Destination Guide · The Grenadines
Mayreau
Saltwhistle Bay — the most-photographed beach in the Caribbean. Smallest inhabited Grenadine.
From Canouan
12 nautical miles · 2 hour reach
Best time to sail
December through July. Saltwhistle Bay can swell-up in northerlies — we move to Saline Bay or skip the night at anchor.
Mayreau is the smallest inhabited Grenadine — under two square miles, fewer than three hundred residents, no road for most of the island's history. It sits between Canouan and Union Island, four miles from each. The reason yachts stop here is Saltwhistle Bay: a perfect crescent of white sand on the north coast, with palms behind the beach and turquoise water that runs out to a coral shelf at the entrance. It is the postcard beach of the Caribbean.
We anchor in Saltwhistle Bay overnight or for a full day stop. Snorkelling is good on the northern reef; the beach is best in the morning before the wind picks up. A short walk along the sand-and-coral path leads to Saline Bay on the south side — a wider, longer beach, the location of the village, and the small Catholic church on the hill that is one of the prettiest viewpoints in the Grenadines.
Mayreau works as a stop between the Tobago Cays and Union Island — a half-day at anchor in Saltwhistle, lunch ashore at Combination Café, then on to the next island. Guests who want a longer day can hike the island in an afternoon.
Anchorages
Saltwhistle Bay
The classic anchorage — narrow crescent of white sand, palms, glass-clear water. Mooring balls preferred (anchoring is restricted by reef on either side).
Saline Bay
South-coast anchorage by the village. Wider and busier than Saltwhistle — used in northerly winds when Saltwhistle is uncomfortable. Easier shore access.
Ashore
Combination Café
Beach café at the end of Saltwhistle Bay's path. Simple menu, fresh fish, the best place for lunch on the island. Cash works better than card.
Saline Bay village
Tiny island village — a few houses, a small church on the hill above, and a couple of beach bars. Walk up the lane for the view across to Union Island and the Cays.
Hilltop walk
Twenty minutes from the beach to the top of the island for the panorama — Tobago Cays to the north, Union Island to the south, Petit Saint Vincent on the horizon.
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RexSailing · Canouan · St. Vincent & the Grenadines