Beaches

The beaches of Bequia are white sand, some are secluded and all are clean and uncrowded. The waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, sailing, diving — any water-sport you can think of. Bequia’s mountainous terrain blesses it with several secluded harbors lined with long stretches of peaceful sands. All beaches are public, but you’ll rarely see more than a handful of people at any given time.

From Spring House, it’s a short walk or ride down the hill to Spring Bay Beach where you will be almost guaranteed to have the beach all to yourself. A few minutes further along the coast will bring you to Crescent Beach at Industry Bay where you can enjoy relaxing in the privacy of an idyllic beach or the excitement of kayaking in the waves crashing off the reef. The island is not that large and Spring House is centrally located so we invite you to get out and explore.

Beaches we recommend for …

You: find your own private, secluded beach … there are endless small hidden coves, beaches and bays around every corner, just waiting for you …

A Half-Day Visit: Princess Margaret beach, just below Belmont, is one of the best beaches in Bequia and a safe and popular place for any beach activities. This serene stretch of sand is a good place to sunbathe, swim or snorkel. Bring a picnic with you or head back to the restaurants along the Belmont Walkway for lunch. Don’t forget the deck chairs and umbrella!

Families: Families can swim, kayak, snorkel or just relax at Lower Bay, one of the island’s broadest and loveliest beaches. There are several bars and restaurants and always some music going on, especially on the weekends. The beach area comes alive as the locals bring their fast boats over from St Vincent and mix with the catamarans anchored barely offshore and the water taxis racing back and forth to the harbour. If you are looking for a lively beach to hang out where the action is, Lower Bay is the place for you.

Scenery and Seclusion: If you really want to get away from it all, head to Hope Bay along the island’s eastern coast. Hope Bay is a remote, picturesque beach. It is difficult to get to, with a bit of a hike from the end of the track, but that all adds to its lure. There are no hotels or bars nearby, so you might want to consider bringing some supplies with you. It has rather shallow waters and a long line of breakers from the Atlantic Ocean which makes it ideal for body surfing and windsurfing.

The Bequia Beaches

Adams Bay

Located on the southern side of the island between the airport and Moonhole, if you want to try swimming with manta rays! Or go the extra distance and enjoy the wider sand and seclusion of Moonhole Beach.

Athneal Ollivierre Beach

Located next to Adams Bay Beach on the southern side of the island, and has great views of the Southern Grenadines. A white sand semi-secluded beach, it is generally calm, clear and shallow, with lots of beautiful shells. Best reached by vehicle and a short walk, it is near the airport but has no facilities.

Belmont Beach

A thin strip of sand separating the water from a number of popular restaurants and bars along the Admiralty Bay harbour front. Under water at high tide and more of a walkway than a beach for relaxing, it is used by the diving equipment shops for scuba training.

Friendship Bay

A short ride from town and has a long, wide sweep of beach, with excellent conditions for diving, sailing and snorkeling. A lovely semi-circle of sand facing southeast, it is protected by a headland so that waves are seldom more than a foot high. The attractive view towards Mustique is enhanced by the tiny islets of Whale Cay and Semple Island, with Petit Nevis in the background. Hotels and bars front on this bay so refreshments are available.

Hope Bay

A remote, picturesque beach exposed to the Atlantic, without reefs, so you may find big waves here that make it ideal for body surfing and windsurfing. It has shallow waters, a wide sandy beach and is a little difficult to access so you are almost certain to be alone here. Sometimes there is powerful surf, a strong undertow and offshore current, so take care. There aren’t any hotels or bars nearby, so take lots of water and a picnic.

Industry Bay — Crescent Beach

One of our favourite beaches close to Spring House. Crescent Beach in Industry Bay is a pleasant beach protected from the waves of the Atlantic by reefs. Can be breezy sometimes. A beach bar offers food and drink, but the adjacent beach is almost always deserted. Snorkeling and good windsurfing for beginners or exciting kayaking along the reef.

L’Anse Chemin

Only for the true adventurer or explorer who wishes to go where few have gone before. Hike up the hills behind Park Bay and cross over to L’Anse Chemin, a beautiful uninhabited bay on the island’s west coast. Very seldom used.

Lower Bay

The longest and most popular beach on the island, and is the main beach area for many events including the annual Easter Regatta. Several bars, restaurants and guesthouses along the beach make it a favourite venue for locals and visitors alike both during the day and in the evening. Charter yachts and windjammer cruise ships anchor close by and use the beach for water sports and other activities. Ideal for families and just about anyone looking to have fun. Give it a miss if you are looking for privacy and seclusion.

Moonhole

On the most southern tip of the island, and is sheltered and secluded with gorgeous views of the southern Grenadines. The road goes past the airport and turns into a dirt track. Parking is limited but the trip is worth the effort. All beaches in Bequia are public so you are welcome to enjoy them even if it seems like you are on private property. One of the nicest and most private beaches on the island, this is the empty beach that the brochures use. You will come away really believing that you are alone in paradise. No facilities, so bring a picnic.

Park Bay

Another palm-shaded, undeveloped sandy beach. It is also home to the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. Not much used as a recreational beach for no real reason except that there are so many other fine beaches in Bequia, it makes interesting snorkeling among the many coral heads. The current will take you on an exciting swim around the headlands to Industry and then Spring Bay. Be sure to go in pairs and wear a life jacket.

Princess Margaret Beach

Used to be called Tony Gibbons beach until the royal princess took a swim here while on her honeymoon in 1958. This is a lovely sandy beach with clear water and fine views across the harbour from the south side of Admiralty Bay. A little quieter than Lower Bay due to more difficult access, it has a new beach bar and dinghy dock at its north end which will doubtless increase its popularity with visiting cruisers.

Ravine Bay

A secluded bay separated from Friendship Bay by St Hilaire Point, access to Ravine Bay is not for the faint hearted. A steep hike in, this picturesque but secluded bay features rough surf, dark sand and a blow hole. As you might expect, there are no facilities.

Sal Bay

Just to the northeast of Park Bay and beyond the turtle sanctuary is dramatic Sal Bay, where the reef wraps around the headland and reaches toward shore. If you are looking for a remote beach with a difference, Sal Bay could be worth a look. Tends to be windy.

Spring Bay

The Spring Bay beach area is due for a complete renovation and upgrade now that the Firefly Bequia hotel has bought the old Spring Hotel and its surrounding acreage. Towering coconut palms, a remnant of the plantation’s heyday, lean over the beach and provide a dramatic backdrop to this fine beach on the north-east coast. Well worth a visit even now as we wait to see what the future holds for this area.