Carriacou is the easiest way to add a second chapter to a Grenada trip: a smaller, slower island about two hours north of St George's by fast ferry, with reef-fringed beaches, boat-building villages and a culture of its own. It is also a trip that needs its own line in the budget, because transport, accommodation and the boat rides to the best beaches add up quickly if they have not been planned.
This guide breaks down the main costs for a typical two- or three-night side trip from the main island, compares the ferry with flying, and flags the points where visitors most often get caught out. Carriacou and Petite Martinique were badly damaged by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, and recovery has continued since. Accommodation, restaurants and services may have changed, so check the current situation directly with any business before you book. Prices here are indicative, at the fixed rate of EC$2.70 to US$1.
Getting there: ferry or flight
The fast ferry operated by Osprey Lines runs from the Carenage in St George's to Carriacou, with sailings continuing to Petite Martinique. Since Hurricane Beryl damaged the jetty in Hillsborough it has been docking at Tyrrel Bay rather than in town, so confirm the arrival point when you book. The crossing usually takes around two hours, depending on the vessel and the sea, and is by far the cheaper option. Return fares have historically been in the region of US$60 to US$80 per person; confirm the current fare and timetable before you travel, since both change and sailings can be cancelled in rough weather. The channel can be choppy, particularly on the open stretch north of the main island, so take seasickness precautions if you need them.
Small aircraft also connect Maurice Bishop International Airport with Lauriston Airport on Carriacou in around 20 minutes. Flying saves time and avoids the crossing, but tickets cost several times the ferry fare and luggage limits on small planes are tight. Operators and schedules on this route have changed over the years, so check who is flying when you plan. A common compromise is to take the ferry one way and fly back, or to fly only if you are short of time.
Where to stay and what it costs
Carriacou has no large resorts. Accommodation is mainly guesthouses, small hotels, apartments and villas around Hillsborough, L'Esterre, Tyrrel Bay, Bogles and Belair. Rates are generally lower than at the top end of the main island's south coast, and simple rooms and apartments can cost from roughly US$60 to US$150 a night, with better-equipped villas and small boutique properties higher. As with everything on the island since Hurricane Beryl, availability may be more limited than it once was, and some properties have been rebuilding.
Location matters more than on the main island, because getting around takes planning. Hillsborough is convenient for shops, banks and Lauriston Airport. L'Esterre puts you near Paradise Beach and the water taxis to Sandy Island. Tyrrel Bay is the yachting hub, with a boatyard, anchorage and a cluster of bars and restaurants. Ask your host about transport from the ferry, whether the price includes taxes, and whether they accept cards; many smaller places prefer cash or bank transfer. Booking direct with small properties is common on Carriacou, and some do not appear on the big booking platforms at all, so a recommendation from your main-island accommodation can be useful.
Getting around and the beach boats
Minibuses. Carriacou has local buses on the main routes linking Hillsborough with Tyrrel Bay, Windward and other villages. Fares are low, but services are infrequent and thin out in the evening and on Sundays.
Taxis and island tours. Taxis meet the ferry and can be booked for transfers or a half-day island tour covering Hillsborough, Windward, Belair, the boat-building area and viewpoints such as Princess Royal. Agree the price first; tours are usually priced per vehicle.
Water taxis. The boat ride to Sandy Island, a tiny sand cay within a marine protected area, is one of the highlights of any visit. Water taxis leave from Paradise Beach, Hillsborough and Tyrrel Bay. Agree the price, confirm whether the marine park fee is included, and fix a pick-up time before you leave.
Car hire. A few local firms rent cars and jeeps. You need a temporary local driving permit, as on the main island. Roads are narrow and hilly but traffic is light.
Petite Martinique. The ferry continues to Petite Martinique, and local boats run from Windward. A day trip is possible, but check return times carefully, as missing the last boat means an unplanned night.
Food, cash and supplies
Eating on Carriacou ranges from local cook shops and beach bars to a handful of restaurants around Tyrrel Bay, Hillsborough and Paradise Beach. Prices are broadly similar to the main island, but imported groceries can be a little dearer and selection narrower because supplies arrive by boat. Fresh fish and lobster in season are often excellent value. If you are self-catering, consider bringing some staples from a supermarket in Grand Anse or St George's.
Cash is more important than on the main island. There are only a few ATMs, mostly in Hillsborough, and machines can run low around weekends and holidays. Many guesthouses, taxis, water taxis, buses and small restaurants prefer cash. Arrive with enough EC dollars for your stay and a reserve, and withdraw more in Hillsborough on your first day rather than your last. Carry small notes for water taxis and buses. Change for an EC$100 note can be scarce. Check whether your accommodation takes cards before relying on them. Petite Martinique has even fewer services, so carry what you need for a day visit there.
Timing the trip: festivals, weather and demand
Carriacou's calendar affects both prices and availability. The island's best-known events have traditionally been the Carriacou Regatta Festival around the start of August, with traditional sloop racing and festivities; the Maroon and String Band Music Festival in the spring; and the Parang Festival in December, built around string-band and seasonal music. When any of these is on, rooms in Hillsborough and near the venues fill early and ferries are busier. Dates can shift, and the post-Beryl calendar has been less predictable, so confirm current plans with the Grenada Tourism Authority or local organisers.
Outside those periods, demand is modest and prices fairly stable year-round. The main seasonal factor is the sea. Between roughly December and April, stronger trade winds can make the ferry crossing rougher, while from June to November the risk shifts to tropical weather that can halt sailings and flights for a day or more. Either way, allow slack in the schedule. Sailors and yacht crews arrive at Tyrrel Bay throughout the winter season, which keeps that corner of the island livelier than the rest.
Sample totals and the mistakes to avoid
Budget, two nights for two people. Ferry return, a simple guesthouse or apartment, local meals, buses and one shared water taxi to Sandy Island: very roughly US$350 to US$550 for the couple.
Comfortable, three nights for two people. Ferry one way and flight back, a well-equipped apartment or small hotel, restaurant dinners, a taxi island tour and water taxis: roughly US$900 to US$1,500 for the couple.
Mistake: a same-day return. It is possible to go and come back in one day on the ferry, but it leaves only a few hours on the island and a long day on the water. Two nights is a sensible minimum.
Mistake: tight connections. Do not schedule the ferry or flight back to the main island on the same day as your international departure. Weather can cancel sailings, so leave a buffer day.
Mistake: no cash. Arriving with only cards is the most common avoidable problem.
Mistake: assuming pre-2024 information. Guidebook entries, old reviews and listings may describe places that were damaged or closed after Hurricane Beryl. Confirm directly.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Grenada to Carriacou?
The fast ferry from St George's to Carriacou usually takes around two hours, depending on the vessel and sea conditions. The ferry also continues to Petite Martinique. Check the current timetable before you travel, as sailing times change and services can be cancelled in rough weather.
Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry to Carriacou?
The ferry is considerably cheaper. Flights to Lauriston Airport take about 20 minutes but usually cost several times the ferry fare and have tight baggage limits. Many visitors take the ferry both ways or fly one way to save time.
How many days do you need on Carriacou?
Two or three nights is a good minimum for seeing Hillsborough, a beach day at Paradise Beach, a water taxi to Sandy Island and a taxi tour. A day trip is possible but rushed. Longer stays suit divers, sailors and anyone who wants a slow pace.
Are there ATMs on Carriacou?
Yes, but only a few, mostly in Hillsborough. Many smaller businesses prefer cash, and machines can run low around weekends and holidays. Bring enough EC dollars for your stay and a reserve, and do not rely on cards being accepted everywhere.
Has Carriacou recovered from Hurricane Beryl?
Recovery has been under way since the hurricane in July 2024, but the damage was severe and the situation continues to change. Some businesses have reopened, others have rebuilt or closed. Contact accommodation, tour operators and restaurants directly to confirm they are operating before you book.
Can you visit Petite Martinique from Carriacou?
Yes. The ferry from St George's continues to Petite Martinique, and local boats run from Windward on Carriacou. Petite Martinique is small enough to walk around in a few hours, but check return times so you do not miss the last boat back.
