This is the first in our series of articles about the islands that make up the Grenadines. Those island include:

Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, The Tobago Cays, Union Island, Petit Saint Vincent, and Palm Island which belong to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Carriacou and Petite Martinique which belong to Grenada.

Information on Carriacou and Petit Martinique may be found at our sister site .

As for some of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines islands:

Bequia (pron: bek-way, a Carib word meaning "Island of the Clouds") is the largest of the Saint Vincent grenadines. Located here is picturesque Admiralty Bay which is famous for its 17th Century pirates.

A short distance from Bequia is Mustique (only 3 miles long by 1 1/2 miles wide) which is about a 1 1/2 to 2-hour sail from St. Vincent (12 miles). Twenty five years ago, the island was completely uninhabited. Since then it has been gradually developed and become home to some of the world's most famous beachcombers. Part-time residents include those such as Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Raquel Welch, and Princess Margaret.

Canouan (pronounced can-ou-on) is 3-4 hours from St. Vincent (25 miles). This crescent-shaped island has become the caribbean vacation spot for the rich and famous with the development of world-class villas, golf course, resort, and casino by Donald Trump.

Mayreau (my-roe) has about also contains resort facilities and excellent lunches and night anchors with for fine dining ashore.

We'll be looking at the individual islands shortly, so check back soon for more on the "Jewels of the Caribbean".