Union Island travel guide

Air

There are 5 main gateways for air services: St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, St Vincent and Martinique, while there are also 5-min flights from Canouan and Carriacou. Grenadine Airways has 3 flights a day from St Vincent, US$77 return, and 2 flights from Barbados, US$165 one way. SVG Air and Mustique Airways offer charters.

Boat

There is an international ferry service between Ashton and Hillsborough on Carriacou. The Jasper is a wooden fishing boat which makes the 1-hr trip to Hillsborough at 0730, Mon and Thu, US$10, returning same day around 1500. The captain takes you through immigration procedures, but you should check out at Immigration at Clifton Airport the night before. Expect to have your bags thoroughly searched on arrival at Customs and Immigration at Hillsborough. If coming from Carriacou to Union Island, get on the bus at Ashton and go to the airport for Immigration formalities. The SVG Water Taxi Association sets rates for water taxis. From a yacht in harbour to land is US$2 per person during the day and US$3 per person at night. Clifton to Ashton or Palm Island is US$30 for 3-4 people one way, Chatham Bay, Mayreau, PSV or Petite Martinique US$60.

Banks

The NCB is to your right as you come off the dock, Mon-Thu 0800-1300, Fri 0800-1300, 1500-1700, T4588347. There is a 24-hr ATM, but if it is broken try Erika’s.

Customs

Airport, T4588360; Seaport, T4588294, Mon-Fri 0830-1800.

Emergency

Fire, T999. Police, T4588229.

Internet

Erika’s Marine Services at the Bougainvilla complex, run by Heather Grant (Canadian), T4858335, VHF68, http://www.erikamarine.com, fast machines, EC$10/15 mins, Mon-Sat 0900-1730, also Sun 0900-1400 in season. Additional services include bicycle hire, laundry, book exchange, telephone, fax, computer rental, DHL, cash advances on Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard with 10% commission, currency exchange. Internet access at Western Union, upstairs on main street, Clifton, 4 terminals, some keyboards work better than others, EC$5/15 mins, Mon-Fri 0800-1630, Sun 0800-1200, or later if you are already on the machine, also phone calls, EC$7/min to Europe, EC$5 to North and South America, EC$3 to the Caribbean and EC$10 elsewhere. Union Island Communications Centre (Unicom), is opposite the main gates to the Anchorage by the airport, T4588660, EC$0.50/min or EC$25/hr. Phone calls can be made via cardphone at Anchorage Hotel, the airport or in town. USA direct operator can also be reached by dialling 1-800-8722881 and credit card calls or operator assisted calls can be made. Internet Café/Seaside Internet, Clifton, T4858082, internetcafe@ vincysurf.com, Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sun 0800-1200. ADSL connection, laptop hoop up, photocopying, local and international calls, cell phone rental, currency exchange and advances on credit cards.

Medical services

Hospital, T4588339; Harvey’s Pharmacy, T4588596; Doctor, T4588547/ 4588339.