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Carriacou and Petite Martinique
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Explore Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Grenada for sailing, reefs, boatbuilding, island food, music and quiet Caribbean villages.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique form Grenada’s northern island group, lying between the main island of Grenada and the Grenadines. Carriacou is the larger and more varied island, with dry hills, scrubland, coves, coral reefs and settlements linked by winding roads. Petite Martinique is smaller, more compact and strongly maritime in character. Together they offer a quieter, locally rooted experience than Grenada’s main island, with the sea shaping transport, livelihoods, food and social life.
Read more about Carriacou and Petite Martinique
Hillsborough is Carriacou’s principal settlement and administrative centre, arranged around a small harbour and waterfront. From here, roads lead towards villages such as Windward, known for traditional boatbuilding, and the southern communities around L’Esterre and Harvey Vale. Tyrell Bay is an important harbour and sailing centre, while the island’s eastern and northern shores provide beaches, rocky headlands and views across the surrounding Grenadine islands. Petite Martinique is reached by local boat from Carriacou and is best understood at a slower pace, with fishing villages, small beaches and steeply rising interior slopes.
The islands’ cultural identity is particularly visible in music, dance and boatbuilding. Carriacou’s Big Drum tradition, associated with African ancestral remembrance and community ceremonies, remains one of the most distinctive cultural expressions in Grenada. String-band music, Carnival and the annual Maroon and Stringband Music Festival also reflect the islands’ layered African, European and Caribbean heritage. In Windward, wooden boatbuilding preserves skills connected to the islands’ seafaring economy, even as modern materials and changing markets affect the craft.
The surrounding waters are central to the visitor experience. Swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailing, fishing and boat trips reveal reefs, seagrass areas and small offshore cays, including Sandy Island near Carriacou. On land, visitors can walk short rural roads, explore historic settlements, visit the Carriacou Museum in Hillsborough and seek out viewpoints over bays and neighbouring islands. The landscape is generally drier than Grenada’s mountainous interior, so shade, drinking water and sun protection are important when walking.
Carriacou and Petite Martinique are working islands rather than resort enclaves. Restaurants and rum shops often serve fresh fish, lobster when in season and traditional Creole-influenced cooking, while evening life centres on village bars, waterfront gatherings and music rather than large clubs. Visitors should allow time for weather and sea conditions to affect boat transfers, and should recognise that services are more limited and dispersed than on Grenada’s main island. The islands’ appeal lies in their maritime culture, community traditions and open relationship with the surrounding sea.

When is the best time to visit Carriacou and Petite Martinique?

Best: January–March · 29–30°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)2960
February (best)2950
March (best)3050
April3060
May3190
June31120
July31140
August31150
September31160
October30160
November30120
December3080

Getting to and around Carriacou and Petite Martinique

How to get there

Carriacou can be reached by air from Grenada’s main island when scheduled services are operating, using Lauriston Airport near Hillsborough, or by passenger ferry and other sea connections from Grenada. Routes, vessels and frequencies can change, particularly after severe weather, so confirm arrangements before travelling. Petite Martinique has no airport and is normally reached by local boat from Carriacou, with crossings dependent on sea conditions. International visitors generally connect through Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport, which is outside this island region.

Transportation

Carriacou has roads linking Hillsborough, Tyrell Bay, Windward, L’Esterre and other communities, with taxis, rental vehicles and local minibuses available in varying numbers. A car is useful for reaching dispersed beaches, viewpoints and villages, although driving requires care on narrow, hilly roads and at bends. Walking is practical within settlements but less suitable for covering the whole island in hot weather. Petite Martinique is small enough to explore on foot for many visitors, but local boats are needed for the crossing and for some coastal trips. Ask locally about current road and harbour conditions after storms.

Top city travel guides in Carriacou and Petite Martinique

The cities of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Carriacou’s attractions combine beaches, reefs, working harbours and cultural sites rather than large resort complexes. Hillsborough provides the Carriacou Museum and access to the island’s everyday waterfront life, while Tyrell Bay is a starting point for sailing, fishing, diving and trips to nearby Sandy Island. Sandy Island is valued for its beach, shallow reef environment and views across the Grenadine seascape, although access and facilities can vary with weather and conservation conditions. Paradise Beach and other coastal areas offer swimming and snorkelling opportunities, while Anse La Roche is associated with a more secluded, nature-focused beach setting. Inland roads lead through dry hills, small farms and villages, with viewpoints over bays and neighbouring islands. Windward is important for traditional wooden boatbuilding, and local cultural experiences may include Big Drum, string-band music and seasonal celebrations. Petite Martinique offers a compact island landscape, fishing activity and quiet coastal exploration rather than a long list of formal attractions. Diving and snorkelling should be arranged with reputable local providers and undertaken according to current sea conditions, reef guidance and safety advice.

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Best landmarks in Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Hillsborough’s waterfront and harbour are the most recognisable civic landscape on Carriacou, concentrating ferry arrivals, local trade and views across the bay. The Carriacou Museum in the town records aspects of the island’s Indigenous, colonial and maritime past. Windward’s traditional boatyards are living maritime landmarks: their significance lies not in monumental architecture but in the survival of wooden boatbuilding knowledge within a working community. The island’s churches, village roads and scattered historic homes reveal the settlement pattern created by plantation society, emancipation and later small-scale farming and fishing. Offshore, Sandy Island is a geographical landmark as well as a recreational destination, its low strip of sand and vegetation contrasting with Carriacou’s dry hills. Petite Martinique’s steep central profile, compact fishing settlements and surrounding waters form a distinctive landmark landscape within the Grenada state. Coastal headlands, bays and reef-fringed beaches complete the visual identity of the island group, though storm damage and natural change can alter their appearance and access.

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Best restaurants in Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Dining on Carriacou and Petite Martinique reflects the islands’ fishing culture, Grenadian seasoning and practical reliance on locally available produce. Fresh fish, lobster when legally in season and available, conch, chicken, rice, provisions and vegetable-based dishes appear in homes, small restaurants and informal waterfront establishments. Oil down, Grenada’s national one-pot dish, may be available alongside local soups, fried fish, roti and Creole-influenced cooking, though menus vary by island and by the day’s supply. Hillsborough and Tyrell Bay provide the broadest choice of cafés, guesthouse kitchens, casual restaurants and bars, while Petite Martinique’s food scene is smaller and closely linked to community life and fishing. Ask about fishermen’s catch, seasonal restrictions and daily specials rather than expecting every seafood item year-round. Rum, local juices and Caribbean-style drinks accompany meals, and market or shop supplies can be useful for picnics on beach and boat excursions.

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Best bars in Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Evening life in Carriacou and Petite Martinique is predominantly social and community-based rather than organised around large nightclubs. Hillsborough and Tyrell Bay have the greatest concentration of rum shops, casual bars and restaurants, while village establishments provide informal spaces for conversation, music and televised sport. Traditional string-band music, Big Drum events, Carnival activities and occasional live performances offer more culturally distinctive evenings, but dates and venues should be checked locally. Petite Martinique has a smaller choice, with nightlife centred on local bars, waterfront gatherings and occasional community celebrations. Sailing visitors may find a relaxed atmosphere around Tyrell Bay, but this is not a major late-night entertainment centre. Service can be unhurried, and seasonal conditions, power supply and post-storm rebuilding can affect opening arrangements, so avoid relying on unverified online listings or fixed late-night plans.

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Best nightclubs in Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Evening life in Carriacou and Petite Martinique is predominantly social and community-based rather than organised around large nightclubs. Hillsborough and Tyrell Bay have the greatest concentration of rum shops, casual bars and restaurants, while village establishments provide informal spaces for conversation, music and televised sport. Traditional string-band music, Big Drum events, Carnival activities and occasional live performances offer more culturally distinctive evenings, but dates and venues should be checked locally. Petite Martinique has a smaller choice, with nightlife centred on local bars, waterfront gatherings and occasional community celebrations. Sailing visitors may find a relaxed atmosphere around Tyrell Bay, but this is not a major late-night entertainment centre. Service can be unhurried, and seasonal conditions, power supply and post-storm rebuilding can affect opening arrangements, so avoid relying on unverified online listings or fixed late-night plans.

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Best shops in Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Shopping in Carriacou and Petite Martinique is modest, local and practical rather than centred on large retail complexes. Hillsborough has the widest selection of small shops, groceries, pharmacies, services and locally made items, while Tyrell Bay caters partly to residents and visiting sailors. Markets and roadside sellers may offer fruit, vegetables, spices and prepared food when supplies and weather permit. Carriacou’s boatbuilding tradition provides the strongest distinctive craft connection, although working boatyards should not be treated as ordinary retail outlets; ask locally about appropriate places to buy small wooden models or other crafts. Rum, spices, sauces, local preserves, artwork, woven goods and music recordings can make suitable regional purchases when available. Petite Martinique has fewer shopping options, so buy essentials before travelling there and carry cash. Product availability may fluctuate after storms or with inter-island deliveries, making locally produced food and small-scale crafts more reliable than a fixed souvenir range.

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Carriacou and Petite Martinique essentials

Currency and Payment
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is used throughout Grenada, including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and its currency code is XCD. Some hotels, larger restaurants, rental agencies and established tour providers accept cards, while smaller shops, taxis, rum shops, market sellers and boat operators may prefer cash. Contactless and card facilities can be affected by connectivity or power interruptions, so carry modest amounts of Eastern Caribbean dollars. Foreign currency exchange is more limited than on Grenada’s main island, and businesses may not always accept overseas notes.
Safety
Carriacou and Petite Martinique are generally quiet visitor destinations, but normal precautions remain appropriate around harbours, beaches and isolated roads. Protect belongings, avoid leaving valuables unattended and use established transport for late journeys. Sea conditions, strong sun, heat, coral, slippery rocks and changing currents are the main practical outdoor concerns. Take care on narrow roads, particularly after rain or storms, and follow local advice before swimming, snorkelling, diving or joining a small-boat trip. Recovery work after Hurricane Beryl may leave damaged structures, debris or altered coastal access in some areas.
Emergency Situations
Grenada’s national emergency arrangements apply in Carriacou and Petite Martinique; call 911 for urgent police, fire or ambulance assistance. Emergency medical resources on the islands are limited compared with Grenada’s main island, and serious cases may require transfer by sea or air, subject to weather and availability. For boating, diving or coastal emergencies, contact the boat operator or local authorities immediately and provide a clear location. Carry travel insurance that covers medical treatment, evacuation and activities on or in the water, and check hurricane advisories during the Atlantic season.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when visiting churches or speaking with residents in village communities, and ask permission before photographing people, homes, boatyards or ceremonies. Treat beaches, reefs, mangroves and offshore cays carefully: do not touch coral, remove shells or leave litter. In small bars and shops, greet people before making a request and be patient when service is informal or weather has disrupted supplies. Tipping is appreciated for good service but is not a substitute for checking whether a service charge has already been added. Do not assume that music, dances or cultural events are staged solely for visitors.
Local Tips
Hillsborough is useful for supplies, information and transport connections, while Tyrell Bay is a practical base for marine activities and yacht-related services. Windward offers insight into boatbuilding, but working yards are private workplaces rather than open-air museums. Food availability can vary with fishing conditions, weather and ferry deliveries, so ask what is fresh rather than expecting every menu item at all times. Plan island-hopping early in the day when possible, keep a buffer before onward international travel and allow extra time during post-storm rebuilding or periods of rough seas.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloGreetings[Greetin's]
GoodbyeGoodbye[Goo'bye]
YesYes[Yess]
NoNo[No]
Please/You're welcomePlease/Welcome[Pleez/Welcom]
Thank youThank you[Tank yuh]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me/Sorry[Excu' me/Sori]
How are you?How yuh doin'?[How yuh doin'?]
Fine. And you?I good. An yuh?[I good. An yuh?]
Do you speak English?Yuh speak English?[Yuh speek English?]
I don't understandI no understand[I no undastand]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseI want see de menu, please[I want see de menu, pleez]
I don't eat meatI no eat meat[I no eat meet]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseI wan pay, please[I wan pay, pleez]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Go way![Go way!]
Call the Police!Call di Police![Call di Police!]
Call a doctor!Call a doctor![Call a docta!]
I'm lostI lost[I lost]
I'm illI sick[I sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I want buy...[I want buy...]
I'm just lookingI just lookin'[I just lookin']
How much is it?How much dat?[How much dat?]
That's too expensiveDat too costly[Dat too costly]
Can you lower the price?Can yuh lower di price?[Can yuh lower di price?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wha time it?[Wha time it?]
It's one o'clockIt one o'clock[It one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMorning[Mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yes'terday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorra]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wha de...?[Wha de...?]
What's the address?Wha di address?[Wha di address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can yuh show me (on di map)?[Can yuh show me (on di map)?]
When's the next (bus)?Wen di next (bus)?[Wen di next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[A ticket (to ....)]

History of Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Indigenous Settlement before European Colonisation

Before European rule, Carriacou and the smaller islands around Grenada were connected to the wider Indigenous Caribbean world. Archaeological evidence from Grenada and the Grenadine island chain indicates settlement and movement by communities commonly associated with Arawakan-speaking peoples, followed by Kalinago presence and influence. The islands’ sheltered bays, reefs and fertile pockets supported fishing, cultivation and inter-island exchange. Much of the visible historic landscape dates from later periods, but the islands’ long maritime orientation began before European colonisation and helps explain their continuing dependence on boats and coastal settlements.

French and British Colonial Competition, Eighteenth Century

European control of the Grenada island group shifted during the eighteenth century as France and Britain competed for territory and trade in the eastern Caribbean. Carriacou and Petite Martinique were associated with French settlement and plantation development before Britain secured Grenada and its dependencies in the settlement following the Seven Years’ War. French influence remains visible in place names, Catholic traditions and aspects of local culture, while British administration shaped later legal and political institutions. The islands’ position close to the Grenadines gave them continuing strategic and commercial importance.

Plantations, Slavery and Emancipation

During the colonial period, Carriacou supported estates producing crops such as cotton and provisions, while smaller holdings and maritime work remained important to island survival. These economies depended on the forced labour of Africans and their descendants, whose knowledge, foodways, religious practices and musical traditions profoundly shaped the islands. Emancipation in the British Caribbean took effect in the 1830s, though freedom did not remove economic inequality or the dependence of many families on plantation owners and merchants. The cultural traditions of Carriacou, including communal music and dance, carry the legacy of African-descended communities.

Maritime Livelihoods and Boatbuilding

As plantation agriculture declined, fishing, seafaring, small-scale farming, trade and boatbuilding became increasingly important to Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Windward developed a particularly strong reputation for constructing wooden sailing and fishing boats, using skills passed through families and adapted to the waters of the Grenadines. Petite Martinique also developed a close relationship with fishing and inter-island commerce. These activities connected the islands to neighbouring Grenadine communities and to Grenada’s main island, while creating a distinctive maritime culture that remains visible in working harbours, boatyards and local festivals.

Grenada’s Independence and Modern Island Identity

Grenada became an independent state in 1974, with Carriacou and Petite Martinique continuing as part of the country rather than forming a separate territory. The islands retained strong local identities within the national framework, expressed through music, boatbuilding, village networks and distinctive community celebrations. Tourism developed gradually, especially around sailing, diving, beaches and small guesthouses, but did not replace the islands’ fishing and service economies. Improved communications made travel easier while also connecting residents to wider regional migration and employment patterns.

Hurricane Beryl and Contemporary Recovery

In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl struck Carriacou and Petite Martinique as a major hurricane, causing extensive damage to homes, vegetation, boats, communications and public infrastructure. The event profoundly affected local livelihoods and the appearance of both islands, while prompting national, regional and international recovery efforts. Its effects remain part of the islands’ contemporary story, particularly for residents whose homes, boats and businesses were damaged. Visitors should recognise that rebuilding can be uneven and support local businesses and community-led recovery where possible.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Discover Carriacou and Petite Martinique with Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants
  • High-quality images and descriptions
  • Local tips and contact details
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More about the Evendo app

Planning a trip to Carriacou and Petite Martinique? Evendo is your ultimate travel companion. Discover attractions, book tours, and experience the local culture—all in one app.

  • Interactive maps and easy navigation
  • Hotel, tour, ticket, and experience booking
  • History and travel essentials
  • Curated local advice
  • 'Near Me' feature

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate travel guide to Carriacou and Petite Martinique! Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo makes it easy to explore and enjoy everything these beautiful islands have to offer. From the stunning Sandy Island to the historical Belair National Park, our app provides you with detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. Enjoy a culinary adventure at renowned spots like Bogles Round House and Lazy Turtle Pizzeria, or unwind with a cocktail at the Slipway Restaurant and Bar.

Evendo goes beyond just providing information; it helps you organize and plan your trip with ease. Use our app to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences—all from your mobile device. No more searching multiple sites for what to see, do, and experience. Evendo has it all in one place.

With features like detailed maps, local tips, and a 'Near Me' function, navigating Carriacou and Petite Martinique has never been easier. Learn about the rich history of these islands and make the most of your visit with tons of good, local advice. Plus, the app is 100% free to use forever—no in-app purchases or hidden fees. And don't forget, Evendo also covers 7,000+ other destinations worldwide, so you can carry your global travel guide right in your pocket.

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