Carriacou is where many Grenadian families go to slow down, and it has the calm, shallow, clear water that makes small children happiest. The island is small, quiet and safe-feeling, with little traffic, and its best beaches are among the gentlest in the country. A short water-taxi ride takes you to islets such as Sandy Island, which feels like a children's picture book of a desert island.
It also needs more planning than a beach day on the mainland. Getting there involves a ferry or small plane, services are thinner, and Hurricane Beryl struck Carriacou and Petite Martinique hard in July 2024, damaging homes, businesses and coastal vegetation. Recovery has been under way since, but families should check what is open before they travel. Here is how to make the trip work with children.
Getting there with children
By ferry. Ferry services run between St George's and Carriacou in roughly two hours (confirm whether the boat is using Hillsborough or Tyrrel Bay when you book), with onward connections to Petite Martinique. The crossing passes through open water between the islands, and it can be rough, especially in the windier months. Children prone to seasickness should take a remedy beforehand, sit low and central and look at the horizon.
By air. Short flights operate between Maurice Bishop International Airport and Lauriston Airport on Carriacou, a flight of around twenty minutes in a small aircraft. Baggage allowances are limited, so check them before packing beach gear and buggies.
Timetables change. Schedules for both ferries and flights vary by season and were disrupted after Hurricane Beryl. Confirm times directly with the operators close to your travel date.
Getting around. Taxis and minibuses operate on Carriacou, and car rental is available. Distances are short, and most beaches are within a short drive of Hillsborough.
Bring supplies. Carriacou has shops and supermarkets in Hillsborough, but the choice is narrower than on the mainland. Bring specific baby food, formula, nappies and medicines with you.
The calmest family beaches
Paradise Beach at L'Esterre, on the south-west coast, is the classic family beach of Carriacou: a long strip of pale sand with calm, shallow water that stays gentle on most days, ideal for toddlers and new swimmers. Beach bars and restaurants have operated along it, and water taxis leave from here for Sandy Island just offshore. The beach and its trees were badly hit by Beryl, so expect less shade than older photos suggest and bring your own.
Hillsborough Bay, the town beach, has calm water and the advantage of being on the doorstep of shops and food, though it is a working waterfront with boats. Tyrrel Bay, a sheltered harbour on the south-west coast popular with yachts, has a long beach and calm water; check for boat traffic before children swim. These leeward beaches are the safest bet; the east coast around Windward faces the Atlantic and is better for watching boatbuilding than swimming.
Anse La Roche, often described as one of Carriacou's most beautiful beaches, is reached by a walk down a steep, rough path through the bush. It is lovely, but better for families with older children who are sure-footed, and the sea there can be more lively. Ask locally about the path's condition before going.
Sandy Island and other boat trips
Sandy Island, a sliver of sand and palms off Hillsborough within the Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area, is the highlight of a Carriacou trip for most children. Points to know before you go:
- Water taxis run from Paradise Beach and Hillsborough. Agree the price and the pick-up time before setting off, and check that there are life jackets in children's sizes on board.
- The marine protected area may charge a small user fee, sometimes included by operators. Ask when you book.
- There is no shade to speak of on Sandy Island and no facilities. Take water, snacks, sun protection, a small umbrella or shelter, and a bag for rubbish.
- The snorkelling is easy and shallow in calm conditions, with fish around the patches of reef close to shore. Keep children on the sheltered side of the islet and away from the open channel.
- White Island, south of Carriacou, is another popular day trip with calm, clear water; ask local boat operators about conditions and arrangements.
- Do not touch coral, stand on the reef or take shells and coral home. The islets are fragile and protected.
Petite Martinique with children
Petite Martinique, a short ferry ride beyond Carriacou, is the smallest inhabited island of the three, a steep green cone with a single village wrapped around its shore. It is a community of fishermen, boatbuilders and seafarers, and it offers children a glimpse of a life few visitors see: boats pulled up on the sand, nets mending, everyone knowing everyone.
It is not a beach destination in the resort sense. The shoreline has small stretches of sand, mostly beside the village, and swimming is possible in calm conditions, but there are few services for visitors, and Hurricane Beryl also caused severe damage here in 2024. For most families it works best as a day trip from Carriacou: a walk along the waterfront, a picnic, a swim if conditions allow, and the ferry back.
Respect the community. Ask before photographing people and homes, dress modestly away from the beach, and buy what you can locally to support recovery.
What to check, and mistakes to avoid
Check accommodation is open. Some guesthouses and villas were damaged by Beryl and have reopened in stages. Confirm directly that your accommodation, and its water and electricity supply, are fully working.
Do not assume shade. Many trees along Carriacou's beaches were stripped or felled in 2024. Bring a shelter or umbrella for every beach day.
Carry cash. There are banks and ATMs in Hillsborough, but they can be busy or out of service. Smaller businesses and water taxis prefer cash in EC dollars.
Know where medical help is. The Princess Royal Hospital at Belair serves Carriacou and Petite Martinique; serious cases are transferred to Grenada. Bring a well-stocked first-aid kit and children's medicines.
Allow slack. Ferries and boats are weather-dependent. Do not plan the return trip for the same day as an international flight out of Grenada.
Mind the sun on the water. Water-taxi rides and islet days add up to long hours in strong sun. UV swimwear and hats for children make a big difference.
Choosing a base on Carriacou
Where you stay shapes a Carriacou holiday with children more than on the mainland, because the island has fewer taxis waiting on corners and you will want to walk to the beach. Hillsborough, the main town, puts shops, the town jetty, banks and restaurants within reach, with the hospital at Belair a short drive away, and has its own calm bay. It suits families who value convenience and plan day trips by water taxi.
The L'Esterre area, near Paradise Beach, puts the calmest family beach on your doorstep and makes Sandy Island an easy hop. It is quieter, with fewer services, so a rental car or a reliable taxi contact helps for supply runs. Tyrrel Bay on the south-west coast has a sheltered harbour, a beach, a lively yachting community and a few places to eat, and works well for families with older children.
Whatever you choose, check how recent the property's repairs are, whether it has reliable water storage and backup power, and whether the beach nearest to it has shade. Since Hurricane Beryl, those details vary much more from one place to the next than they used to.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carriacou good for families with young children?
Yes. Its leeward beaches, particularly Paradise Beach, have calm, shallow, clear water, and the island is quiet with little traffic. Services are simpler than on Grenada, and recovery from Hurricane Beryl continues, so check accommodation and facilities and bring specific baby supplies with you.
How do you get to Carriacou with kids?
Take the ferry from St George's to Carriacou, about two hours, checking which jetty it uses when you book, or a short flight of around twenty minutes from Maurice Bishop International Airport to Lauriston Airport. The ferry can be rough, so prepare seasickness remedies. Confirm current timetables with the operators before travelling.
Can children snorkel at Sandy Island?
Yes. In calm conditions, Sandy Island has shallow, sheltered snorkelling close to the beach, suitable for children who are confident in the water. Stay on the sheltered side, use a buoyancy vest for younger children, and never stand on or touch the coral.
Has Carriacou recovered from Hurricane Beryl?
Recovery has progressed since the hurricane struck in July 2024, with many businesses and services reopening in stages, but some damage remains, and shade on beaches is reduced. Check the status of accommodation, ferries and the places you plan to visit shortly before your trip.
Is Petite Martinique worth visiting with children?
As a day trip from Carriacou, it can be a memorable glimpse of a small seafaring community, with a waterfront walk and a swim in calm conditions. There are few visitor services, so take water, snacks and sun protection, and check ferry times for the return.
