Grenada to Carriacou

[BlueBuddha]

Hi all, I'm doing some early prep for a trip we are taking to Grenada in a couple of weeks. I'm looking at the nav options for the Grenada to Carriacou passage and it seems the most prudent option is to stay close to the Grenada coast line and turn towards Sauteur when reaching the north of the island. Then, once reaching Sauteur-Irvings Bay head north at 15T passing the Sister's on their leeward side and staying well clear to the east of Kick-em Jenny's exclusion zone.

My question is whether anyone has tried an alternative approach by aiming to the west side of the exclusion zone, likely by going a bit more offshore such as by heading some 30T somewhere after Maran Bay or Gros Point (mid Grendada)? If the winds are a bit WSW, this seems a bit more straight forward than tucking into Sauteur.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[monte]

Hey BB. The tucking in close option is recommended by the Doyle guide, as is all the 'best restaurants' and 'best snorkel sites' from my experience the best usually just means the most crowded with cruisers and the 'stick close to the coast' is often followed and usually motored as the breeze usually sucks around the edges of the islands. I'd prefer sail it and tack up to Carriacou if the wind is in the North. Stop at ronde if you run out of daylight like we did, or leave St Georges before 1000 to be safe. We left after lunch on this sail. Ronde is a pretty nice stop. Regardless, just stay out of the exclusion zone and point as directly as possible at Carriacou. It's going to be a great trip!

[BlueBuddha]

Thanks Monte, and thanks for the pic! I see that you stayed outside the outer age of the exclusion zone on the way north. Was that just a function of the previous tack, or were you trying to stay outside that outer ring?

We are leaving St George at 7am to make sure we get there early and have time to enjoy Carriacou before heading north to Tobago Cays the next day. :-)

Thanks. N.

[monte]

We were just tacking up there. It's not a bad idea to stay outside the inner ring. The outer only if it's a code red which is unlikely. Most locals go straight over the middle. A stop at sandy island Carriacou is worthwhile.

[BlueBuddha]

Originally Posted by monte

We were just tacking up there. It's not a bad idea to stay outside the inner ring. The outer only if it's a code red which is unlikely. Most locals go straight over the middle. A stop at sandy island Carriacou is worthwhile.

Thanks, it looks like the winds right now are mostly ESE, which will let us aim to the west side of the inner ring and might not even have to tack at all all the way to Tyrrel bay - although there is nothing fun about sailing without tacking :-).

[monte]

Yeah BB. Make sure you sail right up to the anchorage in Tyrell bay as well. Nice flat water to test your tacks.⛵️

[monte]

There might be a full moon party at Union island while you are there, should be fun!

[BlueBuddha]

Originally Posted by monte

There might be a full moon party at Union island while you are there, should be fun!

We will check it out. We were planning on stopping at Union Island only to clear in and out but we adjust plans for full moon parties :-).
Thanks.