Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean
Union Island – Clifton
Written by Missy Johnston
As part of the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Union Island is the southernmost island in this nation of islands and a great stop on a crewed yacht charter while cruising in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean. With a little over 3,000 residents, Union Island has two main towns of Clifton and Ashton and boasts an international airport. However the “international” in the airport’s designation refers to flights within the Caribbean and outside of the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. No night time flights are allowed as there are no runway lights. Even with an “international” airport, visiting Union Island by yacht charter is one of the easiest ways to visit this lovely Caribbean Island.
Union Island anchorage
Union Island, like many neighboring Caribbean Islands has a colonial plantation history. However, rather than a colonial plantation history of sugar cane and molasses, the plantations on Union Island were planted with Sea Island Cotton, similar to the lowlands and barrier islands in South Carolina. The Sea Island Cotton Tree can still be found on the island as well as the ancestors of the many African slaves that were brought to this island during the colonial plantation period to work the Sea Island Cotton fields.
Union Island – Downtown Clifton
After the colonial period, many natives went to work on commercial freighters as Union Island became a hub of commercial shipping business in this part of the Caribbean. Today the economy of Union Island is based more on services supplied to visiting yachtsmen, day charters offered to the Tobago Cays and a strong ferry service offered throughout this part of the Caribbean, along with tourism.
Union Island view from Happy Island
Union Island does have two big celebrations. One is the Holy Week of Easter, a weeklong festival called Easterval, with celebrations in both the towns of Clifton and Ashton. The other is May 1, May Day, the one-day event called “The Maroon”, which begins before dawn and lasts well into the night, with drums, dancing, feasting, and merrymaking. The Maroon Festival is designed to entice the gods to join in and end the dry winter and bring on the rainy season. Either time period, or anytime in between, is a great time to visit Union Island on a yacht charter of the Windward Islands of the Caribbean.
What to See and Do on Yacht Charter on Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean
Mt. Taboi: Hike to the top of the highest mountain on Union Island for a fabulous 360- degree view of all of the surrounding islands. Between January and April, perhaps you might sight a whale.
Beaches: The best beaches are in Chatham Bay, which is also a lovely anchorage, and Big Sand in Richmond Bay.
Happy Island: Located in the main harbor right in front of the town of Clifton, this small island created by locals throwing conch shells into the harbor is home to the Happy Island Bar, reachable by ship’s tender or the harbor water taxi.
Esterval: A week-long festival, which happens Easter Holy Week, celebrations are attended by locals and visitors alike.
Maroon Festival: A one-day festival on every May Day, May 1, beginning at dawn and lasting well into the night.