The Grenadines/Bequia Boat Building

The old Bequia boat building tradition is still alive and well on the south side of the island. This is where you can also find a whaling village. The people here have been granted aboriginal whaling rights and are legally allowed to catch two humpback whales each year, using their traditional boats and harpoons.

The typical Bequia whaling boat is around 8 meters long and a double-ender, with prow and stern both pointed. In Bequia, these boats are still handmade - either in full size or as a model from the wood of a local gum tree.

In 1860, "Old Bill" Wallace sailed the prototype of this highly maneuverable whaling boat from New England to Bequia - and brought the whaling tradition to his home island.