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St. Vincent & the Grenadines🇻🇨 | beachesPrincess Margaret BeachSnug cove, tide pools, headland viewpoint, sandbar shallows | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Princess Margaret Beach
🏆 Top pickbeach ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Princess Margaret Beach is on Bequia, a ferry hop from the mainland of Saint Vincent, and plenty of locals still call it Tony Gibbons Beach. It curves along Admiralty Bay just south of Port Elizabeth, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, close enough that you can walk there with sandals in your hand. The sand is golden and tidy, the water stays calm and clear, and almond trees give you shade. Snorkeling is decent around the rocks at the far end. There is no surf, and it’s a fairly short strip, so it can feel snug when yacht crews and day-trippers arrive. Meals and drinks nearby lean pricey, so pack a picnic from the town market. Go early, before the sun gets heavy, and stay for the sunset. Couples, snorkelers and slow-travel types will love it. Anyone chasing waves, nightlife or empty wilderness should keep walking.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 St. Vincent & the Grenadines Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 beach in St. Vincent & the GrenadinesReasons people choose to visit here

Princess Margaret Beach is the beach you can reach on foot from the Port Elizabeth ferry jetty, which makes it the easiest place to drop your pack and switch into island mode. The Belmont Walkway along the Admiralty Bay waterfront links the town to the sand, so you skip taxis altogether and can wander back whenever hunger hits. That also means your supplies, cash machines and laundry are all close by, a real luxury on a small Grenadine island.

The other draw is the water. The bay is sheltered, so swimming is easy even for nervous swimmers, and the rocky headland at the far end gives you a reef-style snorkel without a boat. Add the sailing crowd anchored offshore, and you get a mixed, friendly bunch to talk to over a drink, from delivery skippers to backpackers on a long island chain loop. … read more 👉
Princess Margaret Beach is the beach you can reach on foot from the Port Elizabeth ferry jetty, which makes it the easiest place to drop your pack and switch into island mode. The Belmont Walkway along the Admiralty Bay waterfront links the town to the sand, so you skip taxis altogether and can wander back whenever hunger hits. That also means your supplies, cash machines and laundry are all close by, a real luxury on a small Grenadine island.

The other draw is the water. The bay is sheltered, so swimming is easy even for nervous swimmers, and the rocky headland at the far end gives you a reef-style snorkel without a boat. Add the sailing crowd anchored offshore, and you get a mixed, friendly bunch to talk to over a drink, from delivery skippers to backpackers on a long island chain loop. Many travelers use it as a calm midpoint between busier stops, and it works well for that.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Princess Margaret Beach itself: The reason to come is the calm, sheltered swim. Water in Admiralty Bay is clear and gentle, and almond and coconut trees edge the sand, so you can alternate between the sea and a shady lie-down. The beach also carries the name of the royal who visited the island, which locals will happily explain.
  2. Belmont Walkway: This pedestrian path follows the shoreline from Port Elizabeth, passing small guesthouses, waterfront cafes and fishing boats pulled up on the sand. It’s a flat, easy stroll with constant views of the anchored yachts, and it is the best way to arrive.
  3. Snorkeling at the rocky end: The outcrop at the far end of the beach holds small reef fish and sea fans in shallow water. Bring your own mask to save on rental, and go in the morning when the bay is glassy
… read more 👉
  1. Princess Margaret Beach itself: The reason to come is the calm, sheltered swim. Water in Admiralty Bay is clear and gentle, and almond and coconut trees edge the sand, so you can alternate between the sea and a shady lie-down. The beach also carries the name of the royal who visited the island, which locals will happily explain.
  2. Belmont Walkway: This pedestrian path follows the shoreline from Port Elizabeth, passing small guesthouses, waterfront cafes and fishing boats pulled up on the sand. It’s a flat, easy stroll with constant views of the anchored yachts, and it is the best way to arrive.
  3. Snorkeling at the rocky end: The outcrop at the far end of the beach holds small reef fish and sea fans in shallow water. Bring your own mask to save on rental, and go in the morning when the bay is glassy and visibility is best.
  4. Sunset over Admiralty Bay: With dozens of sailboats swinging at anchor, the horizon here has foreground interest that open beaches lack. Settle on the sand with a cold drink, then walk back along the lit waterfront as the day cools.
  5. Port Elizabeth waterfront and market: A short stroll away, the town’s produce stalls sell fruit, fresh bread and local snacks for a beach picnic. The waterfront also has stalls for souvenirs and a lively evening atmosphere, with plenty of casual spots for dinner and a drink after dark.
For a first visit, start with a morning swim at Princess Margaret Beach itself and walk the Belmont Walkway back to town at sunset.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (December to May): Princess Margaret Beach is at its best now, with sunny days of 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F), steady trade-wind breezes and little rain. Daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours, so plan beach time before late afternoon.
  • Carnival and Peak Weeks (late June to early July): Vincy Mas fills Kingstown, about an hour away by ferry, and Bequia beds and ferries book out. Prices rise sharply.
  • Wet Season (June to November): Expect warm, humid days of 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F) with short, heavy downpours, mostly in the afternoon. Mornings are often clear, sea temperatures stay near 28°C (82°F), and rooms cost noticeably less.
  • Hurricane Window (August to October): Storms are uncommon this far south but can churn the swell and cancel ferries, so keep your schedule loose.
Book Bequia lodging … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to May): Princess Margaret Beach is at its best now, with sunny days of 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F), steady trade-wind breezes and little rain. Daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours, so plan beach time before late afternoon.
  • Carnival and Peak Weeks (late June to early July): Vincy Mas fills Kingstown, about an hour away by ferry, and Bequia beds and ferries book out. Prices rise sharply.
  • Wet Season (June to November): Expect warm, humid days of 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F) with short, heavy downpours, mostly in the afternoon. Mornings are often clear, sea temperatures stay near 28°C (82°F), and rooms cost noticeably less.
  • Hurricane Window (August to October): Storms are uncommon this far south but can churn the swell and cancel ferries, so keep your schedule loose.
Book Bequia lodging early for February and March, or arrive in May when it is quieter and cheaper but still mostly dry.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines-beach-princess-margaret-beach
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Port Elizabeth, the harbor village in Admiralty Bay, is the best base for Princess Margaret Beach, with the sand a 10 to 15 minute walk south along the waterfront path. This is where the ferry from St Vincent docks, so you step off the boat and into the budget scene. Expect dorm-style or private guesthouse rooms from about US$25 to 70 a night in the dry season, and less from June to November.
The waterfront strip holds the beach bars, small cafes, grocery shops and the market, so eating cheaply and meeting other travelers takes no effort. Solo travelers do well here because everything sits within … read more 👉
Port Elizabeth, the harbor village in Admiralty Bay, is the best base for Princess Margaret Beach, with the sand a 10 to 15 minute walk south along the waterfront path. This is where the ferry from St Vincent docks, so you step off the boat and into the budget scene. Expect dorm-style or private guesthouse rooms from about US$25 to 70 a night in the dry season, and less from June to November.
The waterfront strip holds the beach bars, small cafes, grocery shops and the market, so eating cheaply and meeting other travelers takes no effort. Solo travelers do well here because everything sits within a few minutes on foot, and the evening crowd gathers at the harborfront bars and on yachts anchored in the bay. Lights along the main road make walking back after dark easy.
The quieter option is the stretch toward Lower Bay, a short water taxi or hilly walk away. Rooms there are mostly self-catering apartments and small guesthouses, good if you want to cook and save money over a week. Social life is thinner, though, so you will head back to town for company.
For the best rates, arrange accommodation directly with local owners, and reserve ahead for Easter and the Vincy Mas weeks around early July.
Best hostels in St. Vincent & the Grenadines


Best quality hotels in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Princess Margaret Beach is a calm, well-used stretch of sand in Admiralty Bay, and sensible habits are all you need here. The bay is sheltered from open Atlantic swell, so waves are usually small and there are no notable rips, though the water gets deeper quickly off the sand. Locals and yacht crews swim here daily, and early morning is the easiest time for a lap.
Sea urchins can sit on rocky patches at the edges, so wear water shoes if you plan to wade there. Manchineel trees, with small green apples and toxic sap, grow along some Caribbean shores. Don’t shelter under them in the rain.
Sun is the main issue. The sand has natural shade from palms and sea grape, but midday UV is strong year-round, so bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. Afternoon showers pass quickly in the wet season.
Petty theft … read more 👉
Princess Margaret Beach is a calm, well-used stretch of sand in Admiralty Bay, and sensible habits are all you need here. The bay is sheltered from open Atlantic swell, so waves are usually small and there are no notable rips, though the water gets deeper quickly off the sand. Locals and yacht crews swim here daily, and early morning is the easiest time for a lap.
Sea urchins can sit on rocky patches at the edges, so wear water shoes if you plan to wade there. Manchineel trees, with small green apples and toxic sap, grow along some Caribbean shores. Don’t shelter under them in the rain.
Sun is the main issue. The sand has natural shade from palms and sea grape, but midday UV is strong year-round, so bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. Afternoon showers pass quickly in the wet season.
Petty theft is uncommon, yet keep your phone and cash with you when you swim, and don’t leave bags unattended while you take a dip.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Princess Margaret Beach sits on Bequia, reached by the ferry from Kingstown, St Vincent, which takes about an hour and costs about US$10 each way. The ferries dock at Port Elizabeth, and from there the beach is a 10 to 15 minute walk south along the waterfront. Flights reach Bequia’s small airport from St Vincent, but most backpackers take the boat.
Princess Margaret Beach is good for swimming, with sheltered water and mostly gentle conditions in Admiralty Bay. Snorkeling is possible near the rocky edges, though the better reefs lie a short boat ride away, with trips from Port Elizabeth costing around US$30 to 60. It is not a surf beach, because the bay has no consistent waves.
Yes, Princess Margaret Beach is free to visit, with no entrance fee and open access year-round. You can walk onto the sand from the Port Elizabeth waterfront path at any hour. Budget about US$3 to 8 if you want to rent a lounger or grab a drink or snack at nearby bars.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Vincentian beaches near Princess Margaret Beach

Explore more nearby:

  • Lower Bay Beach—Shallow crescent, fishing skiffs, barefoot bars, rocky ends| 1 km away
  • Friendship Bay—Southeast Bequia, reef off the sand, moored sailboats, quiet nights| 1 km away
  • Mustique Beaches—private coves, celebrity villas, turquoise shallows| 15 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Princess Margaret Beach is where many travelers go wrong by treating it as a quick photo stop between ferries. Give it a full afternoon instead, since the light and the crowd both improve after the day boats leave. I would bring a mask, buy picnic food in Port Elizabeth, and stay until the yacht lights come on across the bay.

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The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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