Called the 'Tahiti of the West Indies,' Union Island is a tiny volcanic jewel where kitesurfers skim turquoise shallows, sailors swap stories over rum punch, and the Tobago Cays wait just a short boat ride away.
Ships anchor in Clifton Harbour and tender passengers to the Clifton Jetty, right in the heart of the village.
💡 Pro move: Hurricane Beryl (July 2024) impacted the island. Infrastructure and services have largely recovered, but confirm availability of specific tours and restaurants before your call.
Union Island has no cruise pier — all ships tender to the public Clifton Jetty.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small ship & expedition lines | Clifton Harbour anchorage📍 | Tendered |
| Luxury yachts & charter vessels | Clifton Harbour marina📍 | Tendered |
Union Island is the jumping-off point for some of the finest marine experiences in the Eastern Caribbean.
The standout excursion from Union Island — a catamaran day sail to five uninhabited keys, swim with green sea turtles, snorkel pristine reefs, and relax on powdery sand. Book through your ship or hire a local charter at the jetty.
Find Tobago Cays tours →A man-made island built entirely from discarded conch shells by a local named Janti. Take a 2-minute water taxi from the jetty ($5 USD each way), sit on a barstool made of conch shells, and sip a rum punch while watching kitesurfers fly overhead.
Book a Clifton harbour tour →Union Island is one of the Caribbean's top kitesurfing spots. JT Pro Center on the north shore runs beginner lessons in a flat, shallow lagoon — ideal for first-timers. Even non-participants can relax at the beach bar.
Find kitesurfing lessons →Union Island's most secluded beach — a crescent of golden sand on the leeward west coast. Superb snorkeling directly from shore, frequent seahorse and turtle sightings, and a handful of simple beach shacks serving fresh catch. Best reached by water taxi from Clifton.
Book a Chatham Bay water taxi →A 15–20 minute uphill walk from the Clifton jetty takes you to the ruins of a 17th-century fort offering 360-degree views of the harbour, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, and Mayreau. Free and entirely walkable from the tender dock.
Find Union Island guided hikes →A 20–25 minute walk (or 5-minute taxi) from the jetty brings you to Richmond Bay's Big Sand Beach and Sparrow's Beach Club — sun loungers, a bar, and a restaurant serving French-Caribbean fusion on a beautiful protected white-sand shore.
Book Union Island beach club →Clifton is easily walkable; most beaches and viewpoints are a taxi or water taxi away.
From the tender jetty, walk the colorful single-street town past fruit stalls, boutiques, and the Anchorage Yacht Club. Catch local fishing boats loading up and yachts rocking in the harbour. End with a beer at the marina bar.
Head uphill from central Clifton to the old fort ruins above town. The 360-degree panorama takes in the harbour, surrounding Grenadine islands, and the open Caribbean — easily the best viewpoint accessible on foot from the tender dock.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Cruise tenders land directly at Clifton Jetty, placing passengers immediately in the heart of Clifton town. No secondary transport is needed to reach the waterfront area.
Taxis are scarce informal minivans or private cars; drivers often double as guides. Always agree on the full fare before departing — there are no meters and cash (EC dollars or USD) is expected.
Infrequent shared minibuses serve the island's limited road network. Primarily used by locals; availability for cruise passengers is unreliable.
Water taxis operate between Clifton Harbour and nearby islands such as Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent. Fares are negotiated on the dock; cash only.
Clifton town is very compact and easily walkable from the jetty. Shops, restaurants, and the beach are all within a short stroll of the tender landing.
Upcoming cruises that call at Union Island, Grenadines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.