Sailing Week 2026 launched on Bequia

A packed programme from March 29 to April 6, is on the cards for the 2026 St Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Week.

Ahead of what is anticipated to be an exhilarating nine days where St Vincent and the Grenadines will blend sports with Tourism and culture whilst maximizing the economic spin-offs, an official launch of the week was held last Monday, January 12, 2026 at the Plantation House Hotel in Bequia.

The SVG Sailing Week thus gets going on March 29, with the Junior Sailing events on mainland St Vincent.

Focus shifts to the Southern Grenadines on April 1, with the hosting of the International race from Canouan to Bequia.

Then, from April 2 to 5, Bequia takes center stage as the Multi Yacht races as well as the Traditional Double Enders, the Coconut Boat races, and the Junior Sailing showcase races are held.

The event closes off on April 6, in Bequia. The nine days of activities will be interspersed with cultural on-shore events on Canouan and Bequia.

Executive Officer of the SVG Tourism Authority, Annette Mark, whose entity spearheads Sailing Week, gave an insight into the objectives.

“The SVG Sailing Week is far more than a sporting competition; it is a strategic tourism development platform that plays a vital role in strengthening and revitalising our yachting and marine tourism sector,” Mark outlined.

She also underscored that the Sailing Week is part of a wider Tourism thrust.

“This event ,and others like it, will continue to attract regional and international visitors at a time when increased activity is especially important, helping to extend the tourism season and spread economic benefits more evenly throughout the year.”

Joining Mark to elaborate was Dr Kishore Shallow, Minister of Tourism and Maritime Affairs, who noted that Sailing Week is part of the country’s heritage.

“It is a celebration of our maritime heritage, our natural beauty and a growing reputation as one of the most desirable Sailing destinations in the Caribbean and increasingly in the world. It is fitting today that Sailing continues to be a powerful part of our national story,” Shallow stated.

The Tourism Minister also spoke of the economic opportunities the Week offers.

“SVG Sailing Week represents something extremely critical to us- opportunity. Opportunity for Sports Tourism. It is something that we are placing high on our priority list. Opportunity for local businesses; opportunities for our young people to see pathways in Marine, Sports, Hospitality, Event Management,” the minister noted.

Looking ahead at the potential and prospects of the annual event Shallow said, “Give us couple years and I guarantee you we are going to be one of the better, if not the best, sailing events in this part of the world”.

Apart from Mark and Shallow, Prime Minister Dr Godwin Friday, as well as Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and Creative Industries, Kaschaka Cupid, provided other government perspectives on Sailing Week.

Representatives of the current sponsors and partners also made brief remarks, lauding the impact that Sailing Week will have on the Vincentian economic, sporting and tourism landscape.

Also, organisers of the on shore activities on Bequia highlighted some of the planned events that will greet the eyes and ears of the thousands expected to be part of SVG Sailing Week, 2026.