

Lower Bay is where I usually spend my afternoons on Bequia. It sits just past Princess Margaret Beach on Admiralty Bay, a short walk over the rocks at low tide or a quick taxi ride, but it feels like a completely different world. The beach is long, the sand is soft, and it has a village atmosphere, with fishing boats pulled up on the sand and locals swimming alongside visitors. The water is shallow for a good distance, which I love because you can walk out and float without feeling like you are about to drop off a shelf.

What makes Lower Bay special is the lineup of small beach restaurants and bars right on the sand. These are not fancy places. They are simple, welcoming spots where locals eat lunch and tourists eventually find their way. I have had some genuinely excellent fish and lobster here at prices that feel almost guilty. The owners know everyone and take genuine interest in where you are from and what brought you to their beach.

The afternoon light at Lower Bay is gorgeous, and the sunset over Admiralty Bay is one of the best views on the island. I like to arrive around lunchtime, eat slowly, swim, read in the shade, then stay for a drink as the sun goes down.

3. Discover Friendship Bay and the East Coast

Friendship Bay: The Quieter South Side

Friendship Bay sits on Bequia's south coast, a short drive over the hill from Port Elizabeth, and it has a completely different feel from Admiralty Bay. The wide, curving beach looks out toward Mustique and Petit Nevis, and the offshore reef keeps the water gentle on most days. There are a few hotels and beach bars at one end, but walk along the sand and it quickly becomes a place of fishing boats, swimming locals and peace.

The drive to Friendship Bay takes you through actual neighborhoods where people live their lives. You see schoolchildren in uniforms, vendors setting up for the day, and the real heartbeat of the island. This journey is part of the experience. I always take my time on this route because it reminds me why I keep returning to Bequia.

The Wild Windward Beaches

If you want something rawer, head to the Atlantic-facing east coast. Industry Bay and Spring Bay are long, quiet beaches lined with palms, often with nobody else around. Hope Bay is even more remote, reached only on foot, and it feels like the end of the world. These beaches get real surf and currents, so they are for walking, picnicking and paddling at the edge rather than swimming far out.

4. Day Trip to the Tobago Cays

Tobago Cays Marine Park: The Snorkeling Highlight of the Grenadines

The Tobago Cays are not part of Bequia, but they are an easy day trip from the island, and I have to include them because the snorkeling here is genuinely world class. The Cays are a group of small, uninhabited islands protected by Horseshoe Reef and managed as a marine park. I have snorkeled throughout the Caribbean, and the Tobago Cays rank in my top five experiences. The water is an almost unreal shade of turquoise, and the marine life is abundant.

The highlight for most people is swimming with sea turtles in the turtle area near Baradal, where green turtles graze on seagrass in shallow water. You can float above them as they surface to breathe, which is magical. Around the reef you will see parrotfish, rays, schools of reef fish, and often nurse sharks resting on the sand. The whole experience feels like you have been transported to what the Caribbean must have looked like decades ago.

Most tours from Bequia leave in the morning and return by late afternoon. The ride is long, often one and a half to two hours each way depending on the boat and sea conditions, so a fast powerboat gives you more time in the water, while a catamaran is more comfortable. Many trips also stop at Mayreau or another small island for a beach lunch.

5. Go Sailing and Island Hopping

Boat Days to Mustique, Mayreau and Beyond

I have spent some of my favorite Caribbean days on boats departing from Bequia. These are not party boat experiences. They are genuine explorations. Bequia has a deep sailing tradition, and Admiralty Bay is one of the most popular yacht anchorages in the Caribbean, so there is no shortage of captains and boats.

The most popular day sail is to Mustique, the private island famous for its celebrity visitors. It is close to Bequia, and a day there usually involves swimming at Macaroni Beach and a drink at Basil's Bar. Longer trips head south to Mayreau, with its postcard-perfect Saltwhistle Bay, often combined with the Tobago Cays. I recommend picking one destination per day rather than cramming several islands in; the sailing time adds up quickly.

What makes boat days special is the transition time. You are not moving between locations instantly. You are sailing. You are watching the water change color. You might see dolphins if you are lucky. You are having conversations with the crew and other passengers that feel more natural because everyone is relaxed and there is nowhere to be. The boats range from traditional wooden sailing vessels to modern catamarans. The wooden boats feel more authentic and romantic, while catamarans are more stable if you tend toward seasickness.

6. Snorkel and Dive Bequia's Reefs

Underwater Bequia: Walls, Pinnacles and Reef Life

Most visitors think of the Tobago Cays when they think of snorkeling in the Grenadines, but Bequia has excellent diving and snorkeling of its own. The island is ringed by reefs, walls and rocky pinnacles, and most dive sites are only a short boat ride from Admiralty Bay. I have seen turtles, eagle rays, moray eels, lobsters and huge schools of fish here, often without another dive boat in sight.

Popular dive sites include Devil's Table at the mouth of Admiralty Bay, which is good for beginners, and the reefs and walls along the island's western and southern coasts. Local dive shops in Port Elizabeth run daily trips and offer courses, from introductory dives for complete beginners to advanced certifications.

Snorkeling From Shore

If you prefer to stay on the surface, try the rocks at either end of Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay, where you will see reef fish, sea fans and sometimes turtles. The reef off Friendship Bay is another good option on calm days. Bring your own mask and fins if you can, as it lets you snorkel whenever the water looks inviting.

7. Go Fishing with Local Fishermen

Fishing Experiences the Bequia Way

This is something I stumbled into almost by accident, but it has become one of my regular activities on Bequia. Several local fishermen offer half-day or full-day fishing trips. You go out in their working boats, use their methods, and if you catch something, you often cook it for lunch or bring it back to be prepared at a local restaurant.

This is not sportfishing with all the modern equipment. This is real fishing the way it has been done here for generations. You might fish with hand lines and simple reels, trolling for tuna, kingfish or mahi-mahi. You will definitely hear stories from people who have spent their entire lives reading the ocean, and you will see Bequia's coastline from an angle most visitors never do.

If you prefer a more comfortable setup, there are also sportfishing charters with modern rods and shade, which are better suited to deep-sea trips.

8. Explore Port Elizabeth and the Fish Market

The Fish Market and Local Food Culture

Port Elizabeth is the island's main town and ferry port, and it is where Bequia reveals its true character. The waterfront is lined with small shops, cafés, boutiques and restaurants, and the harbor is full of yachts and fishing boats. It is small enough to explore in an hour, but I always end up lingering much longer.

The fish market is where I go every trip, and every trip is different depending on what came in that morning. It is busy, loud, colorful and entirely genuine. This is where locals buy their dinner, and you are welcome to do the same. I love arriving early, when the fishermen are unloading their catches and the vendors are setting up. You can see exactly what is being sold, talk to the people selling it, and understand the rhythm of island life in a way that no resort experience could provide.

Nearby, produce vendors sell fruit and vegetables grown on St Vincent and around the Grenadines, while small food stands and roadside cooks sell local dishes. Look for roti, fried fish, bakes, and fresh juices. Everything is inexpensive, everything is fresh, and everything tastes better because it is real.

9. Discover Bequia's Boatbuilding and Whaling Heritage

Model Boat Workshops and the Island's Seafaring Past

Bequia has always been an island of boatbuilders, sailors and whalers, and this history is still alive today. The best place to see it is in the model boat workshops of Port Elizabeth, where craftsmen build beautifully detailed replicas of local fishing boats, schooners, yachts and whaling boats, often carved from local wood. Workshops such as Sargeant Brothers and Mauvin's have been making models for years, and you can usually watch the craftsmen at work.

These models are some of the finest souvenirs in the Caribbean. They range from small pieces you can pack in your luggage to large, museum-quality commissions. Even if you do not buy, visiting the workshops is fascinating, and the craftsmen are usually happy to explain their process.

Whaling Heritage

Bequia is one of the few places in the world where limited traditional whaling is still permitted, under an International Whaling Commission quota for subsistence hunting of humpback whales. It is a controversial practice, but it is deeply tied to the island's history and identity. Whaling was introduced in the nineteenth century, and small hand-built boats have been used ever since. The whaling museum in Paget Farm, near the south of the island, displays harpoons, photographs and stories from the island's whaling families. Visiting gives you a deeper understanding of Bequia's past, whatever your view on the practice itself.

10. Visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary

A Local Conservation Story

The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary is one of Bequia's most heartwarming stories. It was founded by local fisherman Orton "Brother" King at Park Beach on the island's northeast coast to help the critically endangered hawksbill turtle. The sanctuary collects hatchlings, raises them in pools until they are larger and stronger, and then releases them into the sea, giving them a much better chance of survival.

Visiting is simple and informal. You see turtles of different sizes swimming in their pools, learn about their life cycle and the threats they face, and hear the story of how one man decided to make a difference. The sanctuary relies on visitor donations, so your entry fee directly supports the turtles.

The drive to Park Beach takes you across the island to the wild, windswept Atlantic coast, and the setting is beautiful. It combines well with a visit to Industry Bay or Spring Bay nearby.

11. Hike to Moonhole, Fort Hamilton and Beyond

Moonhole: Bequia's Most Unusual Place

Moonhole is one of the most extraordinary places I have explored in the entire Caribbean, and most visitors to Bequia never even hear about it. Starting in the 1960s, an American couple, Tom and Gladys Johnston, began building homes into the rocky headland at the southwestern tip of the island. The houses are made from local stone, whale bones and driftwood, with open walls, no glass windows, and designs that follow the natural shape of the cliffs. The community takes its name from a natural stone arch where the moon can be seen setting at certain times of year.

Moonhole is private property, so you cannot simply wander in. Visits need to be arranged in advance, usually through a local guide or tour. The walk involves some uneven, rocky paths, but it is not difficult for anyone reasonably fit. The architecture is fascinating, and the views over the sea toward St Vincent and the Grenadines are dramatic.

Other Hikes Worth Doing

Fort Hamilton, just north of Port Elizabeth, is an eighteenth-century fort with old cannons and one of the best views over Admiralty Bay. It is a short, steep walk or quick drive, and it is lovely at sunset. For a longer hike, the trail to Hope Bay on the east coast takes you through quiet countryside to a wild, empty beach. Mount Pleasant, in the island's center, offers panoramic views over much of Bequia and the surrounding Grenadines.

More Things To Do If You Have Time

These did not make my top eleven, but each is worth adding if it fits your trip.

Best Time to Visit for Each Activity

Bequia is warm all year, but the seasons change the weather, the sea and the atmosphere.

My Practical Tips for Doing Bequia Right

• 1Use the water taxis. Water taxis around Admiralty Bay are an easy and fun way to get between Port Elizabeth, the beaches and anchored boats.
• 2Agree taxi prices in advance. Taxis do not use meters, so confirm the fare before you set off. For a full-day island tour, agree on the itinerary and price upfront.
• 3Carry cash. Many small restaurants, market stalls and fishermen only accept cash, and ATMs are limited to Port Elizabeth.
• 4Book boat trips early in peak season. Tobago Cays trips and sailing charters fill up during the Christmas and Easter holidays.
• 5Protect yourself from the sun. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard, especially for boat days.
• 6Slow down. Bequia is at its best when you do not rush. Leave space in your plans for long lunches, conversations and afternoons doing nothing.

Common Questions About Things To Do in Bequia

The questions I get asked most often, answered honestly from personal experience.