The Grenadines

The Grenadines form a chain of islands and cays extending south from Bequia to Petit Saint Vincent. Distances between stops are short, often allowing for day passages between islands.

Facilities vary from island to island: Bequia and Union Island have the widest range of shops and services, while smaller cays may offer little ashore beyond day‑stop access from nearby anchorages or moorings. Some bays have marinas or organised mooring fields, but many crews spend most of their time at anchor.

Tobago Cays Marine Park, a major attraction in the area, incorporates several anchorages and mooring areas behind Horseshoe Reef, with marked seagrass and reef zones where turtles and other marine life are frequently seen by visiting crews.

Fort Hamilton in Bequia overlooks Admiralty Bay and is reached by a short walk from Port Elizabeth, where the waterfront brings together most of the island’s small shops, bars and service businesses used by cruising yachts, making it a natural place to stretch your legs ashore. Salt Whistle Bay on Mayreau is a sheltered anchorage with a curved sandy beach, beach bars and small stalls ashore, and an easy walk over the hill to the island’s village and a great kitesurifing beach.

Although inter‑island hops are short, trades and squalls can funnel across the reefs, so exposure and lee‑shore risk need regular reassessment, with extra room and closer watch in busy anchorages around the Cays, Mayreau and Canouan.

Tobago Cays Marine Park uses moorings and sand patches, and skippers are expected to avoid anchoring in coral or seagrass, respect no‑fishing rules, brief crews not to touch wildlife, and keep dinghy speeds low near snorkelling areas.

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on reviews from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Port Elizabeth ★ 5.0 Bequia Anchoring is straightforward with good holding over sand. The bay features ample dinghy docks, enhancing access to shore. Visitors enjoy the lively atmosphere, with local services providing food and groceries delivered directly to boats.
	Petit Nevis ★ 4.8 Bequia This anchorage features good holding with sandy bottom and is known for excellent snorkeling. Visitors have reported calm conditions and remoteness, providing a peaceful experience. The area can accommodate only a few boats.
	Princess Margaret Bay ★ 4.6 Bequia Anchoring conditions are favorable in sandy areas with good holding. Visitors appreciate the variety of restaurants and activities, including snorkeling and hiking opportunities. Many express a desire to return to this scenic location.
	Point Bay, Bequia ★ 4.5 Bequia Quiet and with good holding in sand spots, this anchorage offers a consistent breeze. Beat the chaos of nearby ferries during the evening and enjoy safe access to local dinghy docks. Some reviews mention water quality and accessibility trade-offs.
	Mopion Island ★ 4.4 Anchoring is challenging due to quickly shallow depths and rocky or coral bottoms. Approaching the island is advised via the western side, especially during low tide. Visitors can expect decent snorkeling experiences despite some coral die-off.
	Chatham Bay ★ 4.3 Union Chatham Bay features a sandy anchorage with generally good holding, though strong gusts can occur. Visitors appreciate the friendly locals and accessible beach bars. While the area is largely recovering from hurricanes, some services remain limited.
	Charlestown Bay North, Canouan ★ 4.3 Canouan The anchorage offers good holding in calm conditions, with reports of gusty winds and some swell. Visitors appreciate the friendly locals and accessible dinghy dock. Provisions can be found nearby, and snorkeling opportunities are noted at White Rock.
	Savan Turtle Island ★ 4.3 Limited space exists for anchoring, accommodating only a few boats. The anchorage may experience a significant swell, making settled easterly conditions preferable. Visitors have noted that accessing the beach is challenging for dinghies, but swimming or paddleboarding remains feasible.
	Tobago Cays ★ 4.3 Tobago Cays The anchorage offers clear waters teeming with marine life including turtles and rays. Conditions can be rolly at times, influenced by tides and wind, with park fees reported to have increased. Many visitors noted both the beauty of the setting and varying experiences with swell.
	Palm island ★ 4.2 Union The anchorage at Palm Island offers beautiful sandy beaches and good snorkeling opportunities. However, significant construction is ongoing, and many visitor facilities have been destroyed. As a result, amenities and access may be limited.

Show more

Marinas

Sandy Lane Yacht Club ★ 4.7 Canouan The marina features excellent facilities and helpful staff, as noted by multiple visitors. They praised the spaciousness of the marina with few boats present and the quality of services such as docking assistance. Visitors experienced occasional power issues but generally received good support.

Moorings

	Admiralty Bay ★ 4.9 Bequia Mooring balls are available, and visitors report helpful service for mooring from local individuals. The bay is described as calm, with no swell, and provides a Caribbean vibe. Multiple reviews mention pleasant surroundings, including shops and restaurants.
	Sustainable Grenadines ★ 4.6 Union Multiple mooring buoys are available and have been checked for sturdiness. Conditions are favorable for activities like kiteboarding and snorkeling. Some missing buoys were reported, with local support for preserving turtle grass.
	Salt Whistle Bay. ★ 4.4 Mayreau Mooring buoys are available in a picturesque bay, with friendly boat boys willing to assist. Visitors noted the area can become rolly from large easterly swells and experienced noise from beach bars, particularly on weekend mornings.
	Baradal-Tobago Cays Marine Park ★ 4.3 Tobago Cays Mooring balls are well-maintained and offer easy access to numerous turtles. Wind conditions can result in a rolly experience. Visitors report excellent snorkeling, but close mooring can lead to tight quarters among vessels.
	Tenuta Resort Mooring Bouys ★ 4.3 Union The anchorage offers a peaceful environment with safe mooring options. Multiple visitors reported good dining experiences at the resort, which includes a system for waiving mooring fees when dining. Caution is advised due to potential underwater hazards near the moorings.

Show more

Boat services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on reviews from the noforeignland community:

Chandlers

	DockSide Marine ★ 4.9 Bequia Jordan and the staff consistently provide friendly and knowledgeable service. The store is well stocked with a variety of marine products, making it easy for visitors to find hard-to-locate parts. The atmosphere is clean and well organized, enhancing the shopping experience.
	piper marine store ★ 2.0 Bequia Price discrepancies were noted, with one visitor stating that line costs were three times higher than a competitor. Additionally, concerns were raised about transparency, as nothing was marked. Sentiments about the owner's friendliness were expressed, but experiences varied.

Useful yacht clearance links:

Yacht clearance reviews

The following lists summarize noforeignland user reviews for clearing in at ports of entry and when using clearance agents in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: