About Bequia

Of all the islands throughout the Caribbean, Bequia holds a place in the heart of many yachting visitors as their favourite island. Prior to the construction of its airport in Paget Farm – between Friendship Bay and West Cay – Bequia’s only link with the outside world was by the sea. Subsequently, the island developed a self-sufficient and happy population – for whom the sea is interwoven into their daily lives. Bequia has a tradition and heritage of boat building and whaling historically introduced by European fishermen and boat builders. A Scotsman by the name of ‘Wallace’ first introduced the art of whaling to the Bequia people, bringing his skills and hardware down from Nantucket. Although commercial whaling has now been discontinued in Bequia, the islanders retain a strong whaling culture and are licensed to hunt two whales per year from the sea using the traditional small boats and a chosen harpooner from the community. The Ollivierre family, who run the Challenger Taxi and Tours service, forms the descendant line of these historically well-respected harpooners.
The old whaling techniques are still used – now only maintained as an annual ritual and fraught with danger for the men. Ultimately, every scrap of the whale is still put to good use within the community.

The large anchorage within Admiralty Bay (Port Elizabeth) ensures space for even the largest of superyachts. Yachts up to 160 ft. LOA can also tie up to secure dockage at the Bequia Marina at the head of the bay. Once ashore, there are lots of interesting places to see, and most yachts enjoy stopping here for a day or more to allow their guests to explore the island at the ‘suitably relaxed pace’ that Bequia is so famous for! This includes: visiting the wonderful Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary; the Whale Museum; the unique houses set into the rocks at Moon Hole; a walk along the waterfront through the main town to discover some delightful local shops, hostelries and industrious model boat workshops; and many more delightful distractions that have always made Bequia so charming and memorable.

Bequia’s well known Easter Regatta (6th – 10th April 2023) mixes local boat class racing with thoroughbred racing yacht classes and the popular Bequia Music Festival (25th – 29th January 2023) also makes a great diversion for charter guests and owners, as well as crewmembers who just want to relax for a day or two between charters.