Sailing in Grenada

Sailing in Grenada: routes, conditions and practicalities

Grenada sits at the southern gateway to the Windward Islands, offering reliable trade winds, well-sheltered south-coast harbours, and easy hops to Carriacou, Petite Martinique and, with clearance, the Grenadines. Its geography suits both settled moorings and open-water passages: you can tuck into mangrove-backed bays one day and cross a lively channel the next.

For skippers weighing their first Caribbean cruise or aiming to extend beyond the crowded mid-chain islands, Grenada is a confident choice. Winters bring brisk easterlies and crisp visibility; summers soften the breeze yet keep the rhythm of tradewind sailing. The island group’s protected anchorages, good charter infrastructure and straightforward airport access make planning stress-light and sailing time-rich.

This guide sets out when to go, how the winds behave, where to anchor, and how to charter with confidence. It also outlines clearance and certification essentials, and proposes sample itineraries that balance snug harbours with rewarding passages.

Quick links

Jump straight to key sections of this Grenada sailing guide.

• Sailing in Grenada: routes, conditions and practicalities
• Why Sail in Grenada?
• Sample Itineraries
• When to go
• Wind and weather
• Getting there
• Chartering in Grenada
• Licences and formalities
• Anchorages and marinas
• FAQs
• References

Why Sail in Grenada?

Grenada’s south coast reads like a sailor’s checklist: indented bays with excellent holding, mangrove creeks for all-weather shelter, and marinas with full-service repair yards. You can day-sail between Prickly Bay, Mount Hartman, Clarkes Court and Le Phare Bleu in flat water behind offshore reefs, then round Point Salines for sunsets along the west coast.

Push north and the character shifts to bluewater day passages. The run to Carriacou and Petite Martinique is typically a beam reach in the trades, with Isle de Ronde as a handy lunch stop in settled conditions. Carriacou then rewards with broad anchorages, clear snorkelling on Sandy Island’s marine park moorings, and low-key villages where shoreside life moves at an easy pace.

For those with a taste for classic Windward sailing, the wider playground lies just beyond: Union Island, Mayreau and the Tobago Cays are within a short reach once you have cleared formalities. Yet many crews never feel the need to leave Grenadian waters; the combination of shelter, services and scenery is compelling in its own right.

Finally, Grenada’s latitude sits toward the southern fringe of the hurricane belt. While storms can and do occur, statistical risk is lower than farther north. That, together with year-round tradewind patterns, extends the practical cruising season and underpins a vibrant resident cruising community.

Sample Itineraries

These sample routes balance short, protected hops with rewarding open-water passages. Adjust distances to suit your crew, leave weather margins, and plan arrivals in good light for reef-lined approaches.

7-day Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique (remain in Grenada waters)

A 7-day route. Adjust legs to forecast, moorings and crew preferences.

A compact loop that keeps you within Grenadian waters, ideal for first-time Caribbean crews or those seeking stress-free formalities. Start with gentle west- and south-coast legs, then enjoy a lively but manageable reach to Carriacou. Moorings in marine parks simplify overnighting, and plentiful services on the south coast and in Tyrell Bay make logistics straightforward.

Day 1 — St George’s to Dragon Bay

Join your yacht at Port Louis Marina, complete provisions and briefings, then make a short hop up the west coast. Pick up a park mooring at Molinière/Dragon Bay for afternoon snorkelling at the underwater sculpture park, or anchor in nearby Grand Mal in settled weather. Stops: Port Louis Marina, St George’s; Molinière/Dragon Bay Marine Park; Grand Mal Bay.

Day 2 — Dragon Bay to Prickly Bay (south coast)

Round Point Salines in the morning before the sea breeze builds. Settle into Prickly Bay for easy dinghy access to restaurants and chandlery, or continue a mile east into quieter Mount Hartman (Secret Harbour) if you prefer a snugger berth. Stops: Point Salines; Prickly Bay; Secret Harbour (Mount Hartman Bay).

Day 3 — South coast meander

Take a short-sail day across the south-coast bays. Explore Hog Island’s sandy beaches, call at Clarkes Court for lunch or fuel, and consider an overnight at Le Phare Bleu for marina comforts and a calm night. Stops: Hog Island; Clarkes Court Bay; Le Phare Bleu Marina.

Day 4 — Passage to Carriacou (Tyrell Bay)

Make an early start for a lively reach north. In settled seas, pause at Ronde Island for a swim; otherwise, continue straight to Tyrell Bay, clearing formalities if needed and picking up services at the marina and boatyard. Stops: Ronde Island Anchorage; Tyrell Bay, Carriacou.

Day 5 — Sandy Island and Hillsborough

Take a short hop to the Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area. Pick up a mooring over sand and enjoy reef snorkelling. In the afternoon, sail to Hillsborough for a stroll ashore and local supplies. Stops: Sandy Island (MPA moorings); Hillsborough.

Day 6 — Petite Martinique and Saline Island

Reach across to Petite Martinique for a traditional boatbuilding scene and fuel options. After lunch, drift back to the quieter waters off Saline Island for a last snorkel and a protected overnight. Stops: Petite Martinique; Saline Island.

Day 7 — Return to St George’s

Enjoy a rewarding downwind run back along Grenada’s west coast. Pause at Grand Mal or Dragon Bay for lunch and a final swim before entering the lagoon and returning the yacht at Port Louis. Stops: Grand Mal Bay; Port Louis Marina, St George’s.

10-day Grenada to the Tobago Cays (with SVG clearances)

A 10-day route. Adjust legs to forecast, moorings and crew preferences.

For crews seeking the classic Grenadines experience, this route adds straightforward international clearances to reach Union Island, Mayreau and the Tobago Cays. Expect short inter-island hops in clear water, marine-park moorings among reefs, and a relaxed return via Carriacou. Keep passports, crew lists and zarpes organised to streamline port calls.

Day 1 — St George’s to Prickly Bay

Board in St George’s, settle systems, and make a short hop to Prickly Bay for an easy first night and dinner ashore. Stops: Port Louis Marina, St George’s; Prickly Bay.

Day 2 — Prickly Bay to Tyrell Bay

Reach north to Carriacou. If planning to continue into SVG, prepare documents for next-day clearances. Stops: Tyrell Bay, Carriacou.

Day 3 — Clear out of Grenada; Tyrell Bay to Clifton (Union Island)

Complete outward clearance in Tyrell Bay, sail the short leg to Clifton, and clear into St Vincent & the Grenadines. Overnight in Clifton or nearby Palm Island. Stops: Tyrell Bay, Carriacou; Clifton, Union Island; Palm Island.

Day 4 — Clifton to Tobago Cays

Take a short, beautiful sail into the lagoon behind Horseshoe Reef. Pick up a park mooring if available and enjoy world-class snorkelling in settled conditions. Stops: Tobago Cays Marine Park.

Day 5 — Mayreau (Salt Whistle Bay)

Hop to Mayreau for a palm-fringed anchorage and a hillside walk to the church viewpoint. Space is limited in northerly swell. Stops: Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau.

Day 6 — Union Island (Chatham Bay)

Sail to Chatham Bay for a wide, quiet roadstead and a relaxed evening ashore. Stops: Chatham Bay, Union Island.

Day 7 — PSV and Petite Martinique; re-enter Grenada

Skirt Petit St Vincent, then clear back into Grenada at Carriacou. Overnight at Petite Martinique or return to Tyrell Bay for services. Stops: Petit St Vincent (offshore); Petite Martinique; Tyrell Bay, Carriacou.

Day 8 — Sandy Island and Hillsborough

Enjoy a last SVG-style lagoon, but now in Grenadian waters: pick up a Sandy Island mooring and visit Hillsborough for supplies. Stops: Sandy Island (MPA moorings); Hillsborough.

Day 9 — Down the west coast to Grand Mal/Dragon Bay

Make a comfortable downwind leg with a swim stop at the sculpture park or a calm night in Grand Mal when swell is low. Stops: Molinière/Dragon Bay Marine Park; Grand Mal Bay.

Day 10 — Return to St George’s

Enter the lagoon in good light and refuel at Port Louis Marina. Debrief, hand back the yacht and enjoy a final evening in the Carenage. Stops: Port Louis Marina, St George’s.

When to go

The prime season is December to May, when the northeast to east trades blow most consistently at 15–25 knots and rainfall is lowest. Visibility is crisp, seas are moderate, and the south-coast bays are at their most comfortable. Around late December and January the so‑called Christmas Winds can push 25–30 knots for several days; plan shorter hops and allow for acceleration around headlands.

June to November is warmer and wetter, with lighter winds overall (10–20 knots) interspersed with squalls, particularly when tropical waves pass. Grenada lies toward the southern edge of the hurricane belt; severe storms are less common than farther north but remain possible, with peak risk from August to October. Many charter operators continue through summer with prudent routing and robust contingency plans.

Northern swell occasionally wraps into west-coast roadsteads in winter, and long‑period southerly swell may disturb Prickly Bay and other south-coast anchorages in summer. Marine parks and popular bays are busiest mid‑winter; late April to June offers settled sailing with more space.

If you favour quieter anchorages and warm water without peak-season crowds, shoulder months such as late April, May and early June often deliver reliable trades, clear water and easier berth or mooring availability.

Wind and weather

Grenada’s sailing is shaped by the Atlantic trades. In boreal winter the wind is usually NE–E at 15–25 knots; by late spring and summer it veers E–SE and eases to 10–20 knots. Expect daytime sea-breeze enhancement along the south and west coasts and night-time katabatic gusts descending the interior hills into nearby anchorages.

Channels bring a notable step up in sea state. The run between Grenada and Carriacou is often a lively beam reach with 1.5–2.5 m trade‑wind swell and a west‑going set of 0.5–1 knot. Wind‑against‑current can steepen seas; plan departures with this in mind. Visibility is typically excellent outside of brief squalls.

Local effects matter. Around the capes (Point Salines and the north‑west tip) acceleration and bullets are common. The west coast is generally lee‑shore calm under land breeze mornings, with gusts off valleys. The south coast sits behind offshore reefs, giving flatter water but occasional surge in southerly swell. Tidal range is small (roughly 0.3–0.5 m) but tidal stream is negligible compared to wind and current.

Note the submarine volcano Kick ’em Jenny north‑west of Grenada. An exclusion zone is promulgated around its position and may be expanded during seismic activity; always check current notices and give it a wide berth.

Practical tip: make your longer upwind or exposed passages early, then plan for relaxed, protected afternoons. Rounding Point Salines is usually more comfortable before the sea breeze peaks.

Getting there

Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) sits at Point Salines, 15–25 minutes by road from the main charter bases on Grenada’s south and west coasts. There are regular regional links via Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and Trinidad, and periodic direct services from major hubs. Carriacou has Lauriston Airport (CRU) with short inter‑island flights. The Osprey ferry connects St George’s with Carriacou for crews staging itineraries north.

For crews arriving by yacht from abroad, make landfall on the west or south coasts and proceed directly to a port of entry before going ashore elsewhere. St George’s (including Port Louis Marina and Grenada Yacht Club), Prickly Bay, and locations in Carriacou (Tyrell Bay; Hillsborough where applicable) are commonly used. Good light is advised for first‑time approaches, particularly on the reef‑lined south‑east. At night, expect unlit fish pots and the odd net close inshore on the west side.

On arrival, pre‑book a taxi or marina transfer for bulky provisions, and allow time for a thorough handover at the base. Supermarkets and chandleries around St George’s are well stocked, and most marinas can arrange fuel, water and last‑minute spares before you cast off.

Chartering in Grenada

Grenada supports one of the Caribbean’s most practical charter hubs. Most bareboat and skippered fleets operate from Port Louis Marina in St George’s, with additional options in Prickly Bay and Tyrell Bay (Carriacou). Monohulls suit upwind days and tighter moorings; catamarans are popular for their space and shallow draft in lagoonal anchorages like Sandy Island.

Provisioning is straightforward near St George’s, with supermarkets, fresh markets and excellent chandleries. Fuel, water and repairs are available on the south coast and in Tyrell Bay. One‑way charters between Grenada and the Grenadines are possible with prior agreement, noting the added formalities and re‑positioning costs.

Competence expectations are sensible. Grenada does not impose a universal statutory skipper’s licence for private leisure use, but charter companies will require evidence of experience. An ICC or RYA Day Skipper (or ASA 104/114) with VHF proficiency is widely accepted, and recent experience on the same hull type is expected for catamarans. If in doubt, provide a sailing CV or consider a local skipper for the first day or two to build confidence.

Booking tips: confirm what is included (tender, outboard, linens, snorkelling sets), ask about damage deposits and security waivers, and verify support arrangements for after‑hours call‑outs. A brief local area and reef‑passage orientation on day one pays dividends, especially for first‑timers to the south‑coast bays.

Licences and formalities

Yacht clearance follows the standard Windward Islands pattern. Fly the Q flag on arrival and proceed directly to an official port of entry. Pre‑arrival submission via SailClear expedites processing. Skipper, crew passports, vessel registration and proof of insurance are required; list tenders and any firearms or drones as per local rules. Fees are modest and increase outside normal office hours; overtime may apply on evenings, weekends and public holidays.

A cruising permit is required for Grenadian waters and is typically issued for the intended stay. Environmental fees may be collected where applicable. In marine protected areas, use mooring buoys where provided and avoid anchoring on coral or seagrass; local wardens collect mooring fees.

To visit St Vincent & the Grenadines from Grenada, clear out at a Grenadian port (commonly Tyrell Bay) and clear in at Union Island (Clifton) or another SVG port. Reverse the process on return. Keep stamped zarpes and receipts accessible.

Skipper certification: while there is no blanket government licence mandate for private leisure skippers, charter operators will require proof of competence. An ICC or RYA Day Skipper (or ASA equivalent) plus a Short Range VHF certificate is generally sufficient; multihull charters usually require recent catamaran experience. Expect a short on‑water assessment if your documentation is borderline.

Practical note: verify current rules on drones, spear‑fishing and marine‑park usage before departure, and carry a visible courtesy flag when in SVG. Office hours can vary around public holidays; plan clearances to avoid overtime where possible.

Anchorages and marinas

South coast — Prickly Bay, Mount Hartman (Secret Harbour), Clarkes Court and Le Phare Bleu form a cluster of well-protected indentations. Holding is mainly sand and mud with patches of grass; give scope and set firmly. In southerly swell, Prickly Bay can develop a roll and surge at docks. Services include fuel, water, haul‑out and competent yards. Hog Island offers a quiet, shoal‑draft anchorage and beach.

St George’s — The lagoon hosts Port Louis Marina with all‑tide access and full facilities. Anchoring inside the lagoon is restricted; outside, Grand Anse is open and can be rolly, while Grand Mal and Dragon Bay offer fair‑weather stops with access to the Molinière/Beauséjour Marine Protected Area and the underwater sculpture park (moorings only within the park).

West and north coasts — Roadstead anchorages dot the shoreline but are exposed to swell and gusts; use in settled weather by day. Offshore, Isle de Ronde provides clear water and sand patches but strong currents and poor protection in trades. North of Grenada lies the Kick ’em Jenny exclusion zone; plot routes to avoid it.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique — Tyrell Bay is the principal harbour with good holding, a marina/boatyard, fuel and water. Hillsborough offers town access in settled conditions. The Sandy Island Oyster Bed MPA has moorings over sand and superb snorkelling; respect the no‑anchoring zones. Petite Martinique provides a practical stop with fuel and a traditional feel. Around Saline Island and the south coast of Carriacou, anchorages are shallow and protected but require eyeball navigation in good light.

Anchoring etiquette and technique matter here: arrive with the sun high for colour contrast over reefs, favour sand patches to protect seagrass and coral, and rig a bridle or snubber to reduce yaw and snatch in the trades. Many bays reward an early arrival with the best spots and calmer water.

FAQs

References

• https://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Grenada
• https://www.grenadagrenadines.com
• https://www.campbellandnicholsons.com/port-louis-marina
• https://www.pricklybaymarina.com
• https://www.clarkescourtmarina.com
• https://www.secretharbourgrenada.com
• https://www.lepharebleu.com
• https://sandyisland.org
• https://www.sailclear.com
• https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/travel-and-events/holiday-weather/caribbean
• https://www.noaa.gov
• https://gisn.gd/moliniere-beausejour-mpa
• https://www.ospreylines.com
• https://www.puertoportauthority.gd
• https://gnda.gd/airport/maurice-bishop-international-airport