Photograph: Social Laundry
The Village
Canouan is a small island where people know one another, and greet one another. Most islanders live in and around the village, on the west coast.
The village is where the ferries come in. About 1,700 people lived on Canouan at the 2012 census. In the village are a vegetable market, small shops, the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines with the island's only cash machine, and local bars and restaurants. Most village shops take cash.
People greet each other, even strangers: a 'good morning' or 'good afternoon' is expected and returned. English is the official language, and Vincentian Creole is spoken every day. Swimwear belongs on the beach rather than in the village shops.
Many of the people who run the villas, the Kids Club and the Estate come from Canouan and St Vincent, and some have been here for more than twenty years.
The Canouan Regatta is held at Whitsun, with boats from Bequia, Mayreau, Union and Carriacou, and since 2025 the Canouan Cup has been part of SVG Sailing Week. Canouan Carnival fills the end of July and early August.
Island cooking leans on the sea: fish from the reef and the open water, and lambis, the queen conch, in fritters, stews and salads. The national dish of St Vincent and the Grenadines is roasted breadfruit with fried jackfish.
The Village
Reservations team: +1 784 458 8000
or reservations@canouan.com
