Bequia

Start with Princess Margaret Beach if you want the easiest first session. It is close to Port Elizabeth, usually calm on the leeward side, and simple for mixed groups. Lower Bay is excellent for relaxed swimming and shallower family-style water, while Industry Bay is a better pick for travelers willing to go farther for a cleaner reef feel. Friendship Bay can also work on the right day. If you want the best guided boat snorkel rather than a beach swim, look at Devil's Table or a full Tobago Cays day sail. Boat days are especially worth it when visibility from shore looks average.

Yes, as long as you choose sites carefully. Bequia has beginner-friendly reefs such as Devil's Table and easier profiles around the local wreck and sheltered reef system, so newer divers do not need to jump straight into advanced wall conditions. The key is using a local operator that matches the site to your confidence, not just your certification card. If you are recently certified or have not dived for a while, plan a refresher or an easy first day. Leave West Cay, Moonhole Cave, and deeper current-sensitive sites for later in the trip, or skip them entirely if the conditions are not right.

Treat Tobago Cays as a full-day commitment and book it around your best weather window, not your busiest dive day. Most visitors go by sail charter, private boat, or organized excursion from Admiralty Bay. The reward is very different from Bequia itself: shallow lagoon water, protected cays, and one of the Caribbean's best turtle-snorkel settings. Remember that park fees apply, and park rules prohibit coral damage, anchoring in coral or seagrass, and fishing. If scuba is part of the plan, the park also requires divers to be with a registered local operator. It is usually the top upgrade for mixed groups.

Bequia is better for experienced, adaptable freedivers than for travelers seeking a dedicated training camp. The island offers reef structure, walls, and attractive exploration water, but it does not have the obvious formal depth-platform identity of a specialist freedive destination. That means local boat support, wind direction, and current matter more than a fixed calendar. Good windows often come in April to June or in November, though any season can work on the right side of the island. Bring your own buoy and line gear if you want structured sessions, and stay conservative on exposed sites such as West Cay or New Moon.

Bring both. Cards are widely accepted at hotels, many restaurants, and a good number of visitor-focused businesses, but cash still makes the island run more smoothly. Taxis, casual beach bars, small shops, and incidental purchases are easier with EC$ or small US dollar notes. Port Elizabeth has banks with ATMs, so you do not need to arrive carrying your whole trip budget, but it is smart to withdraw before heading to remote beaches or a boat-heavy day. During busy periods such as Music Fest or Easter week, having cash ready saves time and small awkward delays.

Bequia has on-island medical contacts including Bequia Hospital, Port Elizabeth Health Centre, and Paget Farm Health Centre, which are useful for primary care and initial response. Serious emergencies, however, may require transfer to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on St. Vincent. Government sources indicate a hyperbaric chamber was procured for the Ministry of Health, but prudent divers should confirm current operational readiness and referral pathways locally rather than assuming same-day chamber access. The safest approach is to dive conservatively, carry evacuation-capable insurance, and keep DAN's emergency number saved before your first dive. Bequia rewards good preparation more than bold profiles.

Water temperatures are usually comfortable year-round, commonly around 27°C to 29°C. Many snorkelers are happy in a rashguard, and plenty of divers use a rash vest or 3mm shorty for standard two-tank mornings. The choice comes down less to cold and more to exposure time, wind on the boat, and how chilled you get on repetitive days. If you are planning long snorkel sessions, freedive training, or several consecutive dive days, lightweight exposure protection is worth packing. A hooded vest is usually unnecessary unless you know you run cold or want extra sun protection.

Non-divers usually get the most rounded Bequia experience from January through April. That window combines drier weather, easier beach days, active harbor life, and the island's strongest event calendar. Late January to early February adds Bequia Music Festival energy, while March or April can bring Easter Regatta atmosphere and more sailing activity in Admiralty Bay. Travelers who prefer quieter streets and easier room availability may like May, June, or November instead. July through October can still be beautiful, but tropical weather becomes a bigger planning factor, especially if the itinerary depends on ferries, day sails, or east-side exploration.