CARRIACOU, GRENADA

CARRIACOU, GRENADA

APRIL 8-11, 2017

We departed Prickly Bay at 0718 hrs.  We had shifted from the Marina to one of their mooring buoys the day before so that we could get an early start.  It’s only 37 nm from Prickly Bay to Tyrell Bay on the island of Carriacou.  Enroute, about 5 nm north of Grenada, there is an active submarine volcano named Kick ‘em Jenny.  The government of Grenada has established a 1.5 km exclusion zone around it.  If they detect signs of rumbling, the zone is increased to 5 km.  Since there were no warnings issued, we infringed upon the exclusion zone to make our course line into Tyrell Bay.  The sail was pleasant with wind from the E 15-20kts; seas 4-6’.  We made fast to the mooring at 1630 hrs: 12-27.410’ N; 061-29,199’ E

Upon entering Tyrell Bay and preparing to anchor, a boat from Carriacou Marine Services approached and offered us a Mooring Buoy.  I had the anchor ready to drop but decided to take the mooring buoy for the two nights we were going to be there.  These mooring buoys are not cheap:  US$15 per night!  In fact, the Caribbean is not bargain priced.  Over the years yachts have grown bigger and their owners more affluent.  The tourist market reflects this affluence and locals know that money can be made from goods and services to the yachting community.

Tyrell Bay is another one of those beautiful places that yachts and tourists love to visit:  Beautiful sandy beaches under palm trees and friendly welcoming locals.  There are a few good restaurants and all offer free WiFi which is good.  Once again there is an active Cruiser’s Net on VHF 69 at 0730 hrs in the morning.  Hillsborough is the largest city and located about three miles north of Tyrell Bay.  It has just about everything the cruiser needs but is not as good as St George at Grenada.

One could spend more time in this lovely bay but we are now heading north, up the island chain, and over to the USVI’s.