Carriacou and Petite Martinique
Accommodation in Carriacou and Petite Martinique
On Carriacou, lively island traditions meet beaches, reefs and a strong boatbuilding culture. Petite Martinique offers a different focus: views from the Piton on hikes and a variety of water-based activities take centre stage. You can reach Carriacou from St. George’s, the capital of Grenada, in about 90 minutes by boat. Hillsborough is the island’s main town and ferry terminal.
Boatbuilding and Culture on Carriacou
Traditional wooden boatbuilding is still practised in Windward. The methods used were passed down by Scottish boatbuilders. Boats also play a special role in the Regatta Festival in August: traditional sloops and schooners built on Carriacou are part of the island event. Those interested in maritime traditions will find several different ways to engage with them here—from the craft of boatbuilding to the festival.
Carriacou’s cultural expression also includes the Big Drum Dance, also known as the Nation Dance, and Shakespeare Mas, a carnival masquerade unique to Carriacou. The Big Drum Dance is performed at weddings, boat blessings, tombstone feasts and Maroons. The annual Maroon and String Band Music Festival lasts three days and features local cuisine, crafts, music and dance.
The Carriacou Museum is temporarily closed. Hurricane Beryl severely damaged the building and collection on 1 July 2024. The current museum building is a historic former cotton gin; the collections include Amerindian and African artefacts, as well as colonial-era documents, furniture, glassware and ceramics. You can explore the cultural highlights without visiting a museum by learning about the boatbuilding tradition and the dance and festival forms described here.
Beaches, Reefs and Mangroves
Paradise Beach offers calm waters and a stretch of white sand. Sandy Island is about a five-minute boat ride away and offers opportunities for snorkelling, as well as a shallow natural pool for swimming. These two coastal destinations can be distinguished by the activities you are looking for: Paradise Beach is all about the beach and calm waters, while Sandy Island adds snorkelling and a natural swimming pool.
Anse La Roche offers a window onto the underwater world. The reef is home to parrotfish, drumfish and lobsters; rays can occasionally be seen there too. Anse La Roche is recommended for snorkelling and beginner dives. The Oyster Bed Mangrove, meanwhile, is a protected area and a nursery for many fish species. Guided boat tours are offered in the area. Carriacou therefore offers both reef and mangrove landscapes as distinct nature experiences.
Petite Martinique: Hiking and Water Activities
Petite Martinique can be reached from Carriacou by a short boat ride. On the island, the Piton offers a hike with views from the summit of Petite Martinique and nearby Grenadine islands. The place also has a historic connection to a Maroon festival once held there, known as the “Sugaring of the Piton”.
At Sanchez Beach, possible activities include sailing, surfing, diving, kayaking, snorkelling and fishing. Mang Beach offers opportunities for swimming and family picnics. The Petite Martinique Whitsuntide Regatta also shapes the island calendar with local boat races and activities on land. If you would like to plan your trip around a particular kind of day, you can weigh up hiking, water sports, beach time and the regatta experience.
Which Island Should You Choose as Your Base?
When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to decide on your preferred focus first. Carriacou combines boatbuilding traditions and cultural events with beaches, reefs and mangroves. On Petite Martinique, the Piton, the water-based activities mentioned above and the Whitsuntide Regatta take centre stage. The short boat ride between the islands is another part of planning your stay; Hillsborough is also Carriacou’s main town and ferry terminal. So consider which island you would like to make the focus of your trip before looking for accommodation.
For more regional inspiration, you can also discover Argyle.
For the broader travel overview: Grenada.
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