sailboats grenada

Sailing in Grenada – Everything You Should Know

Grenada is a popular sailing destination with a wide range of anchorages to check out and a beautiful interior to explore.

Further on in this article I will list the different anchorages in Grenada with a description and useful information to help you decide where to anchor.

But first I want to share some general information about sailing in Grenada, to help you make the most of your time here.

And I have to say that out of all the places we’ve sailed to in the Caribbean over the years, Grenada is definitely one of our favorites!

Sailing in Grenada – Things Worth Knowing

Arriving in grenada.

1. You need a cruising permit . On arrival, at customs and immigration, you normally get a one-month cruising permit. This permit costs 50EC for boats under 40ft, 75EC for boats from 40 to 60ft, 100EC for boats from 60 to 80ft, and 125EC for boats 80ft or larger.

Don’t worry about going back to customs and immigration if you are overstaying your cruising permit. Once you clear out they will charge you for the extra time you stayed.

2. Although I would say it’s generally best to clear in and out with all crew present, I was assured at customs and immigration in Saint George’s that only the captain has to be present, as long as he or she brings all passports.

3. Have some cash with you . When clearing in in Carriacou we could only pay in cash, and there is no ATM close to the customs & immigration building. US$ are accepted.

Temporary update: at the moment you can only clear in at Tyrell Bay and Saint George’s. The other customs & immigration offices mentioned further on in this article, located at different anchorages, should resume at some point, but no date has been given.

Saling Around Grenada

4. Currents around parts of Grenada are stronger than we’d seen around many other Caribbean islands.

Where in some parts of the Caribbean you don’t have to look into currents at all, when sailing in Grenada it’s worth checking before you sail to a new anchorage. You could easily have a 3 knot current against you if you time it wrong.

5. There are several local Facebook groups for sailors that have a very active community. They are really helpful to find any information you might need about sailing in Grenada:

• Carriacou Cruisers
• Carriacou Coming Events
• Grenada Cruisers Information
• Grenada Cruisers, Coming Events
• Grenada Cruisers – Buy, Sell & Trade

6. There is a cruisers net , both in Carriacou and in Grenada. They share information about current events, the weather and anything worth knowing for the sailing community in Grenada.

Listen to the cruisers net on VHF66 in Grenada and VHF69 in Carriacou.

The one in Grenada you can pick up almost anywhere around the island, but the one in Carriacou doesn’t reach far beyond Tyrell Bay. Check the current times of the cruisers’ nets in the Facebook groups listed above.

7. Grenada is generally a very safe island .

Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t always be careful and use common sense. But, it does mean that you can generally trust people to be helpful and you can feel safe to anchor at all the anchorages I list below.

Tip: If you are looking to charter a boat in Grenada, either bareboat or with captain, check out Click&Boat . They have a good number of boats for rent and for reasonable prices.

Exploring Grenada

8. Buses are a good option during the day as they will get you to most parts of Carriacou and Grenada. You can just flag one down on the street and it will stop wherever you ask it to along its route.

Ask in the Facebook groups which bus you need to go where you want to go.

9. Rent a car to explore Grenada . Although I’d say taking a bus is a great way to get to a lot of places and to get a taste of local life, to really explore Grenada you’ll want to rent a car for at least a day or two.

10. Visit at least one waterfall and a chocolate estate while you are in Grenada.

The country is known for its waterfalls and high quality chocolate, so I’d say you shouldn’t leave Grenada without at least visiting one of each.

11. If you want to spend part of your time in Grenada on land, I’ll share some tips about places to stay at the end of the article.

But now, the most important part: where to anchor in Grenada.

I spent several months sailing in Grenada and made it my mission to try to visit every anchorage around Grenada (including Carriacou, Petit Martinique and the islands around them).

This is my review of the anchorages, with all the useful tips I could think of.

Anchorages in Grenada

Grenada offers many great anchorages, so this turned into a long list!

I have tried to keep the information here concise yet as informative as possible, to serve as a sailing guide for Grenada.

The anchorages are organized from north to south, starting in Carriacou.

Note: Google Maps is not accurate enough to show exact anchorages everywhere. I have placed the markers as accurately as possible, but please don’t use this map for navigation.

Read my anchorage descriptions below and use a proper chart plotter or other navigation aid to navigate to the different anchorages.

And for further details I recommend buying Chris Doyle’s Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands .

1. Tyrell Bay, Carriacou

Tyrell Bay is the main anchorage on Carriacou.

The bay has a lively cruisers community with a good selection of bars, some restaurants, and live music several nights a week.

There is a chandlery, a good supermarket, laundry service and two small marinas with haul out facilities.

Holding here isn’t great, as you anchor in sand and seagrass. You might have to try several times.

There are also several mooring buoys in the bay owned by Carriacou Marine. They recommend contacting them in advance to reserve a mooring.

There is a large dinghy dock at Tyrell Bay marina, another dinghy dock at Carriacou Marine and two smaller dinghy docks along the beach. But you can also beach your dinghy as the water is generally calm.

Tyrell Bay is a nice, protected and calm bay . If you are looking to socialize or just want a lively base with plenty of other boats for a while, Tyrell Bay is a good option.

Customs and immigration are located in Tyrell Bay at Carriacou Marine, which makes this a good starting point for sailing in Grenada if you are coming from the north.

The mangroves on the north side of Tyrell Bay are said to be one of the best hurricane holes in the Caribbean.

2. Sandy Island & Paradise Beach

Sandy Island is probably my favorite anchorage in all of Grenada .

The island is beautiful! Great for snorkeling and also popular for kite surfing.

Sandy Island is part of the Sandy Island Oyster Bed marine protected area , which starts at the mangroves in Tyrell Bay and goes up to the pier in Hillsborough.

This means you can’t anchor without permission anywhere in this area.

There are mooring buoys in front of Sandy Island, which cost 30.30 EC per day, plus a 1 USD snorkeling fee per person per day.

Just pick up a mooring buoy and someone will come to your boat to collect payment.

Do jump into the water and check your mooring, as they don’t look perfectly maintained.

Paradise Beach is also part of the marine protected area, and you can find a few moorings on the southern end of the beach.

Because there are so few moorings at Paradise Beach you are allowed to anchor in sand behind the mooring buoys if they are full. Do of course talk to the park rangers first before anchoring.

But, if you have a good dinghy you could easily decide to stay at one of the anchorages and take your dinghy to the other side.

This is why we decided to stay at Sandy Island and dinghy over to Paradise Beach for sunset drinks and dinner.

3. Hillsborough

The anchorage at Hillsborough, just north of the dock, isn’t a great anchorage . If you can find a patch of sand holding is good, but most of the anchorage is covered in seagrass. On top of that, it’s a rolly anchorage.

But, it puts you just outside of the marine protected area so anchoring here is free, and the town is worth checking out.

You can’t really use the dock for your dinghy but you can beach your dinghy most days and chain it to a tree.

Hillsborough is a lovely town with a few good restaurants, shops and a bank.

Note: there is an anchorage off of Jack A Dan Island as well. We tried to anchor there because snorkeling around the island is good, but decided to skip it as we approached and had a closer look. Jack A Dan is really just a rock and close to it it gets too shallow to anchor. Further out you have very little protection and most days you are on a lee shore.

4. Anse la Roche

Anse la Roche is a cute little bay with a lovely beach .

The anchorage has good holding in sand and you’ll anchor in around 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet).

Because this is a lovely spot to spend a few days, it can get quite crowded. It’s only a small bay and the wind can shift quite a bit, so I would say no more than 6 boats fit comfortably.

Make sure you have enough room for your boat to swing as the wind shifts. We’ve heard stories of boats ending up on the beach because the 180 degree wind shift caught them by surprise.

The anchorage can get rolly at times. And in a northerly swell it will become uncomfortable, with big surf on the beach.

At other times you can easily beach your dinghy to enjoy time on the beach or to hike to the top of Carriacou from here.

Tim’s Sunset Beach Bar is located right on the beach. It’s a lovely restaurant offering a good barbecue but be warned, it’s pricey.

If you visit at the right time of year you might be lucky enough to see turtles coming to the beach at night to lay their eggs here.

Note: there is an anchorage just south of Anse la Roche, in Sparrows Bay . Holding is good in sand. It’s not nearly as picturesque as Anse la Roche, and people mainly anchor here to visit Bogles restaurant.

5. Petite Martinique

Petite Martinique has quite a different feel to it than Carriacou and the rest of Grenada, which might be a reason to anchor here for a day or so.

You can anchor either around the town’s dock or on the sandy patch in between Petite Martinique and Petite St Vincent.

The holding is better on the sandy patch, but the anchorage gets very exposed and rolly .

Unless you plan to visit both Petite St Vincent and Petite Martinique I don’t see why you’d anchor on the sandy patch.

We did anchor there, and regretted it. The dinghy ride to Petite Martinique can also get a bit bumpy from there.

If you do want to visit Petite St Vincent, contact the resort beforehand to ask for permission as they are part of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. Therefore officially you’d have to clear out of Grenada first and clear in in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.

Petite Martinique is a cute town but has limited options. Supermarkets only offer the basics (a surprisingly wide range of alcohol though) and there are only a handful of simple bars and restaurants, that may or may not be open when you visit.

6. Watering Bay – Windward

This anchorage is a little tricky, especially if you are in a keelboat.

But, it’s definitely doable.

You can choose to anchor either right behind the reef or make your way closer to shore.

Don’t rely on your navigation tools only though, because they might not be accurate enough.

It’s therefore best to try this anchorage on a clear, calm day so that you can spot the reefs.

It feels a little strange anchoring right behind the reef but it is the easier option and you can dinghy to shore. There is a pier to which you can attach your dinghy.

Whether you anchor closer to shore or out behind the reef, it can get quite rolly. We would advise against using these anchorages in rough weather both because it’s tricky to anchor and because you are left quite exposed.

Windward is a lovely small town known for its traditional boat building. It has the most laid-back vibe possible and very friendly people.

7. Saline Island

This is a beautiful private island that offers great snorkeling .

The current here can get quite strong which is something to be aware of as you approach the anchorage.

We recommend approaching this anchorage from the west end because the current is strongest on the east end and waves can be dangerous.

You’ll anchor in sand and rocks, which can make getting good hold a bit tricky.

And be careful, the bay is shallow. You’ll anchor in 2 meters (6.5 feet) or less. You can anchor just outside the bay in 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet) but it shelves rapidly and you’re in strong currents here.

Although most of the coral is found on the northeast side of the bay, there are patches of coral throughout so from a marine conservation point of view this bay isn’t the best for anchoring. It would have been great if they had mooring buoys here.

As I mentioned, the snorkeling here is really good. You’re likely to see stingrays, turtles and lots of different reef fish. But be careful with the changing currents, especially along the northeast end of the bay.

For snorkeling the visibility here is best during a falling tide.

Saline Island is a private island but it seems ok to walk around and is worth an explore with its salt pond and lime kiln.

You can easily beach your dinghy and there is even a rope set up on the eastern end of the beach to tie your dinghy to.

There are no lights on Saline Island and with less than perfect holding and a strong current, I do understand that some choose to only anchor for the day .

It can also get very rolly at this anchorage, especially with the turn of the tides.

If you have a good dinghy you can take it over to White Island which is a gorgeous island. But it can get choppy and you might not be able to beach your dinghy.

Some guide books say that you could easily visit Cassada Bay as well, or even anchor there and visit Saline for the day. I would not recommend that unless it’s exceptionally calm.

8. White Island

You can anchor at White Island as well, on the northwest side of the island.

But, you are a lot more exposed here than at Saline island so I would recommend to only anchor here when the weather is good and would prefer Saline Island as an overnight anchorage at any time.

9. Frigate Island

Yes, you can anchor here, which we did, but I can’t really recommend it .

You anchor in rocks and sand, and the holding isn’t great. On top of that, you are very exposed and swells can hit you from both sides.

The water is crystal clear though and you’ll most likely have the anchorage all to yourself which does make it feel more adventurous.

Be careful swimming or snorkeling here as the current can be very strong.

We decided not to stay here overnight because we felt too exposed in moderate winds.

10. Isle de Ronde (Ronde Island)

In good weather, this is a good stop between Grenada and Carriacou .

You anchor on the northern side of the west coast. It doesn’t offer the best shelter though and can get quite swelly and rolly at times.

Holding is ok in sand, but look out for a sandy patch as some parts are quite rocky.

There are no lights here so it gets very dark at night and cell phone reception is spotty at best.

Snorkeling around the boat isn’t amazing because there is hardly any coral, but you might see turtles and a stingray if you are lucky.

Take the dinghy around the headland in good weather to check out better snorkeling, or beach your dinghy to explore inland.

I read that the 2 sisters, the rocks you can see just southwest of Isle de Ronde, is a good place for snorkeling and you can just take your dinghy there. That would be a long, very exposed dinghy ride though! And if your engine would fail I’m not sure if you’d make it back. So unless the weather is dead calm I wouldn’t recommend this.

Note: this anchorage puts you very close to the active volcano Kick ’em Jenny (12.18°N, 61.38°W).

There is a 1.5 km exclusion zone around the volcano at all times, which is increased to 5km when the volcano is more active. The anchorages is just about outside of the 5km zone, but you might not want to be anywhere near there during an eruption.

The volcano is constantly monitored . No online source seems to give regular updates on the status of the volcano. But, warnings will be sent out in case of any issues with the volcano and local websites such as NowGrenada.com will surely post an article as soon as the volcano starts to rumble.

11. Sauteurs

In good weather Sauteurs is a really nice anchorage on the north side of Grenada. 

Most people skip this Grenada anchorage though and consequently there is very little information about it online.

Therefore I wrote a separate, more detailed article about anchoring at Sauteurs .

In it I explain why this anchorage is worth it but also when it’s best to skip it.

12. Halifax Harbour

My first reaction when we sailed into this anchorage was ‘Wow!’.

It looks so green and lush here. The natural harbor is surrounded by impressive hills and somehow it reminded me a little bit of the setting of Jurrasic Park…

But then we anchored, the wind shifted and the smoke from the burning garbage dump ruined most of our fun.

The harbor, which was once a rubbish dump, has been cleaned up, but there is still a rubbish dump in the hills and unfortunately during our visit it was on fire.

So, while I was initially going to recommend anchoring inside Halifax harbour, I now won’t. The water doesn’t look all that clean either, and the smoke and flies can get really bad here.

You are better off anchoring just north of Calypso Island, where the water is clear, the snorkeling is nice, and the smoke won’t bother you as much, if at all.

Do make sure you anchor in sand, not coral.

If you do decide to anchor in the bay, watch out for the high tension cables on the south side. Navigation aids say they are at 60 feet (18 meters) but of course I haven’t measured that so I can’t guarantee that is still accurate. Plus, when we anchored here one of the wires had snapped and was hanging in the water.

I would therefore recommend anchoring on the northern end of the harbor, or as I said, better to just anchor north of Calypso Island.

Still though, despite the smoke, the high tension cables and the less than perfect water, Halifax Harbour is a stunning little bay , worth at least having a look at.

They are working on moving the rubbish dump further inland so hopefully, by the time you get here, the smoke won’t be such an issue anymore.

Note: the restaurant on Calypso Island is used for private events and not normally accessible.

13. Dragon Bay, Happy Hill & Beausejour Bay

Depending on which navigation tools you use, you’ll find one or more of these bays listed as anchorages.

All three of these bays are located inside the Moliniere/Beausejour Marine Protected Area (MBMPA), so anchoring is prohibited .

There are four yacht moorings and five dive moorings at Happy Hill (Flamingo Bay). The buoys are managed by Moorsafe Grenada and are clearly marked ‘Dive’ or ‘Yacht’.

Pick up a ‘Yacht’ mooring as the ‘Dive’ moorings are meant for local operators such as day charters and dive companies.

You can stay overnight on the yacht moorings. The moorings can take vessels up to 65 ft and/or 25 tons, and are said to be inspected every 2 weeks.

The moorings cost US$ 20 per day. Someone will come to your boat to collect the fee.

There are no mooring buoys in the other bays, but the bays are so close to each other that you can easily explore all three by dinghy while leaving your boat moored in Happy Hill.

And, all three bays are worth visiting. They all look beautiful, have crystal clear water, good snorkeling and nice beaches.

Happy Hill is a popular dive spot as well and you will often see dive boats here during the day.

Be careful if you plan to beach your dinghy in Happy Hill as there are a lot of rocks, and coral, right off the beach.

The bays offer good shelter, but get uncomfortable during a large northerly swell.

14. Moliniere Point – The Underwater Sculpture Park

The underwater sculptures are worth checking out!

This anchorage is also inside the Moliniere/Beausejour Marine Protected Area (MBMPA), which means you can’t anchor here.

There are new yacht moorings in the northwest part of Grand Mal. They are the same moorings as the ones at Happy Hill and also cost US$ 20 per day.

From there you can easily take your dinghy over to the sculpture park. You’ll find a dinghy mooring inside the bay, just off the small beach.

The other moorings you see around Moliniere Point are now dedicated dive moorings and can’t be used by private or charter vessels.

The sculptures are located just south of the northern tip of the bay, in 5 to 8 meters (16 to 26 feet) of water.

Scuba diving to the sculptures is probably the most fun, but the water is normally very clear so you can easily see them snorkeling as well.

Note: I expected all sculptures to be in one place. They aren’t. They are placed in different sandy patches in between the coral. So swim around a bit to see them all.

15. Grand Mal

Grand Mal is a cute little town just north of St George’s.

Apart from some nice but narrow sandy beaches, a few bars and small local shops there isn’t much happening here. But, with its friendly residents it’s well worth a stop and easily combined with a visit to the underwater sculpture park.

Try to find a sandy patch to anchor in, then the holding is good.

There is a large gas storage area in town and pipes run out from the small dock to the large buoys further out in the bay. Avoid anchoring in this area.

You can safely anchor just south of that small dock.

The larger dock is used by fishing boats but if there is space you can tie your dinghy to it as well. Alternatively you can easily beach your dinghy.

16. Saint George’s

Although some chart plotters and cruising guides may suggest otherwise, there is only one anchorage at Saint George’s , which is just south of the entrance to the bay.

You’ll find a good number of mooring buoys here and if your boat is under 80 feet you have to use a mooring.

There are smaller moorings closer to shore, suitable for boats up to 40 feet. Behind those, you find mooring buoys suitable for boats up to 80 feet.

You can book and pay for the moorings online through Dockwa.com or you can simply wait for someone to come to the boat to collect payment.

There have been a lot of complaints from people sailing around Grenada about having to take a mooring here. But, while swimming around the boat we saw a lot of dead, broken-off coral, so there is a valid reason for trying to make everyone use moorings.

If all moorings are taken you are allowed to anchor. It’s a large anchorage so there is plenty of space to find a good spot, in water between about 3 to 7 meters (10 to 23 feet).

It’s a good, sheltered anchorage, although it can get a little rolly, which on a monohull might make this anchorage less enjoyable.

From the anchorage it’s an easy dinghy ride to Grand Anse, with a beautiful beach, a selection of restaurants and a shopping mall. There’s a dinghy dock by the beach but you can also beach your dinghy as the water is mostly calm.

The bay of Saint George’s has various dinghy docks in between the two marinas and Customs and Immigration can be found at Port Louis Marina.

There is a chandlery in the bay (Island Waterworld), a yacht club, a good supermarket, a few shops and some restaurants. But the center of town is around the Carenage.

The town feels a bit rough around the edges in some parts, but is generally fine and worth an explore.

This is not the main area for cruisers . Most cruisers stay in the south, which means there are more social activities catering to cruisers there.

Both the yacht club and the restaurant inside Port Louis marina are good locations for wifi. With a wifi range extender you should also be able to pick up an open wifi network on the boat.

There is a good laundry service at Port Louis Marina.

Anchoring Inside the Bay – The Carenage

Navionics and some other chart plotters mark an anchorage inside the bay, at the Carenage. As a cruising boat you aren’t supposed to anchor here.

But, we did read you can tie up to the dock if there is space and if you get permission from the Port Authority (contact them on VHF channel 16). So that’s what we did. But not for long…

It was fun to dock alongside the fishing boats but you’re very out of place there. As we were docking someone yelled at us to go back to the anchorage. You tie up directly to the street, so you constantly have very surprised passers-by looking into the boat.

And although honestly Grenadians have been some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met, it didn’t feel right to stay here overnight.

But, just FYI, if you want to, and ask for permission beforehand, you can tie up to the dock.

Anchoring South of Saint George’s

The whole area from Saint George’s down to Grand Bay (not to be confused with Grand Anse Bay) is part of the Grand Anse Marine Protected Area ( GAMPA ).

Inside GAMPA you are only allowed to stay at the anchorage described above .

That, however, doesn’t mean you won’t see anyone anchored outside of the designated anchorage.

17. True Blue Bay

True Blue Bay is the first allowed anchorage on the south side of Grenada, if you are coming from the West.

It’s a much quieter anchorage than the four anchorages east of here.

There is a small marina, a restaurant, a nice resort and a good dive center.

Most boats anchor at the entrance of the bay, on the right hand side. There is room for around 4 boats in this part of the bay, and you’ll anchor in about 4 to 8 meters (13 to 26 feet).

You are also free to anchor further inside the bay though. It feels a bit weird because the bay is filled with mooring buoys, but when we were there it was quiet, so we anchored without any issues.

The bay is quite shallow, you’ll anchor in mud in 3 or 4 meters here (10 to 13 feet), with good holding.

Or, alternatively, you can contact the resort to rent a mooring buoy.

The restaurant and the resort have wifi. The restaurant organizes theme nights and has live music regularly, which is great fun but can be loud if you want an early night.

The resort here is lovely and worth staying at as well, which I’ll describe at the end of this article.

This anchorage can get a bit rolly, even in calmer weather, and the water here isn’t very clear so I wouldn’t swim here.

Tip: walk to the Container park for lunch or dinner.

18. Prickly Bay

Prickly Bay is a popular anchorage which means it can get crowded, even though it’s a large bay.

It’s quite deep in many places (8 to 10 meters or 26 to 32 feet), and a lot of the good places to anchor have been taken up by mooring buoys.

But, take your time and you’ll find a place to anchor. Or contact Prickly Bay Marina if you want to use one of the mooring buoys.

Prickly Bay Marina is a nice marina with good facilities and it’s where you’ll find customs and immigration .

On the other side of the bay, Spice Island Marine is a sizeable boatyard and can be a good place if you need to do work on the boat.

Right next to Spice Island you’ll find Budget Marine, a chandlery with a decent selection of products. And they can also order parts for you.

ACE hardware store is a walk away, albeit a bit of a long walk, and so are several other stores you might find useful if you are doing any work on your boat.

There are several wifi networks available around the bay and the beach is nice. The water is reasonably clear but it doesn’t feel like the cleanest place to swim.

West Indies Beer Company is a local brewery and bar, within walking distance from the anchorage. And there are a few restaurants there as well that are worth checking out.

The anchorage is completely unprotected on the whole southern side and can get quite rolly . The least rolly part is probably the part of the bay closest to Budget Marina.

Prickly Bay is a convenient anchorage especially if you want to do some work on the boat. But it’s not in any way pretty and I personally wouldn’t plan on staying here too long.

19. Mt Hartman Bay / Secret Harbour

With reefs and rocks scattered around the entrance of the bay this anchorage is slightly trickier than some of the other anchorages in Grenada.

But, during the day and with good visibility it’s really not that difficult to safely enter the bay.

Navionics’ map above is pretty accurate and shows a useful bearing to help you enter the bay.

Anchoring deep inside on the righthand side will give you the most protection from swells. In general though this is quite a well-protected anchorage, more so than True Blue Bay and Prickly Bay.

Holding is good in mangrove sand.

There are several moorings around the bay, owned by different people. Many don’t have their buoys attached and are only set up on request.

If you want to use a mooring you’ll have to get a hold of one of the owners beforehand. I’d recommend either going around the bay asking other boats for current contact details or if you’d rather plan ahead, ask for contact details in one of the Facebook groups for cruisers in Grenada.

There is a bus service several days a week taking you to shops and supermarkets, including chandleries and hardware stores. Listen to the cruisers net at 7.30AM on VHF channel 66 for more information about current bus times and options.

There is a modern marina that’s part of Secret Bay hotel. It’s quiet, their showers are basic and there is one restaurant that isn’t too inspiring.

There is a good dinghy dock and the marina offers fuel.

If you aren’t staying in the marina you can use the showers For 5EC. Don’t expect any luxury though!

A downside to this anchorage is that on calm days you can get a lot of mosquitos here.

20. Hog Island

This is the anchorage west of Hog island. It is a really good anchorage, which also explains why it can get VERY crowded in here .

The reefs give some protection from the south, making it less rolly than some of the other anchorages around here. And the mangroves around the bay give good protection in case of storms.

Holding is good in sticky mangrove sand.

And that is probably also the reason why you find many people leaving their boats here while they are away. Especially around hurricane season you’ll see a good number of abandoned boats tied up into the mangroves.

You’re surrounded by greenery which gives a nice, quiet vibe, but you are also almost always surrounded by many boats, which at times makes it hard to find a spot to anchor.

There are a lot of mooring buoys here which also make it harder to find a place to anchor.

The moorings are privately owned so if you are interested in using one my advice is similar to Secret Harbour: ask on the Facebook groups or the cruisers net who owns any available moorings, or anchor first and ask around the bay.

There is one beach bar on Hog island which is a popular spot for afternoon drinks among cruisers. And it’s an easy dinghy ride into Woburn Bay for other facilities and to get ashore.

21. Woburn Bay / Clarkes Court Bay

Woburn Bay, also referred to as Clarkes Court Bay, is a large bay with good anchorages throughout the bay.

When entering the bay, don’t rely solely on the marker buoys as they are said to be poorly maintained.

Once in the bay, my recommendation would be to scout out the whole bay and then decide where you want to anchor.

You’ll see boats anchored everywhere but popular places to anchor are north of Calivigny Island, in Saga Bay, in front of the bridge to Hog Island, in Benji Bay, and in between Whisper Cove Marina and Clarkes Court Marina.

You’ll find good holding and good anchorages everywhere, with the exception of Benji Bay.

Although technically it’s fully legal to anchor at Benji Bay, when we tried we were immediately approached by a local boat telling us to either take a mooring buoy (which they own) or leave. There are plenty of mooring buoys available, so you can pick one up if you choose to stay here.

Woburn Bay is the most popular anchorage in Grenada. I have to admit it wasn’t my favorite, but I do understand why many people like it and some even end up staying here for months.

It’s a very sociable anchorage , with events organized in the surrounding bars and restaurants most nights of the week.

Special buses can pick you up to take you on shopping trips or to chandleries, and other events such as day trips are regularly organized. Listen to the cruisers net on VHF 66 at 7:30AM for details on bus times and any of the events.

There is a good dinghy dock at both Whisper Cove Marina and Clarkes Court Marina, and you can also use the dock in front of Island View restaurant.

Whisper Cove Marina is a cute little marina with a friendly vibe and nice restaurant, but limited facilities. Clarkes Court Marina is a bigger, more commercial marina with haul out facilities, a range of services and a good chandlery.

You can use the showers in Clarkes Court Marina for 15EC. There are also showers available at Taffy’s Bar for 5EC, and they also have washing machines you can use.

There is no fuel dock, no major town nor a good supermarket in the area, and the water in the bay isn’t of the best quality.

Although the bay is generally well protected, it can get a bit rolly here, even if you are tucked away deep into the bay.

22. Le Phare Bleu Bay

I wouldn’t recommend anchoring here.

Most of the bay is quite deep and it’s more exposed than Woburn Bay.

Your chart plotter or pilot book may say there are mooring buoys here, which at times there are. When we visited there were only two mooring buoys, owned by the marina, and they said they couldn’t be used.

They did say they might put more moorings at some point, so it’s worth calling or emailing the marina ahead of time if you want to stay here and use a mooring.

But, I would say either stay in the marina or just anchor off of Calivigny Island in Woburn Bay and take your dinghy into Phare Bleu.

It’s safe to go by dinghy from Woburn Bay, north of Calivigny Island into Phare Bleu Bay. Just be careful, stay close to the marker buoys, as it does get shallow.

Le Phare Bleu Marina is a nice, small marina with a good restaurant, a café, laundry service, and a boutique hotel. The restaurant is worth visiting and they regularly have live music on their Lightship on the dock.

If you do enter the bay by boat, be careful as you are entering through reefs and rocks on both sides. Stick to the deeper channel.

23. Port Egmont

This anchorage offers good holding and good shelter .

There isn’t much here, but it’s a nice quiet anchorage which you might enjoy after staying in crowded Woburn Bay.

There once was a dock that was usable for dinghies, but that has fallen in disrepair.

You can beach your dinghy on Fort Jeudy Beach. From there it’s a 5-minute walk to SOG Foods supermarket. Don’t expect too much as their offering is somewhat limited, but it’s the biggest supermarket in the area .

Other than that there isn’t much around here, but waking up to the sound of birds with hardly any boats around is nice. And if you are tired of rolly anchorages, this is where you want to be.

The bay is easy enough to enter, but watch out for reefs and rocks on both sides. We use navionics and that doesn’t accurately show all reefs and rocks here, so use caution and eyeball your way into the bay.

This anchorage makes a decent hurricane hole , with mangroves all around to tie up to.

24. Calivigny Harbour

This anchorage is also an acceptable hurricane hole, but the entrance is trickier and can be dangerous in heavy winds and large swells.

Just as Port Egmont it’s a sheltered, quiet bay with many mangroves. The entrance here is trickier though because it’s narrow and shallow, with reefs off Fort Jeudy and shoals coming out from Westerhall Point.

If you are looking for a quiet, sheltered, non-rolly anchorage, I’d pick Port Egmont and not this one.

25. Petit Bacaye

This is a surprisingly cute anchorage !

Space here is limited and I probably wouldn’t try to anchor if there were more than 1 or 2 boats here already. Thankfully though not many boaters make it here, so most likely you’ll have this anchorage to yourself.

The entrance to Petit Bacaye is relatively easy to spot in good weather; between the rock on your left and the breaking waves over the reef on your right.

Be careful though as Navionics, and possibly other navigation aids, don’t show the depth and reefs correctly .

Reefs are clearly visible when the sun is out, but as soon as the sun goes you can’t see them at all.

Anchor in the middle of the bay to avoid the shallows. You’ll anchor in 4 to 6 meters here (13 to 20 feet), with reasonably good holding in sand.

Although you’re on a lee shore you’re reasonably well protected behind the reefs.

You can beach your dinghy to explore the area, with a supermarket a 10 minute walk away.

There is a small hotel right off the beach, but that has been closed since 2015. We ran into the owners, who still live on the property, and they say they have no plans to reopen the hotel nor the restaurant, as they enjoy the peace and quiet.

Note: you can also anchor east of here, at Little Bacolet West, but that’s a lot less picturesque than Petit Bacaya and has a tricky, narrow entrance.

And west of here you can anchor at Westerhall Point. If conditions aren’t calm the entrance here is tricky as well, and there isn’t much of a reason to anchor here, with Petit Bacaye being so close and so much nicer.

26. St David’s Harbour

Not many people seem to anchor here, but we found it a nice out-of-the-way anchorage , with all the facilities of a good marina.

Approach the anchorage and the marina through the channel, which is marked with buoys. The buoys are maintained by the marina and are generally reliable, but do use caution as there are reefs on both sides of the channel.

The marina offers several mooring buoys just off their dock, for a lower rate than any other mooring buoys I have seen in Grenada.

If you are using a mooring buoy you are also allowed to use the showers in the marina, which are good, spacious showers.

But, you can also anchor in front of the marina, and holding is good.

The marina has a dock with space for a few boats, but it feels more like a working marina, where people go to haul out and work on their boats. And although the location is remote, facilities are surprisingly good and the staff is more helpful than I have seen anywhere!

Whatever they don’t have on-site they will help you get.

There is a dinghy dock and a nice laid-back restaurant. The marina offers fuel, refills gas bottles and there are washing machines to use at a fee.

Customs operates here on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8:00 to 12:00, and will facilitate clearing in and out and the issuing of cruising permits.

There are no good supermarkets close by, but the larger supermarkets will deliver to your boat. Just ask the marina office for details.

In the next bay over you find La Sagesse hotel, which has a lovely restaurant right by the beach. They offer a free pick-up from the marina if you dine in their restaurant, or want to stay in their hotel.

From the main road you can catch busses if you want to explore more of the area.

Note: some chart plotters and pilot books show an anchorage west of the marina, in Little Bacolet Bay. Although I am sure you can anchor there, it doesn’t really make sense because then you would have to take your dinghy over shallow reefs to the marina.

27. Grenville

Ok I have to admit, this is the one anchorage we skipped, and for a reason.

The entrance to this anchorage sounded risky, so we decided to take the bus to Grenville first to check it out.

The entrance through the reef is narrow! I am sure you can navigate through it safely, as others have done so before, but it didn’t seem worth it to us.

Grenville is Grenada’s second-largest town, and although I can only say positive things about the extremely friendly and polite people here, I can’t recommend much in the town itself. It’s a bit rough around the edges and there isn’t anything really worth seeing here.

So I would recommend skipping this anchorage in Grenada. And if you do want to visit Grenville to experience a local town with lovely people, just take the bus.

Another Grenada Anchorage Worth Checking: Sandy Island

Not to be confused with Sandy Island next to Carriacou, there is another Sandy Island, northeast of Grenada.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to anchor here because the weather wasn’t suitable.

We did however meet the former owner of the island (it’s a private island) who says in the summer months it’s a really nice anchorage. In winter it becomes more tricky and he advised against anchoring here this time of the year.

So, if you have the chance to anchor at Sandy Island please let me know what it’s like because the pictures look beautiful!

Note: some chart plotters also show an anchorage off of Green Island. The previous owner of Sandy Island told us that that really isn’t a good anchorage because the reef doesn’t allow you to tuck in and thus anchoring here would leave you very exposed.

Anchoring at Gouyave

Another optional anchorage not many sailors use is at Gouyave.

We briefly anchored here but unfortunately the pier isn’t very suitable for dinghies and it was too rough for us to beach our dinghy.

Gouyave is a nice town, visited by small numbers of tourists mainly because of the Nutmeg factory .

Anchor close to the pier, where you will anchor surrounded by fishing boats. Holding is reasonable but there isn’t much protection from wind and waves.

I’ve included this as the last anchorage in Grenada not because it’s a bad anchorage, but just because we only anchored here briefly so I don’t feel I can provide a lot of information.

Because not many sailboats anchor here it actually might be a very nice and different anchorage, providing the weather is suitable.

Hotels in Grenada Perfect for a Break from the Boat

Although sailing in Grenada is great, you might want a break from the boat at some point.

If you want to stay on land you have a wide range of options. From simple guesthouses to fancy resorts.

These are my recommendations:

Coconut Inn – Carriacou

Carriacou is not the place to look for large-scale or high-end resorts.

Instead, Carriacou is all about laid-back, small-scale guesthouses and apartment rentals.

Conveniently located within walking distance from Tyrell Bay, Coconut Inn is a favorite of many cruisers needing a place to stay for a few days or even weeks.

They offer four self-contained, air-conditioned apartments.

True Blue Bay Resort

If you are looking for resort facilities but don’t want that big resort feeling , then I can highly recommend True Blue Bay Resort.

The resort is managed by the nicest family and offers a range of different rooms for different budgets.

They have lovely pools, a fun pool bar, a good restaurant, a spa, and even a yoga studio.

You’re surrounded by greenery and they have an eco-friendly focus, all giving it a nice, tropical feeling.

If you want to go scuba diving, the dive shop on the dock next to the hotel is great.

You can leave your boat anchored in True Blue Bay or book a mooring buoy, both of which mean that you can check on your boat while staying in the resort.

Click here for more information and prices.

Maca Bana – South of Saint George’s

If the idea of a small villa with a private jacuzzi and an incredible view appeals to you, you might just, as I did, want to splurge on a night or two at Maca Bana.

The beach here is also really nice, the beds are extremely comfortable and for us it was just the perfect, relaxing break from the boat.

The restaurant offers great quality food and is popular with locals as well, which gives it a great vibe and not that standard hotel restaurant feeling.

The hotel does show some wear & tear so don’t expect 5-star luxury, but because of the jacuzzi, the view and the comfortable rooms I can highly recommend Maca Bana.

One downside: the closest anchorages to Maca Bana are Saint George’s and True Blue Bay, and there is no bus that stops here. So you’ll have to take a taxi or rent a car to get here.

Other Hotels & Guesthouses in Grenada

When sailing in Saint Lucia I was surprised how difficult it was to find a smaller scale and more affordable hotel.

This is very different in Grenada. Whether you want to stay in a high-end resort or a small, low-key guesthouse, you can find it here.

Check out Booking.com if you are looking for a good hotel or guesthouse anywhere in Grenada.

Final Thoughts About Sailing in Grenada

Out of all the Caribbean Islands, Grenada is definitely one of the better sailing destinations .

It’s a safe island, it has a good infrastructure for sailors (think dinghy docks, chandleries right next to anchorages, numerous marinas, etc) and an active sailing community.

So if you get the chance, I can definitely recommend sailing around Grenada !

And if you are looking to charter a boat in Grenada, I’d recommend Click&Boat .

• Anchoring in Sauteurs Bay, Grenada
• Living in Grenada – What It’s Like to Move to & Live in Grenada
• Sailing in the Caribbean – Where to Go & Other Tips
• Sailing in Saint Lucia – Anchorages, Sailing Tips & More
• Anchoring in Mullet Bay, St Maarten
• An Online Sailing Guide for Curaçao
• Sailing Across the Atlantic – My Experiences
• Tips for Sailing in the Azores
• Why You Shouldn’t Take Seashells From the Beach

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Calling all sailors, yachties and boaters.

Sailors return to our shores again and again for their ultimate yachting experience. Pure Grenada is one of the best Caribbean islands for yachting. Grenada offers a wealth of sheltered anchorages, year-round good weather, fabulous calm waters, plenty of fun activities on land and a wide range of top-class facilities and services for your yachting needs.

The pure warmth of the Grenadian people makes Grenada a fantastic, fun and safe base for a sailing vacation or an extended cruise.

Grenada’s surrounding waters offer some of the best sailing in the Caribbean. The island is one of the premier yachting centres in the region; it’s no wonder Grenada was named the 2023 Yachting Destination of the Year by Caribbean Journal.

In addition to the world class marinas and amenities, top quality regattas and Atlantic crossing races are a common feature throughout the year. Whether they are super fast yachts or workboats steeped in tradition, seeing them battle for the finish line, whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere, is nothing short of exciting.

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All vessels and crew seeking clearance into Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique must do so at the following official Ports of Entry (Camper Nicholson Port Louis Marina, St. George’s; Tyrell Bay Marina, Harvey Vale, Carriacou) Vessels should anchor with your Q Flag and the courtesy flag of Grenada from the starboard spreader of your main mast while clearance formalities are carried out. Grenada uses the Red Right Returning Rule, which means red buoys mark the starboard side when approaching.

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Sail Grenada’s Turquoise-Blue Waters – Tours and Charters

Wonderfully situated to take full advantage of the Windward Islands’ trade winds and uniquely within reach of the Grenadines, Grenada is a premier yachting destination in the Caribbean .

Caribbean sailing provides landlubbers with a fun and unique way to experience the tropical island with a perspective few get a glance of… View Grenada close-up from the sea and you’ll get a better appreciation of the west coast’s abundance of sandy beaches situated between a panorama of mountainous green patches and quaint villages. In Grenada, sailors will find eight marinas, good year-round weather and a wide selection of protected bays and inlets for dropping anchor for a swim, snorkel or dive! Vacationers can sail Grenada with tour/sailboat operators offering a variety of sailing adventures. For the more experienced, you can charter a monohull or catamaran yacht for yourself, with or without a crew. You can even learn to sail in Grenada – You choose the adventure.

The best Grenada sailing can be found with the tour operators below…

If you’re interested in Grenada’s annual Sailing events, they include:

• Grenada Sailing Week, held in January that includes four race days and a lay day
• Grenada Sailing Festival (Workboat Regatta) is held every February for two days of racing action
• Carriacou Regatta, a four day festival in August on land and sea, is one of the Caribbean’s longest-running sailing events
• Petite Martinique Whitsuntide Regatta in May is a weekend of sailing fun

For a sun-soaked fun Grenada Sailing experience, these local Tour/Sailboat Operators will take good care of you (Click on a Boat / Tour Operator name below for more details) : 

Jambalaya Sailing Charters – Sailing aboard the Jambalaya (73ft staysail schooner): [SUST-ECO]

• Sail & Snorkel Half Day
• Sail & Snorkel Full Day
• Sail & Snorkel Half Day + Sunset Cruise
• Sunset Cruise
• Romance Package
• Private Vacation Charters (Customizable Trips – 3 days, 4 days, a week or more)

Corsair Sailing Charters – Sailing aboard the SS Corsair (79′ schooner):

• Snorkel Trip “Double Dip”
• Sailing & Snorkeling Tour “Perfect Day”
• Sunset & Champagne Cruise
• 2 nights Tobago Cays & Grenadines Sail Cruise
• Luxury Sunset Cruise
• Sailing Tour to Fish Friday
• Luxury Dinner Cruise “Sail & Dine”
• “Sail & Hike” Tour
• “Sail and Dive” Cruise
• 1 Night Tour to Rhonde Island

Footloose Yacht Charters – Sailing aboard the Timshel (3 Cabin Catamaran) or the Adlemme (47′ Beneteau monohull yacht):

• Hog or Calivigny Island
• West Coast & Underwater Sculpture Park
• Isle de Rhonde or Sandy Island
• 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Night Charters – From Carriacou

Incognito Adventures Carriacou – Sailing aboard the Incognito (42’ catamaran):

• Sandy Island (Carriacou) Escape
• Rum Tasting
• Calories Don’t Count
• Private Custom Adventures (Half or Full Day)

Island Windjammers – Sailing aboard Diamant (100’ schooner) or Vela (156’ 3 mast clipper):

• Tropical Temptations – Six Night Sail
• Captains Special – Twelve Night Sail

Bluewater Sailing Charters – Sailing aboard the Chao Lay (Beneteau Oceanis 46ft monohull yacht):

• Crewed Yacht Charters (Enjoy scuba diving, fishing, snorkelling, hiking or relaxing)
• Experience/Mile Building Charters
• Regatta Charters
• RYA Sailing Courses

First Impressions LTD – Sailing Excursions aboard the Starwind (Catamaran):

• East Coast Sail & Snorkeling Tour (Full day Excursion with Lunch)
• West Coast Sail & Snorkeling Tour with Lunch (Half or Full Day Excursions)

Horizon Yacht Charters

• Fully Crewed Charters of a variety of catamarans and monohull yachts
• Bareboat Charters of a variety of catamarans and monohull yachts
• Basic Keelboat Sailing Standard (#101)
• Basic Coastal Cruising Standard (#103)
• Bareboat Chartering Standard (#104)
• Cruising Catamaran Standard (#114)

Dream Yacht Charter

• Crewed Charters
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• Bareboat Charters

LTD Sailing – Sailing Instruction aboard a variety of monohull yachts and catamarans:

• Discover Sailing – Hands on Sailing Instruction
• ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course (2 Day)
• Basic Cruise and Learn
• Coastal Navigation (ASA 105) and Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106)
• Private / Custom Courses also Available
• Custom Adventures with Snorkeling, Scuba diving, hiking, SUP, kite surfing, fishing and cultural/historical tours

Lambi Queen Tours (Carriacou) – Sailing aboard the Fun Runner (47ft Warram catamaran)

•      Sailing Charters to Union Island and more…

Also, check out our Grenada Boating / Ocean Excursions page and  Grenada Fishing  page for more things to do on the waters around the island…

Note:  [SUST-ECO] signifies “Sustainable Eco-Tourism” as defined in our Sustainability page

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The Southern Caribbean: it's Worth the Getting There

The 'Spice Isle' and its offshore smaller islands stretching north into the Grenadines make up the nation of Grenada. As well as being the world's second largest nutmeg supplier, Grenada is a leading producer of cocoa, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Resplendent in verdant rain forest and with the typically beautiful Caribbean coastline, Grenada is also packed with history and culture.

There are numerous of options for a sailboat charter out of Grenada's main port of St. George. Take time to explore this beautiful island, then sail north through the Windward islands chain as far as time and ambition allow.  

Spice Things Up with a Grenada Yachting Holiday

The independent nation of Grenada comprises the main island of the same name and the small chain that stretches north as far as Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Further north lay St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and Martinique, all within holiday cruising distance. That makes Grenada a convenient option for any Windward Islands vacation. And with a lot to recommend Grenada in its own right, the 'Spice Isle' are worthy of strong consideration for your next bareboat charter.

Like virtually all the Windward Islands, Grenada was fought over in the colonial era by England and France, and remnants of both cultures remain. The best place to experience the historical influences and get a slice of modern life is on the main island itself, with all its colour.

On Grenada, the best sailing experiences are to be had in the southwest of the island. From the capital of St Georges around to the heavily indented southern coast, lie the most popular beaches, safe and peaceful anchorages, beachside restaurants and some very interesting places to explore from seaward or short taxi ride. The island is well-developed for tourism, and it's worth taking time to head inland to view the natural beauty that abounds in the rain forest. Grand Etang National Park has a range of hiking trails that take from 15 minutes to several hours to complete.

Northwards it's a full day's sail past Ronde Island and its neighbours (which offer limited shelter but if the conditions are right make the perfect lunch stop) to Carriacou and a different world – the one of the postcards. Tyrell Bay is a popular anchorage serviced by shops and restaurants; the perfect stopover for exploration of the Grenadines and beyond. The waters are clear and the sandy beaches inviting. It's also an island of tradition. With luck and some planning, you can be there during one of the island's many cultural festivals.

From Carriacou and its neighbour Petite Martinique, the Grenadines beckon. It's an easy sail to the Tobago Cays via Clifton Harbour on Union Island to clear customs – you are now in the territory of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There's Mayreau, Canouan, Mustique, and finally Bequia – all idyllic places to visit, some peaceful and quiet, some relatively developed and homes to some rich and famous.

On an extended charter, sail as far north as time allows. The return journey is generally downwind – another good thing about Grenada as your charter base. All in all, Grenada makes for a convenient and practical alternative for exploring some of the best parts of the beautiful Caribbean by bareboat charter.

Sailing Conditions Around Grenada

Grenada and its surrounding waters sit on the southern edge of the 'hurricane belt', and as such the region is rarely affected by storms. Enjoy the typically long Caribbean sailing season, with consistently warm daytime temperatures ranging from 82ºF (28ºC) in January to 88ºF (31ºC) in August.

Winds here blow generally from the east to north-east 15 – 20 knots December through April, changing to east to southeast 10 – 15 knots during the rest of the year. As with all of the Windward Islands, the west and south coasts of the various islands offer the best overnight shelter for cruising yachts. Anchorages on eastern shores need to be sheltered from the northeast (eg. Clifton Harbour, Union Island).

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Grenada Yacht charters

Grenada lies at the southern tip of the Windward Islands and is known as the spice island of the Caribbean, as it is one of the greatest exporters of nutmeg and other spices. Due to unique combination of French and English culture, exotic flowers and rare fruits, rich history and well-seasoned foods, no wonder yacht charters in Grenada became one of the fame destinations.

Rent a Boat in Grenada: 84 Available

Oceanis 43 sailboat charter (2009).

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Catamaran Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 (2017) for rent in Grenada

Bali 4.2 - 4 + 2 cab. catamaran charter (2024)

Rent a boat Oceanis 41.1 (2018) in Grenada

Catamaran Bali 4.3 - 4 + 2 cab. (2018) for rent in Grenada

Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 - 4 + 2 cab. catamaran charter (2019)

Rent a boat Bali 4.0 - 4 + 2 cab. (2017) in Grenada

Catamaran Lagoon 40 - 4 + 2 cab (2020) for rent in Grenada

Nautitech 40 Open - 4 + 2 cab. catamaran charter (2020)

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Grenada yacht charter

Grenada is an untapped treasure of the Caribbean islands, one  which many sailors never experience. The primary island of the  Grenadines, and the southernmost of the Windward Islands, this sliver of  paradise is rich in culture, food and natural wonders. French and  English influence has brought unique cultural distinction, but you’ll be  most impressed by the exotic foods and vast open waters to explore on  your Grenada yacht vacation.

12 Knots Yachting Club offers catamaran, bareboat and luxury yacht  charters for all destinations across the Caribbean. We recommend Grenada  for those who want to venture down the path less traveled, as Grenada  offers a unique island culture and a variety of uninhabited islands  within a day’s sailing trip away. But first, learn about the unique  characteristics of this Grenadine island that make it a favorite among  seasoned sailors.

Nature and Landscapes

Grenada is situated in the southern part of the Caribbean,  close to the coast of Venezuela and Trinidad. The warm southern seas and  year round sunshine bring a varied ecosystem to these islands.  Grenada’s landscape is characterized by steep cliffs, volcanic rock,  vibrant tropical forests and pristine waters on the beach.

The national bird of Grenada is the Grenada dove. This species is  endemic to Grenada, and lives in the small areas of dry forest on the  island. However, human territory expansion and the subsequent  deforestation of these rare suitable habitats has diminished the Grenada  dove’s population to the mere hundreds. These birds are a rare find on  the island, and a birdwatcher’s treat. You may be able to spot one  during your sailing vacation if you take a hiking tour of one of  Grenada’s national parks.

Most of the Caribbean islands formed from volcanic eruptions, and  Grenada is no exception. Most of the volcanoes on Grenada are inactive,  and have formed beautiful mountain peaks with fertile soil below. Mount  St. Catherine is the highest peak, reaching 840 m(2,760 ft) at the  summit. The rainfall on these craggy peaks create beautiful rivers and  waterfalls that decorate the rainforests and provide unique habitat for  Grenada’s native animals.

During your yacht charter in Grenada, explore several grand  waterfalls and hot springs of the island. Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls  is the largest, beginning on a peak over 70 feet above the river below.  Concord Falls is another must-see natural waterfall, with several pools  perfect for an afternoon swim. River Sallee Boiling Springs features six  hot springs, reaching a temperature of 35°C (95°F). These springs are  unique in that they are saltwater, even though they reside over a mile  inland. Both the hot springs and waterfalls provide natural beauty any  island adventurer will enjoy.

Grenada has a rich historical background, dating back to the  indigenous Arawak people. This tribe inhabited most of the Caribbean  islands, but were replaced by the Caribs. Origins of the name "Grenada"  are uncertain, but historians believe that Spanish conquistadors  provided the namesake after the city of Granada. While the Spanish never  settled here, it was likely that Columbus spotted the island on one of  his subsequent voyages to the Caribbean after his first discovery of  land.

Colonization of Grenada did not happen until the late 1600s, due to  significant resistance from the Caribs. The indigenous islanders were  able to maintain their land until 1650, when the French arrived to  settle and build plantations. Like most islands, Grenada was passed  between British and French control until 1763, when the Treaty of Paris  gave France control of it and several other southern islands.

In the late 1950s and 60s, Grenada was a member of the Federation of  the West Indies. This federation of British West Indian colonies lasted  for a brief period, and in 1967 it named Grenada an Associated State;  they were in control of internal affairs but still a part of the  Federation. However, Grenada pushed for full independence, and in 1974  was granted recognition as a sovereign nation. It is one of the few  islands of the Caribbean that won their sovereignty. Many are still  considered French or British territory.

Grenada’s main cultural attraction for tourists is the food.  Known as the “Spice Island of the Caribbean,” Grenada exports cinnamon,  cloves, mace, ginger, allspice, citrus peels, and nutmeg to all corners  of the world. Grenada exports 20% of the world’s supply of nutmeg. This  fragrant seed, which is crushed into a spice, is even portrayed on the  Grenadian flag. Many sailors take back these exotic spices on their  trip, as they can find them fresh, locally grown, and oftentimes at much  cheaper prices than when they are sold in stores.

In addition to spices, Grenada is a major exporter of cocoa and  coffee. The Grenada Chocolate Company, which grows its own cocoa to  produce fine dark chocolate, has paved the way for “tree to bar”  production of organic chocolate. The company provides jobs for a great  number of people in the village of Hermitage, St Patricks. Their  chocolate and the products of other local growers are sold at an annual  chocolate festival, which has brought sailors and foodies to the island  for several years in a row.

Traditional Grenadian food uses a mix of African, Indian and Carib  Amerindian influence. Most restaurants use heavy spices to create  curries and sauces for seafood and fresh, local veggie plates. The  "oildown" is the famous meal to have on the island. The oildown cooks  pork, salt beef, or chicken, and dumplings in a creamy coconut sauce.  The meat and dumplings are submerged until only a small bit of coconut  oil is left in the pan. Fruits and vegetables including breadfruit,  banana, callaloo, yams and potatoes are also added to the famous dish.

What to See and Do

Grenada is an eclectic island with plenty of natural and  cultural wonders to experience during your sailing vacation. If you want  to spend some time on dry land during your Grenada yacht charter, take a  trip to Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve. You’ll find  several hiking trails, and may spot a Grenada dove, armadillo, lemurs,  monkeys, manicou, and other rare species. Grenada is a haven for many  exotic animals, and sailors may be lucky to spot one during a sailing  vacation while on land or on the boat.

One you’ve seen everything you want on the island itself, there are  several nearby islands you can visit during your yacht charter vacation.  Within a day or two, you can sail to Carriacou, Petite Martinique, or  St. Vincent. These sparsely populated islands are rich in beauty. For  miles you can see the lush forests,  tropical flowers, and beaches that  make the Caribbean one of the most popular vacation destinations in the  world.

Further south, more experienced sailors can reach the Tobago Cays of  The Grenadine. Five uninhabited islands comprise the Tobago Cays, and  are surrounded by a grand horseshoe-shaped coral reef. If you visit  Tobago Bay, you must bring snorkeling or diving equipment, as the reefs  are home to hundreds of rare and beautiful sea creatures.

The most unique attraction to Grenada is hands-down, the Molinere  Underwater Sculpture Park. A short boat ride from the Grenada shore will  take you to the most unique snorkeling experience you’ll ever have.  Artist Jason deCaires Taylor created over 65 sculptures of Grenada  natives, and placed them underwater at a depth of up to twelve meters.  This is a must-see for anyone visiting Grenada, for you may never see  another underwater museum quite like this.

Bareboat Charters in Grenada

12 Knots Yachting Club offers bareboat and crewed yacht and  boats rentals in Grenada and across the Caribbean. Grenada is not the  most travelled of our charters, but it is a rare experience and for  some, more enjoyable than visiting the well-populated islands. Sailing  conditions around Grenada are ideal for beginners, however, more  challenging waters are accessible for the experienced sailor. No matter  your experience level, 12 Knots has an ideal sailing vacation for you.  We equip you with the best boats, crews, and even offer sailing classes  so you are nothing but prepared for the ultimate yacht charter  experience.

Temperatures in Grenada hover around 84°F (29°C) year round. It is  recommended that beginners take a bareboat charter in the summer, when  both the waters and winds are calm. The winter months are a good  challenge for the experienced sailor to travel with winds of 20 knots.  No matter how you want to plan your sailing vacation to Grenada, 12  Knots is here to guide you. We offer once-in-a-lifetime charters of the  best and most treasured islands of the Caribbean and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions about yachting in Grenada

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In addition to the best offers we have for boat and yacht charters in Grenada, see also options available for rent in these nearby locations:

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Looking for yacht brokers in Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent? Then look no further. Horizon Yacht Sales brokerage service offers new and used yachts for sale.

We offer an easy, stress-free experience with your financial security in mind, and you will be assisted throughout by a friendly, professional team with integrity.

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3 escaped inmates from Grenada charged with murder after US sailing couple vanishes

Police transport escaped prisoners Atiba Stanislaus, far left, and Trevon Robertson who are handcuffed together in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Monday, March 4, 2024. The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking a catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, who disappeared, were aboard. (AP Photo/Kenton Chance)

The yacht “Simplicity”, that officials say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people aboard, is docked at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Authorities in the eastern Caribbean said they were trying to locate two people believed to be U.S. citizens who were aboard the yacht that was hijacked by the three escaped prisoners from Grenada. (AP Photo/Kenton X. Chance)

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Three escaped inmates from the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada were charged in the killing of a U.S. couple whose catamaran they hijacked, police said Thursday.

Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Atiba Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Trevon Robertson, a 23-year-old unemployed man, were charged with capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. Stanislaus also was charged with one count of rape, according to a statement from the Royal Grenada Police Force.

The men appeared in court on Thursday and were ordered held in prison until their hearing in late March.

They were accused of escaping from a police holding cell on Feb. 18 and hijacking a catamaran owned by Ralph Henry and Kathy Brandel while they were aboard. Authorities said they believe the couple was thrown overboard as the suspects sailed to nearby St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21.

The three men were ordered deported from St. Vincent on Monday.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as “veteran cruisers” who participated in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

Their bodies have not been found.

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Grenada Prison Escapees Are Charged With Murder of American Couple

The couple, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, went missing while sailing off the coast of Grenada.

By Aimee Ortiz

Three men who had escaped from a prison in Grenada and were accused of hijacking an American couple’s yacht to flee have been charged with their murder, the police said on Thursday.

The couple, Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71, went missing while sailing off the coast of Grenada . They had been spending the winter cruising in the Caribbean in their catamaran called Simplicity, which was found abandoned in neighboring St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Feb. 21.

There was no indication in the latest police statement that the bodies of the couple had been recovered as of Thursday.

Trevon Robertson, 23; Atiba Stanisclaus, 25; and Ron Mitchell, 30, face two counts of “capital murder by intentionally causing the death of Ralph Hendry and Kathleen Brandel,” the Royal Grenada Police Force said.

The authorities from police forces in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have given different ages and name spellings for the escapees.

The men were also charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and two counts of kidnapping; Mr. Stanisclaus is also facing a rape charge, the police said, but no details were offered on those accusations. The three men made their first court appearance on Thursday, and are due back on March 27. The Royal Grenada Police Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The police had said in a statement released on Feb. 22 that three men who escaped from a prison in Grenada on Feb. 18 and made their way to St. Vincent using a yacht that had been docked in the St. George area of Grenada.

The prisoners were recaptured on Feb. 21, the same day that the couple’s yacht was found. At the time, the police said they were “currently working on leads that suggest that the two occupants of the yacht may have been killed in the process.”

At a news conference on Feb. 26 , Commissioner Don McKenzie of the Royal Grenada Police Force that “information suggests that, while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, they disposed of the occupants.”

During a Feb. 26 news conference , Junior Simmons, superintendent of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, said the joint investigation into the disappearance with Grenada police was ongoing, and he said the couple was presumed dead.

The investigation revealed that while sailing from Grenada, “the suspects committed several criminal acts including bodily harm to the couple,” he said.

The couple, who were married for 27 years, were “veteran cruisers,” according to the Salty Dawg Sailing Association , a nonprofit that brings together a community of sailors engaged in long-distance cruising on their boats. The couple were longtime members, the organization said in a statement, and “they both contributed to building the S.D.S.A.”

In a joint family statement posted on the association’s website on Feb. 27, Nick Buro, the son of Ms. Brandel, and Bryan Hendry, the son of Mr. Hendry, said that “if we have learned anything from this tragic event, it’s that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born.”

“Ralph and Kathy lived a life that most of us can only dream of,” the message said. “Sailing the eastern coast of the United States, living on their home Simplicity, making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family — that’s who Ralph and Kathy were and that’s how they will be remembered in our hearts.”

Aimee Ortiz is a reporter on the Investigations desk. She was previously a general assignment reporter on the Express Desk. More about Aimee Ortiz

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Virginia woman killed alongside her husband was raped by escaped prisoner who stole their yacht: police.

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The Virginia woman believed to have been killed alongside her husband by escaped prisoners who commandeered the couple’s yacht in the Caribbean was allegedly raped by one of their murderers, according to police.

One of the three men charged with the couple’s murder allegedly raped Kathy Brandel, 71, before the trio killed her and her 66-year-old husband, Ralph Hendry, on their sailboat last month, according to the Royal Grenada Police Force.

Ron Mitchell, Atiba Stanisclaus and Trevon Robertson were all charged Thursday with two counts of capital murder as well as escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and two counts of kidnapping, police said .

Stanisclaus, 25, was also charged with one count of rape in the deadly case. The Royal Grenada Police confirmed that the rape charge is related to an assault on Brandel in a statement to the Daily Mail .

The Royal Grenada Police did not immediately reply to a question about what evidence led to the additional charge, given that cops have not recovered Brandel’s body.

The bodies of the couple have not been found since they were last seen near their docked catamaran, the Simplicity, in St. George’s, Grenada, on Feb. 18 — the same day the three men allegedly broke out of a police holding cell on the island.

Police believe the escapees hijacked the sailboat while the couple were on board. It was found anchored and deserted days later.

Large amounts of blood were found on the ransacked boat, but Hendry and Brandel were nowhere to be found. Police believe their killers threw their bodies overboard while sailing to St. Vincent.

The three men were arrested in St. Vincent on Feb. 21 and were sent back to Grenada on Monday, where they were arraigned in court and sent back to prison.

The men were originally being held on robbery charges before their escape.

They are expected back in court on March 27.

Brandel and Hendry, experienced cruisers, were living on their sailboat at the time of their brutal deaths.

The couple’s children remembered their parents in a touching statement.

“We live in a world that at times can be cruel, but it’s also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith,” they wrote in a statement.

“Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, it’s that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born.”

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Prison escapees charged with murder in deaths of American couple presumed dead after yacht hijack

Three inmates who escaped prison in Grenada last month have been charged with capital murder in the deaths of an America n couple presumed dead after their yacht was hijacked.

Ron Mitchell, 30, Atiba Stanisclaus, 25, and Trevon Robertson, 23, were charged with two counts of capital murder “by intentionally causing” the deaths of Ralph Hendry and Kathleen Brandel, the Royal Grenada Police Force announced Thursday. 

The three men had escaped custody on the island of Grenada on Feb. 18, "commandeered" a yacht called Simplicity docked in the St. George area, and made their way to the nearby island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where they were recaptured on Feb. 21 , police had said.

Simplicity was Hendry and Brandel's sailing yacht and they were on board at the time.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police said last week the couple is presumed “deceased.”

Royal Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie also said last week the couple was most likely “disposed of” at sea by the escaped prisoners. McKenzie said there’s   a “low probability” Brandel and Henry might be alive.

The scene on the couple’s boat was “consistent with signs of violence,” St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Superintendent Junior Simmons said last week.

“Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin, and a red substance that resembled blood was seen on board,” he said. “There was no discovery of bodies on board the yacht.”

The three inmates were also charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery, and two counts of kidnapping. Stanislaus was additionally charged with one count of rape — though police did not say who Stanislaus is accused of raping. 

All three made their first court appearance in court Thursday and were remanded to prison. They are due back in court on March 27.

Hendry and Brandel, American retirees and sailing enthusiasts, traded their life in Alexandria, Virginia, for their longtime dream of life at sea, experiencing "a different adventure every day," Brandel’s son, Nick Buro, told  NBC Washington .

The couple had been planning the trip down to Grenada — their first to the Caribbean island — for “years and years and years, training themselves, preparing the boat, preparing themselves ... to make the trip,” Hendry’s son, Bryan Hendry, told   the station.

The family of Hendry and Brandel released a statement on Feb. 27 through the Salty Dawg Sailing Association , which the couple had made their voyage to the Caribbean with.

“We are incredibly saddened to hear the news that our parents Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry are now presumed dead. We remain optimistic in the on-going search led by the St. Vincent Coast Guard," the statement said.

"While the end of their life may have been dark, they brought light, and that light will never be extinguished from the hearts and minds of the people who knew, loved and cared so deeply about them," it continued.

“Ralph and Kathy lived a life that most of us can only dream of, sailing the eastern coast of the United States, living on their home Simplicity, making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family — that’s who Ralph and Kathy were and that’s how they will be remembered in our hearts."

Breaking News Reporter

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3 prison escapees charged with murder after U.S. couple vanishes while sailing in Grenada

Updated on: March 8, 2024 / 11:34 AM EST / CBS/AP

Three escaped inmates from the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada were charged in the killing of a U.S. couple whose catamaran they hijacked , police said Thursday.

Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Atiba Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Trevon Robertson, a 23-year-old unemployed man, were charged with capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. Stanislaus also was charged with one count of rape, according to a statement from the Royal Grenada Police Force.

The men appeared in court on Thursday and were ordered held in prison until their hearing in late March.

They were accused of escaping from a police holding cell on Feb. 18 and hijacking a catamaran owned by Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel while they were aboard. Authorities said they believe the couple was thrown overboard as the suspects sailed to nearby St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21.

The three men were ordered deported from St. Vincent on Monday.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as "veteran cruisers" who participated in last year's Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

Their bodies have not been found.

"Warm-hearted and capable" sailors

Hendry and Brandel sailed the eastern coast of the U.S., living on their yacht, "making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family," the couple's family said in a statement last week.

"We would like to say a few words about Kathy and Ralph that we wish all to know," the family said. "We live in a world that at times can be cruel, but it's also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith. Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, it's that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born."

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association said Brandel and Hendry were "warm-hearted and capable" members and noted that Brandel served on the association's board for two years.

A GoFundMe donation page stated that Brandel had become a first-time grandmother. The page had raised over $75,000 as of Friday.

"It's just really sad," said longtime friend K.C. McAlpin, who added that Brandel and Hendry had planned to make this their "last grand trip" on Simplicity.

McAlpin said the couple always made friends easily and he hoped they would be remembered for their big hearts.

"They were just a delightful couple and a real blessing in my life, and the lives of so many other people," he said.

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3 escaped inmates are charged with killing missing U.S. sailing couple in Caribbean

The Associated Press

Police transport escaped prisoners Atiba Stanislaus (far left) and Trevon Robertson in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on Monday. The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking a catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, who disappeared, were aboard. Kenton Chance/AP hide caption

Police transport escaped prisoners Atiba Stanislaus (far left) and Trevon Robertson in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on Monday. The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking a catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, who disappeared, were aboard.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Three escaped inmates from the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada were charged in the killing of a U.S. couple whose catamaran they hijacked , police said Thursday.

Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Atiba Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Trevon Robertson, a 23-year-old unemployed man, were charged with capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. Stanislaus also was charged with one count of rape, according to a statement from the Royal Grenada Police Force.

The men appeared in court on Thursday and were ordered held in prison until their hearing in late March.

Police suspect U.S. couple are dead after their boat was hijacked in the Caribbean

They were accused of escaping from a police holding cell on Feb. 18 and hijacking a catamaran owned by Ralph Henry and Kathy Brandel while they were aboard. Authorities said they believe the couple was thrown overboard as the suspects sailed to nearby St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21.

The three men were ordered deported from St. Vincent on Monday.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as "veteran cruisers" who participated in last year's Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

Their bodies have not been found.