Tyrell Bay & Hillsborough (Carriacou) - Docking

HURRICANE BERYL:  The island nations of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada were the worst affected by Hurricane Beryl at the start of July 2024. The Grenadines, Carriacou, Petit Martinique and Union Island were particularly hard hit.  While the islands are recovering and all major marine services are back up and running (apart from on Union Island), cruisers should be aware that the islands are still in recovery mode and some services may still be limited or not available.

Information from Doyle Guides says that more than 30 vessels have been safely removed from Oyster Bed in Carriacou. Soon, efforts will be expanded to the southern coastlines, addressing boat dumping, anchoring and abandonment in the mangroves and sensitive areas like True Blue Bay, Lance Aux Epines Bay and the Woburn Clark’s Court Bay Marine Protected Area, including Hog Island.

Tyrell Bay

Anchorages:

This is a good, protected anchorage with a gently shelving sandy/weed bottom that has space for 60 to 100 boats, with depths from 3-5 meters. The anchoring space is, however, being reduced by the installation of mooring fields and yachts get quite tightly packed in here. There is also quite a lot of debris on the seabed.

Moorings:

Moorings tend to be controlled by boat boys, and it's likely you will be guided to one on your arrival unless you choose to try anchoring. Moorings cost in the region of US$20 a night.

Carriacou Marine has ten (10) moorings (bright orange cones/ round, white with blue reflecting line). Customers are welcome to pick up and pay at the Marina Office.

Dinghy Docks:

There are several dinghy docks in the harbor including one near the Tyrell Bay Marina, one on the main ferry dock and one at Carriacou Marine Ltd. with direct access to the Customs & Immigration and Boatyard & Marina Departments.

Marinas:

A major new marina and boatyard, Tyrell Bay Marina, opened here in 2019 with possibly the largest travelift in the Caribbean, a very large hard standing area, the option to work on your own boat and ample dockage space for all size of vessel.

Carriacou Marine Ltd is a Boatyard, for vessel storage or maintenance, with the option to work on your boat and live aboard. Has some stern-to dock space available with electricity (110 and 230V).

Ashore:

Tyrell Bay has a good selection of restaurants/cafes, most with good WiFi. Provisioning is adequate with local vendors, good produce and a supermarket. Remember duty-free fuel is available on departure.

Hundreds of dogs suffer from poisoning on Carriacou every year. This is a growing problem - see pressure group Irates of the Caribbean website for more details. Always keep your dog on lead when going ashore here and stay vigilant.

Hillsborough

Few yachts visit Hillsborough anymore due to lack of dinghy dock. Local buses run from Tyrell Bay to Hillsborough.

Anchorages:

Not a particularly sheltered anchorage and subject to swell.

SANDY ISLAND

Located off the west side of Hillsborough bay this is a popular day anchorage with its picture-postcard sand island surrounded by beautiful clear blue sea.

The Sandy Island/Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area (SIOBMPA) encompasses Sandy Island and the mangrove lagoon in Carriacou. SIOBMPA aims to lower the human impacts on the marine environment and provide benefits to both fisheries and conservation by protecting the coral reefs. To this end, no anchoring is permitted here.

Moorings:

Mooring balls are available for visiting yachts. Park rangers collect a $25 EC (US$10.00) per day fee for mooring balls. Remember to take your rubbish away with you!

Yachtsmen are cautioned to check moorings for reliability.

Sandy Island/Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area (SIOBMPA)

Security:

Dinghy theft is a major security concern here and thieves are well prepared to steal even securely chain locked dinghies.  See Security for more information.   To keep up to date with the latest incidents reports, visit the Grenada/Security page.

Last updated: February 2025