Tobago Cays-Union Island - Carriacou 4 February 2024
We woke to the lovely turquoise water but it was time to move on. We needed to go to Union Island to check out of the Grenadines. It was quite a tricky passage from Tobago Cays to Union Island where we had to dodge the reefs and shallow patches. However there were helpful transit lines etc on the chart plotter and I put in a number of waypoints and so it provided a good route for us to follow.
We prepared to go – tying everything down and sorted out the dinghy etc. We then upped anchor and headed off on our route going slowly and following the waypoints through the reefs. It was only about 5 miles to Union Island and it did not take long before we were on the transit to the Island and we then had to follow 3 red markers round the reef until we saw the port and starboard markers to enter the harbour. There were lots of boats most of which were on mooring buoys and so the anchoring that used to exist is now taken up by mooring buoys so the locals can earn a living. We were as usual met by a dinghy from a local trying to get us to use a mooring buoy and it appeared we had no alternative as there was no room really to anchor. So we took a buoy and bought some banana cake from the mooring owners wife. We sorted ourselves out and then went ashore. I found the customs office and went in as we had to check out of ST Martin & the Grenadines. This took about 30 minutes and in the meantime the others looked around. it was a Sunday and little was open and frankly it looked quite run down and shabby. It was clearly good for kitesurfing which was going on in the bay. Whilst it was described as a lovely Island this description was not that evident. We decided to have a drink at the Tipsy Turtle bar which was pleasant but once we discussed the situation we decided we would move on as we thought Carriacou would be better.
We got back to Stormbird prepared and started off to Carriacou. Carriacou is part of Grenada. It is an Island of over 100 rum shops and one petrol station. The pilot book describes it as enchanting where the locals live by farming, fishing and seafaring. There is a history of boatbuilding here. Its name means “Island surrounded by reefs”. The sail to Carriacou did not take long and for most of it we just used the Genoa. We had to go to Tyrrell Bay where we would be able to check into Grenada. It was very busy and we anchored at the back. It took us 3 attempts to get our anchor to bite as the holding is patchy here. Customs had closed but we headed ashore for a supper which turned out to be rather good - fresh tuna, pizzas etc. The wind was howling and the bay was busy but anchored on the outside we felt fine. We sat in the cockpit playing music by request as Simon used his phone to bring up the song. A good time was had by all. ;
We will check in tomorrow to explore properly as we do not need to get to Grenada until the evening of the 6th.
The blog will continue as we explore the Caribbean further and beyond.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com I can only upload one picture a day.