Known as the Caribbean’s tiniest island, Mopion is almost an exact replica of the typical cartoonish “desert island”. Located near St. Vincent and the Grenadines, this diminutive atoll has nothing on it but a single palapa.
It may be nothing more than a teeny spit of sand in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, but for many, Mopion is a perfect slice of paradise. Technically, it’s more of a cay than an island, due to the fact that its land mass changes with the rise and fall of the tides. However, it is just the right size for a few folks to spend a lazy afternoon basking on its soft white sands.
The lone structure on Mopion is a wood and thatch umbrella, built not only for shade, but also to keep unsuspecting boats from getting beached. Like the classic cartoon image of a desert island, Mopion is a clean, bare lump of sand in the middle of “nowhere”, with a palapa in place of the iconic single palm tree.
But this “bare lump of sand” has been the highlight of many a traveler’s trip. There’s nothing quite like the experience of essentially “owning” a private island for a day. The surrounding waters are shallow, calm, and clear as glass– perfect for snorkeling! The nearby coral reef offers an exciting glimpse of underwater creatures. In addition, many travelers have described the fish as “friendly” and the marine life as “plentiful”.
Getting there
Mopion is far enough from humanity, but not so far that it’s inaccessible. To get there, you’ll need to take a water taxi or small boat from one of the nearby islands in the Grenadines. It sits between Union island and Petit St. Vincent (PSV) and is only accessible by small boat. You can also charter a catamaran and swim over, or take a small dinghy ashore.
Since part of the island’s charm is its lack of amenities, you’ll need to bring your own food and water if you plan on staying a few hours or more. Otherwise, you’ll end up with the true “deserted island” experience that you probably aren’t looking for!
The island is almost always empty, so you will most likely have it entirely to yourself. That makes it a perfect place to take pictures or videos, or simply bask in the sun and enjoy the silence. Also, due to the fact that it’s almost “shade-free”– don’t forget your sunscreen and hat!
Fun Facts about Mopion
- Mopion has often been used as a location for wedding ceremonies.
- The island was first named “Morpion” which is the French word for pubic louse. Over time, the R was removed as locals pronounced the word without it. (We’re thinking maybe that’s a good thing…)
- Visitors to the island often scratch or write their names on the thatched umbrella. Some have even tucked messages up in the “roof”.
- Apparently, there’s a bottle opener attached to the umbrella pole.
- There are no trees and very few plants on the island.
Main image source: TripAdvisor
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