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Mustique Island

Mustique's claim to fame is a relatively new development. The 1,400 acre island was developed by British and international investors in the early 1970s. Today, it operates as a private company, appropriately called The Mustique company, which overseas the infrastructure of the island for its shareholders, who obtain their piece of paradise in the Caribbean by building a villa on the island.

British royalty and famous celebrities put the island on the map with regular visits by Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Elton John, Tommy Hilfiger and others who villa owners and regular guests.

Any time of the year is wonderful here. There is no “out of season”, being far enough south to avoid hurricanes. Some of the best times to be here are the summer months of June through September, when all our beautiful flora is in full bloom. Mustique is essentially composed of seven valleys, each with a deserted white sand beach, fringed by palm and coconut trees surrounded by a series of coral reefs. Whilst famous for it’s ‘celebrity homeowners’ and visitors, it is truly an island paradise. One that will make you return again and again.

There is a fine stable of thoroughbred horses for that sunset gallop along the beach. Also wonderful hiking and nature trails, sailing, scuba diving, water sports and tennis. Most of all, unspoilt peace and tranquility. Mustique enjoys a warm climate with an average temperature range of 75- 80f (24 - 29c) throughout the year.

Beaches

• Macaroni Bay - The most popular beaches on the island, good swimming. Features a covered picnic area.
• Britannia Bay - Good snorkelling and swimming. This is the only anchorage for visiting yachts.
• Endeavour Bay - Good swimming and snorkelling.
• Gelliceaux Bay - A marine conservation area. Great snorkelling.
• L'Ansecoy Bay - Nice wide beach. Offshore lies the jutting hulk of the French liner Antilles, which went aground in 1971.
• Lagoon Bay - Small picturesque beach with good swimming.
  

History of Mustique Island

The Spanish sailors who first sighted the Grenadines in the late 15th century called them "Los Pajoros" - The Birds, because from the horizon they looked like tiny birds in flight. The less fanciful pirates, who in the 16th and 17th centuries hid their ships from enemies in the sheltered bays of these islands, called them The Grenadines. The English adopted the name when they invaded and took control during the reign of Charles I.

During the 18th century, Mustique, like other British territories, was heavily defended against the French. Three forts were built at strategic points: Liverpool, Percival, and Shandy. Their remains, including several cannon, can still be seen. Of the seven plantation houses the island was home to only the sugar mill at Endeavour and its "Cotton House" remain today. Now a luxury hotel, spa and restaurant.

In 1958, the island was purchased by the Honourable Colin Tennant. No jetty existed when Colin Tennant purchased Mustique. Herds of wild cattle and sheep roamed the Island. About 100 people lived in the dilapidated village of Cheltenham near the Cotton House. They worked a few fields of cotton, peas, and corn in a sharing arrangement with the Hazell family.

During the next few years, life improved on Tennant's private estate. In 1964, a new village called Lovell was created. By 1968, it supported a plantation of 250 acres of sea island cotton. New groves of coconut palms had been cultivated and limes, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and vegetables were being exported. The wild livestock was brought under control and a fishing industry prospered, largely worked by men from nearby Bequia. Mustique was nearly self-supporting.

Other than yachts, like the Royal Britannia, taking advantage of ideal sailing conditions, there were few visitors to Mustique, though word spread about its beauty. Princess Margaret accepted Colin Tenant's 10-acre plot of Mustique land as a wedding present in 1960.

In 1968, a change of policy opened Mustique to outsiders who were willing to preserve the Island's original character. An economic development agreement was entered into between the government of St.Vincent and The Mustique Company. The agreement covered a broad spectrum of innovative fiscal and social plans including strategies to encourage tourism and the building of private homes, but numbering no more than 140. The plan, which was renewed in amended form in 1989, transformed Mustique Island from a family estate into a community of people dedicated to maintaining and enhancing their shares of the land for generations to come.

In 1969, the airport was opened, the first new villas were built, and the Cotton House opened as an inn. The first villas and the Cotton House were designed by the British theatrical designer, Oliver Messel. Other improvements followed: a comprehensive road network, reliable electricity and communications, fresh water from a desalination plant, a well-equipped medical clinic, and convenient air transport services. Mustique has a clearly defined and well-maintained commercial area with shops, a beach bar and restaurant.

In spite of all the development, Mustique has retained its privacy and tranquility. Protecting the environment and the peaceful way of life is of paramount importance to all who live and vacation here. It is one of the cleanest and most secure places in the world.