The small island of Carriacou has a population of around 8,000 people. It also has over 100 rum shops and some incredible places to relax and hide away. Here are the best Carriacou beaches to experience the quiet, Caribbean charm.
Whether you are looking for a white sand beach, an offshore island, or a beach with great bars, we’ve listed the 7 best Carriacou beaches for your vacation.
Table of Contents
1. Paradise Beach Carriacou
This pristine beach has arguably the best view out of the Carriacou beaches. You could compare it to Grand Anse Beach, one of Grenada’s best beaches, however, it is much quieter. Situated within a marine protected area it looks out to the impressive Sandy Island, a thin stretch of sand covered in palm trees.
Paradise Beach has some of the island’s best bars and restaurants, but they are spread out enough that it doesn’t feel like a populated spot. There are large sections of untouched tropical forest (in some places that come right to the water’s edge) that break up the beach into smaller sections.
You could easily have a section to yourself and walk up or down the beach for a cold beverage.
Where is Paradise Beach located:
Situated on the southwest coast, you can reach Paradise Beach from Tyrell Bay by local bus in around 5 minutes. Alternatively, if you’re coming from Hillsborough it will be around 10 minutes by car.
If you are flying into Carriacou, you will fly right over the beach itself (look out to the right-hand side).
Amenities:
- Public car park
- A variety of restaurants/bars
- Local boats (for island drop-offs or day hire)
Tips:
- Mosquitoes come out around 5:30 PM. Paradise Beach Club burns coconut husks to keep them at bay.
- Marine Park Rules Apply to this area
- No diving without a certified, local instructor
- No recreational fishing
- Eco Tips: Wear reef-safe sunscreen (to reduce harm to sea life in the marine park area)
Things to do at Paradise Beach:
- Check out the local artesian shop Fidel. They have t-shirts, handicrafts, and organic products
- Walk up and down the stretch – you will pass a couple of different restaurants and likely see a few dominoes games in action
- Take a boat out to Sandy Island. This can be arranged at any of the restaurant venues. The price is around 30EC/pp return trip (or less if you eat at the venue first)
- You can also kayak or paddleboard across to Sandy Island (be careful of the current which can flow between the islands)
- Check out the bird population where the mangrove meets the sea on the northern side of the airport runway (north side of the beach)
Venues to try at Paradise Beach:
- Paradise Beach Club has some amazing food and cocktail options. Run by Allison, it has great service, music and is thoughtfully decorated with a blue wooden finish. They have a weekly night special (Greek, Mexican, etc.) and do a Sunday brunch.
- Off Da Hook is at the southern end of the beach. It is a pretty relaxed atmosphere where anything goes. You can easily kick back here for a couple of drinks, get a BBQ plate or laze in the hammock and look out to Sandy Island.
- Hardwood is by the car parking area and has a great local feel with a few covered beach sitting areas that they do service to.
Best places to stay on Paradise Beach Carriacou
The Paradise Beach House
One of the best places to stay at Paradise Beach Carriacou is the Paradise Beach House. This lovely rental is right on the beach, with views of Sandy Island. They have kayaks and floats available for use, and with two bedrooms it is an ideal place to stay for a group of friends, a family, or a couples retreat.
Las Tortugas Villa
Looking for a luxury stay in Carriacou? Las Tortugas has magnificent views overlooking Paradise Beach and Sandy Island. With two bedrooms and a loft, it is a great stay for a group of friends or a family.
2. Anse La Roche Carriacou
Another one of the Carriacou beaches within the Marine Park area, however, this one is a little more difficult to get to than Paradise Beach. It can be reached by road but requires walking down a dirt trail (approx. 25mins each way).
This beach feel completely shut off from the world as it is surrounded by thick foliage and looks out to nothing but the Caribbean Sea. There is a unique, rocky outcrop that attracts local birdlife and makes from some great snorkeling. It is also home to a unique beach bar experience.
Where is Anse La Roche located:
At the northwest of the island within the Gun Point Marine Park Area. You can access the beach a couple of ways:
- By land. You can follow the main coastal road pass the Bogles Roundhouse. It will turn into a dirt road that passes the Prospect House and a couple of other properties. Follow this dirt road to the end and then follow a track down to the beach.
- By Sea. If you have your own boat you can sail straight to the bay. It can get some waves so best to take a dinghy to the northern corner (dependant on wave direction). You can also call “Tim” who runs the beach bar. He can pick you up if you plan to eat or drink at the bar.
Amenities:
- One beach bar
- A sheltered sitting area
Tips:
- Marine Park Rules Apply to this area
- No diving without a certified, local instructor
- No recreational fishing
- Bring your own reusable water bottle in case Tim has no drinking water
Things to do at Anse La Roche Beach:
This is a good place to escape and relax. You might see a couple of sailboats moored offshore in the bay area (or it could be completely empty).
- Snorkel around the rocky outcrop and northern end of the beach
- Get a drink and some dinner from Tim’s beach bar
Where to stay near Anse La Roche
La Pagerie
With five bedrooms, this beachfront villa on the northern side of the island can accommodate 10 guests. A 20-minute walk or short boat ride away is Anse La Roche beach. The villa comes equipped with a full-sized kitchen and a small pool.
3. Petit Carenage
Located at the island’s most northern point this is one of the Carriacou beaches that you can truly escape to. It has clear views across the sea to Union Island, Petit St Vincent, and Petit Martinique.
It is a wide bay that is undeveloped (except for a small, wooden seating area).
Where is Petite Carenage located:
If you follow the main (eastern) road up the island and past the famous Windward area (traditional boat-making beach) you will reach the northern end of the island. The best way to access the Petite Carnage beach from the road is through the designated Bird and Turtle Sanctuary area. Park by the sign and make your way down some wooden steps to a sandy pathway that cuts through the natural bush.
If you are approaching by sea, note that the seabed is covered in marine grass and is a feeding area for turtles so approach with extreme caution.
Amenities
A small, wooden seating area
Tips
Be aware of turtles, whether you are driving in on a boat or even walking along the beach.
Things to do at Petite Carenage Beach in Carriacou
- Turtle watching/volunteering is one of the main attractions to this Carriacou beach and occurs in the months between March and December.
- Kido Ecological Research Station organizes night watches to protect the turtles and their precious eggs. Visitors are welcome to join them on these watches.
- There is a shipwreck at the eastern end of the beach. This is in very shallow water which makes it difficult to swim around, but you can walk to the point of the beach closest to the wreck, and just about see inside it as it is so close.
4. Footprint Bar Beach
At the western end of Hillsborough is the airport. Directly in front of the airport is one of the hidden gem beaches in Carriacou. It acts as a meeting point between the thriving mangrove system and crystal clear waters.
Be sure to explore the shipwreck and enjoy the views back towards the ‘town’ of Hillsborough.
Where is Footprint Bar Beach located:
If you drive along the Hillsborough beach road heading towards the airport you will see a turnoff right before the airport entrance that leads you to a flat parking area in front of the Footprint Beach Bar. If you are arriving by boat it is a short trip across from Sandy Island.
You can also walk along the beach from Hillsborough town. It is around 20 minutes from the main jetty.
Amenities
There is one bar (Footprints) that may or may not be open. Out of the front of the bar, there is a small area for car parking.
Tips
It’s not recommended to try and walk through the mangrove as a shortcut to Paradise Beach. This mangrove is thick and muddy. Even though it looks close, it will take a long time to maneuver through.
Things to do at Footprints Bar Beach
- One of the coolest things to see at this beach in Carriacou is the shipwreck. It is resting right on the beach with the back still exposed to the ocean waves. You can actually walk inside this wreck, however, be careful as it is crumbling and there are some serious pieces of jagged, rusty metal sticking out.
- You can walk around the point and look directly across to Sandy Island and back to the Hillsborough town.
- Grab a drink from Footprints (if it is open)
- It is possible to walk around the beach to Paradise Beach but this should be attempted at low tide (with some good shoes) as the northern tip is pretty rubbly.
5. Hillsborough Beach
Hillsborough is not the best of the Carriacou beaches (in some parts by the jetty there is not much beach to walk on). However, it is a nice beach to walk along if you want to do a beach bar crawl.
Start at the eastern end by La Playa and work your way along!
Where is Hillsbouorigh Beach located?
Hillsborough is the ‘old town’ that used to be the main hub for Grenada‘s (Osprey) ferry, which has now relocated to Tyrell Bay.
Things to do at Hillsborough Beach Carriacou
- There are some great restaurants/bars and bars along the Hillsborough Beach strip. It is a good place to spend a few hours walking along and stopping in different venues.
- Snorkel or Dive under the jetty. If you walk right off the beach you can swim under the jetty (avoid the fishing lines from above). There are some large schools of fish and even a few resident octopuses.
- Take the ferry to Petite Martinique. The Osprey ferry leaves from Hillsborough weekdays and is only 15 minutes to PM.
- Go diving with Deefer Diving. This dive school offers great rates for day dives and classes. They run the Caribbean Reef Buddy NGO which studies the local coral and marine life. They have volunteering positions available thought the year.
6. Sandy Island Beach
One of the best Carriacou beaches is located just offshore, on Sandy Island. Here there is a long stretch of white and pink sand, palm trees, and natural lakes.
Where is Sandy Island located:
Sandy Island is located right off Paradise Beach. It is possible to Kayak across, however, be sure to check the current. You can also arrange a trip with one of the local fishermen, Allison from Paradise Beach club (25 ECD per person round trip if you eat at their restaurant), or Hardwood cafe.
Things to do at Sandy Island
- Snorkel the reef (it is a marine protected area). The southern end of the island is generally where there is more marine life
- Walk around the island
- Relax in one or both of the salt water lakes
- Chill out underneath the palm trees
- Do a beach clean up
7. White Island Beach
This beautiful beach has a prominent piton, and a great reef to snorkel. During the week it is fairly quiet, however, on the weekends it can be a popular hangout spot.
Where is White Island located:
White Island is located south of Tyrell Bay, and next to Saline Island. Water taxi’s run from Tyrell bay, or if you don’t mind paying a little extra, you can take a boat from Paradise Beach.
Things to do at White Island
- There are sometimes reef sharks in the area, so try and spot one when you snorkel
- Walk around the west side
- There is a small picnic area on the eastern side
Other notable Carriacou Beaches
- Black Sand Beach – to get here, head to St. Louis, and there is a 5-minute trail down to the beach
- White Sand Beach – located next to Black Sand Beach
- Sparrow Bay is a black sand beach located north of Hillsborough. The easiest way to access it from the grounds of Bogles Round House (one of the best Carriacou restaurants)
- Saline Island – there is a great snorkel reef on this island, however, the beach has a few mosquitoes that frequent the large salt lake on the island.
Best Places to Stay in Carriacou Grenada
There are a couple of great places to stay in Carriacou, the following are our top picks:
- Paradise Beach House
- Las Tortugas
- The Mermaid Hotel
- Roundhouse Hotel
What about Grenada?
If you are visiting Carriacou island, chances are you have traveled through Grenada to get there. If you are looking for the best things to see and do in Grenada, read through our other posts:
- Best Beaches in Grenada
- 25 Best Things to do in Grenada
- Grenada Waterfalls
- Staying at True Blue Bay Resort
- Attending the Chocolate Festival
Like this Article? Pin it!
