Palm Island | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Palm Island is a private island resort located in the southern Grenadines, spanning approximately 55 hectares (135 acres). Situated 1.5 km east of Union Island, it functions primarily as an all-inclusive luxury destination and is accessible only by boat.1

Historical Timeline

Originally known as Prune Island, the land was low-lying, swampy, and infested with mosquitoes. In 1966, Americans John and Mary Caldwell leased the island from the government for $1 USD per year on the condition that they develop it into a resort.2 John Caldwell, nicknamed "Johnny Coconuts," hand-planted over 8,000 coconut palms to transform the swamp into a tropical oasis. The island was subsequently renamed Palm Island. It was acquired by Elite Island Resorts in 1999 and underwent significant restoration following the 2021 volcanic ash fall and the 2024 hurricane season.

Governance & Access

Private Ownership: The island is operated as a single-resort entity. Access for non-guests is generally restricted to the beach areas below the high-water mark, though day passes are sometimes available for visitors from Union Island.

Staffing: The island has no permanent local population; it is populated entirely by resort guests and staff who commute from Union Island and Mayreau.

Geography & Key Features

Beaches: The island is surrounded by five white-sand beaches: Casuarina Beach (the main stretch), Sunset Reach, Cactus Hill Beach, Sunrise Beach, and North Beach.

Cactus Hill: The highest point on the island, featuring a hiking trail that offers views of the Tobago Cays and Carriacou.

The Lagoon: A central interior water feature, a remnant of the original swamp reclaimed during the island's development.

Transportation Network

Sea: The primary arrival method is via a resort launch (private boat) from Clifton Harbour, Union Island ($8$–$10$ minutes).

Air: Guests fly into Union Island Airport (UNI) via scheduled flights from Barbados or Saint Vincent before transferring to the boat launch.

Local: There are no motorized vehicles for guests. Navigation is entirely by bicycle or on foot.

Ecology & Wildlife

Palm Island is a designated bird sanctuary.

Avifauna: Common sightings include the bananaquit, zenaida dove, and various species of hummingbirds.

Marine: The surrounding coral reefs are shallow and easily accessible from the shore, particularly at the north and east ends of the island.

Land Fauna: The island supports a large population of land iguanas and tortoises, which are protected by resort policy.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

High-speed Wi-Fi and 4G/5G signals (beamed from Union Island) cover the resort. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), but USD is the standard for the resort's internal accounting. Most transactions for guests are handled via a room-charge system.

Local Cost Index (USD)

Day Pass (When available): $150–$250 USD (Includes lunch and drinks)

Average Nightly Rate: $800–$1,500 USD (All-inclusive)

Facts & Legends

Legend says John Caldwell arrived on the island with nothing but a bag of coconuts and a machete, living in a tent for years while he manually cleared the swamp. A geographic fact: Palm Island is so low-lying that it is highly susceptible to storm surges; its survival depends entirely on the artificial sea-grape and palm barriers planted over the last 60 years. Historically, the island's transformation is cited as one of the most successful examples of private ecological "re-engineering" in the Caribbean.