Once a quiet, uninhabited island, Mustique transformed into a world-class retreat in the 1950s when British aristocrat Colin Tennant purchased it. He envisioned a secluded haven for the rich and famous, and today, Mustique remains one of the most exclusive destinations in the world.

With its luxurious villas and world-renowned parties, the island attracts celebrities, royals, and business moguls looking for privacy and relaxation.

How to Get to Mustique

It’s not easy. Unlike other Caribbean destinations, Mustique doesn’t have a large commercial airport. Visitors typically fly into St. Vincent and then take a short connecting flight via Mustique Airways to Mustique’s small airport. Chartered flights are a popular option.

When we arrived in Mustique via our sailboat, the airport was our first stop, as that’s where the Customs and Immigration offices are located. It was a moderate 25-minute uphill walk from our mooring. The check-in process did not take long, and all of the necessary offices were located within close proximity.

Accommodations on Mustique

We stayed on board our sailboat, but it quickly became clear to us that the accommodations on Mustique were top-notch. The most famous is The Cotton House, the oldest building on Mustique and a former sugar mill. It has been frequented by the likes of Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, and David Bowie, as well as other celebrities.

There are also some other private villa options, including “Les Jolies Eaux,” Princess Margaret’s former residence. Fancy!

Beaches on Mustique

With only a handful of visitors on the island at any given time, Mustique’s beaches are uncrowded. The most famous is Macaroni Beach, located on the northeast side of the island.

Activities on Mustique

First and foremost: stargazing. Several celebrities own homes on the island, including Mick Jagger (multiple), Tommy Hilfiger, Bryan Adams, Kelly Ripa, Shania Twain, the Guinness family, and the Cartier family. Consequently, one of the most popular excursions is a taxi tour of these famous homes.

Visitors also have a chance to see other celebrities who may be on the island. (Paul Newman, Raquel Welch, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Ellie Goulding, Geri Horner, Robbie Williams, Tom Ford, and Sir Paul McCartney have all previously visited or owned property on Mustique.)

Other activities include:

Watersports (kayaking, supping, kiting, sailing)

Horseback Riding

Hiking and Nature Walks

Snorkeling and Diving

We didn’t see anyone doing the first three activities while we were there. We opted for the last one, snorkeling, which we were able to do right from the mooring!

Another, more unofficial, activity is turtle spotting. There are a lot of them, especially in the town center.

Shopping on Mustique

Mustique has a handful of shops.

First, there are a few stalls along the waterfront that sell fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fish. Sadly for us, they weren’t open when we were there. However, we did get to buy some groceries at Corea’s Food Store and visit the Mustique General Store. 

The Pink House specializes in elegant, hand-painted silk kaftans and sarongs from local designer Lotty B, along with beach and resort wear for women, men, and kids; jewelry and accessories; and tableware. Next door, the Purple House sells beachwear, swimsuits, Reef footwear, Panama hats, accessories, jewelry, souvenirs, gifts, sunblock, and kids’ beach toys.

Basil’s Bazaar, across the street, also offers a small selection of clothing and souvenirs.

Restaurants on Mustique

There’s one main restaurant on the island: Basil’s Bar. It’s world-famous, mainly because it has become a cult spot for music legends, with sets from artists such as Mick Jagger, Bon Jovi, and Bryan Adams. Basil’s has also hosted the Mustique Blues Festival since 1995.

It’s located right off Britannia Bay and named after its founder, Basil Charles, known as the “King of Mustique.” You can read more about him here. Interesting guy.

Fun fact: In 2015, a large chunk of an Ariane space rocket washed ashore, and it now stands beside Basil’s Bar. 

The View Restaurant and Bar also gets an honorable mention for…you guessed it! The view.

Mustique’s Island Vibe

We enjoyed walking around the island and enjoying its interesting vibe. It’s clean, laid-back, and quiet.

Final Thoughts

Mustique is a very intriguing, beautiful island.

Pretentious? Absolutely. But it’s also quiet and quite lovely. It offers a selection of activities on and off the water, provides some fun dining opportunities at Basil’s Bar, and is a really pretty place to relax and unwind.

---

You can see a map of the Mustique moorings here.