Cruise across the Caribbean Sea for extraordinary island hopping on a Grenada yacht charter. The Windward Islands from St. Vincent & The Grenadines to Grenada are dotted with 95-nautical miles of secluded isles and lively ports, offering a variety of sailing experiences. Dine out frequently for a new taste of Caribbean cuisine or get lost in the dense, green rainforests of Grenada— it’s dealer’s choice when planning your island adventures.
Sailors can’t get enough of the region’s beautiful, 80 °F tropical weather, warm sunshine and steady winds. Lukewarm dips and diverse underwater ecosystems attract avid diver’s and inquisitive snorkelers, while charming island villages— like St. George’s— tempt those looking to experience authentic Caribbean culture. No matter how you map out your Grenadines cruising itinerary, there are definitely some open-water sailing adventures waving you in.
“Fascinating” is a word those chartering between St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Grenada know quite well. Both bareboaters and crewed charterers alike love riding the steady winds of the Caribbean Sea to exciting, far-off anchorages.
Those looking for a relaxing getaway can sunbathe on the white sand beaches or peruse charming shops for regional rum and art. The adventurous spirit can plunge deep into the bay for world-class diving or dance amongst friendly locals at one of the many music festivals and island celebrations.
Set your course across the crystal blue waters, and prepare for an extraordinary Grenada yacht charter.
Get ready for some exciting, exotic fun on the island of Grenada. Sailors love attending the many music festivals— dancing to heavy drumming and string bands, even folk music, with Hispanic roots from the southern island of Trinidad and Tobago. Indulge, with wine at the Uncorked Festival, or chocolate (AKA the “Spice of the Caribbean”), crafted into irresistible truffles at the Chocolate Festival. Or, marvel at 200-year-old yachts as they set sail during the Classic Regatta. Take a look at what’s happening during your stay.
| January New Year’s Day celebrations Spice Island Billfish Tournament Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week |
February Grenada Sailing Festival Workboat Regatta Independence Day celebrations Carriacou Carnival |
March Grenada Drum Festival Round the Island Race Grenada Classic Yacht Regatta |
| April Grenada Invitational Track and Field Meet Easter celebrations Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival |
May Uncorked Beer & Wine Festival Petite Martinique Maroon & Heritage Weekend Grenada Chocolate Festival |
June Petite Martinique Whitsuntide Regatta Annual Fisherman’s Birthday |
| July | August Carriacou Regatta Grenada Carnival ‘Spicemas’ Rainbow City Festival |
September Pure Grenada Dive Fest |
| October Pure Dive Fest Thanksgiving Day celebrations Carriacou Corn Festival |
November RORC Transatlantic Race |
December Carriacou Parang Festival Christmas Day and Boxing Day celebrations Old Year’s Night celebrations |
Those chartering the waters of Grenada are on level three sailing grounds, where calm waters are rare and wind speeds are between 10-25 knots. Thus, we advise bareboaters have some experience before cruising around the Caribbean’s Windward Islands. Despite the gusts, the area offers warm and humid tropical weather, averaging in the pleasant low 80’s, year round.
Grenada and the Grenadines dry season is typically from January to May, when we see the most travelers. The islands are most wet from June to December, where temperatures and humidity levels are at their highest. While this humid time is typically hurricane season for the Caribbean, Grenada is just south of typically affected areas, and usually not hit by the storms! Even during the rainy season, you can expect sun (with some brief showers during the day)— with most of the rainfall occurring in the evenings.
| Temp Max (°F) | Temp Min (°F) | Avg. Water Temp (°F) |
Avg. Rainfall (in) |
Avg. Wind Speed (kts) |
|
| January | 82 | 76 | 81 | 5 | NE 10-25 |
| February | 82 | 76 | 81 | 4 | NE 10-25 |
| March | 84 | 76 | 81 | 4 | NE 10-25 |
| April | 88 | 76 | 82 | 3 | NE 10-25 |
| May | 88 | 76 | 82 | 6 | SE 10-25 |
| June | 89 | 76 | 83 | 9 | SE 10-20 |
| July | 89 | 76 | 83 | 9 | SE 10-20 |
| August | 90 | 76 | 85 | 11 | SE 10-20 |
| September | 90 | 76 | 85 | 10 | SE 10-20 |
| October | 88 | 76 | 84 | 9 | SE 5-15 |
| November | 86 | 76 | 82 | 9 | NE 10-20 |
| December | 82 | 76 | 82 | 8 | NE 10-25 |
Located in the beautiful Lagoon just outside St. George’s, the capital, Port Louis Marina provides the perfect base from which to sail the exciting Caribbean Paradise of Grenada and the Grenadines. Facilities include fresh water, electricity, wireless broadband, cable TV, and more. Ashore, the marina village is home to the Victory Bar & Grill as well as a sail-maker, boat maintenance and provisioning services, and shops for leisure wear and crafts. Get Ready to explore the finest and most beautiful cruising grounds in the world.
1 hours | 5 miles
Your real charter starts out on the unique, charming island of Dragon Bay. Here you can enjoy amazing snorkeling at Moliniere Point, and if you enjoy diving, be sure to arrange a dive at the underwater sculpture garden, which is rumored to be home to a family of black and red sea horses. If you just want to sit back and relax on a beautiful beach and read then enjoy the beautiful beach!
3 hours | 20 miles
Start your second day charter off heading north from Dragon Bay and visiting the stunning stretch of sand with no more than half a dozen palm trees. Watch the pelicans performing aerobatics around your boat as you eat. Sandy Island is a perfect stretch of sea and sand, perfect for a desert island getaway. Head for the rich diving waters of the marine protected area on the western shore and enjoy snorkelling and diving amidst colorful marine life. Visit the natural pool in the middle of Sandy Island, where you can bathe beneath the shade of the palms and wash the salt off your skin.
4 hours | 20 miles
Continue South from Sandy Island until you reach Tyrell Bay on Carriacou. Moor or anchor in the bay and dive into the water to see golden moray eels, nurse sharks and turtles swimming along the magnificent corals. Dry off and head ashore for dinner, and after your delicious meal, take a stroll and visit one of the local rum shops, you won’t regret it!
2.5 hours | 12 miles
Sail over to Union Island to briefly complete customs formalities. Union Island has neat boutiques with clothing, local original art, hand-made jewelry and gifts. It’s also becoming well known for its entertainment and fun restaurants. Union Island offers superb hiking and biking – great viewpoints include Fort Hill, Ashton, Mt. Campbell and Mt. Taboi. Next stop: Chatham Bay.
0.5 hours | 3 miles
Head to the west side of Union Island. Chatham Bay is your destination, a beautiful deserted bay surrounded by hills. Hike up for magnificent views or enjoy snorkeling along the north edge of the bay. A beach barbecue with a local chef can provide the entertainment on an otherwise quiet night lobster – perfect Caribbean dining.
1 hours | 6 miles
Whether you want to bask in the sun, visit an island bar, or enjoy the sea life, there is plenty to do when you embark on your Mayreau island adventure. Home to the Mayreau Gardens, visitors that enjoy snorkeling will find this an enchanting stop to add to their travel agenda.
0.5 hours | 1 miles
Continue your night in Mayreau for a short distance and drop anchor at delightful Salt Whistle Bay for the night. Hike to the top of the hill for breathtaking views from the Catholic Church or relax on a white sand beach. Feeling adventurous? With 32 diving sites nearby you will sure to catch a thrill and see some exotic underwater fish. End your night off enjoying a lobster barbeque on the beach and rest up for another full day of cruising.
1 hours | 3 miles
When you get to the Cays take your dinghy to Baradal Island to see the incredible wild iguanas that call the area home. Enjoy a lobster barbecue on the pristine white sand beach. Also, while on Baradel observe the sea turtles at the sea turtle-watching area on Baradel. Contact one of the local dive companies to go scuba diving (diving on your own isn’t permitted).
0.5 hours | 1 miles
Snorkel, swim, sunbathe, and relax in unspoiled beauty. Sail the Caribbean water to the famous Tobago Cays. Protected by a horseshoe reef, these 5 tiny islands are located just east of Salt Whistle Bay and is famous for scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming with turtles and other tropical fish. Head ashore to explore the secluded beaches. Anchor here for the night and enjoy your favorite tropical beverages under the stars.
1.5 hours | 8 miles
Cruise over to Mopion, the island is surrounded by amazing reefs to dive, and is known as the world’s smallest island with a structure a perfect circle of sand in the turquoise waters with a coconut thatch for shelter. After a snorkel and lunch sail the very short distance to Petit St Vincent, an exclusive private island resort with an excellent restaurant.
1 hours | 3 miles
After your visit to Mopion sail over to Petit Martinique, Grenada’s northernmost island. This unique island has local charm, is a great stop to come ashore to replenish water, alcohol, ice and more. The residents that live here mainly do boatbuilding, and Petit Martinique is famous for its plywood speedboats. There also is an apparel, jewelry, and gift shop too, along with several delicious restaurants for dining ashore.
7 hours | 45 miles
Start your last day off at Prickly Bay, which is known as one of the best anchorages amongst cruisers. Enjoy live steel drum band music while stopping to get a bite to eat at one of the islands great restaurants. Relax while swimming in the calm waters or sunbathing under the warm, Caribbean waters.
1.5 hours | 6 miles
Sail into St. George’s Harbor to finish up your charter! Explore the capital city of Grenada. This city is an 18th century gem with its mix of colonial buildings and multicolored homes. Take a stroll along St. George’s narrow streets, shop and smell the delicious aromas from many great restaurants and bars. Stop by Bay Gardens, and marvel at over 3,000 species of Caribbean plants. The Carenage along the inner harbor is perfect for a scenic waterfront walk and on Saturdays the place to be is St George’s Market Square.
0.5 hours | 1 miles
On the last day of your Grenada yachting vacation you’ll make back to your charter base. Use any of your extra time to relax and sample George’s of Grenada’s delicious cuisine at a local restaurant, or take a walking tour of St. George’s from Market Square, taking in the lovely old buildings, Carenage Harbor and a bustling collection of shops and cafe’s lining the narrow streets.
Traveling to Grenada and St. Vincent / The Grenadines isn’t hard. On the southern tip of Grenada, only five miles from St. George’s, you’ll find Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA). Both direct and connecting flights can be boarded using Delta, American Airlines, US Airways, Virgin and more. You can expect a 15 minute taxi or car ride from the airport to you charter port.
Have more questions about your Grenada yacht charter? Our team at VI Sailing can recommend lodging and help you plan land excursions. We also offer trip insurance options and can share insider advice on where to stock up on provisions. Reach out, today!
Resources:
Bareboat Charter Packing Checklist
Crewed Charter Packing Checklist
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