Ten days is long enough to see all three inhabited islands of the state of Grenada at a pace that allows for doing nothing on some afternoons. The main island gives the rainforest, the capital and the beaches; Carriacou gives quiet bays, boatbuilding villages and a distinctive culture; and Petite Martinique, tiny and close-knit, gives a glimpse of an island where the sea is the main road and most visitors are passing through.
This route builds in slack deliberately: every move between islands is followed by a lighter day, and the final two nights are on the main island close to the airport. Both sister islands were badly damaged by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Recovery has been steady but uneven, so check that accommodation, restaurants and boat services are operating before you book, and keep plans flexible.
The shape of the route
The ten days divide into four blocks: four nights on the main island at the start, three nights on Carriacou, one night on Petite Martinique or a day trip there from Carriacou, and two nights back on the main island before flying home. Starting with the main island lets you recover from the flight with easy beach days and gets the longer drives done while you have energy. Ending there removes the risk of missing your flight because of a cancelled ferry.
Transport between the islands is by the Osprey Lines ferry from St George's to Carriacou (currently docking at Tyrrel Bay), which takes around two hours and on some sailings continues to Petite Martinique, or by small plane to Lauriston Airport on Carriacou. Between Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the ferry and local water taxis from Windward make the short crossing. Timetables change and services can be reduced on Sundays and holidays, so check them before fixing dates.
Accommodation on the sister islands is limited, mostly small guesthouses, apartments and villas, so book early, especially around festivals. Many are run by families who can also arrange taxis, water taxis and meals, which is worth asking about when you book.
Days 1–4: the main island
Day 1: arrival. Settle into the south-west coast and spend the first afternoon at Grand Anse. Keep the evening simple.
Day 2: St George's and the interior. Morning in St George's, with the Carenage, Fort George and the market; afternoon up at Grand Etang for the crater lake and a forest trail, returning via Annandale Falls.
Day 3: the north. A long day up the west coast via Gouyave to Sauteurs, lunch at Belmont Estate, then River Antoine Rum Distillery and Lake Antoine, returning by the east coast and Grenville.
Day 4: the water. A snorkelling trip to the Underwater Sculpture Park or a sail along the south coast. In the evening, pack a small bag for the islands and arrange for your hotel to store the rest if possible.
Why four nights first. The main island has the most to see and the easiest logistics. Seeing it first means the sister islands become the relaxing middle of the trip rather than a rushed add-on.
Days 5–7: Carriacou at an island pace
Day 5: crossing and Hillsborough. Take the morning ferry or a flight to Carriacou. Settle in and spend the afternoon at Paradise Beach at L'Esterre, with Sandy Island offshore. Check that the Carriacou Museum in Hillsborough is open if you want an introduction to the island's history.
Day 6: Sandy Island and Tyrrel Bay. Snorkel at Sandy Island by water taxi in the morning, agreeing the pick-up time and price in advance. In the afternoon, visit Tyrrel Bay, a sheltered anchorage busy with yachts, and the mangroves of the Oyster Bed area nearby.
Day 7: the north and east. Walk up towards High North, the island's highest point, in the High North National Park for views across the Grenadines, or take the steep path down to Anse La Roche, a secluded beach on the north-west coast. In the afternoon, visit Windward, the village on the east coast long known for building wooden sloops by hand.
Evenings. Quiet dinners by the water. Ask locally about any community events, such as a boat launch or a Big Drum performance, which are sometimes open to respectful visitors.
Day 8: Petite Martinique
Getting there. Cross from Windward by water taxi, or take the ferry from Carriacou if the schedule suits. The crossing is short, but confirm return times before you set off.
What to do. Petite Martinique is small enough to walk around. Its community has strong seafaring traditions, with boatbuilding and fishing at the heart of island life. Walk the coastal road, watch the boats and, if you are fit, climb the central hill for views over Carriacou and the Grenadines.
Day trip or overnight. Most visitors make it a day trip from Carriacou. An overnight stay is possible if you can find accommodation, which is very limited, so check well in advance.
Be considerate. Petite Martinique sees few visitors. Greet people, ask before taking photographs and buy from local shops and food stalls where you can.
Days 9–10: back to the main island
Day 9: return. Take the ferry or a flight back to the main island. Spend the afternoon at Morne Rouge or Magazine Beach and collect any stored luggage.
Day 10: departure. A final swim and a short drive to the airport. If your flight leaves in the evening, ask your hotel about late check-out or luggage storage.
Spare day option. If everything has run smoothly, use day 9 for something you missed on the main island, such as a hike to Seven Sisters Falls, a visit to La Sagesse on the south-east coast or a chocolate tour.
If something goes wrong. If a ferry is cancelled, the order of the route means you lose a day on Carriacou or Petite Martinique, not your flight home.
Pitfalls on a three-island trip
A longer, multi-island route has more moving parts. Watch for these:
- Sunday and holiday transport. Ferry and water taxi services can be reduced; avoid planning crossings on those days without checking.
- Running out of cash. Bring enough Eastern Caribbean dollars for the sister islands, where cards are less widely accepted.
- Assuming pre-Beryl information is current. Guidebooks and old reviews may describe places that have changed or closed since July 2024.
- Booking too late. Accommodation on Carriacou and Petite Martinique is limited and fills quickly around festivals.
- Ignoring sea conditions. Crossings in strong trade winds can be rough. Take seasickness precautions and keep luggage light.
- Rushing the islands. The value of the sister islands is their pace. Resist filling every hour.
- Forgetting medical basics. Carriacou has a hospital and clinics, but specialist care means a transfer to the main island. Bring enough of any prescription medicines for the whole trip, plus a small first-aid kit, sun protection and rehydration salts.
Booking the route in the right order
Multi-island trips are easiest to book from the most constrained piece outward. A sensible sequence:
- Fix your international flights first, with arrival and departure at Maurice Bishop International Airport, and avoid tight connections on the way home.
- Book Carriacou accommodation next, since it is the scarcest; confirm by message or email that the property is fully open and ask how guests usually get there from the ferry or the airstrip.
- Decide whether Petite Martinique is a day trip or an overnight, and if overnight, secure a room before anything else on that island.
- Check the current ferry timetable and book seats for the crossings, or reserve small-plane seats to Lauriston if you prefer to fly one way.
- Book main-island accommodation for the first four nights and the final two, ideally at the same property, so that you can store luggage while you are away.
- Leave day trips and boat excursions on the main island to be booked a few days ahead, once you know the weather and how you feel.
Frequently asked questions
Is ten days too long for Grenada?
Not if you include Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Ten days lets you see the main island thoroughly, spend three relaxed nights on Carriacou and visit Petite Martinique, with rest days built in. On the main island alone, seven days is usually enough for most visitors.
How do you get from Carriacou to Petite Martinique?
By the Osprey Lines ferry, which continues from Carriacou to Petite Martinique on some sailings, or by local water taxi from Windward on Carriacou's east coast. The crossing is short. Confirm schedules and return times before setting off.
Is it worth staying overnight on Petite Martinique?
Most visitors make it a day trip from Carriacou, since the island is small and accommodation is very limited. An overnight stay suits travellers who want to experience a quiet, close-knit island community, but book well ahead and check what is available.
What is the best order for a Grenada island-hopping trip?
Start on the main island, move to Carriacou and Petite Martinique in the middle, and finish on the main island near the airport. This order lets you recover from the flight, keeps long drives early and protects your flight home from ferry delays.
Have Carriacou and Petite Martinique recovered from Hurricane Beryl?
Recovery has been ongoing since July 2024. Many homes, businesses and services have reopened, while others are still rebuilding. Conditions differ from place to place, so check that accommodation, restaurants and boat services are operating before you book.
