Bal Harbour

BAL HARBOUR 69 BALHARBOURSHOPS.COM P H OTO G R A P H Y: (L TO R ) N E I L S T E WA R T / GA L L E RY S TO C K ; J E R RY S I M P S O N FROM LEFT: Island life at its finest—crystalline waters, ample surf, and local attractions, like Grenadine Wild Sea Salt, right, which offers pure Caribbean sea salt, hand-sifted and procured by its founder Jerry Simpson. IF YOU GO BEQUIA BLACK BOOK WHERE TO STAY The two best options are Bequia Beach Hotel, owned by expat Swede Bengt Mortstedt, who has invested heavily in the island. Try the four-bedroom Palm Villa, or one of the newly constructed luxury villas within the hotel's Grenadine Hills complex, which has a third property (Rock Villa) coming online in 2024. Otherwise, try Firefly Estate: Owners Liz and Stan Clayton started out in Mustique with a namesake hotel before switching to Bequia when the arty sheen of Mustique began to crack. Sit on the porch overlooking the pool and the longtime expat Brits will regale you with insider stories of the island. WHERE TO EAT High-end dining isn't the draw on Bequia, though regulars like Ann Layton always make sure to order a lobster pizza at Mac's. She'll also detour to Dawn's, a café at the end of Lower Bay. "I go back three times a week for the poached lobster, which is the best I've ever had." Jack's is the clubhouse-like beach bar at the center of town on Princess Margaret Beach; order a Hairoun, the Vincentian national beer. Toko's Step Down is run by a husband and wife who'll cook up whatever's fresh caught that day, from lobster to whelks. The best place for sundowners is the Frangipani Hotel. WHAT TO DO Beach life is the focus here: both Lower Bay and Princess Margaret beach are gorgeous and golden-sanded, rimmed with trees and with beach bars and cafes nearby. Otherwise, try Hope Beach, a rarely-busy stretch reachable via a hike down a ravine, which offers a chance for secluded sunbathing. Consider a charter, too: the nearby Tobago Cay, five deserted reef-enclosed islands, are a popular turtle sanctuary. Dennis's Hideaway on neighboring Mayreau is an appealing yachtie's hangout. There's also Dive Bequia, which runs trips to the nearby reefs: pros should try the Wall, an impressively vertical dive site just beyond the harbor. GETTING THERE SVG airlines offers scheduled service from Barbados or Saint Lucia; Bequia Beach Hotel operates its own shuttle from Barbados, which can be booked as part of a room package. Travel specialist Wendy Murphy of Frosch, who first visited 30 years ago and regularly recommends the island to clients, says this is a game-changing offering. "You're whisked through the airport to board a small 12-seater aircraft that's gorgeous."

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