St. Lucia

Pronounced ‘Beck-way’, Bequia is the second largest island in the Grenadines after St Vincent. The name comes from ‘Becouya’, a word of the Kalingo tribe meaning ‘Island of Clouds’ for the fluffy white clouds that drift past the mountain peaks.

Bequia is steeped in maritime history, changing between French, English, and Scottish hands since the 1700s. Over time, its main product changes from lime and cotton to sugar and eventually whaling, a practice that continues today under the watchful eye of the International Whaling Commission. The fascinating Bequia Heritage Museum tells the full story.

Nowadays, Bequia offers a sense of intimacy and community warmth that’s lost to other destinations. It’s free of mass tourism and is often overlooked on a Windward Islands yacht charter vacation. That means you can enjoy the green hills, rolling plains, quiet woods, and the Caribbean’s finest beaches in peace.

If you come early in the year, you might also catch the 4-day Bequia Music Fest, where artists of all genres come to play. At Easter there’s also the annual regatta celebrating the island’s sailing heritage. And whenever you choose to charter a yacht in Saint Lucia, this island offers plenty of opportunities for diving, fishing, and watersports.