Bequia | off the beaten path in the Eastern Caribbean

Have you ever felt Fate nudging you in a certain direction? You see a word or an image once and it keeps popping up, catching your eye. All of a sudden you find yourself googling it and bam! you have a plan and plane tickets. That’s how I discovered Bequia.

View from A Shade of Blue AirBnb on Admiralty Bay

Bequia (pronounced beck-way) is a zig-zagged spit of land located in the Grenadines.

It is neither quick nor convenient to get there but that’s part of the charm. Probably because of the lack of accessibility, Bequia has remained a very friendly, locals kind of place with just a splash of tourism. Port Elizabeth is simple to navigate with many delicious choices to stop at for a drink or meal. There is an interesting (read: crabs and stairs included) walkway that connects Port Elizabeth to Princess Margaret beach.

Port Elizabeth Walkway - The Fig Tree Restaurant

Princess Margaret Beach looking towards Lower Bay

Princess Margaret Beach is wide, sandy and kissed by clear turquoise water that is always skinny dipping temperature, day or night. Underneath the sea grape trees, beach vendors dish out ice cold drinks and island gossip. It was the amazing warmth of spirit and generosity among the locals that made this place truly memorable for us: Lafayette at the Fig Tree opened up at lunch just for us because I was lamenting that I wouldn’t get a chance to taste her goat stew before we departed. Or Fay welcoming us to the beach on our first day and letting SO basically bartend at her stand.

The gorgeous bartender at Fay’s, Princess Margaret Beach

A couple of traveler’s hints:

mosquitos - they are ravenous in this part of the world! Make sure your bed has a net and wear bug spray. I also suggest burning a mosquito coil which you can pick up from Knight’s Trading in town.

Turkish towels - fast drying and versatile, these towels are a much better option in the high humidity

insulated bottle holder - otherwise known as a coozie. Most drinks come in a glass bottle and having a coozie was a luxury but who wants to drink warm beer at the beach?

Mac’s - fantastic terrace to lounge on and a very decent wine list

The Fig Tree - excellent food and hostess, definitely don’t miss the goat stew!

Jack’s Beach Bar - the BEST fried chicken I have ever had. I have a mmmm, small obsession with fried chicken and this was so good I walked back to the kitchen and thanked the chef.

local produce - be sure to try a sugar apple(ask the vendor to find a ripe one) and do not pass up a golden apple juice. They are not what you think and both are delicious.

Dawn’s Cafe - located at the very bottom of Lower Bay, great spot for basic but fresh breakfast, prepared with care.

If you blink, you’ll miss the sign for Dawn’s Cafe

If you’re looking to slow down, unplug, enjoy the simple things with warm, authentic people; Bequia is my answer to your pursuit of peace…just don’t tell anyone.