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Long renowned for their boatbuilding skills, Bequians have translated that craftsmanship to building model boats. In their workshops in Port Elizabeth, you can watch as hair-thin lines are attached to delicate sails or individual strips of wood are glued together for decking. Other Bequian artisans create scrimshaw, carve wood, throw pottery, crochet, or work with fabric—designing or hand-painting it first, then creating clothing and gift items for sale. Bequia's shops are mostly on Front Street and Belmont Walkway, its waterfront extension, just steps from the jetty where the ferry arrives in Port Elizabeth. North of the jetty there's an open-air market; farther along that road, you'll find the model-boat workshops. Opposite the jetty, at Bayshore Mall, shops sell ice cream, baked goods, stationery, gifts, and clothing; there's also a grocery, liquor store, pharmacy, travel agent, and bank. On Belmont Walkway, south of the jetty, shops and studios showcase gifts and handmade articles. Shops are open weekdays from 8 to 5, Saturday 8 to noon.
At Mauvin Hutchins' workshop, you can purchase the ultimate Bequia souvenir—a handmade model "Bequia boat"—or special-order a replica of your own yacht. The models are incredibly detailed and quite expensive, priced from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The simplest models take about a week to make; a few are always available for immediate sale.
In addition to the handcrafted, expertly rigged, and authentically detailed model boats on display—everything from traditional Bequia whaling boats and classic schooners to modern-day cruisers—the Sargeant brothers (Timothy, Winston, and Lawson) build custom models on commission.
In addition to books about the Caribbean and yachting, you'll find cruising guides and charts, Caribbean flags, souvenir maps, beach novels, gifts, and exquisite scrimshaw and one-of-a-kind whalebone knives carved by Bequian scrimshander Sam McDowell.
A small roadside sign marks the atelier of French artist Claude Victorine. Well into her 90s, she still climbs the hill every day to walk down to Lower Bay. Stop by and admire her delicate, hand-painted, silk wall hangings and scarves.
This shop stocks an excellent selection of unusual handmade jewelry, wood carvings, scrimshaw, and resort clothing. It's above the Porthole restaurant, near the jetty.
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