Quick Facts: Port: Ashton, Union Island | Country: St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Terminal: Ashton Anchorage / Clifton Harbour (most calls use Clifton) | Tender: Yes, most cruise ships anchor offshore and tender in | Distance to Clifton town center: ~0.5 miles from Ashton, ~3 miles from Clifton | Time zone: UTC-4 (AST, no daylight saving)
Union Island is the southernmost inhabited island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, sitting just 40 miles north of Grenada and serving as a gateway to the Tobago Cays. The single most important planning tip: confirm whether your ship tenders into Ashton or Clifton — they’re on opposite ends of the island, and your day plan changes completely depending on the answer.
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Port & Terminal Information
Most cruise ships calling Union Island drop anchor in Ashton Harbour or Clifton Harbour, with tenders ferrying passengers ashore. Ashton is the quieter of the two; Clifton is the main town, with more amenities. Check your ship’s daily newsletter the night before — some smaller expedition ships dock at the small Clifton pier directly.
Terminal facilities are minimal by Caribbean standards. There’s a small welcome shed near the Ashton jetty with basic tourist info, but no ATMs dockside, no luggage storage, and no reliable Wi-Fi at the landing. The nearest ATM is in Clifton at the First Caribbean branch on Main Street. Find your landing point on Google Maps before you go ashore to orient yourself.
Tender operations typically run every 30–45 minutes. Factor that into your return time — missing the last tender is a very expensive problem on a tiny island with limited accommodation.
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Getting to the City
- On Foot — Ashton village is immediately walkable from the tender jetty (5-minute walk). Clifton is 3 miles from Ashton along a mostly flat coastal road — doable in under an hour if you enjoy walking, but the heat and humidity make a taxi smarter.
- Taxi — Shared taxis (minivans) run Ashton–Clifton for roughly EC$5–8 (about USD $2–3) per person. Private taxi from Ashton jetty to Clifton runs USD $10–15 one-way. Agree the fare before you get in — meters don’t exist here.
- Bus/Minibus — Informal minibuses cover the Ashton–Clifton route frequently during daylight hours. Flag one down on the main road; fare is EC$5. There’s no fixed schedule, but frequency is good before 3pm.
- Scooter/Bicycle Rental — A couple of operators near Clifton town rent scooters for around USD $40–50/day. The island’s roads are short and mostly paved — this is genuinely fun here. Ask at your tender jetty for current operators.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — Not available on Union Island.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth it specifically for Tobago Cays snorkelling. The logistics of reaching the Cays independently (water taxi + park fee + timing) are genuinely complex. For everything else on-island, you don’t need the ship’s help.
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Top Things to Do in Union Island, Ashton
Union Island punches well above its size — roughly 3 square miles — with world-class kitesurfing, reef snorkelling, and one of the best day-trip launchpads in the Eastern Caribbean. Here’s how to spend your time.
Must-See
1. Clifton Town & the Grenadines Waterfront (free) — The main drag along Clifton’s waterfront is lined with wooden trading boats, colourful rum shops, and the island’s iconic backdrop of jagged peaks. Spend 30–45 minutes just walking it, soaking in the working Caribbean harbour atmosphere. This is not a tourist-polished scene — it’s real. 30–45 minutes.
2. Union Island Tourism Office Orientation (free) — The small tourism office on Clifton’s main street hands out trail maps and can connect you with licensed guides on the spot. Better intel than any app. 15 minutes.
Beaches & Nature
3. Chatham Bay (free) — A remote, crescent-shaped bay on the island’s west coast with no road access — you reach it by water taxi (USD $20–30 round trip) or on foot over the ridge. It’s one of the most pristine anchorages in the Grenadines, ringed by sea grape trees and almost no development. 2–3 hours.
4. Guided Hike from Chatham Bay to Mt. Taboi (from USD $45) — This guided 4-hour hike takes you through tropical dry forest up to Union Island’s highest point, with panoramic views across the Grenadines all the way to Grenada on a clear day. One of the most underrated hikes in the Eastern Caribbean. Book ahead on Viator. 🎟 Book: Guided Hiking from Chatham Bay to Mt. Taboi 4 hours.
5. Big Sand Beach / Belmont Bay (free) — A windswept, largely uncrowded beach on the island’s northeast shore with strong kite-surfing winds and soft white sand. Watch the kiters or rent gear if you know what you’re doing. 1–2 hours.
6. Ashton Lagoon & Mangroves (free) — The lagoon behind Ashton village is a protected marine area with mangrove channels worth exploring by kayak. Ask locally about kayak rentals — a handful of operators offer 1–2 hour paddles for around USD $20–30. 1–2 hours.
Day Trips
7. Tobago Cays Marine Park (park fee: USD $10 per person) — This is the non-negotiable day trip from Union Island. Five uninhabited islands surrounded by a horseshoe reef teeming with hawksbill turtles, nurse sharks, eagle rays, and coral so dense it looks fake. Water taxis from Clifton run USD $60–80 round-trip including snorkel gear. Check GetYourGuide for guided snorkel tours that handle the logistics for you. 3–4 hours.
8. Palm Island (day pass: ~USD $50, includes beach access & lunch) — A private island resort 1.5 miles from Union Island, reachable by water taxi in 10 minutes. The beach is immaculate and the day pass keeps it relaxed. Great option if Tobago Cays feels like too much for your group. 2–4 hours.
9. Mayreau Island (free to visit) — Tiny Mayreau (population ~250) is a 20-minute water taxi ride and feels like the Caribbean of 40 years ago. The hilltop Catholic church views are extraordinary. Combine with Tobago Cays if you have a full day. 2–3 hours.
Family Picks
10. Snorkelling off Clifton Reef (USD $15–25 with gear rental) — A shallow, accessible reef just off Clifton Harbour with sea turtles that locals know and can guide you to. Easy for kids, manageable entry from the beach. 1–1.5 hours.
11. Kitesurfing Lesson at Kitesurf School Union Island (from ~USD $120 for 2-hour intro) — Union Island is one of the top kite destinations in the Caribbean. Beginners are genuinely welcome. Find operators on Viator. 🎟 Book: Guided Hiking from Chatham Bay to Mt. Taboi 2 hours.
Off the Beaten Track
12. Mt. Taboi Summit Solo Trail (free) — For experienced hikers, the marked trail up Mt. Taboi (999 feet) starts near Clifton and takes about 2 hours round-trip. No guide required if you’re fit and bring water, but the guided version on Viator adds historical and ecological context that’s worth the fee. 🎟 Book: Guided Hiking from Chatham Bay to Mt. Taboi 2 hours.
13. Ashton Village Rum Shops (free to wander) — The handful of local rum shops around Ashton are where fishermen and boat workers end their day. Pull up a stool, order a Hairoun beer (EC$5) or a rum punch (EC$8–12), and have one of the most genuine conversations of your cruise. 30–60 minutes.
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What to Eat & Drink
Union Island’s food scene is small, local, and excellent if you know where to look — think fresh-caught kingfish, lobster landed that morning, and rotis stuffed with curried conch. Prices are low by Caribbean standards; you’re not competing with a resort markup here.
- Fried Flying Fish Sandwich — The local fast-food equivalent; found at roadside spots near the Clifton market for EC$8–15 (USD $3–6)
- Lobster at Anchorage Yacht Club — Clifton’s best-known restaurant, right on the water; lobster runs USD $35–50 depending on size
- Conch Roti — Pick one up at the small market stalls near Clifton dock for EC$15–20 (USD $5–8)
- Breadfruit & Saltfish — Local breakfast staple; ask for it at any rum shop opening up in the morning, usually EC$12–18
- Hairoun Beer — The national beer of SVG; cold and slightly sweet; EC$5–8 everywhere
- Fresh Coconut Water — Vendors near the tender jetty sell whole coconuts for EC$5–8; ideal in the heat
- Rum Punch at Lambi’s Restaurant, Clifton — Lambi’s is a casual local favourite with great punch and grilled fish; mains USD $15–25
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Shopping
Union Island is not a duty
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Union Island Grenadines, Ashton
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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