Port Elizabeth (Bequia) - General Info
HURRICANE BERYL: The island nations of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada were the worst affected by Hurricane Beryl at the start of July 2024. The Grenadines, Carriacou, Petit Martinique and Union Island were particularly hard hit. While the islands are recovering and all major marine services are back up and running (apart from on Union Island), cruisers should be aware that the islands are still in recovery mode and some services may still be limited or not available.
Where is Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth lies along the shores of the harbour in Admiralty Bay on the western side of the island of Bequia. Situated just 14.5 kms (nine miles) to the south of St. Vincent, Bequia is the largest of the Grenadine Islands and a popular destination for cruisers.
Cruiser Highlights for Port Elizabeth
Known as “de Harbour”, you’ll find grocery stores and delicatessens, fishing supplies, hardware, marine chandleries, model boat builders, pharmacy, travel agent, banks, vegetable market, t-shirt market, bars, restaurants, boutiques, and gift shops, as well as Post Office, Customs & Immigration, Police Station and Hospital. Doyle Guides describe Bequia as an “island of sailors and boats”. Read more at Doyle Guides.
Cruising guides, apps and happy-hour chitchat can all be good sources of information for sailors in the Caribbean. Tune into the Bequia Cruiser Net at 08:00 on VHF Channel 68, daily.
There is an informative whale museum here with the whalebone restaurant, a boat building model museum, turtle sanctuary, Firefly Estate and great tracks for walking.
Security
Read Noonsite’s Security Reports for this area and also see the CSSN website for a history of crime against yachts in Bequia.
Bequia has suffered in the past with theft from yachts, however, over the last 3 years almost all were of items that weren’t secured or locked up. Following a spate of burglaries in 2022, the police caught the men responsible, according to reports.
This is a very popular anchorage and a place many cruisers spend some time, however, the anchorage is not large and finding space can be difficult. Don’t mistake a small, popular place as a 100% safe. As with all parts of the Caribbean, skippers and crew should remain vigilant and take precautions.
Advice throughout the Caribbean is to remove any items from the deck that may be tempting for thieves. When going ashore close all hatches, lock your boat and secure any loose items on deck and in the dinghy, including fuel/jerry cans and jugs. It is even better if someone can remain on board. Keep the boat lit to deter boarders. It is also advisable to keep your cockpit/salon areas and hatches locked at night, even if sleeping onboard, plus lift and secure your dinghy on deck.
There are occasional SVG Coast Guard patrols here, however, resources are limited.
Position:
13° 00’27″N, 61° 14’45″W (bay entrance)
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Related to following destinations: Bequia, Port Elizabeth (Bequia), St. Vincent & the Grenadines
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Please note that customs is closed from 12-3 on weekends and public holidays.
Who doesn’t like Bequia? Very large bay, plenty of restaurants, two very large beaches, Moonhole, hikes, easy dinghy dock, marine parts store, stores, produce stands. Only negative was the charter party boats that come in on weekends and play their loud music ALL DAY on the beach. View our blog, pics and video here. https://bluedotvoyages.com/bequia-moonhole-the-big-swell/
Our engine failed as we entered the Prince Rupert Bay (Bequia). We got hold of Kerry of Kerry Marine Services 1 784 530 8123. He towed us to a mooring and fixed the engine. I can highly recommend him. We’ve had a fantastic stay. Never felt unsafe and nothing was stolen. A lovely island.
I think it is too hash to recommend to avoid Port Elizabeth, Bequia.
We experienced the anchorage to be safe, and also patrolled by tha maritime police.
People are friendly and restaurants are of good quality.
When it comes to security, common sense and locking the dinghy is key.
Seems like the situation has approved in 2024.
Reported by the Caribbean Safety & Security Net:
DATE: 2019-02-08 10:00
Country Name: SVG
Location Detail: Bequia Admiralty Bay- Port Elizabeth
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
Stolen Items: Shoes, flashlight and pump
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: Shoes, a flashlight and the pump were stolen from the unlocked locker of a dinghy at the public/Government dock in Admiralty Bay. Another dinghy at the same dock also had a tool kit stolen from an unlocked bow locker the same night. A report was made on the local VHF net, no police report was made.
Spent a night anchored off Tony Gibbons Beach. We were not met by any boat boys. We were not directed to any buoys. Customs closed for lunch but opened punctually at 13:00 Both the customs lady and immigration man were friendly and helpful. They did not want any crew lists. They stamped our (EU) passports with six-month visas.
Customs cost about EC$ 75 and immigration was free. They took payment in Euros. The whole process took about 15 minutes and no one minded that we both came. The locals are really friendly and no one pressured us to buy anything. A SIM card for 30 days with 8GB of data was about EC$110 and they installed and activated it. Welcome to paradise
Bequia – Port Elizabeth
A lovely stay in Bequia – good food, bustling village and lovely setting. Moored on a well serviced and robust mooring provided by “Phat Shag” for 10 days over Christmas. Going rate EC$50 per night and helpful, polite and responsive service provided.
Picked up 450 litres of water EC$200 from Daffodil – floating yellow boat. Found local fruit and veg very expensive to buy, but the choice of restaurants great – good meals at Mac, Lauras, Fig tree, Jacks beach bar.
There are some taxi drivers, that can take you for a 1-hour tour on the island.
We didn’t know that they also want a tip at the end (extra for the payment).
So, because we didn’t tip the driver he told the navy that we have illegal drugs on board.
The navy took us from a restaurant, where we ate, to the boat and searched for an hour… after it, they release us back to shore…
It was really unpleasant!
Customs does not use SeaClear, closes at 18:00, and is CASH ONLY.
Bequia
We arrived in Admiralty Bay in late December 2017. It was very busy here with lots of boat boys competing to help you take one of their buoys. We decided to anchor and anchored below the monument, good holding but you need to drop the anchor in a sandy patch.
We stayed here 4 days at anchor and then took a mooring buoy for another 4 days, owned by Mr Blue Sky. It cost $40 EC per night and they were good mooring buoys – we checked them and they are concrete based.
Groceries:
Doris’s food store was expensive, best left for special occasions.
Good supplies at the xxxx supermarket and they have a hardware store on the first floor.
Laundry by Daffodil, 3 large loads (including sheets, beach towels, clothes) with next day return for just $75EC – VERY impressed. They will also take your garbage for $5EC. There is no recycling here for sailors, except on the streets for general use.
You can negotiate when buying at the street fruit/veg stores, ask the price first before agreeing to purchase or you will get stung.
I forgot my flip flops, so had to buy some – the price started at $30EC and I got them down to $15.
Food and drinks:
The Plantation Hotel has a lovely bar and restaurant, friendly staff and not too expensive. Go during happy hour.
We went to Maria’s cafe but were disappointed by the service.
Good food and service at Mac’s.
Services:
Gas (LPG) can be refilled by Dockside Marine and we collected the next day. They were very helpful and gave directions to other places that may have had spares we needed.
We really liked this place, such a lovely feel to it. We did a trip around the island for $70 USD for 4 people. Went to the historic canon site, the top of the hill and the turtle sanctuary (disappointing, apparently it’s better when the owner is there to explain things).
Friendship Bay
Anchored for 4 nights over Xmas 2017. It was quite rolly with heavy swell coming into the bay. There may have been a decent dinghy Pontoon here previously but there is now a large concrete super yacht pontoon which is too high to get onto from your dinghy.
There is a lower part around the side but be careful not to get your dinghy wedged under the concrete.
The hotel here is lovely and the staff were very friendly. Food was great. All prices were in USD.
Customs is open every day, including Sunday. We arrived Saturday evening and waited on the boat until Monday morning to check in. They were NOT happy with us. They said we could be fined up to 5000 EC, but he let it go this time. We won’t make that mistake again.
The CSSN has received a recent report of tools and spares stolen from a dinghy while moored in the Admiralty Bay area. Please remember to properly stow and lock any loose items while away from your yacht or at night. There have been multiple reports in recent years of theft in this area.
Update on Moorings by Chris Doyle via St Vincent and the Grenadines Cruisers Facebook Page:
Most guys in Bequia are now charging $60 EC a night for their balls (and whatever may happen to lie underneath them). Remember they are not regulated, have no legal standing so unless you check them with mask and snorkel there is no guarantee of reliability.
Tobago Cays Marine Park is now running the moorings in Salt Whistle Bay, the same charge. These are new so should be OK but you would be very wise to check for yourself.
REFRIGERATION REPAIR Daniel’s Refrigeration not in business- retired. The good refrig technician is Sam Saville 784.529.1682
Jeff has given more details about this burglary in a report posted adjacent dated June 2013.
June we were anchored in Bequia, the first night we had a person board our boat while we were asleep and entered the centre window of the catamaran and stole several electronic items. We contacted the police, they came out to the boat and spent 2 hours writing a report.
We tried to get a copy of the report before we left but they wouldn’t provide us with a copy. They said we would need to email them and request a copy. We have emailed and called and still can’t get the report for our insurance company.