Ins and outs
Getting there
There are flights from Barbados and Grenada in small planes, or you can get here by sea on a hovercraft, large ferries for cargo and passengers or yacht. It is a lovely route, following the length of Grenada’s western coastline before crossing the channel to Carriacou and seeing the Grenadines coming into view. On the crossing look out for dolphins which follow the boats. The Osprey hovercraft is recommended as being the most reliable service and the boat is in good condition. In heavy seas you may get seasick on any boat, said to be worse going to Carriacou than coming back.
Carriacou
Air
Carriacou’s airport is Lauriston, a EC$15 taxi ride from Hillsborough. Disconcertingly, the main road goes straight across the runway, traffic is halted when aircraft are due. Every day TIA fly from Barbados and SVG Air from Grenada, also 3 times a week from Barbados via Union Island, linking with North American and European flights. LIAT/Caribbean Star flies from Mustique and Union Island.
Airline offices
Boat
Osprey Lines, T4408126 (Grenada), T4438126 (Carriacou), http://www.ospreylines.com. A punctual and efficient hovercraft service, the Osprey Shuttle from Grenada to Carriacou in 70 mins and the Osprey Express in 90 mins, continuing to Petite Martinique. Office in Hillsborough on the corner of Main St and Paterson St, get ticket in advance if you want to catch the early morning boat, then you can just walk straight on with your luggage. On Mon-Fri the twice daily service starts in Petite Martinique 0530 and 1500, leaving Carriacou 0600 and 1530, arriving in St George’s harbour opposite the fire station 1¼ hrs later. It returns from Grenada at 0900 and 1730, leaving Carriacou for Petite Martinique at 1030 and 1900. On Sat the 2 services to Grenada are the same but there is only one crossing back from Grenada, at 0900, then on Sun it starts in Grenada at 0800 and 1730, leaving Carriacou for Petite Martinique at 0930 and 1900. Fares from Grenada to Carriacou or Petite Martinique are EC$70 one way, EC$140 return, from Carriacou to Petite Martinique EC$20 one way, EC$40 return. There are also day tours to either Carriacou or Petite Martinique for US$100 including lunch.
A second hovercraft service is the Lexiana Jet Express, T4436930, F4437179. It leaves Carriacou Mon-Sun at 0615 and 1515, returning from Grenada at 0915 and 1730 Mon-Sat and 0800 and 1730 on Sun.
A ferry (Alexia II, Alexia III, Adelaide B) also sails from the Carenage, St George’s to Hillsborough, Carriacou, Tue 0930, Wed 1000, Fri 1100, Sat 0800, Sun 0700, returning Mon 1000, Wed 0930, Thu 1000, Sat 0900, Sun 1200, 3-4 hrs. Cargo boats leave from the other side of the Carenage from the Osprey Express, usually daily but enquire for times. There are also services between these islands; ask around. Carriacou is 1 hr by boat from Union Island; fishing boats leave irregularly between Hillsborough and Ashton. The ferry, Jaspar, runs twice a week .
Water taxis to beaches cost EC$60-100 depending on the length of the journey. Fishing and sailing trips from Hillsborough pier or ask at hotels.
Bus
Buses go from Hillsborough to Bogles, Windward (EC$3) and to Tyrrel Bay. To get from Tyrrel Bay to Windward you would have to change buses in Hillsborough. Buses cost EC$2 for 1 mile, EC$3 for more than that. The same van may be a taxi and cost US$12, ask for ‘bus’ and be prepared to wait. There are also plenty of taxis, which cost EC$15 from the airport to Hillsborough, up to a maximum fare of EC$30 to Petit Carenage.
Car
You can hire a car or jeep. Desmond’s, T4437271; Quality Jeep Rental, T/F4438307; Sunkey’s Auto Rentals, T4438382.
