Of all the Caribbean islands, Grenada and the Grenadines offer the most unspoilt cruising destinations, and Port Louis Marina is the ideal base from which to explore this fantastic region.

Everything about Grenada is vibrant - from the crystal clear waters that surround it, to the colours of the roofs in the historic capital, and of course the rhythms and aromas that exemplify the local lifestyle. Here you will find secluded coves, scintillating beaches, breathtaking diving, nature reserves and host of sporting activities ashore and afloat.

Because Grenada is outside the hurricane belt, situated safely south, the area offers perfect cruising throughout the year.

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Getting Here

Grenada has the closest international airport to the cruising grounds of the Grenadines, making Port Louis Marina one of the most convenient marinas in the Caribbean.

Maurice Bishop International Airport is only five miles from Port Louis and has direct flights from many cities including London, Miami and New York, and offers easy connections via Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia and Trinidad.

The following airlines run scheduled flights to Grenada:
British Airways
Virgin Atlantic
American Airlines
LIAT
Caribbean Airlines
SVG Airlines
Conviasa
Delta
Air Canada

Getting to Port Louis by sea is easy in all weather conditions, day or night. See the pilotage notes and please contact the Capitainerie on Channel 14 on approach.

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Cruising

Grenada & Carriacou. Grenada’s south coast offers numerous protected anchorages, from the ever-popular Prickly Bay to St David’s Harbour. Between these two lies Hog Island, home to a weekly Sunday barbecue lunch. Carriacou  (30NM) has excellent anchorages in Tyrell Bay and the capital Hillsborough, and off the tiny, uninhabited, and aptly named Sandy Island.

Union Island & Mayreau (40NM). Clifton Harbour on Union Island is popular as a port of entry for clearance between Grenada and the neighbouring territory of St Vincent and The Grenadines, and also for its bustling waterfront bars and restaurants. To the north, the island of Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines and, in Saltwhistle Bay, is home to the most picture-perfect, tropical horseshoe bay.

Tobago Cays (45NM). Justifiably regarded as one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful destinations, the Tobago Cays Marine Park is home to a series of globally significant habitats that include coral reefs, sea turtle nesting sites and feeding areas, and small systems of mangroves. The three mile long Horseshoe Reef, the longest of the four main reef systems in the Park, encloses four of the cays and provides a remarkable natural breakwater to the trade winds and Atlantic swells to the east.

Mustique (65NM). At just three miles long, the island is wooded and hilly, with white sand beaches. Yachts can pick up a mooring in Britannia Bay, where a dinghy ride ashore offers the chance to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, while enjoying a sundowner at Basil’s Bar.

Bequia (70NM). Lying just a few miles south of St Vincent, Bequia marks the northern point of The Grenadines, and in Admiralty Bay can boast one of the largest and finest anchorages anywhere in the Caribbean. The beachfront is home to lively and welcoming bars and restaurants, which have been favourite yachting haunts for many years.

Trinidad and Tobago (75NM). South of Grenada, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago are within easy cruising distance, and offer an eclectic mix of atmospheres and activities. Trinidad is by far the livelier of the two, and hosts most of the island’s events and festivals, including the world-famous pre-Lenten Carnival. Tobago, by contrast, has a simplicity and sense of seclusion that recalls a time before yachting and tourism became mainstream.

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Activities

Grenada has been dubbed the 'wreck diving capital of the Caribbean', having more wrecks than any other Caribbean island.

Favourite dives include the Bianca C, "the Titanic of the Caribbean" and the Underwater Sculpture Park at Moliniere Bay - a collection of underwater installations on the theme of the history and folklore of Grenada. Grenada was voted the Number 1 destination in the 2012 Scuba Diving Magazine Awards in two categories: Best Advanced Diving and Best Wreck Diving in the Caribbean/Atlantic.

Eco Dive and Trek have an office in Port Louis Marina, and are a full service water sports company offering diving, sailing, windsurfing as well as walking and trekking.
 
Fishing is extremely popular, with Spanish mackerel, barracuda, marlin, tuna and kingfish among the catches on offer.

For land-based relaxation, there are tennis courts five minutes’ walk from Port Louis, and the Grenada Golf & Country Club has a nine-hole course near Grand Anse. There are also a number of spas and beach bars within a short dinghy ride of Port Louis Marina.

There are countless opportunities for hiking and walking, including exploring the waterfalls of the tropical rain forest and the volcanic crater lake of the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, either with or without a guide and also opportunities to visit some spice estates as part of regular tours.

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Eating Out

With so many spices grown in Grenada, it's no surprise that they feature highly in the island’s cookery. Creole cuisine blends with classic West Indian flavours to create Grenada’s local specialities, while international tastes are catered for by Grenada’s restaurants providing classic French and Italian dishes.

As you would expect, fresh seafood can be found on every menu. Grenada's national dish is 'Oildown', which consists of salted meat, onion, carrot, celery, breadfruit and dasheen stew with dumplings cooked in coconut milk. The Carib Rum, tropical fruit juices and punches are also popular island-wide, as is the excellent local beer.

The new 1782 Restaurant & Bar overlooking the superyacht dock and picturesque Carenage, is operated by Uli Kuhn one of the Caribbean’s top restaurateurs, who also owns The Aquarium Restaurant

BB’s Crabback - opposite Port Louis Marina on the Carenage and only a dinghy ride away, provides some of the best local food on Grenada.

De Big Fish. A restaurant that literally sits on the calm waters of True blue Bay.

LaLuna. This Italian restaurant is located on the LaLuna Resort and spa only a 10 minute dinghy ride or car drive from Port Louis Marina.  Located on the same beach as LaLuna, the Beach House is sophisticated and serves delightful local dishes.

The Aquarium Restaurant. On the edge of a beach only a 15 minute dinghy or car ride away from Port Louis Marina.  The Sunday afternoon barbecue is popular for the live reggae and calypso from the band “Roots”.

Belmont Estate. All food is produced on the estate, including goat's cheese and organic chocolate.

Carib Sushi, Boulangerie & La Tortuga Wine Bar – All located next to each other in Grand Anse only a 10 minute drive from the Port Louis Marina. This spot is ideal for someone looking for an active "lime" (dinner, drinks and hanging out) as opposed to something a bit more formal.

Petite Anse Resort. Located in Sauteurs on the north of the island, overlooking the Grenadines, this is a 90 minute drive from Port Louis Marina so best taken in as a lunch stop on an island tour.

Spice Island Resort. On Grand Anse beach is one of the finest small hotels in the Caribbean and serves food of the highest quality.

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Shopping

Bustling with activity and offering a wide assortment of fresh produce, spices and handicrafts, the market in Grenada's capital, St. George's, is the centre of island life and a great shopping experience. A bus service draws people from all over the Island to look at the numerous souvenir, gift and handicraft shops prevalent in the St. George’s district, especially on Young Street and the Carenage waterfront.

The best buys in Grenada are batik and screen printed textiles, locally made handicrafts, leather items, and wood carvings. Spices, locally-made jams, jellies, and syrups, especially nutmeg, are all good buys too along with delicious local fresh fruits and vegetables. There are some smaller shops on site in Port Louis Marina providing a wide variety of facilities for crew and yachtsmen.

At the marina:

• Fidel Productions - Caribbean Art & Clothing: + 1 (473) 435 8866
• Spronks Provisioning - Provisioning and yacht services: + 1 (473) 436 4369 / 444 4662 or email Claire»
• Bluewater Liquors - Provisioning, yacht services and convenience store: + 1 (473) 435 9517 / 473-535-2583 or email Bluewater»

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Places of Interest

The Market Square, St. George's. A colourful hive of activity, the market has been the centre of the capital's civic life for the last two hundred years.

The Carenage. St. George's inner harbour is an anchorage for every sort of vessel, from small fishing boats and elegant yachts to great cruise liners.

Grenada National Museum, St. George's. A charming little museum reflecting the pride that Grenadians have for their heritage and history. The collection ranges from the archeologically fascinating to the downright quirky.

Fort Frederick, St George's. Built by the French in the 1700s, it enjoys beautiful panoramic views across the harbour.

Grand Anse Beach. Two miles of sparkling white sand and a must-see popular destination.

The Belmont Estate. For a true agri-tourism experience. A unique and authentic 17th century plantation that offers guests an opportunity to participate in and observe the workings of a fully functional historic plantation.

St Margaret's Falls Grand Etang National Park. Known also as Seven Sisters Waterfalls (there are 7 in the area). One of Grenada's most beautiful areas where a waterfall rushes down the mountainside into a large pool perfect for swimming.

Grand Etang Lake. Surrounded by a rain forest, the lake is located in an ancient crater some 1,300 feet above sea level.

Grenada Co-Operative Nutmeg Association. The heart of the world's "Spice Capital," the Association has factories throughout the island and produces one-third of the world's nutmeg consumption. Visit the factory in Gouyave when you take in Fish Friday.

River Antoine Rum Distillery. This is the oldest distillery in Grenada and uses the oldest working waterwheel in the Western Hemisphere to power the rollers that squeeze the juice out of the sugar cane.

Gouyave Fish Friday. Gouyave is a fishing village about 45 minutes from Port Louis. It’s known in Grenada as "the town that never sleeps". More fish is caught by Gouyave’s fishermen than anywhere else on the island, and every Friday local fishermen get together and cook all types of fish in all different styles, accompanied by live local bands.

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