Grenada Travel Information & Planning Guide

Find everything you need to prepare for a charter in Grenada. From important base information to required documents for international travel, you can use this information as your guide before and during your charter. Don’t forget to pack a copy to take with you.

Plan

Before you go

Address
Port Louis Marina
Kirani James Boulevard
Saint Georges
Grenada W.I.

Grenada is the most southerly of the Windward Islands. Port Louis Marina was opened in January 2008 and is just over one mile from Grenada Point Saline International Airport, with flight connections to the Caribbean, USA, Canada, Europe and South America. St. George’s Harbor is the port of call for yachts and many inter-island ferries.

Base hours
8am – 5pm

Time zone
Standard Time Zone: UTC/GMT -4 hours

Tourist information center
N/A

Language
Official Languages: English (official), French Patois.

Cost of living in Grenada
Food costs in Grenada have been considered notoriously high, depending on where you eat.  A good tip is to buy locally produced food from the markets. St Georges fish market is a real hit with locals and tourists alike, and the prices are basically unbeatable.

What to bring

Passport and visas
Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return.

Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.

It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure relevant visas are obtained where necessary. Sunsail cannot be held responsible for refusal of entry or travel due to lack of visas. If you are in any doubt please contact your Embassy for full details.

Please note country entry/exit requirements are subject to change. Please check http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html for the latest information before you leave.

Sunsail is not accountable for any requirement changes.

Clearance

In line with local regulations yachts arriving from outside Grenada or Carriacou will need to clear in with customs and immigration at a port of entry.

These are:

• Port Louis Marina
• Grenada Yacht Club, St Georges
• Grenville, St Andrew
• Grenada Marine, St David’s Bay
• Prickly Bay Marina
• Carriacou Yacht Club, Tyrell Bay
• Hillsborough, Carriacou

Customs + Immigration

Before leaving the airport, you will have to clear immigration and customs.

A landing card will be given to you on the plane, along with a customs declaration form. It is not possible to take fresh food into most Caribbean islands and airlines will assume no liability for perishable articles that may be confiscated by customs.

Inward clearance must be completed by the skipper before any other crew member lands. Four copies of the crew list are required; these can be completed in advance.

Outward clearance is also required from Grenada to ensure being able to clear into the next country to be visited. Yachts should depart within 24 hours of clearing out.

The Customs and Immigration offices are generally open Mon-Fri from 8am-11.45am and 1pm-4pm, and Sat-Sun from 8am-1.30pm. Clients can speed things up by signing on to sailclear.com

Sailing licences
Sailing experience: Level 3

Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. Follow the link for more information on the sailing conditions. This rating scale is designed as a guide based on the prevailing conditions during the most popular season.

Luggage + packing list
We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt, and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.

Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht.

What’s on board

Coolers
Coolers are available at the base on a first-come first served basis at no additional charge. Please sign these out and return them clean and undamaged otherwise you will be charged for replacement. Only one per boat.

Fuel
Fuel is available at the base and costs approximately US$ 0.86 per liter.

Cell phones
Your cell phone may work in the Caribbean, check with your service provider for international roaming. Please leave your cell phone number with customer service before casting off.

Music + iPods
Most yachts have fusion stereos with Bluetooth and no CD players. 

Drone

The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://www.uavsystemsinternational.com/drone-laws-by-country/grenada-drone-laws/

Electricity
The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts DC and for yachts with a generator, 110 volts AC using the standard US 2-pin plug. On boats without a generator, you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter to operate plug-in electronics. Electricity in Grenada is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. You may need an adaptor in order to use electronic equipment on the island.

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Go

How to get there

Airport
Maurice Bishop International Airport formerly known as Point Salines International Airport, is located in the parish of St. George’s at Point Salines, the most southwestern point of the island. The town of St. George’s is about 5 miles north of the airport.

Facilities at the airport include:

• Tourist information booth
• Exchange bureau
• Toilets with disabled facilities
• ATM
• Internet café
• Gift shop
• Newsagent
• Bar/rum shop
• Snack bar
• Restaurant

Trolleys and porters are also available, porters expect to be paid EC$1 per bag.

British Airways, BWIA, Virgin Atlantic, US Airways, and SVG Airways all have offices at the airport.

The taxi service, run by the Airport Taxi Union, Tel: 444 4296, is on a stand-in line basis. Rates from the airport are published on a board outside the Arrivals Hall. They are shown in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (EC$) and are approximately as follows (subject to change without notice). Taxi fares- 1-2 persons are $25 USD and if it has more than 2 people arriving everyone will pay $10 USD each. It is a 15-minute ride from the airport to the base.

Transfers
Sunsail can assist with arranging your airport transfers.  Please send us your travel details where required.  Please Note: Guests arriving separately should bring a copy of the charter contract/invoice.

Taxis meet almost every incoming flight and ferry in the region and are easy to find standing by at Maurice Bishop International Airport.

Traveling from the airport to the Sunsail base in St. George’s will cost approximately $25(USD) for 1 – 4 people and an extra $5(USD) for each additional person. There is a surcharge on cab rides between 6:00pm and 6:00pm as well as for trips outside of St. George’s. 

Boarding time + checking out

Boarding starts at 6pm, and disembark at 11am, with briefings held at 9am on the day of departure. All Skippers are required to attend the briefings. The boat briefing will take place on the yacht once you have boarded and are ready.

On departure

All charters end at 11am at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks.

Out of hours

Staff stay late for late arrivals.

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Sail

About the marina

Marina facilities

Customs & Immigration 

Fresh water 
Electricity
Wireless Internet Access
Cable TV
Night security
Refuse disposal 
Toilet 
Showers
Restaurant 
Swimming Pool (reopening January 2024)
Bar 
Duty-free shopping
Weather forecasts 
*Supermarket 
*Chandlery
*Yacht club 
*Fuel station 
*Cinema

Dock facilities
Fuel is available at the base and costs approximately USD 1.15 per liter.

Sailing licenses

Experience level

Although no sailing licenses are required for cruising in Grenada, we strongly advise that you take any sailing certification on vacation with you.  This may be useful should you be contacted by Customs or Port Police.  If you have not already done so then Skipper and 1st Mate will be required to fill in a Sailing resume to confirm that you have the necessary skills to sail in this region.

Get more information on Grenada’s sailing conditions.

Sailing grounds

Skippered charter information
The skipper’s time is booked from 12:00pm to 12:00pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved him for the first day of your charter and have a 6:00pm start, he will use this time to ensure he is happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival. If you have reserved him for a later date on your charter he will start at 12:00pm on that day.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. He is not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. He must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of his contract with you.

For “check out charters” (anything less than the full duration of the charter) the checkout skipper’s time is booked from 6:00pm to 6:00pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day. This skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures, and the emergency assistance procedures. It is suggested that you attend the scheduled chart brief that will be supplemented by the skipper during his time with you on the yacht. It is also suggested that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover…anchoring, docking, etc.

The skipper will be required to give you as much information as you require concerning the yacht and its systems, sailing skills, and navigation in general.

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and is the responsibility of the client. It is suggested that you discuss this on the first day with the skipper and establish whether you will give the skipper cash for meals, whether you have included him in your provisioning, or whether you will accommodate him as part of the group for meals ashore.

The skipper must have his own cabin. We prefer not to put the skipper in the bow due to the shared head and size of the cabin. If you expect him to stay in the bow, please let us know well in advance so that we can choose the appropriate (small) skipper.

For a one-day check-out skipper, it is your responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you prefer not to come back to the base you must pay for his expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.) to get him back to the base.

The average tip for a skipper is 15 to 20% of the skipper’s fee. This is, of course, at your discretion.

There are several different countries represented within the cruising grounds of the Windward Islands and each of them requires customs/immigration clearance upon arrival and departure. Fees vary based on the country, yacht, number of passengers, itinerary etc. All charters with a skipper are encouraged to provide the skipper with an initial $500 at the beginning of their charter. This money will be used to cover costs for customs fees as well as mooring ball fees for the duration of the charter. The total amount needed may be less or it may be more. At the end of the charter, the skipper will return any remaining funds along with receipts for all money spent. ATMs are limited in the cruising grounds so it’s important to plan ahead for these fees.

More information on Skippered Charter Options.

Sailing area
Sailing lanes are generally open from Falmouth Harbor counterclockwise to St. John’s Harbor.

Martinique/Guadeloupe: Selected yachts in Antigua cannot go into Martinique/ Guadeloupe at any time.

Download Sunsail’s Grenada Cruising Guide here.

Sailing area restrictions
This information is covered in the chart briefing.

The area around Soufriere and the Pitons in St. Lucia is a national park with restrictions on anchoring.

All windward sides of the islands should be kept well clear of.
The Tobago Cays are restricted from the south side due to the large number of coral heads in the channel which are difficult to see.
In all bays, anchor with caution to avoid damaging coral or seagrass beds.
Anchoring is not allowed off Grand Anse Beach in Grenada.  Need to anchor at least 2 miles away from the beach.  

Blue Lagoon in St. Vincent has a difficult entrance and is best avoided.

BVI: – All the British Virgin Islands, including Anegada and US Virgin Islands.
For Bareboat Charter with Sunsail Crew. No sailing in US Virgin Islands and Spanish Virgin Islands. To sail with St Martin boat to Guadeloupe/Martinique, please check with your sales agent if the boat has the necessary flag/registration (French/Octroi De Mer)

Rest of Caribbean: No further than 20 miles out from Puerto Rico to Grenada,
excluding Montserrat, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago
There are some other restrictions throughout the whole Caribbean, which are detailed in the Caribbean Introduction section.

More information on the sailing in this area.

Night sailing
Night sailing is not permitted; you must be moored at least one hour before sunset at all of our locations.

Charts + pilot books
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht. 

Sailing permits + taxes
There is a cruising tax when entering Grenada which is valid for 30 days.

You must clear customs as you pass through each country and fees are associated with the clearing process.  If you sail from Grenada into St. Vincent and the Grenadines then a $35ec per person cruising tax is collected by the customs agent

Moorings fees + taxes
None.  Mooring Balls in this area are not recommended as they tend not to be well maintained. However, those in Dragon Bay are government-placed and recommended.

Health + safety

Swim Safe 

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents, and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets, and Diver Down flags are all available on board. 

Children:

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

Be aware of your surroundings

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth, and marine life.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

Look out for others

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party, and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

Do not overestimate your ability

• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming techniques.
• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open-water swimming can be very different.

Safety

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use of this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat onboarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing. 

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are traveling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.  

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy. 

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Eat

Provisioning

Sunsail Provisioning
Provisioning is available in this location. All provisioning orders should be placed no later than 7 days prior to the charter start date. Visit store.sunsail.com to order.

More information on Provisioning.

Dining

Grenada offers tourists plenty of seafood, West Indian dishes, and French and Italian food. Favorite local dishes include fish stew, curried lambi (conch), and the ubiquitous roti. Pigeon peas with rice, plantains, yams, and callaloo soup are common side dishes.

Carib beer and Westerhall rum are the local brews; it’s also worth trying local nonalcoholic drinks such as sorrel juice, mauby, and ginger beer.

Victory Bar and Restaurant
Port Louis Marina
St. George’s
Tel: +1 473 435 7263
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Aquarium Restaurant and La Sirena Beach Bar
Tel: +1 473 444 1410, +1 473 444 1410 
Fax: +1 473 000 000
aquarium@spiceisle.com
www.aquarium-grenada.com

White sand and sea views and good food.
Boatyard Restaurant and Tiki Bar
Lance aux Epines
St. George
Tel: +1 473 444 4662
Great pizza and a lovely anchorage.
Coconut Beach Restaurant
Grand Anse Beach
St. George’s
Tel: +1 473 444 4644
61 West – on the beach between the marina and the airport 
Umbrella’s Beach Bar – on the beach between the marina and the airport.

Restaurants closed during September to low season

If you are looking to travel in low season we would advise that you will have a limited choice of restaurants to eat ashore and to provision accordingly. This would be a perfect time of year to enjoy a barbecue off the back of your boat.

Tipping

There is an eight percent government tax on hotels and restaurants. Most also add a 10 percent service charge. Additional gratuities are at your discretion.

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Shop

Around the base

Accommodations

Coyaba Beach Resort

St. George, Grenada

Allamanda Beach Resort & Spa
St. George, Grenada

Spice Island Beach Resort
St. George, Grenada

Banks
Banking hours in Grenada are usually Mon-Fri from 8am-2pm.

It is advisable to exchange currency at the banks, as the most favorable exchange rates may not be obtained elsewhere. Please note that you can change money at the base.

Currency
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar, linked to the US Dollar, is the local currency, US$ is accepted.

Credit card information
Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, car rental companies, and shops. 

Post office
The General Post Office is on Lagoon Road by the Port in St. George’s. There are sub-post offices in all towns and villages. Post Offices are open 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday to Thursday; Fridays until 4:30pm.

Shopping
Lots of variety including wood carvings and paintings, ranging from native to sophisticated, jewelry, from natural materials to Emeralds and Gold.

Batiks in the fabulous colors of the Caribbean and of course spices, jams, jellies, and Grenadian plantation rum.  Duty Free in Havana House on The Carenage, boasts a wide variety of Caribbean crafts, souvenirs, ceramics, spices, jams, jellies, compact discs, and small electronics.

Shops are generally open from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8:00am – 1:00pm on Saturdays. Supermarkets and shopping centers are usually open from 9:00am – 7:00pm And there are one or two that are even open on Sundays.  Often when cruise ships are in port, the craft and souvenir shops will open on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.

There are 2 well-stocked supermarkets in the area.  There is Foodland which is located in the lagoon. They have a dinghy dock which makes provisioning very easy.  There is also IGA supermarket in Grand Anse that caters to the expat community on the island; they carry most major American brands.

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Play

Things to do

Car and Jeep Hire
There are car rental companies at the airport including Y&R Car Rentals.

All the major car rental companies are represented in Grenada.
To obtain a local driving permit, a bona fide driver’s license must be presented at the traffic department at the Central Police Station on the Carenage. The cost is approximately EC$30.00. Most car rental firms also issue local permits.

There is a network of approximately 650 miles of paved roads and most of the main roads are in good condition.

Please note that driving is on the LEFT.

Walking
With its astonishing natural beauty and wide variety of ecosystems and terrain, Grenada offers some of the finest walking, hiking, and trekking opportunities in the Caribbean.

Water toys + sports

For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. They will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are able to rent these at the base but please keep in mind that we have limited availability. For more information, please view our water sports options here.

Fishing
Sports fishing is extremely popular in these waters, with Spanish mackerel, barracuda, marlin, tuna, and kingfish just some of the fish landed.  Licenses are not required for trolling a line while underway.  Spearfishing is illegal to all non-residents.

True Blue Sport Fishing
St. Georges
E-mail: grclifford@spiceisle.com
Located at the Marina

Scuba Diving
Scuba diving in Grenada is mainly off the south-western peninsula of the island, both on the ledge to its south (before the seabed drops away into the deep channel between the Caribbean and South America) and to its north, where there are reefs in the lee of the island, off Grand Anse and up the calmer western coastline. The reefs, wrecks, and coral walls remain largely unspoiled by crowds and many have yet to be fully explored. Divers will encounter deserted cays, sand bars, and lagoons teeming with sea life, including sea fans, gorgonians, sea horses, rays, turtles, dolphins, and stunningly colorful reef fish, as well as magnificently colored coral

Dive Grenada is a PADI 5 Star and BSAC Resort Center that has been in existence since 1991 – the longest-established dive operator in Grenada. Its Dive Center is on the spectacular Grand Anse Beach, beneath the Flamboyant Hotel, and so it is ideally situated to reach most of the 30 plus dive sites around Grenada’s southwestern tip within a short boat ride.

Tel:         (1) 473 444 1092
Mobile:     (1) 473 414 6229
Email:  info@divegrenada.com

Snorkeling
We have a range of snorkeling gear that you may wish to use.

We are limited on children’s sizes so if you have your own you may wish to bring them with you.

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For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here.