Union Island
Union Island is part of the Caribbean arc and is located West of Barbados and North of Grenada.
It belongs to the Grenadines archipelago which is part of the island nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The language spoken is English and the currency used is the EC$ (Eastern Caribbean Dollar).
With close to 3 000 residents, Union Island is 3 miles long and approximately 1 mile wide, but its landscape and hills make the island look much bigger in size.
The geographic location of Union Island makes it one of the most spectacular Caribbean Islands as it is surrounded by the beautiful Tobago Cays Marine Park and several other stunning private island resorts like Palm Island and Petit St Vincent.
The main town is Clifton where most of the businesses and hotels are located. Ashton is the second town of Union Island.
On July 1, 2024, Hurricane Beryl caused severe damage to Union Island’s homes, businesses, boats and infrastructure. Today, Union Island is back and ready to welcome visitors. The airport has fully reopened and is operating normally, most homes have been repaired, and the beaches and attractions are back to normal for visitors. Many small restaurants have reopened, alongside new places to eat and spend time with friends.
The island has long been a favourite anchor spot for sailboats cruising the Caribbean and is now becoming a top tourist destination thanks to the development of the Kitesurfing activity introduced by the JT Pro Center Kitesurfing School located on “Kite Beach” in Clifton.
There are several charming bars and restaurants and a lot of attractions to keep you busy during your stay on the island.
Currency
The currency used in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the EC$. It is the same currency as other Caribbean islands but different than that used in Barbados.
US$1 = EC$2.70 (official fixed rate; exchange fees may apply)
The euro exchange rate varies. Check the current rate before exchanging money.
Most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards but smaller businesses will only accept cash. The US$ are widely accepted.
Bank & ATM
There is a bank on Union Island located in Clifton where you can exchange currency providing your passport. There is also one ATM working every day but often empty on week-ends or Holidays.
Weather
The weather on Union Island is very nice. Being such a small island, Union benefits from a micro climate and sees very little rain. The weather is warm year-round, but temperatures, rainfall and sea conditions vary with the season.
Seasons
From December to June the dry season is characterized by long droughts and stronger trade winds. From June to December the wet season sees a little bit more rain, lower trade winds and beautiful clear weather.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Union Island has welcomed visitors back after Hurricane Beryl, with a fully reopened airport, restaurants and accommodation ready for guests, and beaches and attractions back to normal. Check your flight or ferry times and the weather forecast when planning your trip.
Getting Here
Getting to Union Island is easiest with a little planning.
Fastest route: through Barbados (BGI)
Most guests fly first to Barbados, then take a short SVG Air flight directly to Union Island. Check the inter-island flight before booking your main international flight, because small-airline schedules and seat availability can change.
Alternative route: through St. Vincent (AIA)
You can also fly to St. Vincent, overnight near the airport if needed, then continue to Union Island the next morning with SVG Air or by local ferry. The flight is the faster option; the ferry is usually cheaper but takes much longer.
More info is available on the JT Pro Center detailed Travel Page.
Map of Union Island
Going around Union Island is a great way to discover the full beauty of the place. You can choose to go on a fun taxi tour, rent a bicycle or simply walk around if you’re ready for a nice long walk. Find out about the island tours on our Activity page.
Check out Jeremie Tronet’s 2 min video of him driving around the island with his motorbike.
Useful locations and emergency numbers
These are practical Union Island locations visitors often need once they arrive: emergency numbers, hospital, airport, bank, SIM card, groceries, local food and the kite spot.
Emergency and medical
Police station: +1 784 526 3421
Union Island Hospital: +1 784 458 8339
Open hospital on Google Maps
SVG Air Union Island Airport: +1 784 458 8882
Money, phone and arrivals
Bank / ATM: useful for cash and local banking in Clifton.
Open bank / ATM on Google Maps
Digicel: phone provider for buying a local SIM card.
Open Digicel on Google Maps
Kite spot: main JT Pro Center kite area on Union Island.
Open kite spot on Google Maps
Golf cart and motorcycle rentals: contact us if you need help renting a golf cart, scooter or motorcycle on Union Island. We can help organize it directly for your stay.
Groceries and essentials
David Shop, Ashton: small supermarket open every day from about 7am to 10pm, with a good selection for essentials. Turn right when coming off the dirt road.
Power Supermarket: located next to the fruit market, in front of the old bank location, and useful for extra groceries and essentials in Clifton.
Local market and bakery
Fruit Market: useful for fresh fruit and local produce in Clifton.
New local bakery: cheap bakery items and snacks in the back village, open every day including Sunday all day.
Food and sunset stops
Bougainvilla, Just Right, Sparrows, D-Swing, Sherise, Thompson Island and Happy Island are listed with notes and Google Maps links on the Eat & Dance page.
Choosing the right area
Clifton
Clifton is the easiest area to stay on Union Island, especially for restaurants, shops, taxis, the harbor, airport access, boat trips and everyday services.
Ashton
Ashton is the second local town on Union Island and a very nice little local town for visitors who want to experience fun local life.
Ashton is located next to one of the kitesurfing spots, but that spot is only accessible by boat. It is also a little further away and can feel a bit far if you plan on coming mainly to kitesurf every day.
Kite Beach and quiet beach areas
Kite Beach works best for guests focused on kitesurfing, while Chatham Bay, Big Sand and other beach areas suit slower days, views and quiet beach time.
What to do & Where to stay
Union Island has a lot to offer; staying on the island will make you feel like you are part of the local community.
You can spend the morning at Kite Beach, have lunch in Clifton and take a boat trip to a nearby island. Small guesthouses, local restaurants and independent boat operators are part of everyday life here.
Union Island is the gateway to the Tobago Cays Marine Park located only a few miles away from Clifton.
It has also become a world renowned Kitesurfing spot with the development of one of the best Kitesurfing schools in the world, the JT Pro Center.
There are also various activities to keep you busy during your stay on the island as well as several gorgeous beaches to relax on and enjoy the scenery.
For lunch and dinner we have listed all the new, up and coming places for different budgets.
We can help you find a room, suite or villa that suits your dates and the way you want to spend your holiday.
Attractions
Find here everything there is to do on Union Island to keep you busy during your holiday on the island. You can take a cruise to the magnificent Tobago Cays, try out Kitesurfing Lessons, explore the island or simply relax on one of the various beaches.
Hotels & Villas
Finding the right place to stay is a very important part of your holiday. We have listed some of the best accommodation options available on the island for all types of budgets from the local guest house to the Private Villas and Hotels.
Beaches of Union
Union Island is surrounded by several beautiful beaches. Enjoy watching the Kites at Kite Beach relaxing by the Beach Bar, have a wonderful lunch at Big Sand’s white sand beach and end your day having a drink watching the sunset in Chatham Bay.
Union Island today
Union Island is still the small, beautiful Southern Grenadines island visitors remember, with Kite Beach, Clifton, Chatham Bay, Big Sand, Tobago Cays trips and local businesses at the center of a good stay.
Union Island is ready for visitors again after Hurricane Beryl. Staying locally, eating at the island’s restaurants and booking local boat trips or taxi tours directly support the families and small businesses that make a holiday here special.
Accommodation
Looking for rooms, suites, hotels or villas on Union Island? Start with the accommodation guide and ask what is available for your dates.
Mer et Sel
Mer et Sel Suites and Mer et Sel Luxury Villa are two different options for guests who want comfort, views and easy access to Clifton and Kite Beach.
Beryl Recovery
Read the latest visitor update on the reopened airport, repaired homes, restaurants and beaches, alongside the story of the local relief work after Hurricane Beryl.