Holidays in Bequia are the epitome of barefoot luxury in an out-of-the-way secluded tropical island. The island has an atmosphere so unique one cannot quite pin down what it actually is about Bequia that makes so many fall in love instantly.

Quiet, relaxed, undeveloped, yet enough to do for weeks on end and small enough to walk everywhere. Bequia is the second largest of the Grenadines, and its Admiralty Bay is a favorite anchorage for yacht owners. The island covers 7 square miles, and approximately 4,500 people live here - an intriguing mix of native Bequians from African, Scottish, Irish, French, Indian and Carib descent and more recent settlers from Europe, America and Canada who have chosen to make Bequia their home. The island is influenced by a strong historic attachment to the sea and today's fishermen, sailors and boat-builders are quietly proud to share their marine traditions with newcomers to the island. Bequia has no big hotels or golf courses on island, just secluded beaches, lush rainforest and a wide variety of small bars and restaurants. It is friendly, undeveloped, with fresh fish, peaceful beaches and breathtaking scenery. Bequia lives up to all the Caribbean promises of charming architecture, quaint little ports, original rum bars, colonial relics, ancient boat building traditions and really gentle friendly people. The best quality, which rides above the exceptional beauty, is the safety that Bequia’s Christian community offers and the independence thus given to travellers visiting here.

Along the southern edge of Admiralty Bay are several wonderful white sand beaches fringed with palm trees. Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay can be reached either by sea (hire a water taxi) or by land. Snorkelling is worthwhile at these two spots. Farther down the southern edge of the Bay is Moon Hole, a collection of private homes built into the rocks of the island.

Outdoor eco adventurers will find much to do on the neighboring volcanic island of St. Vincent. Mustique is only 11 miles away. Canouan and even Union Island can be seen from the point on a clear day. Each day, trips depart from Bequia for sailing, snorkelling and cruising the areas around the island and to the Grenadines.

Your Grenadine Escape could be an eco style villa with swimming pool and beach vista, a luxury beachfront villa, air conditioned with an adjoining cottage for guests, small intimate guest house or a romantic honeymoon villa. You might chose to take a private yacht, your own floating hotel with a different secluded beach for each days adventures.

The evenings are lively on the waterfront where a jazz or rock and roll band plays at the Auberge, sports matches are shown at the sports and entertainment bar, teams of young tourists listen to old school reggae at authentic rum bars and music shops while their parents enjoy cocktails in the elegant Plantation Resort or Frangipani Hotel.

BEQUIA EASTER REGATTA 2007
Bequia's Easter Regatta is a famous four-day affair that draws visitors from around the Caribbean. Yacht races and local boat races content with shore activities and socializing for the visitors' attention.

CARNIVAL
Bequia Carnival is provisionally scheduled for June 2007. Email us for more information. St Vincent's carnival, called Vincy Mas, features a 12-day run of calypso and steel band music, colourful costume parades and lots of dancing. This runs from June 29th to July 10th

BEQUIA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Held in February sharing the Mustique Jazz Festival vibes and bringing in high profile jazz and blues performers. During Bequia¹ music festival in February this year Rosemary Philips and Two Guitars recently returned from the 1st edition of the Bequia Music Festival where they performed and created a real storm.

Banks-- Most banks are open Monday to Thursday from 8am to either 1 or 3pm, and Friday from either 8am to 5pm or 8am to 1pm and 3 to 5pm. Credit cards are widely accepted in the Grenadines but US/EC cash is useful in case you like souvenirs or rum shops! There are two ATM machines in the harbour. RBTT is the largest bank in town easy to find opposite the main jetty. Banks close early and are not open weekends

Currency-- The official currency of Bequia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), pegged at about $2.70 per U.S. dollar (EC$1 = US37¢). Unless otherwise specified, rates in this chapter are quoted in U.S. dollars. Most restaurants, shops, and hotels will accept payment in U.S. dollars or traveler's checks.

Documents-- British, Canadian, and U.S. citizens should have a passport and a return or ongoing airplane ticket. A birth certificate with a raised seal is often accepted with a photo ID, but we always recommend traveling with your passport overseas. The customs offices for air arrivals in Bequia airport will check for your passports and tickets home and they usually have a look through your luggage to check you are not bringing in any new electrical goods (hindering profits of local business.) Sea port customs offices are in Port Elizabeth in an air conditioned yellow building directly opposite the ferry port.

Electricity-- Electricity is 220-volt AC (50 cycles), so if you're traveling with U.S. appliances, you'll need an adapter and a transformer. Some hotels have transformers, but it's best to bring your own.

Emergencies-- In an emergency, dial tel. 999 or 911.

Hospitals-- There is one small hospital on Bequia and one on St. Vincent in Kingstown: Milton Cato Memorial General Hospital (tel. 784/456-1185)

Language-- English is the official language.

Liquor Laws-- Liquor can be sold on any day of the week. It's legal to have an open container on the beach as long as you don't get rowdy or litter.

Pharmacies-- On St. Vincent, try The People's Pharmacy, Greenville Street, Kingstown (tel. 784/456-1170), open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm. There are a few other drugstores in Kingstown as well.

Post Office-- The General Post Office, on Halifax Street in Kingstown (tel. 784/456-1111), is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4:15pm and Saturday from 8 to 11:30am. There are smaller post offices in 56 districts throughout the country, including offices on the Grenadine islands of Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island.

Safety-- St. Vincent and its neighboring islands of The Grenadines are quite safe. Even in Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent, chances are you'll encounter little serious crime. However, take the usual precautions and never leave valuables unguarded.

Taxes & Service Charges-- The government imposes an airport departure tax of EC$41 (US$15) per person. A 10% government occupancy tax is charged for all hotel accommodations. Hotels and restaurants almost always add a 10% to 15% service charge. Ask whether or not it's included in the initial hotel rates you're quoted. If it's not already added at a restaurant, tip at that rate.

Telephone-- To call Bequia from the United States, dial 1, then 784 (the area code for St. Vincent) and the local seven-digit number. Once on St. Vincent, you can access AT&T Direct at tel. 800/225-5288. To reach MCI, dial tel. 800/888-8000. Tri-ban mobile phones work on Bequia so you can easily keep contact by cell phone.

Internet-- There are several internet cafes on the island. Almost all are in the harbour, Port Elizabeth. Wireless internet connection is available at the Surf and Send internet office next to the Gingerbread Hotel offices. They have’Junior’ onsite for technical problems, 7 connected computers, printer, fax and a desk for those with airport capabilities on their laptops. Cake and tea next door at the favourite Gingerbread bakery!

Time-- Bequia operates on Atlantic Standard Time year-round: When it's 6am on St. Vincent, it's 5am in New York. During daylight saving time in the United States, St. Vincent keeps the same time as the U.S. East Coast.

Water-- In Bequia stick to bottled water. There is no government water supply on Bequia. Rainwater is collected from the roof and stored in tanks on which the house is built. During the dry season (January to June), there is little rain, and water must be used carefully and sparingly.

Weather-- The climate of St. Vincent and The Grenadines is pleasantly cooled by the trade winds year-round. The tropical temperature is in the 78°F to 82°F (26°C-28°C) range. The rainy season is July to October.