For an affordable, though decidedly luxurious, tropical getaway, consider Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a necklace of Caribbean islands where you’ll find a welcoming and friendly population, incredible natural beauty, a plethora of invigorating outdoor activities and ample stretches of white-sand beach. Yachters have long been in love with the region; see for yourself why they’re wooed time and again for swimming, sailing, snorkeling and all-around relaxation. World-class resorts and boutique hotels are ubiquitous, yet you’ll want to explore the private vacation rentals available in each village and on the beach – each offers its own distinct advantages, ample amenities and the luxury of coming and going on your own terms.

Among the many draws of a vacation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the snorkeling and SCUBA diving opportunities. On Bequia itself, two dive shops run trips to 28 nearby dive sites – stay on the lookout for Hawksbill turtles, lobsters and moray eels. On land, you can set out on foot and visit the charming waterfront of Port Elizabeth, stopping by the vegetable market, or follow a hilly trail to Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay Beach. Take time to visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, where more than 2,000 turtles have been released over the past 12 years. When it’s time for a respite back at your beach house or rental cottage in the village, just hop aboard one of the famous open-backed taxis.

The island of St. Vincent is just as attractive, complete with volcano hiking, walks to waterfalls, snorkeling among colorful coral reefs and whale and dolphin watching. Keep a careful eye out for the endemic St. Vincent parrot.

Make the most of your vacation dollars with a private rental property, whether it’s a studio apartment right in Port Elizabeth on Bequia or a lavish four-bedroom estate on St. Vincent. Depending on your family or group’s needs, you may find amenities such as housecleaning, chef services, private beach access, babysitting services, watersports equipment, high-tech entertainment systems, Internet access and much more. Shop for groceries in town, then cook up your own elaborate feasts in your fully equipped kitchen – better yet, dine alfresco on our private patio, with only the brilliant stars and the lapping waves as distraction. You won’t get a better value in the islands than one of these self-catering apartments, homes or cottages. Come and go as you please, enjoy beach access – it’s the ultimate in island living for families and groups of friends.