This Tiny Caribbean Island Is Home to Just 300 People–but It Has Off-grid Luxury Resorts and World-class Diving

Spread out across some of the most vibrant azure waters in the Caribbean, the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is notoriously hard to reach—unless you have a jet. So exclusive are the Grenadines that islands like Mustique and Canouan are even known for being where billionaires go to escape the millionaires.

Yet, hidden between luxe private island resorts and harbors for mega-yachts, the tiny island of Mayreau (pronounced my-row) is a blissful exception, having escaped almost any development. Hemmed in by the pristine, protected waters of Tobago Cays Marine Park and enviable anchorages like Salt Whistle Bay, it’s a wonder Mayreau has flown under the radar of developers for so long.

Mayreau’s permanent population of just 300 residents is now working diligently to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Beryl in 2024. “The island was hit extremely hard,” says Natesha Alexander, a community activist and local teacher. “But to see the rebuild has been inspiring.” New homes are now raising walls and brand-new villas at the first-of-its-kind Windward Mayreau Resort are set to debut this year.

Maybe Mayreau will follow in the footsteps of its neighbors in the Grenadines, but for now, it’s about as unbothered, unhurried, and untouched of a destination as you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. “Mayreau is perfect for travelers seeking a peaceful, relaxed escape, appealing to those who enjoy swimming, fresh seafood, and a genuine Caribbean atmosphere away from large crowds,” says Marcia Sandy, reservations manager at Canouan Estate Resort & Villas.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Mayreau Beach Club & Villas

With many visitors setting sail at the end of the day, there are few accommodation options available on Mayreau. Mayreau Beach Club & Villas stands head and shoulders above the rest as an upscale hideaway perched on a blissfully tranquil bay. The boutique hillside property features just 10 rooms and villas, many with private plunge pools and gazebos. Plus, there’s an intimate beach club with a dramatic three-tiered infinity pool and a small restaurant.

Best Things to Do

Sail to Tobago Cays Marine Park.

Mayreau sits nestled along the western edge of the 1,400-acre Tobago Cays Marine Park, the crown jewel of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Five uninhabited islands surround a sheltered, sandy-bottomed lagoon where visitors can swim with sea turtles before disembarking for hikes or picnics on beaches hidden beneath towering palms. Travelers flock to these protected waters on multiday sails with local charter companies like Dream Yacht Worldwide, though Mayreau-based visitors can enjoy easy access to the area and daylong excursions with local guides.

Lounge on Salt Whistle Bay.

A thin stretch of land separates the Caribbean from the Atlantic at the northern tip of Mayreau, making for dramatic views in the peaceful, protected anchorage known as Salt Whistle Bay. A cluster of cool, casual beach bars and seaside eateries make it the indisputable heart of the island, popular from sunrise to sunset, when the skies ignite with every shade of orange and pink.

Go scuba diving and snorkeling.

Drop into Mayreau Gardens to explore a renowned reef formation that hides corals and marine life in every tropical hue. Considered one of the most impressive diving destinations in the Grenadines, it can be paired with an excursion to the Puruni wreck, a British gunship that has been sitting beneath 40 feet of water off the coast of the island for more than a century. “Mayreau doesn’t have any dive shops of its own,” explains Alexander. “But most visitors schedule excursions with Grenadines Dive, located on Union Island. They’ll pick up snorkelers and divers from Mayreau before heading out for excursions.”

Best Restaurants

Island Paradise Restaurant

Escape the beach for a proper bite at Island Paradise Restaurant, a simple spot overlooking a palm-studded garden in the heart of the village. Conch served curried and creole-style is a favorite, though the saucy, savory barbecue ribs and grilled lamb and lobster are worth a return visit.

The Ranch Escapade

Seasoned sailors know one of the best places to eat and drink on Mayreau is on the less-visited windward side of the island, far from the busier beach bars at Salt Whistle Bay. Pull up the dinghy to The Ranch Escapade, where pristine white sand invites visitors to while away the day with ice-cold drinks and simple, savory Caribbean fare.

Dennis’ Hideaway

Hike up the hillside to Dennis’ Hideaway in the heart of the village for freshly caught fish and lobster right off the grill, complemented with local dishes like callaloo and savory pumpkin soup. This spot also offers a few simple yet spacious rooms for rent facing the property’s peaceful pool and patio space, yet to be reopened after an extended hurricane rebuild.

Areas to Visit

The Village

The only town on Mayreau is so tiny, it doesn’t even have a proper name, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit. Peel yourself away from island’s precious beaches for a long, lazy afternoon spent enjoying sweeping views from this hillside spot and popping into breezy local haunts like Robert Righteous and de Youths, known for its colorful Caribbean decor.

Caribbean Side

Vessels ranging from small speedboats to Mustique-bound mega-yachts stake out space along the shores of Mayreau’s Caribbean side, primarily anchoring in serene Salt Whistle Bay for a day of sun and sand. Grab a bite at one of the many toes-in-the-sand spots before heading south to Saline Bay for a less-crowded sunset spent at D-View, near the jetty where ferries from St. Vincent and Union Island pull in a few times a week.

Windward Side

Skirt around the northern point of Mayreau to the less-visited windward side, facing the full, fierce beauty of the Tobago Cays. Though this part of the island is only accessible via a handful of hiking trails, its bare beaches are an obligatory stop before heading to the marine park. “It’s also one of the best places for kitesurfing in the world, with reliable winds gusting from mid-November all the way to mid July,” says Kamran Mohsenin, developer and founder of the soon-to-debut Windward Mayreau Resort.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Mayreau is between December and April. “If optimal weather is your priority, this is the time to expect dry, sunny days with temperatures ranging from 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for enjoying the beaches,” says Sandy. Summertime in the southeastern Caribbean offers excellent conditions for snorkeling and scuba, but June through November is hurricane season, marked by warmer, wetter weather, even when there are no major storms in sight.

Set sail to Mayreau in late April for the small but mighty Mayreau Regatta that brings together sun, sand, and plenty of local food during a festive, four-day affair. Or, plan a visit during late June or early July to coincide with Vincy Mas, the nation’s carnival celebration held primarily on St. Vincent.

How to Get There

Mayreau’s tiny permanent population and still-nascent tourism industry make reaching the island just part of the adventure. Most visitors to Mayreau access its beach-lined bays via private or small-group charters from nearby Canouan or Union Island, whether as part of a day trip or for an extended stay.

“Serviced by three different ferry companies, Mayreau is currently accessible five days a week for those without their own vessel,” explains Alexander. Faster passenger-only boats make the journey to mainland St. Vincent in two hours, but more frequent ferries that do double duty carrying cargo can take up to five hours .

Either way, visiting Mayreau starts by arriving at St. Vincent’s Argyle International Airport (SVD), which receives flights from New York, Charlotte, Miami, Toronto, and several other Caribbean islands, though often on a seasonal basis. Skip St. Vincent entirely by taking a private charter from Tradewind Aviation, a leader in personal air travel in the region, which offers direct flights into neighboring Canouan and Union Island.

How to Get Around

It’s impossible to get lost on Mayreau: Just one main road cuts across the island from Salt Whistle Bay to Saline Bay, passing through the village along the way. Most visitors access the island’s beaches, bays, and waterfront accommodations by boat, making getting around a breeze. The jaunt up the road to the village can be a steep one, so stick to the shade or hitch a ride from a friendly local in one of the handful of cars on the island.