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hether on land, or on the sea, Bequia has a bountiful array of places to explore and a dependable range of transportation options are available for visitors to the island. Hiring a vehicle is an excellent idea as this allows you to explore at your own pace. The island is small and easy to navigate so it’s almost impossible to get lost! A Visitor’s Driving Permit (EC$100) must first be obtained from the Revenue Office in Port Elizabeth, where you will be asked to present your own National Driver’s Licence or a full International Driver’s Licence. Alternatively, if you book your rental vehicle in advance, your agent can do this paperwork for you. Taxis are widely used for getting around and the island has a reliable, if not unique fleet of open-backed taxi vans. The operators are known for their friendliness and courtesy and during the day you can usually find them gathered under the almond trees in the harbour, sporting colourful names like “Challenger”, “Jump In”, “Fat Man” and “Pikie”. Many offer two to three hour island tours, complete with running commentary! Rates are fixed and are listed in the Bequia Tourism Association office but it’s always advisable to agree on the fare and duration beforehand – and whether your quote is in EC$ or US$. Water taxis are plentiful in and around Admiralty Bay. Like land taxis they also monitor VHF Ch. 68 and provide a pick-up and drop-off service to yachts in the bay. They will also take passengers to and from Princess Margaret and Lower Bay beaches. You can find them around the dinghy docks at Frangipani and Gingerbread or at the main dinghy dock in Port Elizabeth. The cost is about EC$15-$20 one way to the beaches, less for a trip across the harbour. ‘Dollar Vans’ are closed-in mini vans which have a regular ‘run’ to most parts of the island. Often crowded and rarely without on-board music, they easily represent the cheapest way to get around – Bequia style! The main setting down point in Port Elizabeth is by the ferry dock and you can enquire at the nearby Tourism Office for the routes. The normal ‘stops’ are unmarked, so look out for people gathered by the roadside, or simply hail one as it approaches and ask them if they are going your way! Fares are collected once on board and vary from EC$1.50 to EC$5 per person depending on the length of journey. So, if you’re up for some random exploring adventures, here are some of our favourite spots. Port Elizabeth Port Elizabeth is nestled along the waterfront of Admiralty Bay and rises into the surrounding hills. A number of brightly coloured shops, houses, restaurants, small hotels and guest-houses complete the captivating scene. While wandering around the harbour, look out for the ‘House of Parliament’ – the local name given to the shaded waterfront area under the almond trees, where the island’s talented artists and craftspeople display their ware and taxis assemble to collect and deposit their passengers. Bequians of all walks of life gravitate here to discuss the topic of the moment, usually politics or some colourful island gossip. Discussions can be loud and passionate, deviating quickly and unpredictably, often interspersed with boisterous bouts of laughter. The Belmont Walkway This delightful coastal walkway meanders along the south shore of Admiralty Bay, with a number of inviting little bars and restaurants popping up all along the way. Since the addition of the Princess Margaret Coastal Trail in 2014, one can now
Discover Bequia 75 MAYREAU