Welcome to Mayreau

Breathtaking, unhurried and remarkably unspoiled, Mayreau is one of the smallest inhabited islands of the Grenadines, in the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A few hundred people live here, many of them fishing families or people working in tourism, and the island welcomes visitors looking for a quiet place to relax and unwind.

Visiting Mayreau Island

Some call Mayreau the place that time forgot. It hosts visitors from all over the world, yet it is not flashy and welcomes them in unassuming ways. There is no airstrip, so everyone arrives by water: by yacht, ferry, or water taxi from a neighboring island. The getting there guide explains the options.

Don't let the humble nature of the island fool you. There is plenty to see. At the northern end, Salt Whistle Bay curves around a sheltered anchorage with a narrow strip of white sand between the calm Caribbean and the windward side. The Salt Whistle Bay Club, a small resort with a beach bar and restaurant, sits under the palms at the bay. To the south, Saline Bay has the jetty where the inter-island ferry calls, and a single road climbs over the hill to the village.

Beach scene with palm trees and turquoise water in the Grenadines
Beaches and turquoise water in the southern Grenadines.

Things to Do on Mayreau Island

Mayreau offers quintessential Caribbean fun. Whether you want to bask in the sun, stop at an island bar or enjoy the sea life, there is plenty to fill a day ashore.

Mayreau Gardens is a reef between Mayreau and the Tobago Cays, rich in fish and colorful sponges. It lies inside the Tobago Cays Marine Park, and scuba divers there must go with a registered local dive operator. Snorkelers will find calmer, shallower reef in the Cays themselves, a short boat ride east. See things to do on Mayreau and a day in the Tobago Cays.

Many visitors walk the steep hill to the village for the view. From the top you look out over the Tobago Cays, Canouan and Union Island. The picturesque stone Roman Catholic church that stood on the hill, the one in the banner above, was badly damaged by Hurricane Beryl; a larger church stands across the road. The village and history page has more.

Travel Tips

Because the island has limited access, it is best to plan your trip outside the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Storms can stop boats running, and there is no airstrip for a quick departure.

Mayreau is a quiet fishing community. If you want nightlife and a long list of organized activities, you may be disappointed. If you want a place where you can take off your shoes, walk to an empty beach and enjoy life at a slower pace, Mayreau is a perfect choice. It is where many travelers recharge. The practical tips page covers cash, weather and park rules.

Explore the guide

Getting there

Flights to St. Vincent, Canouan or Union Island, then a ferry or water taxi.

How to get to Mayreau

Beaches

Salt Whistle Bay, Saline Bay and the quiet windward shore.

Beaches of Mayreau

Visitor guide

The village, the bays and the best spots on the island.

Mayreau visitor guide

Tobago Cays

Five uninhabited cays, Horseshoe Reef and the turtle sanctuary.

Tobago Cays Marine Park

Nearby isles

Union Island, Canouan and Palm Island are a short boat ride away.

Union Island · Canouan · Palm Island

Monkey Point

A remote beach at the southern end of the island.

Monkey Point

Sources

Before you go. Ferry and flight schedules, park fees and opening hours are set by each operator and can change, especially after storms. Confirm the details with the operator or the official tourism office before you travel.
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