EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Port Elizabeth , Bequia's main town, is nestled deep inside Admiralty Bay , the island's large natural harbour and favourite stop for yachters from all over the world. This relaxed little town has lost none of its lively Caribbean character, despite cosmopolitan influences brought by settlers and sailors of many nationalities. While the few hours it takes to explore the town are time well spent, most will find it a pleasant distraction from Bequia's main attraction - its fabulous beaches.

The busy centre of the town is the jetty, where ferries from Kingstown dock and sailing boats depart for other Grenadine islands. At the end of the jetty is a small market selling fresh produce, spices and a plethora of tourist fare, including T-shirts, jewellery and locally made jams. Port Elizabeth's main drag, Front Street , with its collection of souvenir shops, yacht provisioners and restaurants, leads into Belmont Walkway , where most of the town's accommodation is to be found. Among the shops, top ones to check out are the Mauvin Model Boat Shop, which sells handmade model boats, Bequia Bookshop, for its large selection of Caribbean literature, maps and prints, and the Garden Boutique, with locally produced batik bags.

Across the road from the Garden Boutique, just before the main street becomes Belmont Walkway, you'll find the understated St Mary's Church . With its profusion of wood beams painted pale blue, its pristine white, wooden pews and tall doors letting in the salty sea breeze, the church feels very much a part of the ocean it faces. Two striking paintings hang on either side of the altar, one of St Vincent and the other of Our Lady of the Seas, both painted by English artist John Constable in 1953.