St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority
The national SVG visitor source supports planning across Union Island and the Grenadines.
Cruise planning
Research Union Island cruise calls before you travel.
Use the timetable to see upcoming cruise ship calls, busy-day signals, ship counts, and port context alongside the guide, map, weather, and readiness tools.
Schedule note
Port schedules can change because of weather, berth availability, itinerary updates, and operational decisions. Verify important times with your cruise line or the port authority before travel.
At a glance
Port profile
Country, code, and on-shore essentials.
Country
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Port code
VCUNI
Coordinates
12.598, -61.438
Staying overnight? Find a hotel with Expedia
Find a hotel for your trip
Hotel search loads here when you reach this section.
VoyagePro may earn a commission if you book through Expedia, at no extra cost to you.
Your port day at a glance
Plan your time ashore in Union Island
Union Island is a small Grenadines call best planned around beach, sailing, snorkeling, and boat-linked access to nearby cays.
Before going ashore
Before going ashore, confirm the berth or tender point, local time, all-aboard deadline, and the meeting location for any independently booked transport or tour.
Arrival
Varies by call
Town access
Varies by terminal
DIY rating
Moderate
Terrain
Hilly
Can you explore independently?
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront. If leaving the local area, allow for port re-entry, traffic, weather, and vehicle delays; return to the port area well before the ship deadline.
VoyagePro planning verdict
This port works well with a berth-aware local plan and one reserved excursion, but transport and return details should be settled before leaving the passenger area.
Best for
- •Independent local exploration
- •Travelers who confirm transport in advance
- •One focused port-day plan
Needs extra planning when
- •Travelers who ignore berth-specific routing
- •Unbuffered long-distance excursions
- •Unconfirmed accessible transport
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Step off the ship with a plan
Arrival, terminals and getting into town
Confirm the actual berth first—local access can change substantially between terminals.
Where your ship arrives
Treat the landing and final tender or boat return as the day's fixed constraint, especially when sea conditions are variable.
Getting into town
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront. The most practical local focus is Clifton Harbour and central Union Island.
Walking route
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront.
Port shuttle
Do not assume a complimentary shuttle. Use only the port, ship, or operator service announced for this exact berth or landing.
Taxi and local transport
Use a marked pickup, agree the destination and return before departure, and prebook accessible or scarce vehicles.
Distance context
3 hr suggested DIY visit
Transport available
Taxis available
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
What official and local sources say
Local details from reviewed sources
A concise summary of useful details found in port, municipal, transport, terminal, and tourism material.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours
The official port authority states that its marine responsibility extends south to Union Island.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Build a realistic day
Choose a plan by time in port
Start with the usable time you have ashore, then leave a comfortable return margin.
Quick call
2–3 hours
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront.
Half day
4–6 hours
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront. Add only one nearby activity with a confirmed return.
Long call
7+ hours
Choose one reserved taxi or boat plan with a fixed return; inter-island schedules are not a substitute for the ship's tender system.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Make the day your own
Highlights around Union Island
Use the time and mobility notes to choose one coherent route rather than an overpacked checklist.
Excursions
One Union Island viewpoint, beach, or Tobago Cays boat
Choose one reserved taxi or boat plan with a fixed return; inter-island schedules are not a substitute for the ship's tender system.
Half day or longer
Tender or boat transfers, uneven surfaces, heat or cold, and vehicle or excursion steps vary by call; verify accessibility directly with the ship or operator.
Stay Local
Clifton Harbour and central Union Island
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront.
2–3 hours
Tender or boat transfers, uneven surfaces, heat or cold, and vehicle or excursion steps vary by call; verify accessibility directly with the ship or operator.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Beyond the pier
Food, markets and local character
Local character
Clifton is the transport and sailing hub of the southern Grenadines, with a small working harbour and inter-island boat traffic.
What to eat
Clifton offers small Caribbean restaurants and bars with fish, rice, provisions, and local produce.
Where to look
Use dining in or near Clifton Harbour and central Union Island so the meal does not consume the ship-return buffer.
Signature foods
Grilled fish
Breadfruit
Caribbean rice dishes
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Plan for comfort
Accessibility and mobility
Hilly terrain reported for this port.
Mobility overview
Tender or boat transfers, uneven surfaces, heat or cold, and vehicle or excursion steps vary by call; verify accessibility directly with the ship or operator. Call-specific access: The landing arrangement varies by call. Ask the ship to confirm boarding steps, gangway or ramp conditions, and assistance ashore. Tender, Zodiac, beach, or small-pier boarding may require steps and a moving transfer. The ship decides whether conditions permit assisted boarding.
At the terminal
The landing arrangement varies by call. Ask the ship to confirm boarding steps, gangway or ramp conditions, and assistance ashore.
Accessible transport
Prebook an accessible taxi, shuttle, or tour vehicle and verify that it can enter the actual passenger pickup area.
Tender warning
Tender, Zodiac, beach, or small-pier boarding may require steps and a moving transfer. The ship decides whether conditions permit assisted boarding.
Wheelchair note
Do not infer step-free access from the destination alone; verify the actual landing, route surfaces, accessible restroom availability, and return vehicle.
Stroller note
A compact stroller may still be difficult on tenders, sand, steep routes, broken paving, or crowded port transfers; use the simplest local route.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Avoid the rushed version of this port
Common planning mistakes
1
Assuming the landing
Confirm the exact berth, tender, beach, or small-craft landing before following generic destination directions.
2
Overplanning transport
Choose one reserved taxi or boat plan with a fixed return; inter-island schedules are not a substitute for the ship's tender system.
3
Ignoring the final return
Record the all-aboard or final boat time and keep a weather, traffic, and port-entry margin.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Answers from reviewed guide sources
Union Island port questions
These answers use the reviewed operational fields above; check the linked source when a detail affects a booking or transfer.
Will the ship dock or tender?
Treat the landing and final tender or boat return as the day's fixed constraint, especially when sea conditions are variable.
How do I get from the ship into town?
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront. The most practical local focus is Clifton Harbour and central Union Island.
Should I plan a shuttle, taxi, or transfer?
Do not assume a complimentary shuttle. Use only the port, ship, or operator service announced for this exact berth or landing. Use a marked pickup, agree the destination and return before departure, and prebook accessible or scarce vehicles.
Can I explore independently?
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront. If leaving the local area, allow for port re-entry, traffic, weather, and vehicle delays; return to the port area well before the ship deadline.
Source summary2 sources
This section draws on information from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority – Harbours.
Guide review and sources
Operational details can change by berth, weather, and ship call. Confirm important arrangements before travel.
Reviewed Jul 18, 2026
2 sources
Build a route you can actually use
Practical places around Union Island
Choose a few places that fit your time ashore, then check access and transport before setting out.
Transport starting point
Walk Clifton's harbour and central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads and paths rise beyond the waterfront. The most practical local focus is Clifton Harbour and central Union Island.
Arrival location reference
Union Island cruise destination reference· Cruise destination area
Coastal landmark
Ashton, Union Island
A mapped coastal landmark to consider for a port day in Union Island.
Read more
A mapped coastal landmark to consider for a port day in Union Island. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
This is near the destination reference, but the practical walking route still depends on the assigned berth or tender landing.
Near the destination reference; confirm the walking route
Coastal landmark
Clifton, Union Island
A mapped coastal landmark to consider for a port day in Union Island.
Read more
A mapped coastal landmark to consider for a port day in Union Island. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Plan local transport from the assigned terminal or landing rather than assuming this stop is walkable.
Local transport may be needed from the arrival point
Local landmark
central businesses after recording the tender or boat return; roads
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Union Island.
Read more
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Union Island. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Use the official visitor information for directions. No sufficiently reliable geotagged match was found, so this place is intentionally not pinned.
No verified map pinPlace information
Local landmark
paths rise beyond the waterfront
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Union Island.
Read more
A source-backed option to consider for a port day in Union Island. Check current access, opening hours, admission requirements, and reservations before setting out.
Use the official visitor information for directions. No sufficiently reliable geotagged match was found, so this place is intentionally not pinned.
No verified map pinPlace information
Source summary4 sources
Reviewed 2026-07-25. Location placement, transport, and attraction information retain separate sources so each can be checked and updated independently.
Live port-day planner
Plan my port day in Union Island
Choose an upcoming call and ship to turn the published schedule into a practical planning window.
Choose a call date
Choose your ship
Your selected call
Emerald Azzurra
Arrival
Not published
Departure
Not published
Scheduled window
Not published
1 ship that day
Up to 100 passenger capacity
Return checkpoint unavailable
A departure time has not been published for this ship. Confirm the official all-aboard time onboard before making plans ashore.
Guide match for this window
Confirm your ship's times, then choose one coherent local plan with a comfortable return margin.
Schedule source summary
Dates, ships, and times come from the currently published cruise-call records. Schedules can change, and passenger totals represent available ship-capacity data rather than a forecast of people going ashore.
Destination guide
About Union Island
Union Island is part of the nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It has a surface of 9 square kilometres and lies about 200 km west-southwest of Barbados within view of the islands of Carriacou and the mainland of Grenada, which lies directly south. Clifton and Ashton are the two principal towns.
Keep exploring
Nearby port guides
Stay connectedPartner recommendation
eSIM for travellersStay connected in port
Use a GigSky travel eSIM for maps, messaging, and travel updates ashore. Choose a plan that covers the countries you will visit.
Land plans do not include at-sea coverage. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility before buying.
VoyagePro may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Explore ashore
Shore excursions in Union Island
Explore tour options for your port day. Check the meeting point and return time against your ship’s schedule before booking.
Excursion listings are not connected for this port yet.
This does not mean Shore Excursions Group has no tours here. You can check their current options directly.
VoyagePro may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Photo credits
Place photos are resized for display and cropped where needed.
- Union Island coast near Clifton, with the airport in the background — Stefan Schäfer, Lich · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ashton Bay on Union Island in the Grenadines — Diane Holmes · CC BY 3.0