Introducing Canouan Island, the Caribbean gem which has long been a well–kept secret among billionaires, high–profile politicians, and A–list celebrities alike. With its own private airport, a selection of luxurious five–star hotels, and a marina worth a staggering $250 million, it is widely regarded as the most exclusive island in the entire Caribbean archipelago.
Nestled in the heart of the Grenadines, lies Canouan — a 3.2 square mile island that can be reached by a 40–minute plane ride from Barbados. While neighbouring islands like Mustique, Bequia, and St. Vincent have been popular destinations for years, they tend to be crowded with yachts dotting the marinas. In contrast, Canouan has remained relatively unknown, despite having the most advanced and well–equipped marina in the Grenadines. It speaks to the island’s history, which was previously used as a hideout for pirates and as a hub to escape the Caribbean slave trade.
Today, Canouan continues to be a favoured escape, but for an entirely different reason — for billionaires to seek respite from the relentless paparazzi and as an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The attraction of the island is not necessarily shopping, nightlife, or high–rise resorts, but rather stretches of empty roads that reveal picturesque views of the ocean at every turn. The island’s charm doesn’t stop there. It is also home to an abundant turtle population that roam freely, adding to the island’s allure.
How to get there
As it’s a relatively secluded island, transport options are rather limited. The only way to travel to Canouan is by private jet or yacht, which has earned it its reputation as the “billionaires’ island”. The Sandy Lane Yacht Club and Residences is a superyacht marina developed by billionaire Dermot Desmond, offering 120 berths for yachts and mega yachts looking to dock on the island. With only one airport, the impressive 6,000–foot runway allows for private planes, such as the Boeing 737, to land directly on the island.
Where to stay
Despite recent developments of hotels and luxury villas, Canouan has kept its rural charm intact. There are no large resort chains or two–story buildings polluting the skyline. When it comes to accommodation, the island has really stood by the saying “quality over quantity” and only offers five–star hotels. These include the following:
MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Known as the most exclusive hotel in the Caribbean, the Mandarin Oriental Canouan is home to stunning views of Godahl Beach, 26 marble–lined suites, and seven penthouses. It is worth noting that the resort’s room sizes start at a whopping 1,300 sq ft and come with a private butler. Additional noteworthy services include the property’s private plane offering, private beach access, and a state–of–the–art spa that allows guests to book ultra–private, over–the–water spa treatments in bungalows located at sea.
SOHO BEACH HOUSE
Set on the western side of Grand Bay Beach, the hotel offers 40 bungalow–style rooms, a restaurant, a deli, a quaint boutique, and a fitness studio. It is also the only Soho House in the world that does not require you to be an annual member — all you need to do is purchase the “Soho–house friend” pass.
Dining options
To put it quite simply, Canouan is a paradise for seafood enthusiasts. Most restaurants on the island offer freshly caught dishes that are perfect for savouring on the day. One restaurant that stands out is L’Ance Guyac, which is located on a stunning secluded shore on the eastern side of the island. It offers a variety of delectable dishes, including jumbo crab appetizers, locally grown mangoes, and fresh–caught tuna tataki.
If you prefer a more relaxed dining experience, we suggest checking out Shenanigans Beach Club. It has an all–day international menu that caters to every palate, with options such as fish tacos, homemade pizzas, and ribeye steak. For those looking to end their evening with a selection of thirst–quenching beverages, Scuffy’s bar at Sandy Lane’s Yacht Club is highly recommended — it’s also a great social hub for visitors on the island.
What to do
Should you tire of relaxing on your sunbed, the island has several land and water–based activities for you to try. These include:
Tobago Cays Marine Park
A favoured activity for both locals and visitors. The catamaran cruise to Tobago Cays Marine Park is not only picturesque, you also get the chance to spot and swim with exotic marine life, ranging from sea turtles to conchs and lobsters.
Mount Royal
If you’re looking to get in some exercise, you can take a challenging hike to Mount Royal, the highest peak on the island standing at 877 feet. A hike up the steep single track through the thick forest entails not only physical exercise, but the chance to spot some the island’s many exotic wildlife, such as hummingbirds, land turtles and tree–climbing hermit crabs.
Canouan Estate golf course
Designed by Jim Fazio, an award–winning golf course designer with over 40 years and 100 golf courses to his name, the Canouan Estate course is the island’s centrepiece and is dubbed as one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean. The 18–hole course is located on dramatic sloping hills by the water’s edge, offering panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea at every hole. That said, holes 12, 13, 14, and 15 are undoubtedly the most scenic and challenging, as they sit on the top of a ridge and have a spectacular view of the neighbouring Grenadine islands. Additionally, at 305 yards, hole 16 offers one of the longest par–3s in the world.
Canouan’s allure has captured the hearts of renowned celebrities like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cindy Crawford, and billionaire Jeff Bezos. With such high–profile visitors, it’s clear that this hidden gem has something truly spectacular to offer. As for us, we recommend a visit before the island is no longer a secret.
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