We spent a week on Carriacou, the tiny “Isle of Reefs” north of mainland Grenada and honestly, within 24 hours we were plotting how to come back for longer. Carriacou is the kind of Caribbean island that still feels lived in and local, with fishing boats bobbing in Tyrell Bay, beach bars on Paradise Beach and a local villages and towns. It’s small, but we found there’s so many amazing things to do in Carriacou which inspired us to write this blog.
We visited in low season and split our days between the water (snorkel, swim, repeat), exploring villages like Hillsborough and Windward, on boat trips and eating embarrassingly good seafood. Below is what we did and loved, plus 2025-specific updates so you know what’s open, what’s rebuilt and what to expect after Hurricane Beryl.
Hurricane Beryl and Carriacou – what you should know in 2025
On 1st July 2024, Hurricane Beryl hit Carriacou head on. Officials called the damage on Carriacou and Petite Martinique “near total”. Homes, public buildings and vegetation were destroyed in just a few hours. It was unusually early and powerful for hurricane season and it changed the island overnight.
By August 2025 (the time we are updating this blog), the recovery is well underway. Locals, volunteers and NGOs have rebuilt so much of the key infrastructure on the island and Carriacou is once again welcoming tourists like you and me to visit.
There’s still plenty when it comes to what to do in Carriacou Grenada after the hurricane, but a few things are worth knowing before you go:
- Nature’s bouncing back fast – The island has gone green again surprisingly quickly, but some beaches and reefs are still recovering.
- Cancelled events – The 2025 Carriacou Regatta was cancelled this year, but smaller sailing and events have been happening instead.
- And finally, please spend your money locally – Whether it’s buying lunch from a beach shack ran by a local family or booking a boat trip with a local captain, every bit helps.
If you visit in 2025, you’ll be part of the island’s comeback story. And your trip will directly support that recovery.
1. Explore Hillsborough – The main town in Carriacou
Hillsborough is the main town in Carriacou and where most ferries from Grenada arrive. It’s small enough to walk end to end in 15 minutes, but it’s where you’ll find banks, supermarkets, the post office and a handful of bars and restaurants. We stayed a short drive away at Bogles Round House (an amazing beachfront cottage), so we came here often to buy drinks, get cash and pick up fresh fruit from the market near the waterfront.
One of the main things to see in Hillsborough is the Carriacou Museum, which is in a restored cotton gin. It has everything from Amerindian artefacts to the island’s boat-building traditions, which are still alive today in Windward.
The beach here runs the length of town. It’s a pretty wide beach that’s undeveloped and feels ‘wild’. It was one of the best beaches in Carriacou that we visited. It’s also where you’ll see local fishing boats and kids playing in the shallows after school.
‼️ 2025 update: Hillsborough is rebuilding but some shops and restaurants are back open after Hurricane Beryl. The Carriacou Museum is temporarily closed but you can check the most recent update on this here.
2. Take a boat to Sandy Island
Sandy Island is exactly what it sounds like – a narrow strip of white sand with a few palm trees, surrounded by clear turquoise water. It’s part of a protected marine reserve just off the coast of Carriacou and one of the most idyllic places we saw over our month in the country.
We visited with Froggy’s Reef Tours on one of our day trips from Carriacou, which included lots of island hopping, snorkelling, lunch on the boat and Froggy was a good laugh so it was one of our most memorable days. Sandy Island is a great place for snorkelling too as the water is ridiculously clear. We saw parrotfish, angelfish and a turtle in the shallows.
The island has no facilities, so you’ll need to bring your own water, snacks and shade if you plan to stay for more than an hour or two.
‼️ 2025 update: The reef by the north side of the island, facing Carriacou, is still recovering after Beryl and the vegetation from the middle of the island to the west tip is sadly pretty much gone, but the eastern half still offers some shade. Local guides are careful to anchor away from damaged areas, so you can still visit and enjoy the snorkelling.
💡 To get to Sandy Island, you can hop on a speedboat from Paradise Beach Club or visit as part of a tour. We went with Froggy’s Reef Tours, but he isn’t up and running again yet (you can always check his Facebook for most recent updates).
3. Spend the day at Paradise Beach
If you only visit one beach in Carriacou, make it this one. Paradise Beach is often said to be one of the best beaches in Grenada. It stretches along the west coast just outside Hillsborough and for us, we think it lives up to its name and reputation. Soft white sand, calm water and views across to Sandy Island. It’s where we spent most of our lazy afternoons/evenings, swimming, reading, eating at the beach club and watching the light change over the water.
We always sat by Paradise Beach Club and had the most delicious pizza and seafood here. There are a few other restaurants and bars on the beach too, such as Off the Hook and Hardwood Bar. There are plenty of shaded spots under almond trees if you don’t want to rent a lounger.
Paradise Beach is also one of the best spots on in Carriacou for swimming. The water stays shallow for quite a way out, so it’s good for kids or less confident swimmers too.
‼️ 2025 update: Paradise Beach was cleared of debris quickly after Hurricane Beryl and is fully open. We follow them on on Instagram and it’s been incredibly inspiring to see them pull together and rebuild as quickly as possible.
4. Go Scuba diving (or snorkelling)
Carriacou is often called the “Isle of Reefs” so we totally recommend scuba diving and snorkelling here. The island has more than 30 dive sites, from colourful shallow reefs to deeper wrecks, and they’re all within a short boat ride from the island.
One of the most recognised companies to go with is Dive Carriacou. And Lumbadive is well reviewed on Google Maps too.
You might be a certified diver or just looking to do your Open Water course, Carriacou is a great place to get underwater without the big crowds you’ll find on more developed islands.
‼️ 2025 update: At the time of writing this (August 2025), Dive Carriacou and Lumbadive are still closed. However, it’s best to check their latest update on Google Maps or Facebook. A few sites on the east coast are still being monitored for reef recovery, but the majority of popular dive spots remain open with good visibility.
5. Relax at Tyrell Bay Beach
Tyrell Bay is one of Carriacou’s busiest harbours. We took the #10 bus from Hillsborough to Tyrell Bay, which only took about 10 minutes and stopped right next to the beach. There are a few places to eat and drink along the waterfront and shops where you can grab water or food.
The beach itself isn’t as pretty as Sandy Island or Paradise Beach, but it’s a good place to spend a couple of hours among the other things to do in Carriacou on your list. It’s also where many of the island’s boat trips and diving excursions leave from, so it’s an easy place to arrange a tour if you want to go on one when you’re in Carriacou.
We came to walk around the area, but we spent most of our time just sitting by the water and watching boats coming and going most of the afternoon.
‼️ 2025 update: Tyrell Bay has fully reopened after Hurricane Beryl. Most restaurants are open again and it’s back to being one of the main transport points on the island.
6. Visit Petit Martinique from Carriacou
Petite Martinique is only a 20-30 minute boat ride from Carriacou, but it’s completely different to Carriacou. The island is even tinier (less than one square mile), with a single main village, a few shops and a scattering of brightly painted houses. We visited as part of our island hopping tour with Froggy’s and it was amazing to see the island and all the houses from the water.
There aren’t really any ‘things to do and see’ here, since it’s so small. But that’s why it’s pretty cool to experience. You can walk up to the small hilltop for views over to Carriacou and Union Island, or just wander along the harbour past fishing boats pulled up on the sand. There’s usually someone selling fresh bakes or cold drinks if you ask around as well.
If you’re already exploring the Carriacou, we recommend adding Petite Martinique to your itinerary to see even more local island life.
‼️ 2025 update: We’re not 100% sure on the status of Petit Martinique as it was, sadly, also devastated by Hurricane Beryl. Homes and island infrastructure are continuing to be rebuilt today. It’s best to check when you’re on Carriacou to see if day trips are running and please, if you can support rebuild efforts.
7. Eat Beach BBQ at Anse La Roche Bay
One of our favourite afternoons in Carriacou was spent at Tim’s Sunset Beach Bar and Restaurant. It’s tucked away on Anse La Roche Bay, which you can only get to by boat so it feels like a little hideaway. We messaged Tim on Facebook (Tim’s Sunset Beach Bar and Restaurant) and he arranged a free water taxi pick-up for us.
It’s up there as one of our top things to do in Carriacou because once you arrive, the beach is literally so perfect and we had it all to ourselves! Beautiful white sand and crystal clear turquoise water. Honestly, I could have stayed there forever swimming and floating before eating from the BBQ.
We shared fish, chicken, pork, lots of sides and beers. Dinner was $120 EC per person and drinks were $15-20 EC each.
The most incredible part about eating here and visiting this beach was that we were the only ones there. The food was cooked fresh for only us and we just relaxed and enjoyed every single moment of having the beach and food all to ourselves.
‼️ 2025 update: Tim’s reopened after Hurricane Beryl and is running as normal. His water taxi service is still available, so message him on Facebook to arrange pick up.
8. Eat local food in Carriacou
One of the best parts of spending a week in Carriacou was getting to know the island through its food. You won’t find chain restaurants here. Everything is small, family-run and most of the time it’s right by the sea.
Here are some of our favourite places to eat in Carriacou from our week on the island:
- Paradise Beach Club ♥️♥️♥️ (reopened since Beryl)
- Bogles Round House ♥️♥️♥️ (reopened since Beryl)
- Kayak Kafe ♥️♥️ (hasn’t reopened after Beryl)
- Fig and Bluggoe ♥️♥️ (temporarily closed after Hurricane Beryl but expected to re-open soon)
- Lambi Queen ♥️ (reopened since Beryl)
9. Island hop to Saline Island & White Island
We’ve already mentioned in this article that we spent one of our day trips in Carriacou out on the water with Froggy’s Reef Tours and during this boat trip, we stopped at both Saline Island and White Island, which are two uninhabited islets just off the south coast. They’re the kind of places you picture when you think “Caribbean postcard”. Bright white sand, water so clear you can see the fish gliding past and no buildings in sight.
Saline Island is known for its shallow lagoon, mangroves and cute turtles. It reminded us of snorkelling at Tobago Cays in the Grenadines.
We snorkelled at Saline Island for ages, watching the turtles feed in the seagrass before swimming off into deeper water. White Island feels even more remote, with a perfect stretch of sand you can walk end to end in about 10 minutes.
‼️ 2025 update: Boat trips have started up again to Saline Island and White Island after Hurricane Beryl. Ask your accommodation to help you arrange a tour.
10. Carriacou Regatta (what to know for 2025)
We were lucky enough to be on Carriacou during regatta week! We actually didn’t even know it was on either, until we arrived. It was easily one of the best things we did in Carriacou. trip. The whole island seemed to turn up. Families, visiting sailors, people doing cook-ups, all centred around the boat races that celebrate Carriacou’s wooden boat–building tradition.
The main races happen just offshore in Hillsborough. Over the weekend, different classes of boats compete and race. From traditional wooden sloops built right here in Carriacou to modern racing yachts. You can watch them from almost anywhere along the waterfront. We sat in Kayak Kafe most of the day.
There were food stalls everywhere selling fried fish, local food and cold drinks, plus music playing late into the night. Even if you’re not into sailing, it’s worth timing a trip around regatta week just to see how much life it brings to the island.
‼️ 2025 update: The Carriacou Regatta Festival was cancelled for 2025. We suggest keeping an eye on the regatta Facebook page for 2026 dates if you want to plan the regatta into your visit.
11. Windward village & traditional boat-building
Windward is a small fishing village on the northeast coast of Carriacou. After a few days on the island, we realised from seeing Windward that what to do in Carriacou Grenada isn’t just about beaches. This village is where traditional wooden boat-building still happens. The tradition dates back to Scottish settlers and you can still spot wooden sloops taking shape on the beach, built entirely by hand. Seeing one finished and out on the water is seriously impressive.
We first saw Windward from the #11 bus, which runs all the way through the village. It’s actually a great way to get a feel for the place without planning a stop. You’ll pass the shoreline, the houses and, if you’re lucky, some of the boats mid-build. We also came through on our island-hopping day with Froggy’s, so we saw it in daylight and again after dark when we got back from the day out. When we were there, the beach had a fair bit of seaweed, but we were still glad we got to see it.
‼️ 2025 update: Windward was hit hard by Hurricane Beryl and many boats were damaged, including the one we went out on for the day. By August 2025, people are rebuilding. It never fails to surprise us how resilient and strong the people of the Caribbean are.
12. Watch the sunset
Carriacou’s sunsets became one of our favourite parts of the day. From Bogles Round House where we stayed, we could just wander down to the water and watch it from there. Some evenings we’d head to Paradise Beach for pizza and a beer while the sun dropped behind Sandy Island. Other times we’d just sit outside and watch it from near our cottage.
Other good sunset spots we tried (or heard about from locals) were Hillsborough Beach, Off the Hook Bar, Anse La Roche and anywhere along the west coast if you have a rental car.
If you’re on the island, make sure you give yourself at least one evening to just stop and take it in.
How to get to Carriacou from Grenada in 2025
We got to Carriacou from Grenada on the Osprey ferry, which leaves from St George’s and takes around 2.5 hours. It’s the easiest and most affordable option if you’re travelling without your own boat and you get great views of Grenada’s west coast and the smaller islands in between. If you’re planning to sit on the top deck, pack sunscreen. There’s no shade at all! And the sun can be brutal.
You can read our full how to get to Carriacou from Grenada guide for more on ferry timetables, prices and booking tips.
🫱 If you’re spending time in Grenada before or after, our Grenada travel guide has everything you need to plan your trip and some amazing things to do.
The other option is SVG Air, a tiny plane that hops from Grenada to Carriacou’s Lauriston Airport in about 20 minutes. It’s much faster but a lot more expensive, so we skipped it this time.
‼️ 2025 update: Both the Osprey ferry and SVG Air flights are running as normal after Hurricane Beryl. The Carriacou ferry schedule 2025 is mostly back to pre-hurricane times, but double check the schedule here or the Facebook page before you travel.
FAQs about visiting Carriacou, Grenada in 2025
What is the best area to stay in Carriacou?
Accommodation in Carriacou is mostly small guesthouses, villas and boutique hotels. We stayed at Bogles Round House and loved it. Paradise Beach and Tyrell Bay are also good areas to have access to the beach.
Is Carriacou worth visiting?
Yes, we think it’s one of the most authentic islands in the Caribbean. You’ve got white sand beaches like Paradise Beach and Sandy Island, tiny fishing villages such as Windward and some of the best snorkelling and diving. It’s also quieter than mainland Grenada, so if you’re after laid-back island life with a real local feel, Carriacou is it.
How far is Carriacou from Grenada?
Carriacou is about 23 miles (37 km) north of Grenada’s main island. On the Osprey ferry, it takes roughly 2.5 hours to get there from St George’s. Flying with SVG Air is much faster (around 20 minutes) but also far more expensive.
Is Carriacou part of Grenada?
Yes. Carriacou is one of the three main islands that make up the country of Grenada, along with mainland Grenada and Petite Martinique. It’s part of the Grenadines island chain but politically belongs to Grenada, not St Vincent and the Grenadines.
What is the best time to visit Carriacou, Grenada?
Most people aim for the dry season from January to May for guaranteed sun, nice and warm sea conditions and great visibility if you’re diving or snorkelling. Hurricane season is from June to November, so you’ll get more rain and the occasional storm risk, but we went in August and still had plenty of sunny days. If you’re flexible and keep an eye on the forecast, travelling in summer can mean quieter beaches, fewer people doing the best things to do in Carriacou and lower prices.
How do you get from Grenada to Carriacou?
The easiest and most affordable option is the Osprey ferry from St George’s, which takes about 2.5 hours. You can also take an SVG Air flight to Lauriston Airport in around 20 minutes, but it’s much more expensive. We cover the options in detail in our how to get to Carriacou from Grenada guide.
Do I need a car in Carriacou?
Not necessarily. We got around fine using the local buses (we took the #10 to Tyrell Bay and the #11 through Windward) and arranging boat trips, like the one we took to Anse La Roche. That said, we did rent a car for a couple of days to reach more remote spots and it was worth it to just drive around and stop wherever we wanted. There are no big rental companies here, so check Google Maps for the best reviewed local businesses.
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