TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Southern Caribbean Grenada back to Grenada charter questions

I grew up on a boat in Grenada so of course we did this all the time when I was a kid but the memories have faded and all we have done now as an adult with my status upgraded to captain (instead of "kid crew") is St. Vincent to Grenada. My question is can anyone give me feedback on their experience doing only a 7 day charter from Grenada back to Grenada. Is the trip up the islands hellish or manageable? I don't mean for me but for my kids who are Colorado natives and who only get on the ocean once a year. How much can you see in 7 days? Is it possible to get to some of my favorites, Petit St. Vincent and The Tobago Keys? Any other recommendations?

We used to base ourselves in Grenada for hurricane season and often had friends come out to stay. The usual itinerary was people would fly in, meet us at Le Phare Bleu or Prickly Bay first evening. Next morning up the west coast to Carriacou, clear out and straight over to Union to clear in. Then you are right there at Mayreau and the Cays.

So, not a charter but pretty representative of what you want to do.

As Mike said you should be able to easily make it to the Cays and and back, maybe even Bequia, in 7 days.
Petit St. Vincent may have changed since you visited, now yacht crew are only allowed to go to the beach bar, Goaties, not the one on the hill anymore and the small beach next to it. It's a nice stop for a lunchtime drink and a swim but it might be boring for the kids. We usually stop for a drink then dingy over to Petit Martinque for a hike around the island.
Myopian (sp) is near there and maybe someone will have more information on that.

I will warn you that the trip to and from Carriacou can be rough for those not used to open-ocean sailing -- so be prepared with your favorite seasickness remedies.

In terms of itinerary, I've done a 5-day charter to/from Grenada that got us well into the Grenadines (Tobago Cays, Mayreau, Union, PSV, Petit Martinique, Carriacou); another 5 day charter was focused on the south coast of Grenada alone, but finding a comfortable anchorage was a challenge.

It also depends on the time of year you plan to go. Winter months usually have lots of wind and big seas. Summer months have tropical waves to watch out for. Just bring along some seasick medication for the Colorado natives. There are well protected anchorages on the south side of Grenada at Mt. Hartman Bay (Secret Harbour) and Hog Island. Neither one has swell, unlike True Blue or Prickly Bay. That is just in case you need a place to recover!

So much depends on local conditions.
We never made it as far south as Grenada from St. Vincent but we were close-hauled both ways going down to PSV and back. Just worked out that way. (Late May / Early June charter).

Highly recommend this as a summer charter. The winds and seas in the winter can be wicked.