Mustique Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean
Quiet, serene Mustique
Written by Missy Johnston
Located in the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean, the private island of Mustique is a great island to visit while cruising on a private charter yacht on a Mustique yacht charter itinerary of the Caribbean Windward Islands. There is a jet runway for private jet travel on this island and there are domestic commercial flights that land at the Mustique Airport; however, visiting while on a Mustique yacht charter cruise of the Grenadines is the best way to visit this lovely island.
Owned by the Mustique Company, whose shareholders are the Owners of the approximately 100 private villas on the island, this little island of only around 1400 acres, and around 500 local islanders, slumbers along in quiet elegance, a perfect location for those that want to slip away from it all.
Princess Margaret Villa – Mustique
After a busy colonial sugar cane plantation period, the less expensive to grow European sugar beet dominated the international sugar market and destroyed the sugar cane market in the Caribbean, causing many of the sugar cane plantations on Mustique to be abandoned. Thereafter, the local population dwindled. In 1958, Lord Glenconner, Colin Tennant, the 3rd Baron Glenconner, purchased the island to begin developing luxury villas for the elite. To jumpstart the development, Lord Glenconner gave Princess Margaret, Countess, of Snowdon, and sister of Queen Elizabeth II, a gift of a 10-acre plot as a wedding present, upon which Princess Margaret built a luxury villa she named “Les Jolies Eaux”. In 1989, ownership of the island was transferred from a private family holding to a private limited company with the villa owners as shareholders.
Basils Bar, Mustique
Today, on this carefully cultivated island with beautiful flora and fauna, life moves slowly. Cruise into the main harbor of the island on your crewed yacht charter, anchored on one side by a local fishing village and on the other side by the infamous Basil’s Bar, with several boutiques/provender’s in between, come ashore and join the locals traversing the island via heavy duty golf carts known as “Mustique Mules”. Or end or begin your crewed yacht charter on Mustique as many of the approximately 100 private luxury villas are available for rent through the Mustique Company. There is also a luxury 5-star hotel called the Cotton House.
Well known villa owners and visitors, past and present, other than Princess Margaret, who has hosted her sister Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip several times at her villa on the island are also Mick Jagger, Tommy Hilfiger, Bill Gates, and the late George Harrison. Island life centers around Basil’s Bar, which is now home to an annual Blues Festival. At other times at Basil’s Bar, local Reggae Bands may be playing, or someone may be spinning records on the bar record player. Stop in as you never know who you might meet. Or stop in at the Cotton House for a drink or dinner, (reservations strongly recommended).
The waters around the island are part of a marine park, so no fishing or removal of lobsters or conch up to 1000 yards from shore around the island is allowed.
Mustique Island Beach
What to See and Do on Yacht Charter on Mustique Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean
Rent a Mustique Mule: Rental of these heavy-duty golf carts, is a fun and easy way to explore the island and see the many beautiful villas. Cost is around $90/day. This is a great way to see Mustique’s seven beaches.
Basil’s Bar: Just up from the Dinghy Dock, Basil’s Bar is located on Britannia Bay. There is a “Jump Up” every Wednesday night starting at 9:30 and Sunset Jazz every Sunday at 5:30. Basil’s is a great location for a sundown cocktail any day of the week. There is a food menu as well for lunch and dinner. If live music is not being played, music is supplied for late night dancing by vinyl records spun on a record player.
The Cotton House: Located in what was once a cotton warehouse storing island plantation grown cotton, The Cotton House is an upscale hotel with a restaurant “The Veranda” and bar “The Great Room”. On a Mustique Mule exploration of the island, stop in and have a cooling drink at The Great Room bar. If dining at the restaurant or visiting for a drink in the evening, call ahead for information on the dress code. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Firefly: A restaurant located in one of the villas, which outstanding ambiance, and a moderately priced menu. Reservations are strongly recommended. A great place to stop in for a drink and just savor the ambiance. Often there are impromptu performances from famous musicians.
Beaches: The seven beaches around the island offer ample opportunity for swimming, sunning and snorkeling, including Lagoon Bay and Macaroni Beach, which some feel is one of the Caribbean’s “Top 10” beaches.
Mustique Equestrian Centre: Providing horses and ponies to ride for trail rides, or beach rides. All rides are accompanied by anEquestrian Centre employee. Helmets and boots are provided.
Include Mustique on a crewed yacht charter itinerary of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean and visit Basil’s Bar, rent a Mustique Mule to explore the island, and in general enjoy this little serene and private slice of the Caribbean.