Boaters Haven

This is an aerial view (duh...) of the southern most end of Lance aux Epines peninsula here in Grenada. There are literally thousands of boats here. We thought it might be a good idea to post something about Grenada being a boaters haven, seeing as most of the Caribbean cruising fleet gathers in Grenada for hurricane season. Most importantly, boats are fairly safe here compared to the more northern Caribbean islands like Antigua, St. Maarten, Dominica, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, most of which were hit hard this past fall (2017). Hurricane Irma, and then hurricane Maria came barrelling through, barely 10 days apart, and caused severe damage in their wake. Both of them became category 5+ hurricanes before their ripping / smashing path through the Caribbean ended in or near to Florida.

This is an image of hurricane Irma (400 mile wide system) that went on to the west to reek havoc on the northern Caribbean islands and then on to USA. We felt nothing here in Grenada other than an extra foot of wave height on our docile beaches, as a bit of a repercussion, after it moved on to Puerto Rico (the green blob on the left of this image). Is Grenada truly safe from storms? Absolutely not. Hurricane Ivan hit here in 2004 as a Category 3, and there was some damage to boats and to landlubber real estate. That’s the bad news, but it only comes in short spurts here with lots of space in between.

“Hurricane City.com” documentation shows that Grenada typically gets hit by tropical storm winds rather than by hurricane force winds. Grenada gets brushed every 5.8 years by storms or hurricanes. A direct hit by a named storm occurs every 29 years (on average), and a major storm (Cat 3, 4, 5) happens every 48.33 years. Pretty good odds... The most prevalent storm season occurs in September / October and most of the raining season occurs from July to December.

It's interesting that many insurance companies don’t provide mariners' insurance in the Caribbean during hurricane season if you are boating anywhere north of 12 degrees latitude north. Happily, the southern tips of Grenada's secure anchorages are just south of 12 degrees. Perfect. This photo was taken at the True Blue Dodgy Dock. Boaters are welcomed with open arms, and there is almost no violent crime. The political situation here in Grenada is stable for boaters needs.

Boats have been gathering here in Grenada for many years in peace and harmony, and many local businesses have prospered in providing support to boaters.

The harbours and anchorages are always full during hurricane season, and many boats take refuge “on the hard” just to be sure. Boats are tied down with straps to deep anchors to help them remain upright in case high winds come by.

There are too many yacht clubs and marinas to mention, and there are many interesting things to keep sailors busy here too. Yoga is available in several places including True Blue Bay, Tai chi is happening in Prickly Bay, volleyball is big in Secret Harbour. A big jam session takes place weekly at the West Indies Brewery in Lance aux Epines. If you only go to Prickly Bay and True Blue to enjoy their activities and entertainment you have a very busy schedule. There is a running group called The Hash House Harriers to keep you moving all over the island. And if you like reggae – who doesn't – come by every weekend in your dinghy and the whole of Hog Island goes nuts with an island-wide beach party that winds up at 0300 on a slow night, and goes until after dawn if the locals are particularly lit.

For the visiting boater there are island tours, barhopping extravaganzas, visits to chocolate factories, stepping back in time in old stone forts, learning everything you need to know about nutmeg in Gouyave, interesting grocery-shopping trips to restock your supply stores, and loads of beach bars where you can watch the sunset.

The whole south of Grenada is littered with fine boat anchorages, each of which is both dinghy and vessel accessible with pizza and beer nearby at every stop. And boaters are just a 10-minute dinghy ride away from numerous rum shops, bars and eateries that range from the most informal and inexpensive to the most high-class bring-your-credit-cards (or trade in your first born) establishments.

Need to haul get some work done or perhaps leave your boat during hurricane season? Can do! Several yards provide excellent hauling facilities and chandler services for repairs. To mention a few, check out Spice Island Marine, Budget Marine, Clarke's Court Boatyard and Marine, Grenada Marine and Island Water World,

Clearing in and out of Grenada is easy and fast (well, relatively, meaning same-day service) either at Port Louis or in Prickly Bay. Basically, it costs about a buck a day to stay the season here, payable every 90 days.

It is impossible to get bored here as you can sail south to Trinidad or head north into the nearby Grenadine Islands and enjoy the lush beaches, white sand and great tasting rum. This photo is of Paradise Beach on the island of Carriacou (part of Grenada) and they are waiting for you to anchor there too... Bring your sun lotion and shades.