Inhabited by a population of under 3,000, the 3.5 square mile Union Island is one of the Caribbean’s best kept secrets. We spent a week exploring every corner of this Caribbean paradise and now we’re bringing you the ultimate guide to the 10 best things to do in Union Island.
Don’t be fooled by its tiny size – for such a small landmass, Union Island has so much to offer. From incredible landscapes and vast expanses of white sand to breathtaking viewpoints and scrumptious food, don’t miss these beautiful spots when planning your Union Island trip.
Where is Union Island?
Union Island is the southernmost island in St Vincent and the Grenadines. In the eastern Caribbean, St Vincent and the Grenadines is nestled between Saint Lucia (to the north), Grenada (to the south) and Barbados (to the east).
Unlike its more well-known neighbours, this gem of a country remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. It’s the perfect destination to immerse yourself into island life and experience authentic Caribbean culture, without the crowds and the high rise hotels and resorts.
Union Island also serves as an ideal launchpad for adventures into other Grenadine islands like Bequia, and the mainland, St Vincent.
The Top 10 Things To Do in Union Island
1. Eat at Salty Girl Cafe
Salty Girl Cafe is one of the most aesthetic cafes in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The beachy, casual vibes of this place position it as one of the best things to do in Union Island, especially if you love good food.
Located conveniently at the entrance to Clifton town from the primary ferry dock, you’ll spot Salty Girl as soon as you step off the ferry. Whether you pop in for a coffee, grab a smoothie, or settle in for breakfast or lunch, you’re going to be glad you stopped at this little cafe.
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Top Tip: Check out the colourful and sustainable Salty Girl Boutique, next door to the cafe. We loved the choice of kite suits, bikinis, towels, jewellery and more.
2. Hire a Scooter & Explore the Island
Hiring a scooter to explore is one of the most rewarding things to do in Union Island as it allows you to get off the beaten track and discover every corner of this paradise with ease.
Usually, we prefer to rent a car abroad, but here, scooters are the preferred mode of transport. And it’s the best feeling cruising up and down hills, through idyllic Caribbean villages, and alongside breathtaking viewpoints.
Union Island is small and not super busy, making it super easy to navigate the island. Unlike elsewhere in the world, where riding a scooter can be daunting, Union Island’s quiet and well-paved roads put any anxieties to rest. You can go from the bustling southern harbour of Clifton to the serene northernmost point in only 9 minutes!
Renting a scooter on Union Island is the ultimate way to discover all that this little Caribbean island has to offer and that’s why it’s made it onto our things to do in Union Island list.
Where to Hire a Scooter in Union Island
We hired a scooter from Marine Tech Services (+1 784-526-8510) at the recommendation of our Airbnb host. The scooter was reliable and the communication with the company was great.
If you don’t have an International Driving Permit, this will be organised for you when you first get the scooter.
Top Tip: You may have to pay a security deposit (it was $500 ECD for us), but you’ll get back when you return the scooter.
How Much Do Scooter Rentals on Union Island Cost?
When it comes to pricing, hiring a scooter on Union Island proves to be a pocket-friendly choice compared to renting a car. While a car rental sets you back $50 US per day, a scooter is just $30 US per day.
3. Relax At Big Sands Beach & Sparrows Beach Club
Nestled away on the serene north coast of Union Island, you’ll discover the hidden gems of Big Sands Beach and Sparrows Beach Club.
Big Sands Beach, hailed as one of the best beaches on Union Island, boasts pristine stretches of white sand within a sheltered bay. Against a lush, tropical mountainous backdrop, it is an idyllic setting for relaxing and swimming. The water is super calm, incredibly clear and a beautiful shade of blue.
Right on the beach, you’ll find Sparrow’s Beach Club, which compliments the laid-back vibes of this beach and is the perfect stop for lunch or dinner when you’re looking for things to do in Union Island. It’s also one of the best spots to watch sunset so make sure to add this into your itinerary. You can find more information about Sparrows on their Facebook page.
4. Hike Mount Taboi in Union Island
Mount Taboi, the highest point in the Grenadines, towers at an impressive 999 ft and is one of the top things to do in Union Island. Its ascent offers a rewarding challenge and an unique opportunity to experience breathtaking views across the island and beyond.
To start the hike, head to the town of Ashton. You’ll immediately see Big Hill as a backdrop, concealing Mount Taboi from your initial view. Setting out, you’ll encircle the base of Big Hill, gradually ascending to the majestic summit of Mount Taboi.
We found an extremely helpful guide that assisted us in locating our route to the peak of Mount Taboi.
Surprisingly, the hike is relatively easy and ascending Mount Taboi only took 35-40 minutes, with a 30 minute descent. Even if hiking isn’t your usual preference, trust me, it’s worth giving it a try. The breathtaking views from the top are simply incredible. Once you reach the summit, you’ll likely find yourself lingering, captivated by the stunning panoramas that surround you.
Top Tip: Aim to hike Mount Taboi on a clear day for views of the many surrounding islands: Frigate Island, Carriacou, Petit Martinique, Petit St Vincent, Happy Island, Tobago Cays, Mayreau, Canouan, Bequia and sometimes even the mainland of St Vincent.
5. Discover Chatham Bay
We’d put Chatham Bay as one of the top things to do in Union Island if you’re looking for remote beach vibes, crystal clear water, or the perfect anchorage.
Entirely filling the western side of the island and hardly frequented by tourists, this bay gives you a feeling of seclusion you won’t find in many places.
On the beach, you’ll find a couple of affordable beach-style restaurants and bars with friendly locals, and a boutique hotel, Tenuta Chatham Bay, at the farthest end. Also, if you’re looking for good snorkel spots when considering things to do in Union Island, then this bay is an ideal spot for finding vibrant marine life.
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How to Get to Chatham Bay, Union Island
You cannot drive or scooter down to Chatham Bay. Using Google Maps, go to the nearest road adjacent to Chatham Bay and park. From that point, it’s a short 15-minute walk down a well-marked track to the bay. Keep in mind that the return journey is uphill, so come prepared with sunscreen and water. Trainers would be more comfortable, but they’re not essential.
Top Tip: Before heading down the access track to the bay, continue straight ahead toward what seems like an unmarked and unused track road. After a few steps, you’ll discover an open field on your left, along with a prominent rock formation facing Chatham Bay. This viewpoint offers a quintessential view of Chatham Bay from above – an excellent opportunity for a photo to capture the stunning blue and green hues!
6. Wander Over To Frigate Island
Located at the southwest tip of Union Island is the incredible Frigate Island. It is a beautiful spot and should definitely be on your list of things to do in Union Island.
When you first arrive at the entrance to the access point of Frigate Island, it looks like some developments are commencing, like the beginning of an information desk. Keep walking past this and you’ll find a nature trail with informative displays and a lookout point above numerous bee hives. This is a great viewpoint in Union Island that offers a panoramic view of the expansive mangroves. Eventually, the trail leads to a causeway that connects Frigate Island to Union Island.
The striking turquoise blue water of the largest lagoon in the Grenadines is immediately captivating. The surroundings are adorned with mangroves and shallow waters stretching in every direction. It’s truly one of the most beautiful things to do in Union Island.
7. Take a Boat Trip to the Tobago Cays
A trip to Union Island in St Vincent and the Grenadines wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Tobago Cays archipelago. This special spot, known as the crown jewel of the Grenadines, is one of those places you can’t believe exists in real life. Imagine idyllic lagoons teeming with turtles, tiny uninhabited islands with powdery white sand, captivating coral reefs to explore, and the clearest blue waters – that’s the Tobago Cays.
Not only a dream for beach bums, but the Tobago Cays is also a very popular yachting anchorage which adds to the bliss and luxury character of Tobago Cays.
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Why Tobago Cays is One of the Best Things to Do in Union Island:
- It’s renowned globally as a paradise destination for it’s unspoiled sandy cays dotted with palm trees and their crystal clear blue surrounding water.
- The horseshoe-shaped reef protects four tiny, uninhabited islands to explore both above and below the water’s surface.
- You’ll encounter an astounding variety of marine life while snorkelling, including Tobago Cays turtles, starfish, pufferfish, stingrays, and an array of colourful fish.
- The four islands within the reef (Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, and Jamesby) all have their own character and sights to see. Spot stingrays and pufferfish at Petit Bateau, eat grilled BBQ on the beach at Petit Rameau and snorkel with turtles and starfish at Baradal. If time permits, catch a 360-degree view from atop Jamesby.
- The island outside the reef, Petit Tabac, is famous for being a filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean.
With so much to see in this unspoiled paradise, you’ll feel like you are in a picture-perfect postcard when visiting the Tobago Cays.
Top Tip: Entry into the Tobago Cays Marine Park is $4 US per boat.
How to Get to the Tobago Cays from Union Island
Island hopping in St Vincent and the Grenadines is not as difficult as you might think. In this case (and if you don’t have a boat), the best way to get to the Tobago Cays from Union Island is to hire a water taxi. Alternatively, you can join a catamaran day charter. However, this is a more expensive option and in our opinion, you won’t have the same experience.
We hired a private water taxi for the day. We explored the Tobago Cays and we visited Mayreau, Palm Island and Happy Island. Not only did we get to experience 3 more islands in one day, but we were able to do so on our own schedule and at our pace. Plus, Clem, our driver, was incredibly kind and informative.
Read about: Unmissable Things to Do in Mayreau, St Vincent and the Grenadines
We booked this through Fair Deal Taxi and it included lunch: a BBQ on the beach in the Tobago Cays.
Fun Fact: Our first day out on the water with Clem was so good that we decided to book him again for our last day on Union Island. On this day, we discovered Umbrella Island (Mopion) and Petit St Vincent!
8. Soak in the Good Vibes at Kite Beach
One of the top things to do in Union Island is relax or kitesurf at the incredible Kite Beach. This is a unique beach that you won’t forget for a very long after you leave Union Island.
Nestled at the eastern end of Clifton harbour, Kite Beach is a global sensation in the world of kitesurfing. We were fortunate enough to fly into Union Island and as we did, the extraordinary, shallow turquoise waters of Kite Beach leapt out at us. With probably the flattest waters we have ever seen, the whole beach is protected by the coral reef way out and the sandbanks close by.
The beach has a relaxed ambience and the beach bar is a casual spot to chill and admire the kite surfers, who bring a great energy to this beach. For a fun thing to do, take a walk through the shallow waters to get to the isolated sandbanks in the distance.
When it comes to things to do in Union Island, spending the day at Kite Beach is an absolute must. Or, if you’re short on time, stop by for a drink to enjoy the good island vibes.
Top Tip: If you would like to try kitesurfing as a beginner or if you need some gear, JT Pro Centre kitesurfing school offers gear hire and do beginner lessons (dinghy assisted) with private instructors. They are located directly on the beach, so you won’t miss them.
9. Embrace the Unique Happy Island
Happy Island in Union Island is a beach bar like no other, making it a must-visit destination during your trip to Union Island.
This extraordinary gem is a tiny, man-made island nestled within Clifton harbour, crafted from dead conch shells and coral reefs. It serves as a picturesque oasis for sunset admirers, rum enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a good time.
The genius behind Happy Island is Janti Ramage, who not only built this phenomenon but also runs the bar and resides just behind it – a true testament to his dedication and passion. Pictures on the bar’s walls document Janti’s journey in creating Happy Island, showcasing how it has become a beloved spot in the local community. It exemplifies the idea that with hard work and devotion, we can bring our dreams to life.
Protected by outer reefs, Happy Island is surrounded by crystal-clear, shallow blue waters. During our visit, the water was so shallow that even the boat had difficulty getting close to the island for drop-off!
This little sanctuary is undeniably unique and promises an unforgettable experience when you’re ticking off your list of things to do in Union Island.
Tip: Happy Island is free to visit. If you don’t have a boat, you can get to Happy Island from Union Island by hopping in a water taxi or dingey from Clifton harbour.
10. Explore Clifton and Ashton: The Two Main Towns
In Union Island, there are two central towns: Clifton, the main town and ferry dock, and Ashton, the least well-known to tourists.
Clifton, Union Island
Retaining its authentic Caribbean vibe, Clifton in Union Island is the heart of Union Island – it is a vibrant, colourful and extremely charming harbour town. As Union Island’s main town, Clifton is where you’ll find the hustle and bustle. From fresh fruit and vegetable stalls to bakeries, boutiques, rum shops and people getting on and coming off boats, all the action happens in Clifton town, yet it is charming, authentic and has an incredible unhurried vibe.
Although Clifton is east-facing (towards the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean), it’s protected by a large reef, and as a result, it has incredibly calm waters along the coastline.
Ashton, Union Island
If you’re looking for authentic Caribbean life when considering things to do in Union Island, then Ashton deserves a spot on your list. Off the tourist track, Ashton is a charming town located on the south coast that’s full of colourful houses and smiling locals. There is a mini-mart here too, which is less expensive than those more catered to tourists in Clifton.
What excited us most about Ashton was a beautiful, hidden beach we discovered called Campbell Beach on Campbell Road.
As you venture through Ashton, continue down Campbell Road, and look left until you spot the beach. Campbell Road comes to a dead-end, so you literally cannot miss it, and the turning to pull into the beach is on the left as you drive along. With breathtaking views of Carriacou in Grenada, which lies directly south of Union Island, this beach is a hidden gem.
When we visited, we saw construction for a hotel on the beach. If you’re fortunate enough to stay at this hotel in the future, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the white sand, crystal clear water and spectacular views.
Final Thoughts on Things to do in Union Island
From beaches and mountains to a vibrant local culture, Union Island has so much to offer, regardless of your interests. Get the most out of your trip to this incredible Caribbean island by hiring a scooter and exploring the beautiful beaches, towns and unmissable hiking adventures.
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Wow that’s brilliant
Thank you so much!!