starfish1

Heading to Barbados in a few weeks and are wondering about a day trip to another island. We have found two tours and I'm wondering of you good folks who have been to either Mustique,Bequia and/or Grenada which you would suggest spending time getting to and exploring for a day. Our last visit we did a tour of the Grenadines and it was fantastic but we were sailing most of the time as the water and the small islands were the attraction. These tours have more of a land component to them. Would appreciate hearing comments as to whether or not you think this is worth it for a day or better to wait until we would be able to spend more time. Thanks for any input!

ejcrowe

well, you've hit on two of my favorite island destinations--Grenada and Bequia. Bequia is much smaller, so you'd have the chance to see much more of the island. It's full of old world Caribbean charm, its main town of Port Elizabeth is very small and walkable, with a couple of souvenier shops but mostly casual bars and restaurants. There's also a market, but I'm not sure if it's daily or not. There's the Old Hegg turtle sanctuary and Moonhole for two unique things to do on the island as well as the obligatory beach stops.

Grenada is huge compared to Bequia--you wouldn't see as much of the island in one day. But it is lush and beautiful, and just circumnavigating the island with a private taxi tour would be very interesting.

I don't know much about Mustique. The island itself is private leased by one man (he doesn't own it outright) from the Vincentian government. It's a rarefied atmosphere there, as the only people who live there are the wealthy who own the villas and their staff, or the owners of the two exclusive inns, so there's not exactly a local West Indian culture. It personally doesn't appeal to me, but there is an undeniable cache and sense of escapism there.

starfish1

ejcrowe thanks so much for your insight. I have read alot of your posts about Bequia and Grenada and they both sound so appealing. I think reading about your travels as well as others who have been prompted me to see if they were possible as daytrips. My feeling is that Bequia would be a more satisfying day trip just because it is smaller and we would get a better sense of place. I appreciate your comments.

caribqueen

I agree with ejcrowe...do Bequia. Charming island, town and people. You can see all/most of it in one day and still have time to sit back for a cold one. Be sure and eat some pizza at Mac's Pizzaria.

Grenada is my other fav island as well, but it would take you a week to hit the highlights of that island. You will just be left wanting more after spending only one day.

Mustique is a miss for me. We went and ate/drank at Basil's Bar where you may or may not spot celebrity (sat next to Tommy Hilfiger and his family) and that was about the highlight for us. We aren't into who's villa is whose, but if I were looking for an island to disappear on and be alone, that might be it.

I'm jealous that you are heading into my fav part of the world...have fun!

Michaelpl

Starfish;

Would you mind sharing your info on the tours from Barbados to other islands? How and how much? My family and I are also heading to Barbados shortly and that might be a consideration for us.

Thanks!!

vinceygirl

Hi Starfish, love both of these islands but do not feel you would do yourself or either of the islands justice by only a day trip. I must agree with ejcrowe regarding Grenada because of it's size. If you are alloting a day Bequia would be more realistc. I take it you would be flyng from Barbados into St. Vincent on LIAT or directly into Bequia on SVGAir?

starfish1

Thanks everyone for your comments. caribqueen, I agree with you about the celeb thing and Mustique and when it comes right down to it we'd be quite happy just to spend the day on Bequia. Maybe I can ask if they can offer that as an option. Michael, the two companies that we contacted are Caribbean Safari Tours http://carib-safari.com/ (we did the tour of the Grenadines with them two years ago and it was excellent) and Chantours http://barbados.org/tours/chantours/Prices run between $900-$1200 Barbados dollars per person (Exchange: 2 BD $ = 1 US $) depending on which tour. I can email you the details they sent me or you can contact them directly. Vinceygirl, both tour companies for the Mustique/Bequia trip fly from Barbados to St. Vincent where you then board a boat for the ride to Mustique or Bequia. Seems like it would just be easier to fly directly to Bequia but that's not the way they do it. Chantours actually arrange for breakfast on Young Island before departing for Bequia. Thanks again for all your helpful comments. We'll decide if the one day would do justice to the region and whether or not it's worth tearing ourselves away from paradise for the experience. I am staring at huge mounds of snow and ice right now so just the idea of sitting on a beach drinking rum punch or Banks beer sounds ideal!

caribqueen

Can you just book a flight to Bequia from Barbados on your own without a tour company? You will have no problem whatsoever with touring the island without the help of a company, because WOW, that price seems pretty high.

starfish1

caribqueen, yep I did look into that and the flights are $300 U.S. alone. Considering the tour company picks you up and drops you off at your hotel, provides snacks and lunch and ground transfers, the tour and departure taxes I didn't think the price was too bad - certainly not inexpensive but the flights seem to be the bulk of the cost. But it looks as though we would have to stay overnight because the flights direct to Bequia don't arrive until late morning and the return flight time doesn't allow us much time to explore. This is the same even if we flew to St. Vincent and took the ferry over - we wouldn't arrive Bequia until late a.m. Oh well, maybe we'll have to plan it for another time.

KVR

I have been looking into a trip like this also. We've decided on the Grenadines day trip since we haven't been there and Grenada. We acutally watched a program on the Travel Channel and they showed info on Bequia and Mustique and it wasn't what we were looking for.

I found to seperate tours for Grenada from two differnt companies; Chan Tours and Caribbean Safari. One offers a 3 day/2 night trip and the other offers a day trip with an Island tour. They are both basically the same price. Would love the 2 night trip, but trying to coordinate air and hotel for Barbados has been an expensive problem. The day trip to Grenada would work better, even though we won't get to spend as much time.

Michaelpl,

Send me an e-mail and I will forward you all the info I have recieved.

Starfish1, I agree with you on the tours. Everything is done for you for one price. Less coordinating and hassel.

ForgottenMan

Mustique is tiny and offers only 2 places to stay: Cotton House or Firefly. Both expensive. The only other option is to rent a private villa starting at several thousand per night. Bequia is my favorite. And yes, have a lobster pizza at Mac's. The Village Apartments are a fabulous bargain (villageapartments.grenadines.net)and right in the middle of everything. Grenada is a large island compared to the Grenadines and requires some time to see it properly. The is an article/summary about day trips to the grenadines on barbadosbarbados.com that may help in your decision. Happy sailing!

vinceygirl

FYI recently heard Mac's has taken the lobster pizza off it's menu.
Will miss it if this is true but honestly all the pizza at Mac's is to die for. Better than most I've had here in the States.