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Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island in St Vincent and the Grenadines, covering roughly 4 square kilometres and home to fewer than 300 residents. It sits in the southern Grenadines chain, surrounded by some of the clearest water in the Eastern Caribbean, and it remains one of the least developed islands in the region — by geography as much as by choice.
The island has no airport, limited road infrastructure, and electricity supply that has historically been intermittent in parts. These are not oversights; they are the conditions that keep Mayreau the way it is. Visitors arrive by ferry or private/charter boat, and the pace of life is genuinely unhurried.
Saltwhistle Bay on the northwest coast is frequently cited among the most beautiful anchorages in the Caribbean: a narrow strip of land separates a calm, shallow lagoon from an Atlantic-facing beach, creating two entirely different swimming environments within a short walk of each other. The island's hilltop village offers a small church with panoramic views over the Tobago Cays, a UNESCO-recognised marine park visible just to the east.
Note on the guide title: Mayreau is administered as part of St Vincent and the Grenadines, an independent nation. It is not part of Barbados. If you arrived at this guide seeking Barbados information, please consult the separate Barbados destination guide.
Before You Go
Visas and Entry
Entry requirements depend on your nationality and are subject to change. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official St Vincent and the Grenadines Immigration Authority for current rules before you travel.
What to Pack
- Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen (the Tobago Cays Marine Park enforces environmental standards)
- Cash in small denominations — Mayreau has no ATM; bring sufficient XCD or USD before arriving
- A basic first-aid kit; medical facilities on the island are extremely limited
- Insect repellent, particularly for evenings
- Snorkelling gear if you have it, though some operators rent equipment locally — verify availability before relying on it
Health
No specific vaccinations are mandated for entry, but consult your doctor or a travel health clinic before departure. The nearest hospital is on Union Island; serious medical cases are transferred there or to mainland St Vincent. Travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
Getting There
Mayreau has no commercial airport. The main access points are by sea.
By Ferry
Admiralty Transport and other regional operators run scheduled ferry services through the southern Grenadines, typically connecting Kingstown (St Vincent), Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island. Schedules and frequency vary by season and can change; verify current timetables locally or with the ferry operator before planning a tight connection.
By Charter or Private Boat
Most visitors arrive by sailing yacht or motor charter. The anchorage at Saltwhistle Bay is well-known and used by both private sailors and charter fleets based in Grenada, St Vincent, or St Lucia. Clear customs in St Vincent and the Grenadines before anchoring at Mayreau; Union Island (Clifton) is the nearest official port of entry in this part of the chain.
Day Trips
Mayreau is a common stop on organised day-trip catamaran excursions from Union Island and occasionally from Grenada. If you want to stay overnight, book accommodation well in advance — options are very limited.
Getting Around
Mayreau is small enough to walk almost entirely. The main village sits on a hill above the jetty, and a path descends to Saltwhistle Bay on the northwest side. The walk from the jetty to Saltwhistle Bay takes roughly 20–30 minutes depending on your pace and the heat.
There are a handful of vehicles on the island, and local residents or guesthouse owners sometimes offer informal transport, particularly for luggage. There are no rental cars or taxis in the conventional sense. If you have mobility concerns, ask your accommodation provider in advance about practical options.
Where to Stay
Accommodation on Mayreau is extremely limited. There are a small number of guesthouses and villa rentals, plus one or two beach-facing properties that have operated over the years — verify current availability and operating status before booking, as small properties on remote islands open and close seasonally or permanently without wide notice.
Many visitors effectively 'stay' on their charter yacht anchored in Saltwhistle Bay and come ashore for meals and walks. If you plan to sleep on the island itself, book as far in advance as possible and confirm your booking directly with the property shortly before arrival.
There are no international hotel chains here. Expectations should be set accordingly: accommodation is simple, often family-run, and the experience of staying on Mayreau is inseparable from its remoteness.
Things to See & Do
Saltwhistle Bay
The island's signature location: a double beach separated by a narrow palm-lined spit. The lagoon side is calm and shallow, good for families and wading; the windward side faces the Atlantic with stronger surf. Snorkelling along the reef edges is rewarding.
Tobago Cays Marine Park
A UNESCO-listed protected area a short boat ride east of Mayreau, comprising five small uninhabited islands surrounded by a horseshoe reef. Snorkelling with hawksbill turtles is the headline attraction. Day-trip boats depart from Mayreau's jetty area; agree fees and timings directly with boat operators. Entrance fees to the marine park apply — verify the current amount locally.
Hillside Village and Church
The Catholic church at the top of the village hill offers one of the best vantage points in the southern Grenadines, with views over the Tobago Cays on clear days. The walk up is steep but short.
Swimming and Snorkelling
Beyond Saltwhistle Bay, the waters around Mayreau's eastern and southern shores offer accessible snorkelling, though conditions vary with season and sea state. Ask locally about current conditions and safe entry points.
Doing Very Little
Mayreau rewards those who come without a packed itinerary. Reading on the beach, watching charter boats come and go, and eating fresh fish at a waterfront table are the rhythms most visitors settle into quickly.
Food & Drink
Mayreau's dining scene is small but genuine. A handful of beach bars and simple restaurants serve grilled fish, lobster (when in season and legally available), rice and peas, and local provisions. Menus are typically determined by what arrived on the most recent ferry or what was caught that day, so flexibility is part of the experience.
Drinking water should be treated with caution — ask your accommodation provider whether tap water is safe to drink; bottled water is advisable. Rum-based drinks and cold Hairoun beer (brewed in St Vincent) are the staple refreshments.
Bring cash. Card machines are rare to nonexistent. Prices at beachside establishments are worth confirming before ordering, particularly for lobster, which can be priced at market rate.
Practical Information
Money
No ATM exists on Mayreau. Bring all the cash you expect to need — ideally a mix of XCD and USD — before reaching the island. Stock up on Union Island or in Kingstown.
Connectivity
Mobile phone signal is available from Digicel and Flow (the main Eastern Caribbean networks), though coverage can be patchy. Wi-Fi at accommodation is limited and speeds will not support streaming. Plan accordingly.
Electricity
The island has a generator-based power supply. Power cuts can occur; a small power bank for charging devices is worth packing.
Shopping and Supplies
There is a small grocery-style shop in the village, but stock depends on ferry deliveries. Do not expect to find specific items reliably. Bring any medication, toiletries, or specialist food items from the mainland.
Emergency Contacts
The nearest hospital is on Union Island. For genuine emergencies, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard can be contacted — verify current emergency numbers through official SVG government channels or your accommodation provider on arrival, as numbers should be confirmed locally.
Safety
Mayreau is generally considered a safe and peaceful island. Petty theft can occur, particularly in popular anchorage areas — secure valuables on boats and do not leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Water safety is a practical concern: the Atlantic-facing side of Saltwhistle Bay can have strong currents and surf; swim on the lagoon side if in doubt, and supervise children closely. When snorkelling around the Tobago Cays, currents between the islands can be stronger than they appear from the surface.
Hurricane season runs June through November. The southern Grenadines are marginally less exposed than northern islands, but the risk is real. Monitor official weather forecasts from the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation or the US National Hurricane Center if travelling in this period.
