Union Island is located in the St. Vincent and Grenadines island chain and is 42 miles northeast of St. Georges and 40 miles southwest of St. Vincent. Clifton Harbour is the main anchorage and yachting refuge on the island and is situated at its southeastern corner.

The earliest known inhabitants of Union Island were the Ciboney Indians, who arrived around 5000 BC. They lived in caves and ate fish and seashells. They were followed by the Arawaks. Soon, the Arawak people were then pushed northwards up the chain of Caribbean islands by a race of people coming from the Amazon Basin, the Caribs.

Columbus and the Spanish voyagers came after and made the Arawaks their slaves. However, the Spanish had no intention in colonizing Union Island or any other nearby island. They came to exploit minerals and wealth. St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada was the final stronghold of the Caribs Nation and thus the last settled by the Europeans.

Information Courtesy Union Island Tourism

The anchorage in Clifton Harbour is appraoched from the south. From the south, first keep an eye out for the Grand de Coi Reef south of the Clifton Harbour entrance, and then set a course for the twin openings just beyond Newlands Reef, which protects the harbor. Once inside grab a mooring or set the hook in 20- to 30-foot depths.

See our “Local Notices to Mariners” blog for updates on the latest conditions and advisories for this area.

St. Vincent and the Grendines Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Guide to Union Island