This Tiny Caribbean Island Has Pristine Beaches and a Floating Bar-and You Can Drive Across It in Under 30 Minutes

"It's the big, bold personalities of the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that make this such a sought-after destination. Black-sand beaches and hidden jungle waterfalls make St. Vincent the adventure capital of the Caribbean, while the Grenadines are known for over-the-top luxury, with private island resorts and places where it's said "billionaires go to escape the millionaires." But the northernmost island of the Grenadines, the tiny, lightning bolt-shaped Bequia (pronounced "beck-way"), has a much more understated magnetism."

"In contrast to its neighbors, Bequia "offers a form of laid-back luxury," explains Philip Mortstedt, director of Bequia Beach Hotel. "Bequia doesn't demand your attention; it draws it in," says Chris Smullen, a self-proclaimed island enthusiast and the owner of The Lookout. Brimming with blissfully bare beaches and rolling green hillsides that hide quaint cottages and understated villas, Bequia embodies relaxation."

Bequia is a small, lightning bolt-shaped island in the northern Grenadines known for understated magnetism and laid-back luxury. The island contrasts with St. Vincent's adventure appeal and the Grenadines' ultra‑luxury private islands, offering secluded black-sand beaches, hidden jungle waterfalls, rolling green hillsides, and quaint cottages. Boutique properties like Bequia Beach Hotel provide intimate accommodations, seawater infinity pools, spas, and villas with private pools. The Lookout offers hillside apartments with expansive views over Lower Bay and Princess Margaret beaches. Visitors can enjoy floating bars, moonlit bays studded with sailboats, and a relaxed atmosphere favored by those seeking quiet luxury.

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