History
Bequia’s first permanent inhabitance can be traced back to the first millenium through pottery samples discovered on the island. Later, the next real settlement in the area was the Caribs (Yellow) in the 1400’s. This strong nation of people were able to resist colonisation by the British and other Europeans in the 1600’s and maintain their independence while many other islands in the area were colonised, and thus influenced forever.

In the late 1600’s a slave ship went down and the surviving African Slaves soon became known as the Black Caribs and quickly mixed with the Yellow Caribs.

By the 1800’s the French had settled on parts of Bequia and grew indigo, cotton, sugar, and lime, but with their defeat in the Seven Year War and the Treaty of 1763, the colonisation by the French ended in Bequia. The British received all French lands in the treaty that followed the war and by 1827 Bequia consisted of nine sugar plantations, mostly English in ownership. (Some of the names of communities on Bequia are still the plantation names).

With this influx of people and commerce, Bequia began boat building as an industry having an abundance of white cedar growing on the island. Boat building led quite naturally into whaling, and one young local, William (Old Bill) Wallace Jr. started the first whaling station at Friendship Bay in the 1870’s. Whales are still killed every year in January - February as part of the Bequian people’s recognised rights to their ancestral hunt.

Twenty-first century Bequia retains its proud seafaring heritage. Its fierce independence and open-hearted welcome for visitors from other shores, continues to be its draw to traveller of the world. Each year Bequia holds the Easter Regatta where boat builders and sailors show off their locally made, beatifully painted "Bequia Sailing Boats." It is a unique experience you will not find anywhere else in the world and should not be missed.

How to get to Bequia

Air:
Most flights from Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom fly into Barbados where it is easy to catch a connecting flight to Bequia, or where ever you choose to be picked up in the Grenadines. The two main airlines for the Grenadines are SVG and LIAT.

If you land in St. Vincent you can catch the Admiralty Transport/Bequia Express 4 times daily, or ask us to start your charter and adventure there. Remember, this is your holiday, we’re flexible to your requests.

Taxi and Transports:
Taxis (Open Toyota trucks with benches and a canopy top to protect you from the sun), are readily available for about $20 ($8 CAN), or you can catch a Transport for about $1.50 EC ($0.70 CAN).

Transports are an experience in themselves, with the music blaring and the stops and starts, you are sure to get the island experience in one of these. They are always a personal hit with everyone that uses them.

Weather:
Bequia daytime temperatures consistently average between 24C (75F) and 30C (86F). A "chilly" evening in the winter months might bring out a sweater for boating to the bars or restaurants. In the summer you might see a low of around 21C (70F) and the temperature will occasionally reach 32C (90F).