Grace Bay’s resort towers cast shadows over $600-a-night rooms while cruise ships dump thousands of day-trippers onto what was once pristine sand. Meanwhile, 700 miles south, Princess Margaret Bay on Bequia Island offers the same turquoise Caribbean waters and coral reefs at half the price, without the crowds or concrete jungle. This overlooked bay delivers what Grace Bay promised before development changed everything.
Why Grace Bay costs too much for what you get
Grace Bay’s 3-mile stretch now bristles with high-rise resorts charging $400-600 per night for standard rooms. The Grace Bay Club demands $1,022-$9,711 nightly, while estate residences start at $3,525. These towers block natural light and funnel guests onto overcrowded sand.
Reef access requires expensive boat tours costing $80-120 per person. What locals once reached by swimming now demands scheduled excursions and group bookings. The beach clubs charge day passes while restaurants serve $35-50 meals that would cost $15 elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Cruise ships regularly disgorge passengers onto Grace Bay’s shore. The protected Princess Alexandra National Park status can’t prevent the human tide that transforms peaceful mornings into theme park afternoons.
Meet Princess Margaret Bay
The reef from shore
Princess Margaret Bay’s coral reef lies 50 yards from the beach, accessible by swimming or snorkeling without boat fees. Hawksbill turtles glide through elkhorn coral gardens while parrotfish graze on algae-covered rocks. The water clarity matches Grace Bay’s best days, year-round.
Local dive shops report 80% coral coverage compared to Grace Bay’s 60% after recent bleaching events. The reef fish diversity includes 200+ species in water temperatures staying between 79-82°F from December through April.
Price reality
Princess Margaret Beach Villas charge $250-450 per night for beachfront accommodations. Guesthouses and Airbnbs start at $70-120, offering the same turquoise views without resort fees or mandatory meal plans.
Local restaurants serve lobster dinners for $20-40 while beachside bars pour rum punches for $8. The 45-minute ferry from St. Vincent costs $25 roundtrip, less than Grace Bay’s airport transfers. Grace Bay charges $600 while Anguilla’s empty crescent costs half for the same water, but Princess Margaret Bay beats both on value.
The Bequia experience Grace Bay can’t buy
Small island authenticity
Bequia’s 5,200 residents live normal Caribbean lives around tourism rather than depending entirely on it. Fishermen still launch handmade boats at dawn while children walk to school past coconut palms, not resort security gates.
The island’s boat-building tradition continues at Sargeant Brothers shipyard, where craftsmen shape hulls using techniques passed down for 150 years. This shallow lagoon lets you wade to a private island in December, but Bequia’s culture runs deeper than seasonal attractions.
The annual Easter Regatta in April draws sailing enthusiasts from across the Caribbean, creating genuine festival atmosphere rather than manufactured resort entertainment.
The beach itself
Princess Margaret Beach stretches 700 meters of silky golden sand between palm groves and turquoise water. Natural shade eliminates the need for rental umbrellas while gentle waves provide perfect swimming conditions for families.
Jack’s Beach Bar serves fresh fish and local specialties without the corporate polish that sterilizes Grace Bay’s dining scene. A boat ride filters crowds where 3 kilometers of white sand stays empty, and Princess Margaret Bay’s ferry requirement naturally limits visitor numbers.
Practical comparison
Reaching Bequia requires flying to Argyle International Airport on St. Vincent, then taking the 45-minute ferry to Port Elizabeth. Grace Bay offers direct flights to Providenciales, saving 2-3 hours of travel time but costing significantly more.
Both destinations peak from December through April with water temperatures around 80°F and minimal rainfall. Princess Margaret Bay sacrifices resort amenities like spas and golf courses but gains authentic Caribbean culture and dramatic cost savings.
Visitors trade convenience for authenticity, arriving to find what Grace Bay offered 20 years ago: pristine reefs, uncrowded beaches, and reasonable prices. Eight turtle moments at dawn when Martinique’s cove stays empty and wild describes similar experiences available throughout the Grenadines.
Your questions about Princess Margaret Bay answered
How much does accommodation really cost in December?
Princess Margaret Beach Villas charge $250-450 per night during peak season, while local guesthouses offer rooms from $70-120. All-inclusive packages aren’t common, but villa rentals often include kitchens for self-catering, reducing dining costs significantly.
Is the snorkeling really as good as Grace Bay?
Princess Margaret Bay’s reef sits closer to shore with higher coral coverage (80% vs 60%) and more diverse fish populations. Water clarity equals Grace Bay’s best conditions while turtle sightings occur daily rather than occasionally.
What’s the biggest difference from Grace Bay?
Princess Margaret Bay offers the same natural beauty with authentic Caribbean culture and half the cost. Visitors sacrifice resort convenience but gain genuine island experiences, uncrowded beaches, and meaningful interactions with local residents who’ve lived here for generations.
Dawn breaks over Princess Margaret Bay as fishing boats return with the night’s catch, their painted hulls bright against turquoise water. No cruise ship horns disturb the pelican calls or palm fronds rustling in trade winds that have blown unchanged for centuries.