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Old 16-08-2018, 07:01   #1
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Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

Hey all; planning a bareboat charter down in the Grenadines. Although the one way from St. Vincent to Grenada sounds like the ideal approach.Flight logistics for a Canadian makes getting to St. Vincent a lot tougher than Grenada. Then there is the additional cost of the one way charter, etc., etc.
All that being said, we are now considering return trip from Grenada, up as far as Canoaun and then back down through Tabego Cays, Mayreau, Petit St, Vincent and then check back in at Prickly Bay. Don’t think we have enough time to get up to Bequia which is disappointing but can’t do it all!
Here is a tentative itinerary and would appreciate your thoughts suggestions. We are arriving around 2:00pm on a Saturday.
Sat - Day 1 – arrive by flight 2:15, provision, boat orientation/inspection,
Sun - Day 2 – chart briefing, get off dock around 10am, motor sail/sail to Carriacou, Sandy Island
Mon - Day 3 – Check out of Grenada (Hillsborough), sail to Union island and check-in, Clifton, Happy Island, or moor at palm island?
Tue - Day 4 – Sail to Canouan, great harbour
Wed - Day 5 – Canouan to Tabego Cays
Thu - Day 6 – Tabago Cays to Mayreau, salt whistle bay
Friday - Day 7 – Mayreau to Union to check-out, Sail to petit St. Vincent, with maybe a stop at Mopion…
Sat – Day 8 – Petit St. Vincent to Prickly Bay, check in, maybe head to hog island for the night. (note: for this leg, would it be a bad idea to go to winward Of Grenada? Seems like it would save a whole bunch of time and avoid the inconsistent wind of the lee ward side… but maybe too exposed?)
Sun – Day 9 - Return Boat, Port Louis Marina, stay a night to decompress and celebrate a great trip
Mon - Day 10 - head home...
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Old 16-08-2018, 07:58   #2
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

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Originally Posted by TriggerHappy View Post
Hey all; planning a bareboat charter down in the Grenadines. Although the one way from St. Vincent to Grenada sounds like the ideal approach.Flight logistics for a Canadian makes getting to St. Vincent a lot tougher than Grenada. Then there is the additional cost of the one way charter, etc., etc.
All that being said, we are now considering return trip from Grenada, up as far as Canoaun and then back down through Tabego Cays, Mayreau, Petit St, Vincent and then check back in at Prickly Bay. Don’t think we have enough time to get up to Bequia which is disappointing but can’t do it all!
Here is a tentative itinerary and would appreciate your thoughts suggestions. We are arriving around 2:00pm on a Saturday.
Sat - Day 1 – arrive by flight 2:15, provision, boat orientation/inspection,
Sun - Day 2 – chart briefing, get off dock around 10am, motor sail/sail to Carriacou, Sandy Island
Mon - Day 3 – Check out of Grenada (Hillsborough), sail to Union island and check-in, Clifton, Happy Island, or moor at palm island?
Tue - Day 4 – Sail to Canouan, great harbour
Wed - Day 5 – Canouan to Tabego Cays
Thu - Day 6 – Tabago Cays to Mayreau, salt whistle bay
Friday - Day 7 – Mayreau to Union to check-out, Sail to petit St. Vincent, with maybe a stop at Mopion…
Sat – Day 8 – Petit St. Vincent to Prickly Bay, check in, maybe head to hog island for the night. (note: for this leg, would it be a bad idea to go to winward Of Grenada? Seems like it would save a whole bunch of time and avoid the inconsistent wind of the lee ward side… but maybe too exposed?)
Sun – Day 9 - Return Boat, Port Louis Marina, stay a night to decompress and celebrate a great trip
Mon - Day 10 - head home...
We did a similar trip from St. Vincent a few months ago. I'm bummed you guys can't get to Bequia... That was by far our favorite stop. I wish I'd had more than a night to spend there. The harbor is beautiful. I did some relaxed, shallow dives off the boat there.

The Tobago Cays were gorgeous. I would spend some time there, befriend a boat boy and do at least one beach BBQ - the lobster is fantastic and the rum punch is very strong.

Clifton/Union island was probably my least favorite stop - we stopped in there for fuel, water, provisions. I felt the town was a little sketchy and we had a terrible storm coming the night we were there. Diving our mooring revealed we were hanging by a nearly worn-through chafed thread of rope... I decided to get off the sketchy mooring and anchor. We were fine, but I didn't sleep much that night. Definitely check your mooring gear if you decide to pick one up. I can't really recall details about Mayreau or Canouan...

Petit St. Vincent is quite small... Not much going on there. We did some dives with Cousteau out of there. A very professional outfit, but very pricey.

Overall we had a blast. If I did it again, I'd stay in Bequia for a few days.
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Old 16-08-2018, 08:17   #3
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

We are doing the one way St. Vincent to Grenada in Feb. AC flies direct from Toronto to St. Vincent and also direct Grenada to Toronto. The uphill slog from Grenada to Carriacou is a pain. Downhill all the way is way more relaxed and fun.
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Old 16-08-2018, 08:39   #4
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

Another option for Clifton is Frigate Island. Its a fantastic anchorage that is usually quiet. If you are into kite boarding, its one of the best places in the Caribbean.

I would avoid Canouan personally. There has been some incidents this year. Generally us cruisers in the area avoid it until those issues get resolved. Instead, spend 2 nights in the Cays.

Petit St. Vincent is very cool, but the island is completely owned by the resort. However, they have a dinghy dock and cruisers are welcome at the beach bar. Its also a quick dinghy ride over to Petit Martinique which is like stepping back in time. Be sure to head over to Mopion and get some pictures.
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Old 16-08-2018, 09:40   #5
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

I suggest you consider chartering from Marin on Martinique or from Catamaran on Antigua. Most cruisers skip St Lucia and Saint Vincent due to security concerns. Canouon is also to be avoided.

Martinique is one of our favorite destinations with lots to do. We typically spend a month or more there each season.

Head north from Martinique to Portsmouth harbor in Dominica. Hail Alexa and a PAYS representative will escort you to a mooring or you can anchor. PAYS offers many services. Tours by boat or bus, barbecues, diving. Daily farm market is pretty cool.

Heading north, check in to Guadeloupe at the Saints. This is a favored destination of many cruisers. Continue North to Malendure and anchor off the north end of the beach. Snorkel with the turtles, corals along the shore. Take your dinghy to the Cousteau Park just offshore. Great diving and snorkeling. Continue North to Deshaies where you can check out. Snorkeling along the north side and point. Botanical gardens ashore. Pretty little town with fun restaurants and shops. Great baguettes.

Antigua is next, North. Check in and out of Jolly harbor and anchor in Foulmouth or English harbors to avoid the daily park fee for the world heritage sites. There is enough to do here to spend most of a season.

If you choose to go south, The primary stops are Bequai, Mayreau, Union (Chatham Bay), Tobago Cays, Carriacou, Ronde, Grenada. Check out my descriptions on Zulu.





Check out:

Zulu Waterways. I have added a lot of information on the southern islands you may find useful
https://www.zuluwaterways.com/map/18...72934246063232

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Old 16-08-2018, 11:00   #6
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

I agree with Peregrine1983 on all accounts of the islands he recommends and ones he wasn’t as impressed with. To add to it, Bequia is my favorite - i spent a couple months there so really got to appreciate it. It’s a great place to visit for a few days. Besides the hiking, exploring whaling history, turtle sanctuary and amazing out of the way beaches, there are lots of options for restaurants, local artwork and decent diving/snorkeling. Local artist Willy comes around to boats in the bay in his skiff rigged with a make shift sail. Invite him aboard just to meet him - he is a very sweet man, not intimidating at all!! There’s also a very cool music scene. I was amazed at the talent on this island. You may also want to visit Mustique just south of Bequia. Beautiful spot and beach for an afternoon and night. It’s a private island of the rich and famous - lots of musicians. You can take a taxi tour of the island (must be prearranged) but you cannot walk around on your own past the few shops near the bay. I wouldn’t say the tour is a must do but it is pretty interesting. Mystique is where Prince William and Kate honeymooned and vacation (for good reason-it’s beautiful!) Basil’s Bar is a wonderful sunset spot. Good drinks and food and Sunday Sunset Jazz is a lot of fun. Again amazing local talent! End of Jan/beginning Feb is a blues fest of artists from around the world. THIS is a must do if timing works. (Bequia has a 4 day music festival that includes one day of the Blues fest before it moves over to Mustique) Basil himself sold the bar in 2017, it went through a renovation and has recently reopeened. Its my understanding that Basil is still very involved especially with Blues Fest.
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Old 16-08-2018, 11:02   #7
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

I have not been to Canuaon but heard that Tradewinds charter told crews to not visit. There is someone doing some night shopping there!!
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Old 16-08-2018, 11:09   #8
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

Sorry should have specified we are going down in Early May. Unfortunately will miss a lot of the music festivals! We will also miss the direct flight to SVD. Hence the beat up north from Grenada.

I have sailed in Grenada, Carriacou and Petit st Vincent on a sailing course and we didn't make it to SV&Gs. So it sounds like Canouan is a skip. Maybe that means we could head to Bequia after all. How bad would it be if we left from say Mayreau? Hopefully the wind is dead east of a tad south-east.
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Old 16-08-2018, 11:42   #9
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

I have sailed from True Blue Bay, Grenada up to Tyrell Bay, Carriacou the first day, and then straight on to Bequia the second day. All this as part of a week long trip. Two long days of sailing, but then I like to sail. Going one way from St. Vincent to Grenada is definitely easier, but more expensive, as you say.
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Old 16-08-2018, 12:08   #10
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

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I have sailed from True Blue Bay, Grenada up to Tyrell Bay, Carriacou the first day, and then straight on to Bequia the second day. All this as part of a week long trip. Two long days of sailing, but then I like to sail. Going one way from St. Vincent to Grenada is definitely easier, but more expensive, as you say.
How did you check out of Grenada? the day you arrived in Carriacou? or the morning of departure? If i did that I would want to leave fairly early to ensure I can check in before closing at bequia? wouldn't want to be stuck on the boat with all the nice bars and restaurants so close by!
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Old 16-08-2018, 13:53   #11
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

It generally takes me between 5 and 6 hours to reach Tyrell Bay from True Blue. So if I leave by 9:00 am, I can clear out the same day. I believe the office closes at 4:00 pm in Tyrell. An alternative would be to clear out in Prickly Bay before leaving True Blue.

As I recall, I was able to clear in on Bequia the same day I sailed there. It did not take me as long to go between Carriacou and Bequia as the previous day's sail.

Granted, this was in a Leopard 46, which moves along pretty well.
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Old 16-08-2018, 16:37   #12
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

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It generally takes me between 5 and 6 hours to reach Tyrell Bay from True Blue. So if I leave by 9:00 am, I can clear out the same day. I believe the office closes at 4:00 pm in Tyrell. An alternative would be to clear out in Prickly Bay before leaving True Blue.

As I recall, I was able to clear in on Bequia the same day I sailed there. It did not take me as long to go between Carriacou and Bequia as the previous day's sail.

Granted, this was in a Leopard 46, which moves along pretty well.
We will be on a Saona 47 (excited!) so assuming similar performance (Captain and crew may be a different story!). Leaving out of Port Louise, so we could clear out there as long as we are off of Carriacou within 24 hour hours, which seems very doable. We could always check weather, wind direction, swell and make a game time decision. thanks for the info.
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Old 16-08-2018, 19:21   #13
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

Skip Canuoan. We didn't have security issues but there is nothing much to see there anyway.

I felt that Tyrell Bay was crowded and touristy. Instead go around to the big beach in front of town...easy anchor, wide open, customs on the dock, and when you go ashore turn right and you walk a block to the fish market (prime at 10-11am) and the fruit/vege market. The price and freshness will make you want to live in the islands full-time!

Clifton was pretty meh. Tough to anchor between all the moorings, and town can feel sketchy.
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Old 20-08-2018, 09:36   #14
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

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Skip Canuoan. We didn't have security issues but there is nothing much to see there anyway.

I felt that Tyrell Bay was crowded and touristy. Instead go around to the big beach in front of town...easy anchor, wide open, customs on the dock, and when you go ashore turn right and you walk a block to the fish market (prime at 10-11am) and the fruit/vege market.
Do you mean Hillsborough? thx.
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Old 20-08-2018, 10:20   #15
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Re: Grenada St Vincent & Grenadines itinerary advice

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Do you mean Hillsborough? thx.
Right, Hillsborough. I was blanking on the name. No mosquitoes, easy holding, and plenty of space. Not like the "bumper boats" arrangement of tight moorings in Tyrell.
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