New 2025 Blog – Bequia: Off the beaten path

 

Bequia is just 7 square miles in size, so surely every visitor will cover pretty much everything during their stay? 

Well, not necessarily. 

This little rock in the Caribbean Sea has many hidden gems that the majority of tourists may not get to experience, even if they have visited the island many times.

This blog uncovers some alternative, “off the beaten path” places that we think deserve to have their moment in the limelight. 

But shhhh, don’t tell everyone! 

Naturally, part of their charm is that not many folks know about them, so you can get to enjoy them all to yourselves.

 

AN UNDISCOVERED UTOPIA

To start, we’re going to cheat a little by recommending a place that actually lies on St. Vincent and not Bequia.  However, most travellers access Bequia by initially flying into Argyle International Airport, so it could make sense to spend a night or two on “de mainland” before catching the ferry to paradise.

Nestled in a beautiful valley, just inland from the leeward coast, lies a truly special Airbnb.  It’s called “Spirit of the Valley”.

Stay in a treehouse, or a larger stone cottage aptly named “Nirvana”.  Either way Rachael (and her friendly dogs) will provide a warm welcome. 

 

SPIRIT OF THE VALLEY IS THE IDEAL BASE FROM WHICH TO EXPLORE ST. VINCENT'S LEEWARD COAST

 

Staying here serves as a great base for the nearby Vermont Nature Trail, where you can hear & see (if you’re lucky) the colourful Vincy parrot.  Stop off at freshwater pools on the way back for a rejuvenating swim after your hike. 

Also located nearby to the accommodation is The Bush Bar run by Zen, serving up rum and the traditional Rasta dish “Ital”.  Another option is a newly opened Thai restaurant - Dewi’s Asian Kitchen.

We’d recommend that you hire a jeep and explore the jaw-dropping scenery along the leeward coast.  Visit the Dark View waterfalls for an invigorating shower - the upper fall is particularly special.  You can also pop in to a cricket game at one of the world’s most picturesque grounds at Cumberland Bay.  And finally, search for your inner pirate at Wallilabou Bay, where scenes from the “Pirate’s of the Caribbean” were filmed.

CUMBERLAND BAY CRICKET GROUND

 

Ok, now let’s head over to Bequia……

 

GO & GET LOST!

That’s a suggestion, not an insult smiley

We think the best way to truly understand Bequia’s beauty is to slow down. Take a stroll, a walk, a hike, and ramble off-road. Get out into the countryside, climb a jungle-clad mountain, or discover beautiful & remote beaches.

 

CULTURE & ISOLATION

Starting with the latter, we can’t think of a better remote beach than Hope.  This is a great place to relax, breathe in the cool Atlantic breezes, and collect your thoughts (and maybe some driftwood too).  The hike to this “Robinson Crusoe” bay can be accessed from Mount Pleasant, or from the Camel area above Port Elizabeth. Better still, tackle both ways with a looped route.   If you’re an experienced surfer/body boarder, then this is your place.  If not, we wouldn’t recommend that you get any more than waist deep in the water.  The rip tides can be unpredictable and dangerous.  It’s highly likely that you will be the only visitors to this beach, but you may share the sand with the odd pig or cow!

THE REMOTE BEAUTY OF HOPE BEACH

 

If you have the energy, combine this with a visit to Ravine Bay which is just a little further around the coast, next to Friendship Bay.  This tiny beach is rarely visited and has a blowhole at the end where a steep cliff of volcanic rock rises up from the sea.

Want to burn some more calories?  Then head up & over the steep cliff and into Friendship.  Look left when you clamber to the top and you will see the pretty, grassed area at the east end of the bay.  This is known as St. Hilaire point.  Find a spot on the rocky hilltop, watch the waves crash on the rocks below your dangling feet, and gaze across to the island of Mustique.

Whilst you’re in this post (zip) code, it may be time for some island history and culture.  Look no further than the extended & refurbished Bequia Heritage Museum. 

Bequia’s history is bound inextricably to the sea.  Nichola Redway or one of her team will guide you.  They are meticulous in what they do.  There is a room with two big TV screens, where you can get a presentation on the history and there are also wonderful old maps and photos from days gone by.  The old boats on display are a real highlight. 

The museum is usually open Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays between 10am & 1pm, but special visits can be arranged outside of these times.

BEQUIA HERITAGE MUSEUM

For this remote beach and cultural ramble, you may wish to pack some refreshments in your backpack and have a beach picnic.  Failing that, Sand Bar on Friendship Beach provides a great spot to rest your weary feet, sip on a cocktail, and feast on some delicious lunch options and bar snacks.

 

A “SPRING” IN YOUR STEP

After relaxing on the beach for a few days, or taking a boat trip around the Grenadines, you may be up for another hiking adventure.  Let’s head over to the Spring area in the north of the island.

Beyond the former Turtle Sanctuary at Park Bay, “Bequia Head” is a 600-acre wilderness that we urge you to explore.  You can’t really get lost as it’s a peninsula, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.  If you keep going all the way to the end you will no doubt stumble across “Bullet Point”, where you can rest and enjoy the breezy view out to St. Vincent.  On the way there (or back) take a deviation on the Atlantic side to find a place we call “Window Rock” for obvious reasons.

EXPLORE AN UNINHABITED WILDERNESS AT BEQUIA HEAD

A refreshment stop will be welcomed at this point, so come back a couple of bays via the road to the Firefly Estate.  Before settling down for a poolside cocktail and a tasty West Indian curry, take the plantation tour with head gardener Ezra.  Learn about how local plants can be used for medicine, taste some fruit straight from the tree, crack a coconut, & press your own sugar cane too.

 

TAKE A PLANTATION TOUR AT FIREFLY ESTATE

 

To end the day, head up to Springtop viewpoint for an elevated view over to St. Vincent and an epic sunset.  Hang around for star gazing that is truly mesmerising – no light pollution up here!  You can even load an app on your phone and see if you can spot the Internation Space Station.  Would you believe what you are seeing is not a shooting star*, but a permanent home & work space for seven astronauts.  It travels at 17,500 miles per hour, meaning that it orbits the earth every 90 minutes!   (*you may be lucky enough to see shooting stars up here too)

SPRINGTOP VIEWPOINT & PICNIC SPOT

(Photo credit to Wilfred Dederer from the team at "Bequia This Week" - published every Friday https://www.begos.com/thisweek.pdf)

 

ANOTHER HIKE? – WE’RE NOT “KYDDING”!

Some people say that you haven’t visited Bequia unless you have climbed “Ma Peggy”.  Perhaps not entirely true, but it is something that should be very high on your island agenda that’s for sure.

The hike is a little challenging (without being intimidating) and accessible to those who are at least of average mobility & fitness. It also provides that feeling of being “off the beaten track” and it’s likely that you won’t bump into another sole for the entire ramble.  

Sweaty brows & sore legs will be rewarded with a truly jaw-dropping view.  The 360-degree vista from the summit provides all the Instagram content you will ever require.  Make all your friends & family envious of your tropical location & momentous achievement.  And to cap it all, you can complete the whole experience in 2-3 hours and be sipping a beastly cold beer at the beach to finish.

ENJOY SPECTACULAR 360 DEGREE VIEWS FROM THE SUMMIT OF MA PEGGY

 

The hike is named after Peggy Kydd who apparently had incredible eyesight and used to regularly take the hike to sit up on the rocks at the summit. She would look out to sea & point out where the shoals of fish were to the fisher folk in their boats down below. Real teamwork!

We have written a separate blog about the Ma Peggy hike.  Included are directions and lovely pictures to whet your appetite for this “must-do” Bequia activity.  You can read the blog here https://thelookoutbequia.com/blog-post.php?p=56

Important note:  The land on which Ma Peggy is located is private and this includes the route to get there.  This must be respected.  Please do not tackle the climb before gaining authorisation from the landowners.  

 

ALL PART OF THE SERVICE

We provide guided hikes to all the destinations described above.  This is complimentary for our guests, but are also available for non-guests if we have time.  It's a free service and our pleasure, but a donation to a Bequia charity is appreciated.

 

SAIL AWAY WITH ME

 

ISLE A QUATRE & PETIT NEVIS

The closest islands to Bequia offer paradise experiences and they’re right there on your doorstep!  There aren’t really any weekly schedules of boat trips to get here, unlike the Tobago Cays & Mustique, but ask around and it’s possible to get a plan together.  Maybe team up with other tourists you may meet to share the costs, or choose the reassuringly expensive (but exclusive) private charter option.

We’d recommend that you start by anchoring up in the sheltered bay at Petit Nevis where the snorkelling is excellent and it’s possible to take the short swim ashore.  Pack a pair of trainers in a wet bag and take a hike around.  There’s a “Robinson Crusoe” style beach on the far side to get that shipwrecked feeling, and the views from the top of the island are lovely.  Then set sail to the windward side of Isle A Quatre for more snorkelling and a fish & lobster BBQ on the beach – now we’re talking!

 

SPARROW’S BEACH CLUB

Like our “Spirit of the Valley” suggestion, this next one cheats a little as you need to travel south of Bequia to Union Island to experience it.  However, it’s possible on an inexpensive day trip leaving & returning to Bequia on the Jaden Sun fast ferry.  Furthermore, it’s so good that we just had to include it in this blog.

The owner of Sparrow’s Beach Club, Bertrand, decided to build his dream back after it was demolished during Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.  At the time of writing, we are seeing promising progress in the re-build program, so fully expect this wonderful place to be up & running again pretty soon.

A TRULY INCREDIBLE SETTING FOR LUNCH

 

Timing is tight for this day trip (less so if you chartered your own speed boat).  Taking the less expensive fast ferry route means your lunch stop here is roughly two hours, aided by a complimentary return minibus trip from Bertrand to & from the ferry wharf on Union Island.

This gem of a restaurant is located on the talcum powder sands of Big Sand Beach, and the crystal-clear waters beckon you in pre & post lunch.  The food here has a French influence and, if you love seafood, then you’ve just arrived in heaven!  Wash it all down with a chilled bottle of white wine or two and it may just be the best two hours of your entire holiday.

 

FLOAT, SIP, RELAX

Most of our guests enjoy food & drinks at both Jack’s Beach Bar and the Plantation House Hotel.  However, not many of them jump on a water taxi to the nearby floating “Bar One”. 

Simply use our complimentary mobile phone that we provide at our apartments, or ask the waitress at Jack’s or Plantation to call the water taxi.  Within five minutes, you’ll be floating on the Caribbean Sea, swinging on a chair at the bar, sipping a Pina Colada! 

This is the perfect sunset spot, and it’s ok to hang around when it goes dark as a solar panel on the roof provides lighting and there’s even a loo on board.

Feeling hungry?  You have a couple of options. 

Call Mac’s and get them to drop off some lobster pizza via water taxi – it’s perfectly ok to eat takeaway food on the floating bar.  Another option is to ask the water taxi to drop you on the far side of the bay in Hamilton, at Open Deck restaurant.  There is a dock right there, so step off the boat and straight into the restaurant for your evening meal.

 

FISHING WITH SHOEMAN

Tucked at the back of T-shirt market in Port Elizabeth sits “Shoeman”.  Why on earth is he called that, we hear you cry?  Well, it’s because this friendly, local guy can fix up your shoes if (for instance) the sole fell off during your Ma Peggy hike!

In addition, our guests have chosen to go fishing with him.  A half day trip on his small, but adequate boat is a joy.  Best of all, success with a hook & line means you can BBQ the catch of the day and save costs on dinner that evening – perfect!

 

EAT, DRINK, SHOP, LIME

 

SOUTHSIDE

You’re on vacation, so take some time for relaxation and “liming” (definition:  The art of doing nothing while sharing food, drink, conversation and laughter). 

What better place to do this than, you’ve guessed it, The Liming Hotel.  This luxurious development is located in “south side”, around 1km further on from Bequia’s tiny airport, and just before the entrance to the Moonhole peninsula. 

You may not be able to afford to (or want to) stay in the cottages, complete with their own private infinity pools, but a day pass is great value for money.  For just $65 USD per person ($50 USD in the summer), you get to enjoy the bar, restaurant, beach, infinity pool, and even a tennis court.  The rate includes a 2-course lunch plus 2 cocktails. 

This hotel is a little out of the way, so is rarely full (or even half full) with guests.  It’s likely that you may have the place to yourself.

We recommend an arrival time around midday and hang around until sunset.

What’s next?  A little evening rum shop tour may be in order.  Five minutes in a taxi back to Paget Farm will bring you to Toko’s Stepdown Bar.  Warm up with a couple of drinks in here, then numerous other bars are within walking distance.  One serves drinks from the back of a car, and another even has a pool table.  Finish off at “Dance & Prance” for a little BBQ food.

 

GOING BUSH

Hidden in the jungle above Port Elizabeth lies the Treehouse Bush Bar.  Ken has built this place up from a humble shack to…..well…..a bigger & better humble shack.  The upgraded version has a kitchen and a deck, with an awesome sunset & bay view.  Enjoy grilled fish, lobster, and chicken followed by brownies & ice cream or Basque cheesecake. 

THIS PLACE DEFINITELY QUALIFIES AS "OFF THE BEATEN PATH"

 

Alternatively, just enjoy a few drinks here then move on close by to another restaurant off the tourist trail, Tantiepearl.  Serving up wonderful homecooked grub, this small restaurant has wondrous views of Admiralty Bay – as you’d expect after the steep climb up Cemetery Hill.

 

RETAIL THERAPY

Most tourists pick up souvenirs from the street vendors and shops in front street, Port Elizabeth.  However, tucked away on back street (just along from Doris’ grocery store) is “A Taste of Bequia”.   Amanda, the owner, sums it up beautifully….

“A one stop gift shop, featuring a treasure trove of local handmade delights! From beautiful jewellery and unique crafts, to stylish bags, indulgent desserts and confectionery, wines, rum creme, seamoss cosmetics and herbal supplements, & personalised items”

However, for the ultimate souvenir pop into Sargeant Brothers Model Boat Shop in Ocar. 

The beautifully crafted model boats sold here are expensive, but you will witness first-hand the skill and man hours required to make them.  When Queen Elizabeth II visited the island in October 1985, she parked the royal yacht Britannia out in Admiralty Bay.  She was presented with a model replica when she set foot on the red carpet in Port Elizabeth – how wonderful.

 

A COUPLE MORE CULINARY GEMS

Fernando’s is less of a “hideaway” since the sign was placed on the Lower Bay road junction a few years ago.  However, it remains a lovely local eatery where you feel like you have entered Fernando’s house for a meal – which is essentially what you have done!  On certain days, there’s a set 3 course dinner with choices of starters & mains such as slow cooked lamb or freshly-caught, grilled snapper, all finished off with a tasty dessert like Guinness cake with Maranne’s ice cream.  Yum!

Often overlooked by most tourists, those in the know pop up to Mt. Pleasant, securing one of the few tables available in the breezy, local restaurant called “Sugar Hill”.  It serves arguably the best lobster and rum punch on the island, so there’s two great reasons to make a beeline for this establishment.

 

IN SUMMARY

Well hopefully this blog has given newcomers & Bequia regulars alike some new ideas about how to plan an alternative, “off the beaten path” trip.

As ever, Chris & Louise from “The Lookout” are always on hand to provide honest, reliable advice.  Stay with us and we can help you to tailor an itinerary that will create memories that will last a lifetime!

 

 



Chris & Louise - The Lookout

Contact Chris & Louise

Please explore our website, visit our social media pages & do not hesitate to drop us a line. We know for many this may be your first visit to this wonderful island, so lean on us for advice & assistance. It’s genuinely our pleasure to help and we welcome you as new members of The Lookout family.

UK : 07815 627 955

Bequia : +1-784-527-2377

Email : louise@thelookoutbequia.com

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