The southern Grenadines: Tobago Cays, Mayreau, Union and Canouan

Why go

This is the place to swim with turtles, sail between islands and sit on near empty beaches. Life is slow and simple, many islands have only one small village, and the sea is the main road. It is ideal for snorkellers, sailors, kitesurfers and anyone who wants to switch off.

The Tobago Cays Marine Park

The **Tobago Cays** are five small uninhabited islands, Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby, protected by the sweeping **Horseshoe Reef**. Inside, sandbars and sea grass beds make calm, shallow water where green turtles graze. Around **Baradal** a roped off turtle watching area lets you snorkel beside them, and you may also see rays, reef fish and the occasional nurse shark. A small marine park fee is collected by rangers; check the current amount on the official marine park website.

Please follow the rules: do not touch or chase turtles, do not stand on coral, use reef safe sunscreen and take all rubbish away. Day sails reach the Cays from Union Island, Mayreau, Canouan and Bequia.

Mayreau

Tiny **Mayreau** has no airport and only one village. Its famous **Salt Whistle Bay** is a crescent of white sand on a narrow isthmus with the Atlantic on one side and calm Caribbean water on the other. Walk up the hill to the stone **Catholic church** for one of the best views in the Grenadines, looking across to the Tobago Cays. On the main beach at Saline Bay, ferries and yachts drop off visitors, and colourful bars such as **Robert Righteous and De Youths** welcome sailors.

Union Island

**Union Island** is the southern hub, with an airport, ferry links and the lively little town of **Clifton**. Here you find a fruit and vegetable market, cafés, dive and kite schools and boats to the Cays. Clifton Harbour holds **Happy Island**, a bar built on a man made island of conch shells. Hike to **Fort Hill** or up **Mount Taboi** for big views, and visit **Chatham Bay** on the west coast for quiet and snorkelling. At Easter, **Easterval** brings music, boat races and the Big Drum dance.

Canouan

**Canouan** is home to a large luxury resort and golf course in the north and a small local village in the south. Its beaches, including **Godahl Beach** and the long reef protected lagoon on the windward side, are lovely. It has an airport with some direct regional flights.

Private islands

**Palm Island** sits just off Union and **Petit St. Vincent** lies at the very south of the chain. Both are exclusive resorts for stays rather than casual visits, so book ahead if you want to go.

Mustique

North of Canouan, **Mustique** is privately managed and best known for celebrity villas and **Basil's Bar**. Visitors can come by yacht or plane, but access and activities are controlled by the island's company, so check what is allowed before planning a visit.

Getting there and around

Small planes link Argyle with Canouan and Union, and some regional flights land directly. The government supported ferry service runs from Kingstown via Bequia and Canouan to Mayreau and Union a few times a week; check the current schedule. Between islands, water taxis and day sails are common, and sea conditions matter, so allow buffer days before international flights.

Practical tips

ATMs are limited, so bring enough cash before heading south. Shops are small and imported goods are pricier, so self caterers should stock up in Kingstown. Ask about boat safety equipment before taking a water taxi, and always agree fares first.