Getting Around Carriacou and Petite Martinique Without Stress

Carriacou is small, about 13 square miles, with a population of a few thousand spread through villages linked by a handful of roads. Petite Martinique is far smaller still. Getting around both is simple compared with the main island of Grenada, but the transport is informal and thin: fewer buses, fewer taxis, few hire cars, and much of it arranged by word of mouth.

Both islands were severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, and the recovery has affected roads, vehicles and services. This page sets out how transport has traditionally worked on Carriacou and Petite Martinique, what to arrange before you arrive, and the checks to make so you are not left waiting by an empty road. Always confirm the current situation locally before relying on any service.

Hillsborough as the hub

Almost everything on Carriacou starts in Hillsborough, the main town on the west coast. Lauriston Airport is a short distance away. Since Hurricane Beryl damaged the town jetty, the ferry from St George's has been docking at Tyrrel Bay, a short drive south, so confirm the arrival point and arrange a taxi into town. Shops, banks, the market area, government offices and many guesthouses are within walking distance of the waterfront, so once you are in town you may not need any transport at all.

From Hillsborough, roads lead north towards Bogles and the Anse La Roche area, east across the island to Windward and the boatbuilding traditions of that coast, and south towards L'Esterre, Paradise Beach and Harvey Vale and Tyrrel Bay, where many yachts anchor. None of these journeys is long by car; even the farthest points on the island are usually within about twenty to thirty minutes of town by road.

Because services are concentrated in Hillsborough, plan to pass through it for cash, supplies and onward transport. Visitors staying in Tyrrel Bay or on the north coast still often come into town for errands.

Minibuses on Carriacou

How they work. Carriacou has its own small fleet of privately run minibuses, working the same way as on the main island: flag one down at the roadside, tell the driver where you want to go, and pay in EC dollars when you get off. Routes radiate from Hillsborough to the main villages.

Frequency. Buses are far less frequent than on Grenada's busy south-western corridor. Expect waits, especially away from Hillsborough and outside school and work hours. Services thin out sharply in the evening and on Sundays.

Fares. Fares are low and set by distance, similar in scale to short and medium trips on the main island. Carry small EC notes and coins.

When to use them. Buses suit daytime trips between Hillsborough and villages on the main roads, such as Windward or the road towards Harvey Vale. For beaches off the main roads, the airport with luggage or anything after dark, a taxi is more reliable.

Taxis and car hire

Taxis on Carriacou are fewer than on Grenada, and many drivers are booked by phone or through guesthouses rather than found waiting. Ask your accommodation to arrange a driver to meet you at the jetty or the airport, and take that driver's number for the rest of your stay. Fares are agreed in advance, as on the main island. An island tour by taxi, covering viewpoints, Windward, the beaches and the High North area, is an easy half day.

Car hire on Carriacou has traditionally been available from a small number of local operators, with limited vehicles. After Hurricane Beryl, availability may be even tighter, so arrange a car well before arrival if you want one. The same Grenadian local driving permit applies as on the main island, and the same rules: drive on the left, watch for steep, narrow roads, animals and pedestrians, and avoid unfamiliar roads after dark.

For most visitors staying a few days, a car is optional. A combination of walking, buses and a couple of taxi rides covers the island comfortably.

Water taxis: Sandy Island, Paradise Beach and beyond

Some of Carriacou's best-known places are easiest to reach by sea. Small water taxis run informally from Hillsborough, Paradise Beach and Tyrrel Bay to Sandy Island, a low sand cay off the west coast within the Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area, and to other nearby spots for swimming and snorkelling. Fares are agreed with the boatman in advance, along with the collection time.

Make sure you agree three things before setting off: the price, whether it covers the return, and exactly when the boat will come back. Take water, sun protection and shade, as cays offer little cover. Check that life jackets are on board. Marine park fees may apply in protected areas; ask the boatman or local guesthouse what is currently charged.

Hurricane Beryl changed parts of the coastline and affected boats and moorings, so services that were routine before 2024 may run differently. Ask locally on the day.

Petite Martinique: small enough to walk

Petite Martinique lies a short distance east of Carriacou and is reached by the ferry on sailings that continue beyond Carriacou, or by water taxi from Windward on Carriacou's north-east coast. The island is tiny, with a single main road around much of it and a hill rising in the centre. Most visitors walk everywhere, and there is very little need for vehicles.

The main practical issue is not getting around the island but getting there and back. Ferry sailings to Petite Martinique are less frequent than to Carriacou, and water taxis are arranged with individual boatmen. Confirm the return trip before you go, especially if you are making a day visit. Facilities, accommodation and shops are limited, and the island was hit hard by Hurricane Beryl, so check what is open before you rely on finding food or a bed.

Petite Martinique is known for its seafaring and boatbuilding traditions; a quiet walk around the island and along the waterfront is the main activity. Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to climb the central hill, and carry water, as shade and shops are limited.

After dark, on Sundays and in bad weather

Evenings are the weak point of Carriacou's transport. Buses largely stop after dark, taxis are few and usually need to be booked, and roads outside Hillsborough are unlit. If you want to eat out somewhere other than your guesthouse, book the taxi both ways in advance, or choose a base within walking distance of a few places to eat, such as Hillsborough or the Tyrrel Bay waterfront.

Sundays are quiet across both islands, with fewer buses and many businesses closed. Plan a beach day or a walk close to your base, and stock up on cash and supplies on Saturday.

Weather affects water taxis and ferries more than roads. When the wind is up and the sea rough, boatmen may cancel trips to Sandy Island or Petite Martinique, and ferry crossings can be uncomfortable or rescheduled. Keep a flexible day in the plan, particularly before your return to Grenada.

Before you go: transport checks

Arranging these in advance saves the most common frustrations on the sister islands.

• Ask your accommodation to arrange pickup from the jetty or Lauriston Airport, and confirm it the day before.
• Book any hire car well ahead, and confirm the permit can be issued locally.
• Bring enough EC dollars in small notes for buses, taxis and water taxis; card payment is limited and cash machines are few.
• Agree water taxi prices and return times before you board.
• Plan evening meals within walking distance, or arrange a taxi both ways in advance.
• Confirm the current ferry and flight times for your return to Grenada, and return at least a day before an international flight.
• Save drivers' and boatmen's contact details as soon as you meet someone reliable; on islands this small, good contacts are passed on by word of mouth.

Frequently asked questions