Thirteen square miles, a handful of villages and some of the best beaches in the southern Caribbean — Carriacou sits just off Grenada and feels a world away from the region's resort-heavy hotspots. Part of the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, it's one for travellers who'd rather beach-hop by boat than queue for a sun lounger.
Start with Paradise Beach near L'Esterre on the west coast: a wide sweep of white sand with calm, clear shallows and views across to the Grenadines. The Paradise Beach Club, a beloved local beach bar, is the kind of place where a plate of fresh fish and a cold drink quietly absorbs an entire afternoon. Just offshore, Sandy Island is the island's signature excursion — an uninhabited sandbar ringed by turquoise water and shallow reef, ideal for snorkelling and reachable on a short boat ride.
For something more secluded, head to Anse La Roche on the northwest coast. It's a crescent of sand backed by green hills, reachable only on foot or by boat, so you'll need to plan ahead. The source notes a locally known restaurant there, Tim's Sunset Beach Bar & Restaurant, though access and openings are still evolving — check before you go.
What sets Carriacou apart is what's behind the beaches. The village of Windward remains a centre of traditional wooden boatbuilding, and the island's sloops are celebrated at the annual Carriacou Regatta. Cultural traditions run deep too, from the Big Drum dance to Shakespeare Mas, a Carnival custom involving recited Shakespearean verse. Underwater, divers and snorkellers get reefs and drift sites, plus a striking installation called A World Adrift by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor — 30 small boats, each steered by a figure modelled on a local schoolchild.
Accommodation is deliberately small-scale: guesthouses, villas and a few intimate hotels. The Mermaid Beach Hotel near Hillsborough, the low-key waterfront capital, and Bogles Round House, known for its restaurant, are good examples.
A crucial caveat: Carriacou took a direct hit from Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Recovery is ongoing and tourism businesses are gradually reopening, so confirm the current status of your hotel, restaurants and boat trips directly before booking.
Getting there is straightforward: fly into Grenada, then take the ferry — roughly 90 minutes — or a short regional flight. Carriacou pairs easily with a Grenada trip but rewards several days of its own: a morning on Paradise Beach, an afternoon on Sandy Island, a slow dinner over the water in Tyrell Bay. If you're after an intimate Caribbean island where the sea shapes daily life and every day can go a different direction, this is it.
