It’s hard to believe, but over 6 months have passed since we last updated you by newsletter – and we naively thought that living on a sleepy island would slow time down!

As usual, there’s so much to tell you. 

So grab a coffee (or a rum punch!), and take a short break to read the latest news from beautiful Bequia island.

 

RETURN TO PARADISE

Despite living on a paradise island, it’s always good to get “off the rock” from time to time.  A Greek island adventure, and time with friends & family back in the UK proved to be the perfect tonic.

CHRIS BACK IN HERTFORDSHIRE WITH HIS DEAR AUNTY "NANNY" GRACE

EXPLORING THE GREEK ISLANDS OF CORFU, PAXOS, AND ANTIPAXOS 

 

It’s a 4,200 mile journey back to Bequia, but it’s worth it just to be reunited with our island pups!

SASSY & SOX

 

A SPECIAL COMMUNITY

In November, we published our latest blog about the amazing Bequia island community. 

You may be surprised to learn that we didn’t come here in search of palm trees, white sandy beaches, sunshine, or even rum punch!  Although we do like all those things.

In truth, the most important element of a new life abroad was to be active in (and feel part of) a thriving community.

 

Read the article in full here;

NEW 2025 Blog - The Bequia Community - The Lookout Bequia Blog

 

We are currently in the process of writing even more useful blogs about Bequia, so watch this space! In the meantime, you can browse through the ones already published here;

https://thelookoutbequia.com/blog.php

 

A MOMENTOUS MOMENT IN SVG HISTORY

On 27^th November 2025, something truly amazing happened here in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.  The ULP (United Labour Party) had been in power for more than 25 years, but a landslide victory by the NDP (New Democratic Party) has turned the country from Red to Yellow! 

Even more remarkable is that the new Prime Minister, Godwin Friday, is a Bequia man and our neighbour on Mount Pleasant.  The guy that we would regularly say “Good Morning” to as we drove down the hill past his house is now running the country!

With a population of just 110,000 people across 32 islands, you can see that the PM is more accessible than in other countries.  We were hanging out at the music festival in January - like you do!

CHRIS FROM "THE LOOKOUT" AND KERRY FROM "TRADEWINDS", WITH THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, HON. DR. GODWIN FRIDAY

 

NEW NEIGHBOURS

Talking of neighbours, we are blessed to have great people (and animals) in the locality of “The Lookout”.  Look at these cute new arrivals who were born in December, and hang out at the bottom of our driveway.  Our guests were understandably keen to keep their fruit & veg peelings to give them a daily feed.

 

 

 

FEELING FESTIVE

As usual, Bequia is a wonderful place to be for Christmas & New Year.  Just like anywhere else in the world, it’s filled with twinkling lights, gifts, friends & family, parties, and fireworks.  The bonus is that every Christmas is guaranteed to be a white one, but it’s sand and not snow!

A THORN BETWEEN TWO ROSES!

 

It has become a Bequia tradition for us to replace the usual turkey roast and Christmas pudding, with lobster and chocolate brownies on the beach.  Petra prepares the lobster at her small restaurant just behind the beach, and we are so grateful to her & the team.

For New Year’s Eve, the ideal location to watch the impressive firework display was “The Cocktail Lab”.  This was an exclusive, ticket-only event with around 75 people in attendance.  Our guests at The Lookout and some friends joined us for a fun evening to welcome in 2026.

 

ARRIVE AS STRANGERS, LEAVE AS FRIENDS

After travelling to more than 50 countries around the world (including more than a dozen Caribbean islands) our search for perfection was over when we first set foot on Bequia in 2015.

Within 2 years we had purchased a run-down property on a hill above the island’s two best beaches.  A little rum punch may have been involved in this risky, and somewhat foolish decision! 

After a character-building remodel & renovation of the entire property & grounds (which took over 14 months), we hosted our first guests in January 2019.  It's been so rewarding to meet wonderful, like-minded people from all over the world who have chosen to visit our little piece of paradise.

STEPHEN & WAYNE HAVE BECOME OUR "BEQUIA BUDDIES" 

 

Not in our wildest dreams did we think we would meet so many wonderful people, who arrived as strangers and have become friends.  Moreover, some of them keep on coming back to stay with us, time after time.  We are truly blessed.

TONY & YVONNE HAVE STAYED AT THE LOOKOUT MORE TIMES THAN ANY OTHER GUESTS

THEY ALSO ADOPTED A BEQUIA DOG, SANDY, WHO NOW LIVES WITH THEM IN CANADA

 

THE BEAUTIFUL WOLOSHYN FAMILY FROM VANCOUVER HAVE MADE OUR HUMMINGBIRD DECK APARTMENT THEIR SECOND HOME OVER THE YEARS

 

DON'T STOP THE MUSIC

You don’t have to look too far to find great live music on Bequia.  In season, it almost feels like every venue has a different band or artist performing.  There is a such a wide variety of music too, from a soothing violin, to steel drums, to rock, soul, blues, acoustic covers, and the list goes on.

The pinnacle of the live music scene occurs at the end of January every year, with the Bequia Music Festival.  The management of this event has now changed in a bid to elevate the quality of music, the organisation, and its attractiveness to local & international acts, and tourists too.

This year, the music festival quickly followed two excellent warm-up events. 

On 23^rd January, the “Boley Bash” attracted a very large crowd, and numerous artists, who took to the stage at this waterfront venue from just after sunset, through to beyond midnight. 

Basil Charles also brought a range of musical acts from the Mustique Blues Fest for a one-night only spectacular at The Plantation Hotel on Bequia.  What an evening that was!

At the Bequia Music Fest itself, the highlight was on the Sunday “under the palms”.  This session started early afternoon, and ran through sunset into the evening.  Good vibes only and plenty rum, fun, & sun!

 

 

HARD WORK ALWAYS PAYS OFF

Since launching in January 2019, The Lookout has been recognised by acclaimed travel journalists from around the world. We have also received awards.

Media -The Lookout - Boutique Villa & Apartments, Bequia, Caribbean

 

However, it’s the dozens of five-star testimonials from delighted guests that mean the most to us. 

We set our standards impeccably high, and sweat the small stuff.  For instance, we don't just renovate "The Lookout" every 3 or 5 years, we spend two months EVERY single year.

In addition, we recognise that our guests travel far & wide to reach us.  The last thing they want to do on arrival is go out grocery shopping.  With this in mind, we supply a generous, complimentary welcome pack that includes homemade bread, eggs, milk, jam, cereal, snacks, fruit, jam, butter, Maranne’s natural yoghurt, bottled water, soft drinks, Hairoun beer, and rum punch too!

Our guests also appreciate the small, thoughtful touches such as providing beach towels, cool bags & picnic sets for the beach, and a mobile phone with credit to allow them to book taxis, restaurants, and boat trips.

This attention to detail and hard work has resulted in a host of five-star reviews that we’re very proud of.

The Lookout - Boutique Villa & Apartments, Bequia - Reviews

 

Here’s the humbling, headline feedback from this season alone….

 

“The views are incredible, and the location is hard to beat”

“The Lookout is amazing!”

“One of the most incredible stays we've ever had!”

“Between the comfort, the views, and the warm hospitality, it’s hard to leave”

“The Lookout is a truly special place”

“The Lookout has beautiful apartments - bright spacious and airy, with the most wonderful outlook over the bay”

“The Ocean Deck is a bright, clean and delightful apartment”

“Fabulous apartment, wonderful hosts, and a beautiful island”

 

A SAD FAREWELL

Tom & Gail Donoghue had become an extremely popular & well-loved part of the Bequia community since making the move from Canada many years ago.  Sadly, they both passed away in late 2024/early 2025. 

It was their wish to have their ashes scattered out at the sea in Lower Bay, which happened in a ceremony for close friends & family in February 2026.  There was also an evening event which we attended at The Cocktail Lab. It was a beautiful night, with music, dancing, drinking, and heartfelt speeches about them both.

The perfect farewell for these island legends.

 

HOLIDAY READING

We provide a wealth of reading material in each of our apartments.  There’s our “bible” that contains detailed information about our accommodation and the island of Bequia.  It allows our guests to maximise their experience during their vacation.

Aside from this, we have hand-selected books that are associated with Bequia and the Grenadine islands.  The perfect holiday reading material for our guests to pick up whilst they lounge on their deck overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

This year, we had the opportunity to add to this collection with a book full of amazing stories written by the late, great Judy Simmons.  She had moved to Bequia for “just a few months” in her 20’s, but then never left!  Originally from Canada, she married a local islander and opened an institution in Mac’s Pizza – the iconic restaurant named after her husband.   

As stated on the back cover of her book, A Small Island Life… “Written with warmth, humour, and a deep affection for Bequia, the author captures not only the hilarities of small island living, but also the complexities that come with small communities”

 

MAN'S BEST FRIEND

We are blessed to have two organisations on Bequia who care deeply about the island’s animals.  We came across these tiny pups with their mother in Port Elizabeth recently, and representatives of “The Chappy House” were already on the scene providing care.

The Chappy House has a base in Ocar, and is “Saving the dogs of Bequia through rescue, rehab & adoption”.  They also set up spay and neuter clinics.  The last one, in October 2025, resulted in over 60 dogs and cats being spayed and neutered in just 3 days. WOW!

Meanwhile, Bequia Animal Protection Alliance (BAPA) has been doing incredible work for many years on the island now.  Their volunteers are “dedicated to improving the lives of those animals in need by providing essential resources and support. Their mission is to make a positive impact in our community to improve the welfare of all animals on Bequia”

Louise from “The Lookout” has recently become a director of BAPA, joining the team of dedicated volunteers who love & care for the island’s animals.

You can discover more about these organisations, and donate to the cause, through their websites below;

 

The Chappy House | Bequia Dog Rehabilitation Center

Bequai animal protection alliance

 

EXPLORING THE GRENADINES

As the winter sun season started to wind down, we took the opportunity to indulge in the “tourist experience”.  It’s amazing how, when you start to live in a place where others vacation, you forget all those things you used to love about Bequia!  For instance, we can go for many weeks without going to the beach to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. 

 

 

In March & April, we took two boat trips to Mustique with The Friendship Rose and Gusto respectively.  Having spent a long weekend on this private island a year ago, our love for Mustique has been cemented.  There is so much more to it than celebrities, exclusive villas, and expensive boutiques. 

Last month, our friend Hazel and her husband Eric returned to Bequia once again.  We just can’t keep them away!  We decided to show them a part of the Grenadines that they had never experienced before by embarking on a Jaden Sun adventure.

We once boarded this fast ferry to take the journey between Antigua and Monserrat.  We were delighted when the vessel relocated to SVG, only for it to be engulfed by a fire that looked to have ended its operations.  However, it was fully restored and back in action just prior to Hazel’s arrival – perfect timing!

We took the opportunity to do one of our favourite things – seafood and cocktails on the beach at Sparrow’s on Union Island.  The ferry schedule on a Friday allows a custom day trip, departing Bequia at 9.30am and returning just prior to sunset.  Taking the journey time out of the equation, we were still able to enjoy our time at the beach club for around 3 hours.  More than enough time to experience sun-kissed skin, full bellies, and (maybe) get a little fuzzy headed too!

 

THE PILGRIMAGE - WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Last month, it was time to return to the island of Carriacou after 17 years.

Back in 2009, we took a day trip on a ferry from Grenada.

From various viewpoints on Carriacou, you can see incredible views of the Grenadines islands, strung out to the horizon when looking north.  Always searching for new destinations to visit on upcoming holidays, we immediately began research on St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

All the islands sounded wonderful, but Bequia was the one that really appealed.  Isolated enough to remain relatively unspoiled, yet lively enough to be stimulating and entertaining.

However, we didn’t get around to taking a trip there until 2015 – fully six years after that day trip!

Two years later in 2017, we escaped the "ratrace", bought a run-down property, created The Lookout, and have lived on Bequia ever since.

 

 

And all because of that day trip to Carriacou, 17 years ago.

It was so great to go back, and this may turn in to an annual, end of season trip going forward.

 

AND THE BEAT GOES ON

Although this winter season has just come to a close, we are already preparing for the next one, starting November 2026.  Our calendars are already beginning to fill up.  The reality of the Bequia rental market is that the very best accommodation does book up 6-12 months in advance. 

This is not a sales pitch we promise.  If you are thinking about staying with us for the 26/27 winter sun season, now is the time to check our calendars on the link below, and get in touch.

https://thelookoutbequia.com/rates-and-reservations.php

 

Our energy now gets poured in to our annual maintenance program.  We spend at least two months on this every summer.

We paint, we varnish, we sand, we maintain, we replace, we check, we improve.

This means that you can be reassured that our apartments live up to the glossy photos on our website & social media.

In fact, most guests remark that the place looks even better in the flesh.

Internally, our apartments have a modern, bright & clean look with some clever design touches. 

Make sure you pack your shades though.  Our bright mango external colour scheme is very vibrant & undeniably Caribbean!

In addition, we are also finalising work on the estate that we manage on Mount Pleasant.  The Sail House is very close to a return, looking better than ever.  Exciting times!

THE SAIL HOUSE

 

DON'T BE A STRANGER

If you are considering a dream trip to Bequia this winter, then please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

As you can see below, getting hold of us can be done in quite a number of ways, so there’s no excuse!

 

Follow us on social media and share our beautiful island content

 

 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/The-Lookout-Villa-Bequia-284750105603349/

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https://www.instagram.com/thelookoutbequia/

 

You can message us using these platforms or simply drop us an e-mail or WhatsApp or fill in the contact form on our website

E-mail: louise@thelookoutbequia.com

WhatsApp:  +1 784 527 2377

Contact Form:  https://thelookoutbequia.com/contact-us.php

 

 

Sending sunshine & warm wishes,

Chris & Louise x