Park BayOld Hegg Turtle Sanctuary
Meet rescued hawksbill turtles being raised for release at Brother King's beloved conservation project on the island's windward coast.
Bequia, the Grenadines
Boutique beach hotels on Admiralty Bay & Friendship Bay · Fly via Barbados
4.6 · Yacht-harbour charm loved by Canadian sailors & beach-lovers
Flights Included · Via Barbados from Toronto
Vacation Packages to Bequia
7-night boutique beach hotel packages with return flights from Canada
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At a glance
Everything you need to know about Bequia
Bequia (pronounced 'BECK-way') is the largest of the Grenadines, a seven-square-mile island of yacht harbours and unhurried beach life just south of St Vincent. Its heart is Admiralty Bay, where sailboats from around the world anchor off Port Elizabeth and the Belmont Walkway threads past waterfront bars and model-boat workshops. Swim and snorkel at Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay, laze on the south-coast sweep of Friendship Bay, and meet rescued hawksbills at the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. Sunny and trade-wind cooled through the dry season, it's a laid-back, sailor's-choice escape a short hop from Barbados.
Bequia, the GrenadinesClimate
Climate
26–31°C · sunny & breezy
JanDec
PeakShoulderAvoid
Warm, sunny and trade-wind cooled. Driest and sunniest December to May; hurricane belt runs June to November.
Currency
East Caribbean Dollar
Pegged 2.7:1 to USD · USD widely accepted
Entry
Visa-free
Valid passport only
Getting there from Toronto
~9h 20m, 1 stop
No direct service — connect through Barbados (BGI) to J.F. Mitchell Airport (BQU), or take the ferry from St Vincent.
Top Experiences in Bequia
Park Bay
Day sailSnorkel the Tobago Cays
Sail south to the Tobago Cays Marine Park, a horseshoe of uninhabited islands where you snorkel with sea turtles over coral gardens.
Admiralty BayPrincess Margaret Beach & Belmont Walkway
Swim off golden Princess Margaret Beach, snorkel the Devil's Table reef, then stroll the Belmont Walkway for sundowners in Port Elizabeth.
Essential info for Canadian travellers
Passport: A valid Canadian passport is all Canadians need to enter St Vincent and the Grenadines for tourism — no visa required. Carry proof of onward or return travel.
Getting to Bequia: There are no non-stop flights from Canada. Fly to Barbados (BGI), then connect on a short hop to Bequia (BQU) with interCaribbean or SVG Air, or take the ferry from St Vincent (SVD).
Travel insurance: Provincial health plans do not cover medical care in the Grenadines, and serious cases are transferred to Barbados. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential.
Power & plugs: Bequia runs on 110V and 230V at 50Hz with a mix of plug types (A/B, G and others). Bring a universal adapter and check 50Hz-sensitive devices.
Time zone & driving: The Grenadines run on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round, one hour ahead of Toronto in winter. Traffic drives on the left.
Best time to visit Bequia
Dec – AprPeak season
Dry, sunny and breezy, with the yachting season in full swing. Busiest and priciest for Canadians.
May – AugShoulder season
Hot with occasional showers and good value; the Bequia Carnival and Vincy Mas fall in this window.
Sep – OctQuietest & wettest
Peak hurricane season and the rainiest months, but the lowest prices of the year and some hotels close.
NovShoulder season
Rains ease and the trade winds return as the dry season begins — good value with reliable sun.
Where to stay
Bequia zones & neighbourhoods
From the yacht-harbour buzz of Admiralty Bay to the quiet south-coast sweep of Friendship Bay, here's how to choose your base on Bequia.
Port Elizabeth & Admiralty Bay
Main harbour
The island's hub, where yachts anchor off the Belmont Walkway and waterfront bars, the ferry dock, market and model-boat shops cluster around the bay.
Best for
- First-timers
- Dining
- Sailing
Princess Margaret & Lower Bay
West coast
Two golden, palm-backed beaches just south of Port Elizabeth with calm, clear water, reef snorkelling and easygoing beach bars.
Best for
- Beach
- Snorkelling
- Couples
Friendship Bay
South coast
A long, wide crescent of sand on the breezy south shore, home to Bequia's boutique beach resort and sweeping views across to the smaller Grenadines.
Best for
- Relaxation
- Beach
- Views
Spring & Industry Bay
North coast
Windward-side coves near old plantation land and the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary — remote, palm-fringed and far from the crowds.
Best for
- Seclusion
- Nature
- Turtles
Beyond the resort
Day trips & excursions from Bequia
Bequia is the perfect launch pad for the Grenadines — turtle-filled cays, celebrity islands and reef dives are all a short sail away. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or your hotel desk.
Signature ExperienceTobago Cays Catamaran & Turtle Snorkel
Full day · 7 hrsTobago Cays Marine Park · By catamaran from Admiralty Bay
Sail south past Mustique and Canouan to the uninhabited Tobago Cays, snorkelling with green turtles over coral before a beach barbecue lunch.
Insider tips
- Reef-safe sunscreen only
- Bring a dry bag and a hat for the open deck
Island HighlightsMustique Day Trip
Full day · 6 hrsMustique island · By boat, ~45 min
Cross to the exclusive private island of Mustique for its powder-white beaches and a legendary lunch or drink at the beach-shack landmark, Basil's Bar.
Insider tips
- Book ahead — visitor numbers are limited
- Bring cash; Mustique is not budget-friendly
Local CultureOld Hegg Turtle Sanctuary & Island Tour
Half day · 3 hrsPark Bay & Mount Pleasant · 20 min by taxi
Visit Brother King's turtle sanctuary, then loop the island by taxi to the Hamilton fort ruins and the viewpoint at Mount Pleasant.
Insider tips
- A small donation supports the sanctuary
- Pair it with lunch on the Belmont Walkway
UnderwaterAdmiralty Bay Reef Snorkel & Dive
Half day · 3 hrsDevil's Table & West Cay · Short boat ride
Explore the Devil's Table reef and Bequia's clear west-coast dive sites, rich with reef fish, sea fans and the odd nurse shark.
Insider tips
- Great for beginners and first dives
- Morning trips have the calmest, clearest water
● Limited availability — book now
Your Bequia escape awaits
Boutique beach hotel packages with flights from Toronto via Barbados, starting at
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Good to know
Bequia travel FAQ
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
Do Canadians need a visa for Bequia?
No. Canadians don't need a visa to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines — just a valid passport and proof of onward or return travel.
How do I get to Bequia from Canada?
There are no direct flights. The easiest routing is to fly to Barbados (BGI), then connect on a short hop to Bequia's J.F. Mitchell Airport (BQU) with interCaribbean or SVG Air. You can also fly to St Vincent (SVD) and take the ferry across.
How long does the journey take?
Total travel time from Toronto is roughly 9–10 hours including the connection in Barbados. The final hop from Barbados to Bequia is only about 30–45 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Bequia?
December to April is the dry, sunny peak season with the yachting scene in full swing. May and November offer great value; September–October are the wettest, quietest months and some hotels close.
Where should I stay on Bequia?
Port Elizabeth and Admiralty Bay are central and lively, Princess Margaret and Lower Bay have the best swimming beaches, and Friendship Bay on the south coast is quiet and scenic.
What currency should I bring?
The East Caribbean dollar (XCD) is official and pegged at about 2.7:1 to the US dollar. USD is widely accepted, so US cash is handy for tips, taxis and excursions.
Can I snorkel or swim with turtles?
Yes — snorkel the Devil's Table reef off Princess Margaret Beach, visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, or take a day sail to the Tobago Cays to snorkel with wild sea turtles.
Can I book excursions through ShopTravel?
Yes, you can add excursions like the Tobago Cays Catamaran & Turtle Snorkel and the Mustique Day Trip to your trip at checkout.