Canouan
North of Mayreau and the Tobago Cays, Canouan combines a quiet local village with one of the most exclusive resort areas in the Caribbean. Its airport makes it a convenient gateway to the southern Grenadines.
The island at a glance
Canouan lies about 25 miles south of St. Vincent, between Bequia and Mustique to the north and Mayreau and the Tobago Cays to the south. It is about 3.5 miles long and 1.25 miles wide. The name is thought to come from the Arawakan word for turtle.
The northern half of the island, about 1,200 acres, is privately owned and home to the Mandarin Oriental resort and an 18-hole golf course designed by Jim Fazio. Most residents live in and around Charlestown, the main settlement and the site of the island's main wharf.
Getting there
- By air: Canouan Airport, in the southwest, can take small jets as well as regional flights.
- By ferry: the inter-island ferries between Kingstown and the southern Grenadines call at Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island.
- By boat: water taxis and charter boats link Canouan with Mayreau and the Tobago Cays.
Beaches
- Charlestown Bay (Grand Bay): just off Charlestown, popular with local people and visiting sailboats.
- Rameau Bay: a little further north, a pretty anchorage.
- South Glossy Bay: in the southwest, with views of the southern Grenadines and fine sunsets.
- Friendship Bay: a long sweep of white sand on the south coast.
- Windward Bay: on the east coast, with calm water protected by the barrier reef, good for swimming.
- Carenage Bay: the island's signature beach, within the resort estate in the north.
Things to do
- Snorkel or dive along Grand Cois, the long barrier reef on the windward coast.
- Walk the main roads of the southern half of the island, which you can cover in a few hours. Carry water and sun protection.
- Watch the sunset from South Glossy Bay.
- Play golf on the Jim Fazio course. The interior rises to 877 feet at Mount Royal, which lies within the private estate.
Practical notes
The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted. Charlestown has convenience stores and one bank with an ATM. Taxis meet flights and ferries, and public minibuses carry an "H" on the number plate.
