Hi All,
We are back from Grenada/Grenadines. We loved it and it was an unforgettable experience. We used DYC Dufor 425. The Marina Port Louis is one of the best and the
Charter team is awesome. Richard is a really cool guy and very helpful.
As promised here goes a summary my of Dos and Dont's ( follow it at your own risk... )
Don't do it as one of your first charters. The crossings are really open, the swell respectable and have variable direction ( disorganized ) probably from bouncing on the islands. In some crossings, we had partially breaking 5-7 feet swells on the back of the
boat... ( 20-25 knots of
wind ).
If you do the upwind leg from Grenada to Carriacou, plan well and do what is recommended ( Surprise ) follow by
power the Grenada coast until close to Round island and then look for a good tack to go up.
Don't sail west off Grenada ( this is tempting with the NE
wind ) since the wind can shift east as the day goes by and after several hours you will be dead downwind from Tyrel bay, your likely
destination. This happened to us and is no fun but we managed. In conclusion do what the guides,
charter briefings recommend...
Tyrel bay is really protected ( watch for the famous
bareboat alley ) and the only reason to get a
mooring ball is to help the locals ( we did it ).
Do take care on the crossings and we did use PFDs, have some sort of plan for
MOB ( just in case ).
Do not miss Tobago Cays, really spectacular. Over there we liked it all, including the beach bbq, it is really a local tradition, very interesting and different from anything we have done.
Do use the north approach to Tobago ( only one allowed in charter companies ) since it is much safer. Large area to explore and make sure to have your
dinghy "tunned up". If you have a
seaworthy one better and depending on the
weather you might be able to cross the to Petit Tabac and do better snorkel ( we couldn't due to the swell and constant wind of 15-20 knots.
Do
grill some flank steak for lunch, you might need to take your own from home... ( no more comments needed )
Do consider Kitesurfing lessons in Clifton Harbour - Union Island. They have a very nice setup for this.
Do spend a night in Chatam bay - Union Island. Very pretty bay with reasonable snorkel on the left and great resort restaurant on the right. Great
service, great drinks, reasonable prices ( Remember BVIs ).
Don't overprovision.
Don't
power at night close to the bays, since there is a fair amount of
fishing buoys and I think you could foil your
propeller.
Do inspect your moorings ( everybody recommends this, we did inspect ours for overnights )
In Grenada Do the Beach House Restaurant ( Best in the Island )
The bus ride from Tyrel Bay to Hillsborough is really quick and cool experience... Get 2.5EC and give it a shot. You will remember it forever.
In Grenada we did a 3-4 hours local tour ( Nutmeg cop, Chocolate Factory ) it was awesome, the waterfall was really unimpressive.
The people is super nice, super kind, love tourists have awesome spices, and will be happy to see you. Some walk around holding huge machetes like "normal".
We had a really good time without any incidents and will definitely go back in the future.
The color of the
water is unique somewhat like
Bahamas but a little darker greenish, really pretty, UNFORGETTABLE.
The wind is great.
Food spectacular.
Grenada is unique, special, impossible not to like it.
Again, don't do it if you and your family or friends are not familiar with some OCEAN, you will scare the heck out of everybody. I was glad my family was more comfortable than I was... If you go let all know that the crossings will be bouncy and the swell respectable.
Fair winds and good luck.
Eduardo
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