Information
City: CarriacouCountry: Grenada
Continent: North America
Carriacou, Grenada, North America
Overview
Carriacou, the biggest island in the Grenadines and part of Grenada, sits in the warm, blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.Carriacou draws visitors with its rolling green hills, vibrant island traditions, and a quiet that lets you hear the waves from your porch, making it a favorite for those chasing a slower, untouched side of the Caribbean.The island’s famous for its dazzling beaches, waters so clear you can see the ripples on the sand below, and the lively traditions that fill its streets with music and color.Carriacou is a small island, just about 13 square miles (34 square kilometers)-you could drive across it in under half an hour.About 20 miles (32 km) north of Grenada, it sits among the islands in the chain that also includes Union Island and Petit Martinique.The island rises in gentle hills, draped in thick green foliage, and ends where soft sand meets the bright, salt-scented sea.The Caribbean Sea wraps around it, its water so clear you can see fish darting over white sand-perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or diving.On Carriacou, rolling hills rise and dip into quiet valleys, where dense forests crowd with palms and bright hibiscus.The island may lack the flashy resorts of other Caribbean spots, but it still offers sweeping green hills and a quiet, rustic charm.History and Culture - Carriacou’s past weaves African, European, and Caribbean influences, from steel drum rhythms to the bright shutters on old colonial homes.Like many Caribbean islands, its past was forged by European colonists, the brutal African slave trade, and, at last, the hard-won fight for independence.In the 17th century, the French first settled Carriacou, building small homes near the shore, and later the island passed into British hands.Most people on the island are of African descent, with traces of indigenous Caribbean heritage woven in, like the warm beat of a drum carried on the sea breeze.On Carriacou, people have kept their cultural traditions alive, from hand-clapped rhythms to dances that light up the night, and the island’s famous for music, festivals, and the joy they bring.English is the official language here, but you’ll also hear a lively Creole, its rhythms carrying the island’s rich mix of cultures.In Carriacou, one of the island’s most cherished traditions is boat building, where skilled hands shape sleek wooden sloops that still glide out at dawn for fishing and carry goods between islands.This tradition shapes the island’s history and colors everyday life, from the morning market’s chatter to the evening drumbeats.In Carriacou, most people make their living from fishing, farming, and welcoming visitors to the island’s quiet beaches.Fishing plays a big role in the locals’ lives, with many heading out each morning to cast their nets into the island’s deep, teeming waters.The island teems with seafood-crabs scuttling over the rocks, lobsters hiding in crevices, conch with their rosy shells, and plenty of fresh fish.Farming is part of the island’s economy too, with bananas, cocoa, spices, and bright citrus thriving in its rich, dark soil.Many locals grow root crops, like sweet potatoes with dusty orange skins and firm, earthy yams.Tourism now plays a bigger role in the island’s economy, with more travelers arriving to stretch out on quiet beaches, wade into glassy blue water, and soak up the unhurried pace.Carriacou may not have the glitzy resorts of other Caribbean islands, but it draws travelers who want quiet beaches, warm breezes, and an authentic slice of island life.In Carriacou, visitors can wander from quiet, untouched beaches where the sand feels warm underfoot to lively cultural sites that tell the island’s story.Among the island’s best spots are its beaches-Carriacou boasts some of the Caribbean’s prettiest, with powdery white sand that warms under your feet and glassy, turquoise water lapping at the shore.You’ll find favorite spots like Paradise Beach, shaded by palms, Anse La Roche, L’Esterre Beach, and the quiet stretch of White Island.These beaches are perfect for swimming, soaking up the sun, or strolling along the shore with sand warm between your toes.The waters around Carriacou teem with colorful fish and swaying coral, making it a perfect spot for both snorkeling and scuba diving.Visitors can dive through bright coral gardens, slip into shadowy underwater caves, and drift past the silent bones of old shipwrecks.Tyrrel Bay ranks among the best diving spots, and just offshore, Sandy Island offers a pristine coral reef alive with flickering schools of fish.Sandy Island sits just off Carriacou’s shore, a quiet strip of white sand where the water’s so clear you can see shells glinting on the sea floor.Tourists flock to the island for a day’s escape, drawn by its clear-water snorkeling and the quiet hush of its untouched shores.You can rent a boat in Carriacou and head over to the island, the salt air sharp in your nose as you set out.In Hillsborough, the island’s capital, the Carriacou Museum brings the past to life, from the tools once used by its indigenous people to relics of colonial days and the scent of salt-worn maritime artifacts.The museum also showcases artifacts from the island’s boat‑building days, including a weathered oak tiller worn smooth by years of salt and sun.Carriacou bursts to life with colorful festivals year-round, from the beat of drums in the streets to the scent of spices drifting through the air.Among the best-known celebrations is the Carriacou Carnival, or J’ouvert, held in January or February, where bright feathers sway in the breeze, parades wind through the streets, and drums pound out a restless rhythm.The island throws lively music festivals, where local bands fill the air with the beat of Calypso, the sway of Soca, and the bright clang of steel pans.On the island, few things feel as special as watching a craftsman shape a curved wooden hull-or jumping in to help build a traditional boat yourself.In Carriacou, boatbuilders have spent generations shaping wooden sloops and other vessels by hand, passing down the old tools and time-worn methods from parent to child.Some boatbuilders open their doors for tours or hands-on workshops, where visitors can smell the fresh cedar shavings and see how each plank is shaped.If you love the outdoors, Carriacou’s winding trails lead you through lush hillsides where the air smells faintly of salt and wildflowers.Visitors can wander shaded trails through the island’s lush tropical forests, spotting bright green lizards on sun-warmed rocks and catching flashes of tropical birds in the canopy.AccommodationCarriacou has plenty of places to stay, from cozy guesthouses with sea breezes drifting through the windows to eco-lodges tucked in the hills, all the way up to sleek, full-service luxury resorts.The island hasn’t grown as much as Grenada, so you’ll find cozy rooms with creaking wooden floors, perfect for travelers seeking a quiet, rustic escape.One favorite is the Green Roof Inn in Hillsborough, where you can settle into a cozy room and wake to sunlight filtering through leafy vines on the balcony, all with an eco‑friendly touch.The place feels calm and inviting, with palm trees swaying in the breeze and quick routes to all the island’s sights.At Carriacou Grand View Hotel, you’ll find more upscale rooms and sweeping views of the neighboring islands.The hotel features its own restaurant, a sparkling blue pool, and a relaxed bar.Laluna Resort is a boutique hideaway with luxurious rooms right on the sand, surrounded by calm and first-class amenities.Carriacou’s tropical climate brings warm days and humid air throughout the year.From December to May, the dry season brings warm sunshine and cloudless blue skies-perfect for a visit.From June to November, the rainy season rolls in with brief showers and the rumble of passing storms, but most days you can be back outside before your coffee has cooled.You can reach Carriacou by boat or by plane, whether it’s stepping onto the dock with the smell of salt in the air or landing on its small runway.Ferries run on a set schedule, and speedboats zip across the water every hour, leaving a sharp scent of salt in the air.
Landmarks in carriacou
