Petit Nevis Whaling Station
Petit Nevis
A small island south of Bequia with traces of a traditional whaling station. Bequia is one of the few places where the International Whaling Commission permits small-scale whaling by indigenous communities.
Bequia's whaling tradition dates back to 19th-century American whaling ships. Under International Whaling Commission authorisation, local people still hunt a very small number of humpback whales each year, using sail-and-oar boats and hand-thrown harpoons. After capture, the whale is cut up at the station on Petit Nevis. The island retains old boilers, slipways and tool remains. It can only be reached by boat, usually by sailboat or water taxi that stops there along the way. Visitors who are sensitive to whaling can view the island from the sea only, as there are no facilities on the island.
Opening hours
Boat access required; daytime
Nearby sights
- Friendship Bay
- Lower Bay
- Mount Pleasant
- Princess Margaret Beach
- Moonhole
- Fort Hamilton
- Port Elizabeth & Admiralty Bay
- Spring Bay & Industry Bay