Young Island Resort
Located across a narrow strait from St. Vincent, 35-acre Young Island features 29 private cottages, a spa, pool, tennis courts, watersports, and access to SCUBA diving.
Young Island Resort is five minutes by boat taxi from the main island of St. Vincent, and a few minutes from Kingstown. The island itself looks a little like the very top of a mountain just popping its head above the water. Cottages are nestled along the beach, into the hillside, and on the very top.
Accommodations at St. Vincent’s Young Island Cottages
Young Island Resort’s 29 cottages are divided into four categories. 19 “Superior” (the most basic category), then, in ascending order of luxury, 4 “Deluxe,” 5 “Luxury Suites” (each with a private plunge pool), and the ultra-luxe Duvernette Suite. The latter is a small house on the summit of the island, with two bedrooms, living and dining areas, a large patio with an eye-popping view, and a plunge pool big enough to swim in.
All of the cottages are differently decorated, showing a different facet of the airy, Caribbean style. Each includes slightly different amenities. For example: air-conditioning is only available in some units. Some cottages have private outdoor showers, some have private patios, some are situated a few steps from the beach; others are quite a hike up the steep hill (the reward is a spectacular view). Most are freestanding, but a few adjoin, making them convenient for families and groups. All are lovely, but ask for details when you book to best match your needs.
Of interest to movie buffs: Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed on St. Vincent, and some of the cast and crew stayed here. Tours to what’s left of the set can be booked through the front desk.
Dining at Young Island Resort
Meals are served in the open-air dining room or in shaded private dining cabanas by the water, surrounded by trees, flowers, and vines. The food features locally caught seafood, plenty of lobster, and — a signature item — several types of fluffy fresh-baked bread. Meals can be booked as part of an all-inclusive resort package, or can be purchased separately; There are also places to eat right across the strait, and taxis can be arranged to take guests into town.
Young Island Activities: SCUBA, Sailing, Swimming Pool, Spa
• St. Vincent’s two dive shops are both are a quick boat ride from Young Island. Dive St. Vincent is just across the strait, and offers unique “critter dives” which focus on creatures like sea horses ands sea snakes. Indigo Dive offers more standard reef diving, including the wonderful Kingstown Wrecks dive, which includes the scattered remains of an old slave ship.
• Sailing: The resort operates two 44-foot yachts, and a “Sailaway” package is available for guests wishing to overnight on the yacht. Trips can be arranged to the islands of Bequia and Mustique, with snorkeling included. Day trips are also available.
• Facilities: A lovely tree-lined swimming pool, a small spa, tennis courts, and some basic water craft are available to guests.
Young Island Resort Downsides
• Young Island’s beach is subject to shifting waves and weather. It was badly damaged in 2008 by a rogue wave from a hurricane. The waves picked the beach up and moved it down the island to a spot behind a private cottage, where most of the beach is inaccessible to anyone other than the cottage occupants. For vacationers whose dream of the ideal Caribbean getaway includes sitting on a beach, this probably isn’t the place to go – - at least until nature puts the beach back where it was.
• Some visitors complain about loud music occasionally coming across the strait until very late at night. This is not an everyday occurrence, but bring ear plugs just in case, or ask about rooms that might be less affected by the noise.