Traditional wooden boatbuilding is still practiced in Windward on Carriacou, using methods handed down by Scottish boatbuilders. The craft is therefore part of the island’s living culture. Traditional sloops and schooners built on Carriacou also feature in the Regatta Festival in August.
Crafts and Festival Traditions
The Big Drum Dance is also known as the Nation Dance and is performed at weddings, boat blessings, tombstone feasts and Maroons. Shakespeare Mas, in turn, is a carnival masquerade unique to Carriacou. The annual Maroon and String Band Music Festival centers on local cuisine, crafts, music and dance during a three-day event. Check the dates and festival program for your year of travel.
On Petite Martinique, the Whitsuntide Regatta includes local boat races and activities on land. The Piton is also connected with a festival tradition: it was once the site of a Maroon celebration known as the “Sugaring of the Piton.” On Carriacou, the Dover ruins mark the site of the island’s first church.
Museum and History on Carriacou
The current Carriacou Museum building is a historic former cotton gin. Its collections include Amerindian and African artifacts as well as documents, furniture, glassware and ceramics from the colonial period. As of September 9, 2026, the museum was temporarily closed after Hurricane Beryl severely damaged the building and collection on July 1, 2024. Check its current status before visiting, as well as what is on display during the rebuilding process.
Beaches and Marine Life
Paradise Beach on Carriacou has calm waters and a stretch of white sand. Sandy Island offers snorkeling opportunities and a shallow natural pool for swimming. The island is about a five-minute boat ride from Paradise Beach. This is an approximate guide; sea conditions and boat arrangements may vary.
Parrotfish, drumfish and spiny lobsters are found on the reef at Anse La Roche; rays can also occasionally be spotted there. Anse La Roche is recommended for snorkeling and beginner dives. Check local conditions and the availability of operators. The Oyster Bed Mangrove on Carriacou is a protected area and a nursery for many fish species. Guided boat tours there are available; check current availability and boat conditions in advance.
Petite Martinique: Water and Trails
Sanchez Beach on Petite Martinique is suitable for sailing, surfing, diving, kayaking, snorkeling and fishing. Mang Beach offers opportunities for swimming and family picnics. The two beaches therefore differ in the activities described, without requiring you to settle on just one kind of beach visit.
The Piton offers a hike with views from the summit over Petite Martinique and nearby Grenadine islands. The hike and the former Maroon celebration offer two different perspectives on the same place. Check trail conditions and access locally before setting out.
Getting There and Regional Orientation
Hillsborough is Carriacou’s main town and ferry port. Carriacou is about 90 minutes by boat from St. George’s, Grenada’s capital. Petite Martinique can be reached from Carriacou by a short boat ride. Check current schedules and boat connections before traveling; the stated journey time to Carriacou is approximate.
In the wider destination of Grenada, the Grenada National Museum offers another perspective: it showcases the heritage of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Its visitor complex hosts concerts, lectures, art exhibitions and other special events throughout the year.
Discover more destinations: Argyle, St David, Saint Patrick, Saint John, Saint Andrew, St George.
Back to the main travel overview: Grenada.
