How to Island Hop in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
While planning our trip, I had a difficult time finding detailed information about island hopping in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. I was not sure what to expect, which is not a feeling I enjoy while visiting a new country.
The only information I had was the schedules and pick-up/drop-off locations posted on the official ferry websites. Everything else was bits and pieces without the specific details I typically like to know before a trip.
I took copious notes throughout our trip to properly inform anyone visiting these gorgeous islands in the southern Caribbean. If you’re planning a trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, island hopping is a great way to experience the country.
Island hopping in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines takes some planning and a bit of patience, but it is worth it to experience at least a few of the islands during your trip. Each one has something different to offer, with the Pirates of the Caribbean set on Saint Vincent, stunning beaches in Bequia, and proximity to the Tobago Cays from Union Island. There is so much more to each island, but these were the highlights for me!
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have been impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Union Island has been mostly destroyed. It may not be possible to visit some of the Grenadines until the end of 2024 or early 2025.
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Tips for Island Hopping in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Plan Around the Ferry Schedules
The ferries do not run every day, except for the ones between Saint Vincent and Bequia. For the ferries that travel between Saint Vincent and the lower Grenadines, there is just one ferry per day and it doesn’t run every day of the week.
As you book hotels, ensure you plan your travel days between islands to align with the ferry schedule! Otherwise, you may get stuck for an extra day or two on an island. There is an option to charter a private plane, but of course, the cost is astronomical and even then, you need to book that ahead of time.
The ferry schedules do change seasonally, so keep that in mind as you check them before your trip. You can always contact the ferry via email or Facebook to ask about times and schedules.
Take Dramamine (if needed)
The ferries between Saint Vincent and the lower Grenadines are long and were pretty rocky when we went in June. We took Dramamine for each ferry, which helped significantly with the seasickness.
I wasn’t too concerned about drowsiness because it was a 3-hour ferry and we laid down the whole time anyway. It was nice to go in and out of sleep just to tolerate the long ride!
Pay with Cash
They only accept cash—USD or Eastern Caribbean Dollars (EC)—on the ferries and you pay on board. You can find out the price online ahead of time, which can also fluctuate depending on the season.
This is also one of my overall tips for visiting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines since many places only accept cash!
Arrive Early
The longer ferries between Saint Vincent and the lower Grenadines recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before departure. It was great to get there early and grab a full row to ourselves (this may not be possible during busier seasons).
Dress Comfortably
Wear comfy clothes when you take the ferry to make the trip more enjoyable. For the long ferries, I even took out my Turkish towel to use as a blanket since the A/C was pretty cold.
The more comfortable you can get, the better! Especially if you’re someone who doesn’t do well on boats. Stretchy and/or loose clothing that you can lay down in and move around easily is ideal.
How to Island Hop in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Ferries Between Saint Vincent and Bequia
Multiple ferries travel between Saint Vincent and Bequia, the largest and northernmost Grenadine island. Most of them run multiple trips per day and take about one hour from port to port. There is also a fast ferry called Jaden Sun, which I cover in the next section.
Bequia Express
From Saint Vincent, all ferries leave from the Kingstown ferry terminal and also arrive there. From Bequia, all ferries leave and arrive in Port Elizabeth.
The Bequia Express leaves from Bequia a few times per day, depending on whether it’s a weekend or a weekday. There are four Bequia Express ferries and they seem to all be identical (we went on Bequia Express IV).
When you arrive at the terminal, you walk straight onto the ferry where they are loading cargo and cars. If you have luggage, there are workers there who will take it and put it in the luggage room.
They do not open the door to the ferry for passengers until about 15-20 minutes before the ferry departs. This means you will wait outside on the loading dock if you arrive early (in the heat and exhaust fumes).
Once you board, you pay for tickets at a booth before you can enter. After purchasing your tickets, head downstairs for the bar and snacks or head upstairs for the seating. On the Bequia Express, you can sit inside or outside. Inside is air-conditioned and has booths with tables where you can sit. Outside has some sun shades and seating for those wanting fresh air.
Both the inside and outside seating are at the back of the ship, so you can watch Bequia or Saint Vincent get farther and farther away as you depart.
The entire journey is about one hour and can be very rocky. We were thankful for the Dramamine we took once we boarded and found our seats! There are bathrooms on board if you aren’t feeling well, though they are tiny and not air-conditioned.
Admiral Ferry
We did not take the Admiral Ferry during our trip, but it was about the same size and shape as the Bequia Express. You can get the most updated schedule and information from their Instagram account! They also have a website, though it is not always reliable (currently expired as of July 2024).
Ferry Between Saint Vincent and Lower Grenadines
The Jaden Sun Fast Ferry runs between Kingstown in Saint Vincent and Union Island, with stops at Bequia, Canouan, and Mayreau. It takes about two and a half to three hours to get to Union Island. It stops at each island for just about 10 minutes for passengers to deboard and new ones to board.
The Jaden Sun Fast Ferry is the only ferry you can take to get from Saint Vincent to Union Island, which is the southernmost Grenadine island just above Carriacou (one of Grenada’s grenadines). Union Island is the ideal place to stay if you want to island hop in the Tobago Cays!
They recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes before departure time. If you arrive earlier, you can hang out at the ferry terminal or the cruise ship terminal next to it. The ferry terminal is slightly air-conditioned, but with all the doors open it feels muggy on a hot and humid day.
We arrived far too early for our ferry and headed to Carib Bean in the cruise terminal to get some drinks and relax in the air conditioning (one of, if not the only, place that has air conditioning in the cruise terminal!). It’s small with just a few tables inside, but we visited during the off-season when the cruises weren’t running and easily got a table.
We boarded as early as possible (30 minutes before departure) to claim a row in the center of the ship near the air conditioner. Since the ferry ride is long, many people lay down in the rows of seats and sleep/rest for the duration of the trip. We did this each time and were SO thankful because it really helped with seasickness and quickly passed the time.
There is a spot for luggage on the left side of the ship near the left-side entrance/exit. We put our suitcases here each time and had no issues!
You pay once you board — the worker will either be standing at the back or come around to each seat to collect the fair and give you a ticket. The price depends on which island you are heading to, with Saint Vincent to Union Island being the most expensive ($110 EC each one way) since it is the longest route.
Water Taxi from Union Island to the Tobago Cays
The Tobago Cays are a collection of small islands east of Union Island. The best way to see them is via a private water taxi or a catamaran boat trip. Either way is great, but you will have more opportunities and a better experience with a private water taxi.
We booked a private water taxi day trip to the Tobago Cays with Clem from Fair Deal and had the best time! It was the absolute highlight of the trip and a trip back would feel incomplete without a Tobago Cays day trip.
Flights between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
There are a few options for flying between the islands if you want to skip the ferry. You can charter a private plane to take you from Saint Vincent to Union Island, which is over $1,000 USD one way.
Even though some of the Grenadines have their own airports, there is not always a direct flight path between islands. If you want to fly, reach out to private airlines to learn more about their routes well before your trip.
Island Hopping Itinerary
Your itinerary will depend on how many days you spend in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and which islands you want to visit. Our itinerary was just seven nights, which was too short for visiting three islands. I would recommend at least three nights on each island to enjoy them without feeling rushed.
I recommend doing the longest ferries at the start of the trip to get them over with. This way, each subsequent ferry will be easier and easier.
12-day Island Hopping Itinerary
Day 1-5: Explore Saint Vincent (4 nights).
Day 5: Take the Jaden Sun Fast Ferry from Saint Vincent to Union Island (2.5-3 hours).
The Jaden Sun runs from Saint Vincent (Kingstown) to Union Island on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. Check the schedule for the most up-to-date information and holidays.
Day 5-8: Explore Union Island (3 nights).
Take a day trip to the Tobago Cays on day 7 (9am-4pm).
Day 8: Take the Jaden Sun Fast Ferry from Union Island to Bequia (2-2.5 hours).
Ensure this day aligns with the Jaden Sun ferry schedule.
Day 8-11: Explore Bequia (3 nights).
Day 11: Take the Bequia Express from Bequia to Saint Vincent (1-1.5 hours).
This ferry runs multiple times a day.
Day 11-12: Spend one night on Saint Vincent before flying home on day 12.
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