St. Vincent and the Grenadines is made up of 32 islands. Mustique is one of them. Mustique is privately owned and operated, and there are no direct flights from the United States or Europe. It has a reputation for being an if you know, you know destination, frequently visited by the fashion, music, and other celebrity elite.
It may be difficult to pinpoint what makes this three-mile-long stretch of paradise stand out among its more familiar peers in the region, aside from its beautiful beaches, cerulean water, and largely untouched, lush landscape. Continue reading to learn more about what makes Mustique so special.
Best Time to Visit Mustique
Mustique, like most Caribbean islands, has a peak season from December to April, when visitors from Europe and the United States come to escape the cold. July through October is a slower time, with fewer visitors in the summer months and hurricane season in the Caribbean in September and October (though St. Vincent and the Grenadines typically falls below the hurricane belt).
Easter, when the island hosts a family-friendly parade; Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when the Mustique Company hosts their annual themed holiday party (one year, everyone dressed as their favourite Game of Thrones character); and the Blues Festival, which takes place in late January and early February.
How to Get to Mustique
Flying into St. Lucia or Barbados is the most usual way to get to Mustique. Following that, a representative from Mustique will greet you upon arrival and expedite you through the process to the Mustique lounge, where you can wait for your one-hour hopper flight on one of the island’s 18-seater Twin Otter aircraft that shuttle passengers to the private island on a daily basis.
A less usual — but speedier — option is to fly directly to Mustique from St. Vincent, where you may choose between a seven-minute private jet or a one-hour catamaran sail.
It’s vital to remember that there are no arrivals to Mustique after sundown, so plan to arrive at your first Caribbean location by 3:30 p.m. to give time for the transfer.
Where to Stay on Mustique Island
The Cotton House is the island’s lone hotel at the moment. There are luxurious rooms and cottages available, as well as three restaurants serving everything from local fare to international cuisine, a spa, yoga, and a variety of water activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, and fishing.
If it’s your first time visiting Mustique, or if you’re travelling alone or with a partner, staying at The Cotton House is a great way to get to know and learn about the island’s unique culture, as many visitors and locals congregate here for dining experiences and social activities like Friday night’s happy hour-and-a-half ritual, which runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and the weekly bonfire barbecue.
Alex Amengual/Courtesy of Mustique Island Tourism
Regular island visitors and large groups frequently choose to stay in one of the 80+ villas available for rent. Many are owned by celebrities, such as Tommy Hilfiger, who has a popular Palm Beach mansion, and some were designed by internationally recognised architects and interior designers. To address daily requirements and wishes, all villas are staffed with housekeepers, chefs, and butlers.
There are two to seven bedrooms available, as well as a variety of pools, modern European and traditional Caribbean design elements, and views of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea. Alternatively, homes such as Coccoloba and Les Jolies Eaux, the latter of which was created for Princess Margaret, offer expansive views of both bodies of water.
Local Vibe on Mustique
Though the majority of visitors come from the United Kingdom, there has been a trend in recent years, with more Americans and Canadians joining each year. Those that love Mustique the best are guests who appreciate the basic pleasures of life and understand that more isn’t necessarily better. Although it’s widely assumed that everyone living on the island is of a specific socioeconomic level — including top business owners, CEOs, and a slew of celebrities — Mustique isn’t the place where they come to flaunt their wealth.
Instead, it’s a getaway where phones are turned off, cameras are turned off, and hair and clothes aren’t expected to be absolutely groomed, as visitors go to the beach bar in open-air vehicles known as “mules” that frolic in and out of the Caribbean Sea. Everything is a little more stripped down, from the dress code to the restaurants to the design ethos – stylish without trying to prove itself. There aren’t many Instagrammable or touristy moments, but the entire experience has been thoughtfully planned.
It’s because of this environment — plus the island’s 24-hour security to assure safety — that community reigns supreme. Mustique is open to the public, but it has grown in popularity as a place where A-list celebrities, successful entrepreneurs and creatives, and top executives can actually unplug and commune.
Guests can choose complete solitude and never leave their rental property, but after seeing the same cheerful faces at the restaurant, beach, and parties, diverse groups rapidly become friends and end up throwing meals and secret poolside parties for one another. Many individuals return year after year at the same time to see the same people and experience the same sense of community.
What to Do on Mustique
Aside from villa hopping and numerous water activities, this lovely island has a lot more to offer than its size might suggest.
For nearly 50 years, Basil’s Bar has been a gathering place for locals, visitors, and boaters. Come for its weekly events like Wednesday night’s Jump Up, when live bands and local DJs bring the spirit of St. Vincent to Mustique, and the indulgent Taco and Tequila Thursdays, or come for its casual haunt overlooking Britannia Bay for lunch, dinner, and sunset cocktails, or come for its weekly events like Wednesday night’s Jump Up, when live bands and local DJs bring the spirit of St. Vincent to Mustique, or come for its weekly events like Wednesday night’s Jump Up.
The innumerable magnificent beaches where people gather to sunbathe, swim, enjoy water activities, and have group picnics in designated huts on the sand — an island tradition any day of the week — include Macaroni Beach, Lagoon Beach, and Princess Margaret Beach.
The Mustique Tennis Club serves as a social focus for the island’s residents. Visitors can take free tennis lessons from the resident coach, play daily drop-in games, and participate in camps and tournaments during peak season.
Meanwhile, the equestrian facility provides horseback riding tours of the island’s hills as well as lessons for children and adults of various levels of experience.
Finally, because the island is so tiny and safe, it’s ideal for exploring on your own with a car or open-air mule vehicle, which is often included in your accommodations. It can be used to drive to any of these locations, or it can be used to get lost and discover a hidden beach, hiking trail, or something new that will entice you to come back for more.
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