Young Island Resort
saint vincent grenadines, saint vincent grenadines · ★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Young Island is the 35-acre private island 200 metres off the southern tip of St Vincent that operates as the only private-island resort accessible directly from the SVG mainland — a 90-second ferry crossing from the Young Island dock at Villa Beach, running on demand 24 hours a day. The 29 stone-and-wood cottages climb a steep tropical hillside above three small beaches, with the main pool, the open-sided dining pavilion and the Coconut Bar all on the flat ground near the jetty. Young Island has been the SVG mainland's honeymoon answer since 1965, and the property's calling card is its near-instant accessibility: rather than the 90-minute Mustique Airways or SVG Air hop from Barbados that PSV, Palm and Mustique all require, Young Island is a 5-minute drive from Argyle International Airport (SVD) and the ferry across is part of the welcome. For couples who want a private-island honeymoon at the lower price point and without the inter-island flight, Young Island is the southern Caribbean answer. The trade-off is that it sits in St Vincent's shadow rather than the dazzling open Grenadines water of PSV and Palm — the snorkel is fine, not extraordinary, and the focus is the cottage and the dining rather than reefs.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Want direct beach access
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
86/100
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At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Premium Beachfront Cottage 1 or 2 — toes-in-sand access on the small northern beach, four-poster bed, outdoor shower, the closest cottages to the main bar and pool. The Hillside Premium Cottages climb above the beach with private decks looking across to St Vincent's Buccament Bay and the sunset — the better view but a steep walk. The Garden Cottages (most affordable) sit lower in the foliage with less view but easy access. Book 3 to 5 months ahead for peak.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $750/nt) | $5,250 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $4,200 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $756 |
| Total estimated | $13,206 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Direct to St Vincent & Ferry Crossing
Argyle International Airport (SVD) on St Vincent opened in 2017 and now receives direct flights from Toronto (Air Canada Rouge), Miami (American), New York JFK (Caribbean Airlines via BGI) and London Gatwick (Virgin via BGI). The 5-minute road transfer takes you to the Young Island dock at Villa Beach, then the 90-second wooden launch crossing to the island. Welcome rum punch at the Coconut Bar, settle into the cottage, dinner at the open-sided main dining pavilion.
Beach, Pool & La Soufrière View
Morning at the small northern beach with snorkel gear from the resort. Walk the perimeter trail of the island (40 minutes) for the views across to the St Vincent mainland and the volcano La Soufrière looming over the north of the island. Lunch at the Coconut Bar, afternoon at the freshwater pool, dinner at the cottage by room service overlooking the channel lights.
Day Trip to St Vincent Volcano
Cross to the SVG mainland on the resort ferry, hire a driver for the morning, and visit the Botanical Gardens in Kingstown (the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, founded 1765, with the breadfruit tree descended from Captain Bligh's HMS Bounty cargo). For the active, the La Soufrière volcano hike from the windward side is a 6-hour day with a guide — the volcano erupted in 2021 and the trail to the crater rim is dramatic. Return to Young Island for dinner.
Bequia Day Sail
Bequia is the largest of the Grenadines after St Vincent and is the day-sail standard from Young Island — a 1-hour ferry or 90-minute catamaran ride south. Lunch at Mac's Pizzeria above Admiralty Bay (an institution), walk Princess Margaret Beach, visit Sargeant Brothers Model Boat workshop. Return to Young Island for sunset.
Spa Day & Falls of Baleine
Morning at the Young Island spa — small treatment cottages with the signature coconut and nutmeg ritual. Afternoon by boat to the Falls of Baleine on St Vincent's leeward coast — a 60-foot waterfall accessible only by sea, with a swim in the freshwater pool below the falls. Return for cocktails at the Coconut Bar.
Tobago Cays Sail (Long Day)
A long-day option: a full-day catamaran sail south to the Tobago Cays, the protected marine park with resident sea turtles. The sail from Young Island is 3 hours each way, so the day starts at 7am and returns at 6pm. This is the only day trip that gives Young Island couples the Tobago Cays experience without changing hotels. The alternative is to skip it and book a 2-night Palm Island add-on at the end.
Final Morning & Departure
Last breakfast on the cottage deck, a final swim, and the 90-second ferry back to Villa Beach. The 5-minute road transfer to Argyle SVD. International departures connect through Barbados, Miami, JFK or Toronto.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Young Island's beach access is real but modest — three small beaches that are best for swimming and sun, not long sand walks. Couples wanting half-mile beach crescents should target Palm Island or Mustique's Macaroni.
The snorkel near Young Island is fine but not the open-reef quality of the Tobago Cays. Snorkelers should plan a day sail south to Bequia or the Cays.
The hillside cottages are reached by stone steps cut into the slope — beautiful but steep. Couples with mobility issues should request a flat-access cottage (Garden category) at booking.
Young Island operates year-round but September is the peak hurricane risk and a slow month — many St Vincent restaurants close. Mid-December to April and the May-June shoulder are the strong windows.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon inquiry — Young Island Resort Dear Young Island team, We are planning our honeymoon [DATE]-[DATE] and would like a Premium Beachfront Cottage (1 or 2). Please advise on availability, current rates and meal plans, Argyle (SVD) transfer logistics, and a Tobago Cays full-day sail booking. Thank you, [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Good for honeymooners?
Young Island is a strong honeymoon choice for couples who want the SVG private-island experience without the inter-island flight to the southern Grenadines. The 29-cottage scale is intimate, the ferry crossing from the mainland is part of the romance, and the cottages with outdoor showers and four-poster beds are well-equipped for couples. The trade-off versus PSV or Palm is the snorkel quality and the absence of the wider open-channel water.
Young Island or Palm Island?
Palm Island is further south in the Grenadines proper, adults-only, all-inclusive, and surrounded by open Caribbean water with much better snorkel and the Tobago Cays a short sail away. Young Island is mainland-adjacent, mixed-age, room-only or full-board, and far more accessible from international airports. Honeymooners wanting the apex private-island geography pick Palm; those wanting access and a lower price point pick Young Island.
Best time to visit?
Mid-December through April is peak dry season. May and June are excellent shoulder months. September is peak hurricane season and most local restaurants close — avoid. Christmas and New Year book 3 to 5 months ahead.
Best cottage?
Premium Beachfront 1 or 2 are the standard honeymoon picks — toes-in-sand access, easy walk to the bar. Hillside Premium cottages have better sunset views but a steep climb. Garden Cottages are the most affordable. Book 3 to 5 months ahead in peak.
Adults-only?
Young Island is not adults-only and welcomes families, though the small footprint and steep-hillside layout skew adult in practice. For strict adults-only at a similar price point in SVG, Palm Island is the alternative.
How to get there?
Argyle International Airport (SVD) on St Vincent has direct flights from Toronto (Air Canada), Miami (American Airlines), JFK (Caribbean Airlines via BGI) and seasonal LGW (Virgin via BGI). A 5-minute road transfer reaches Villa Beach and the Young Island dock; the 90-second ferry runs on demand 24/7.
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