Mustique is an island of the Grenadines and belongs to Saint Vincent.
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| Mustique | ||
| Parish | Grenadines | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 550 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 500   | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
The island is 5½ km long and 2½ km wide. At the north end of Britannia Bay is the only larger town Lovell. The highest point is Woods Hill at 151 m.
The first inhabitants of the island were Arawak and Carib Indians. Spanish sailors from the 15th century called the archipelago "Los Pajoros", the birds. From a distance they looked like little birds in flight. In the following decades they were used by pirates as a hideout.
English planters came to the island around 1740. They successfully planted sugar cane on the Aberdeen, Adelphi, Campbell Valley, East Lot, Endeavor, Old Plantation and Rutland plantations. The island was heavily fortified for fear of a French invasion. Cannons and remains of walls from the three complexes Liverpool, Percival and Shandy can still be seen today. After the drop in sugar prices, only the Endeavor sugar mill and warehouse remained of the island's seven plantations. In 1835 the land was divided into two plantations by the government in London. 30 years later, the Hazell family from Saint Vincent bought both plantations and united them. The island remained in the same ownership for almost 100 years. Cotton, beans, and corn were all grown at that time. In 1958 it was sold to the honorable Colin Tennant. About 100 people lived in the half-ruined town of Cheltenham at that time. Tennant’s plantation was a success, so in 1964 the new location Lovell was created. In the following years cotton was planted on 100 hectares, there was a coconut plantation, grapefruit, limes, oranges and vegetables were harvested, which were even exported.
The small island was initially only known to a few yachties. In 1960 Princess Margaret of England received a 2½ hectare parcel as a wedding gift from Colin Tennant.
In 1968 the Mustique Company was founded. A development program was agreed with the government. In 1969 a new airfield was handed over. Further developments were a road network, electricity and water supply and the clinic. Since 1968, over 100 million US dollars have been invested on the island. In 1976 the Mustique Company was sold to a consortium of shareholders. In 1988 the company passed into the ownership of the 55 current homeowners. Today the island consists of 100 villas, 72 of which are in a rental program. 17 different nations are represented in the ownership structure and around 1,300 people inhabit the island during the high season.
From the plantation period there are the remains of a sugar mill, slave accommodation and plantation houses.
In the 18th century the English defended them against the French. For this purpose they built three fortifications. At the end of the 1960s, the island became a holiday paradise for a select elite, among others the English royal family is a frequent guest here.
Cotton House, an 18th century plantation house, has been expanded into a unique vacation spot. The complex consists of several widely spaced stone houses, which are richly furnished with antiques. Everything is grouped around the old warehouse and the sugar mill. The swimming pool is on a hill with a wonderful panorama and there are even riding horses. The burned-out wreck of the French luxury liner “Antilles” lies 750 m north of Rosemary Point on the northern tip of the island. In January 1971 the ship ran into a reef at full speed that was not shown on any nautical chart. Ships came to the rescue from all the surrounding islands and all passengers were rescued.
beaches
- Britannia Bay, in the center of the west coast. Beach for swimming and diving. There are tall palm trees on the shore and there is always busy shipping traffic in the bay.
- Endeavor Bay, in the north of the west coast, at the Cotton House Hotel. Beach for swimming and diving.
- Gelliceaux Bay, on the southwest coast. Beach for swimming and diving. The bay is one of the ten marine protected areas of Saint Vincent.
- L’Ansecoy Bay. Wide sandy beach on the northern tip of the island. The wreck of the former French luxury liner Antilles has been lying off the coast since 1971.
- Lagoon Bay, at the southwest tip. Beach for swimming and diving.
- Macarony Bay. One of the most popular beaches on the east coast. There is a covered picnic area there.
- Pasture Bay, at the Eastcoast. A long curved bay with a fine sandy beach and crystal clear water.
getting there
By plane
- 1 Mustique Airport (IATA: MQS). Tel.: 488-8410 (Airport), 458-4380 (Mustique Airport Ltd.).
Runway 09/27, 2,300 feet, 760 m, asphalted.
By boat
There is a pier 50 meters long and 6 meters wide in Britannia Bay. The Mail Boat comes in from Kingstown on the way to Union Island and passes there on the way back. Tickets and exact times are available from Mustique Marine, Britannia Bay.
mobility
- Mustique Mechanical Services. Tel.: 488-8555. Cars cannot be rented on the island. There are only electric golf carts and scooters. A local driving permit is required to drive.Price: 40 EC dollars.
activities
Boat charter
- Mustique Company. Tel.: 488-8000, Fax: 488-9000.
Marina
- Mustique Moorings. VHF 16/68, 33 berths, anchorage is mandatory!Price: The mooring fee for one night is 40 EC $, for each additional night 20 EC $.
horse riding
- Mustique Equestrian Center. Tel.: 488-8316. Rides take place at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Diving / water sports
- Mustique Watersports. Tel.: 456-8486.
shop
- Across Forever, Britannia Bay. Keepsakes, gifts.
- Cotton House Boutique, Sugar Mill at the Cotton House. Souvenirs, ceramics, leather, jewelry.
- Fish Market, Britannia Bay. Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Sweetie Pie Bakery, Lovell. Bakery, international newspapers.
kitchen
- Basil’s Bar, The Raft Restaurant, Lovell. Tel.: 488-8350, Fax: 488-8825. Fish restaurant, expensive.
Cotton House restaurants
- Beach Café & Bar, at the beach. West Indian.Open: daily 12 noon - 3 p.m. 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., bar open all day.
- Verandah Restaurant & Bar. French, very expensive.Open: daily 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. 7.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m., bar open all day.
- Pool bar, next to the former mill.
accommodation
- Cotton House Hotel. Tel.: 456-4777, Fax: 456-5887. 20 cottages, gourmet restaurant, 2 bars, fresh water pool, souvenir shop, fitness room, conference room, motorcycle rental, 2 tennis courts, horse riding, beach, fishing, sailing, diving. The property was renovated in 2005.Characteristic: ★★★★.Price: In summer: single / double room and suites 880-1,115 US $, cottage 520 US $; in winter: single / double room and suites US $ 995-1,220, cottage US $ 615. Rental prices include breakfast and dinner, plus 10% service.
- Firefly Hotel, Britannia Bay. Tel.: 488-8414, Fax: 488-8514. 5 apartments, restaurant, cocktail bar, pool bar, pool, tennis, horse riding, beach, sailing, diving.Price: In summer: DR 850-1,100 US $; in winter: double room US $ 950-1,200. Rental rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus 10% service and 10% government taxes. From 7 nights free flight to Barbados.
health
Practical advice
inch
- Immigration and customs authorities. For sailors, the immigration and customs authorities are located at the airport. Ships with more than 25 people on board are not allowed to call at the island.
miscellaneous
- Mustique Company. Tel.: 488-8000, Fax: 488-9000. The postal service is carried out by the Mustique Company.Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
literature
Web links
- Basil’s, http://basils-mustique.com
- Cotton House, http://cottonhouse.net
- Firefly Hotel, http://mustiquefirefly.com
- Mustique Airways, http://mustique.com
- Tourist Information, http://mustique-island.com
