Island-hopping is the defining logistic of an SVG trip — and it can go from a fun part of the adventure to a genuine source of stress with kids along, depending on how you plan it.
What to Know
- The Kingstown-Bequia crossing takes about an hour and runs several times daily on operators like Bequia Express.
- Fares run roughly EC$25 one-way (about $9 USD) for adults on the main Kingstown-Bequia route, with reduced child fares.
- The MV Gem Star II and similar multi-stop ferries connect Kingstown to Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island on a more complex, day-dependent schedule.
- Private water taxis cost significantly more than the scheduled ferries but run on your own timing — useful for young kids and nap schedules.
- Seas can get choppy, especially outside the dry season — pack accordingly for kids prone to seasickness.
The Main Ferry Routes
Bequia Express and Bequia Fast Ferry run the busiest route, Kingstown to Bequia, several times a day on weekdays with a lighter Sunday schedule. Reaching the southern Grenadines — Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island — means a longer, multi-stop service like the MV Gem Star II, which runs a more complex schedule that varies by day of the week and doesn’t sail every day to every island.
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The main Kingstown-Bequia crossing runs around EC$25 one-way (roughly $9 USD) for adults, with a reduced child fare, paid in cash aboard the vessel on most services. Longer routes into the southern Grenadines cost more and vary by operator. A private water taxi charter costs considerably more than any scheduled ferry, but buys you flexibility on timing that a fixed schedule doesn’t.
Scheduled Ferry vs. Water Taxi: Which Makes Sense
The scheduled ferries are the more budget-friendly, straightforward option for a family that can work around a fixed timetable. A water taxi is worth the extra cost when you’re managing a baby’s nap schedule, need to move as a large group, or the scheduled service simply doesn’t run when you need it — which happens more often on the less-frequent southern Grenadines routes.
Managing the Crossing with Kids
The hour-long Kingstown-Bequia run is generally manageable even for younger kids, but seas can get choppy outside the calmer dry-season months. Pack seasickness remedies if anyone in the family is prone to it, keep snacks and water on hand, and build a buffer into your schedule rather than a tight same-day connection to a flight.
Planning a Multi-Island Itinerary
Because southern Grenadines ferries don’t run daily to every island, build your island-hopping route around the actual schedule rather than assuming you can move freely day to day. Checking the current week’s ferry schedule before finalizing your itinerary saves a lot of last-minute scrambling once you’re on the ground.
Booking Ferries in Advance
The main Kingstown-Bequia route rarely requires advance booking, but southern Grenadines services with less frequent schedules are worth confirming a day or two ahead, especially in peak season.
What to Pack for the Crossing
A light jacket or cover-up is worth having even in warm weather, since spray and wind on an open ferry can feel cooler than expected. Keep phones and cameras in a dry bag, since even a calm crossing can get splashy.
Traveling with More Than One Young Child
If you’re managing more than one small child across an island-hopping itinerary, consider whether a chartered water taxi is worth the extra cost for a specific leg of the trip, rather than assuming the scheduled ferry is always the right call.
Cell Service on the Crossing
Coverage generally holds up reasonably well for the main Kingstown-Bequia route given the short distance, but can be spottier on longer southern Grenadines crossings — download anything you need before boarding just in case.
What If a Ferry Is Cancelled
Rough seas occasionally cancel or delay sailings, more often in the wet season — build a buffer into your arrival or departure day if you’re connecting to an international flight, rather than scheduling a tight same-day connection.
Documents and Entry for Inter-Island Travel
Moving between islands within SVG doesn’t require additional passport checks the way international travel would — it’s all domestic movement within the same country, which simplifies the logistics considerably.
What to Bring for a Baby or Toddler on the Crossing
Bring extra snacks, a favorite comfort item, and any motion-sickness remedy your pediatrician approves for young kids — the main Bequia crossing is short enough that most kids handle it fine, but having backups on hand reduces stress either way.
A Realistic Arrival-Day Timeline
Between clearing customs at Argyle, collecting bags, arranging transport to the ferry terminal, and the crossing itself, budget at least three to four hours door-to-door from landing to arriving at a Grenadine island accommodation — more with young kids and a lot of luggage.
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Quick Answers
How long does the ferry from St Vincent to Bequia take?
About an hour on the main Kingstown-Bequia route.
How much does the ferry between islands cost?
Roughly EC$25 (about $9 USD) one-way for adults on the main Bequia route, with reduced child fares; longer southern Grenadines routes cost more.
Is a water taxi worth it with young kids?
It can be — a water taxi costs more than the scheduled ferry but runs on your own timing, which helps around nap schedules or with a lot of gear.
Where to Stay in St Vincent and the Grenadines
A few family-friendly places to base your SVG trip:
Sunset Shores Beach Hotel, Villa
Hotel Alexandrina, Ribishi
Young Island ResortReady to Plan Your Trip?
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