| Island name: Bequia (speak Beckway). The
island was named so by the Arawak Caribs and means island of clouds.
Country: St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Languages: English is the official language of St. Vincent &
the Grenadines. French patois is widely spoken.
Population: 4,874 (1991 census).
Size: 20 km x 3 km. Bequia is the largest of the Grenadine islands.
Area: 18 sq km (7
sq miles).
Terrain: Bequia is a beautiful lush island with quiet lagoons,
gorgeous reefs and long stretches of near-deserted beaches. The centre
of the island is hilly and forested, providing an incredible backdrop to
the bays and beaches. Bequia has some of the finest white sand beaches
in the Caribbean.
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy
season (May to November). |
|
|
|
Location: Bequia is situated between St. Vincent, 9 miles to the
North, and Mustique to the South.
Geographic coordinates: Bequia and lies between latitude
13° North and longitude 61° 15' West and is seven square miles.
Highest point: Mt. Pleasant, 264 m.
Entry Requirements: Valid passports must be carried by all persons
entering Bequia, except UK, USA and Canadian citizens who possess valid
return tickets and ID and who are on a visit not exceeding six months.
Visas are not required where the visitor is a citizen of the USA or a Commonwealth
country, or where he/she is a national of a country which has an agreement
for exemption of the visa requirement.
Accommodations: There are a handful of small hotels, Villas and
Apartments on Bequia, mostly family run.
Sports: Bequia excellent for sailing, swimming, scuba diving,
snorkeling and other water sports.
Credit cards: US and EC dollars are accepted at stores, restaurants
and hotels, as are travellers' cheques and most major credit cards.
Best Beaches: The beaches of Bequia are white sand, some are
secluded. The waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, sailing, diving,
and other water sports.
Princess Margaret Beach is just down from Port Elizabeth on the leeward
side of the island . It is so named because Princess Margaret enjoyed a
dip there in 1958.
Lower Bay is nearby, and is a popular, expansive beach. There are a
number of very good, and reasonably priced, bars and restaurants, making
it a favourite venue both during the day and in the evening.
Friendship Bay is a short ride from town, and it is a long, wide sweep
of beach, with excellent conditions for diving, sailing and snorkeling.
Hope Bay is north of Friendship, and is a remote, picturesque beach.
It is difficult to get to, but that makes it all the nicer! There are no
hotels or bars nearby. It has rather shallow waters and a long line of
breakers from the Atlantic Ocean; this makes it ideal for body surfing
and windsurfing.
Spring Bay is a bit further north and it is romantic and very secluded
with plenty tall palm trees.
Industry Bay is located just above Spring Bay. It has a nice beach
and is wonderful for snorkeling.
Park Bay is a short walk around the corner from Industry Bay, and it
is another palm-shaded, undeveloped sandy beach. It is also home to the
Oldhegg Turtle Sanctuary.
Habor: Admiralty Bay, the island's natural harbor, is a favorite
anchoring spot for yachtsmen from all over the world, and here visitors
can watch men building their boats by hand on the shores. The attractive
region around Lower Bay offers great opportunities for swimming and other
watersports.
Wale hunting: Bequia is home of the world's last hand-harpooners
and their activities do not affect marine stocks, unlike the mechanized
fishing of some fleets.
Sources: CIA World Fact Book + http://www.bequia-information.com.
|