Carriacou is an island almost tailor made for the connoisseur of relaxation, as more visitors are discovering each year. Whilst some other of the Grenadine Islands are succumbing to the temptations of opening noisy discos and bars and generally going the dismal way of the most touristy resorts, Carriacou has somehow managed to retain its innocence and charm.
It’s a place to leisurely while away your time in a much more civilised manner. You can totally forget the rat-race here, and when you think that even residents of Grenada escape to neighbouring Carriacou for a bit of peace and quiet you know you’re in for an unadulterated peaceful experience.
But it’s not just about lazing on the sand, though that in itself is hardly a crime with untouched beaches curving like gleaming, white scimitars cutting a scythe through clear, turquoise waters and palm trees practically begging you to sit in their shade with a pina colada in one hand and a book in the other.
Swimming is obviously high on the agenda of things to do in Carriacou, and it takes nerves of steel to resist the call of the sea sirens. Maybe chaining yourself to a palm tree like Odysseus to his mast would do it, but for ordinary mortals there are plenty of unspoilt beaches to take your pick from. Anse La Roche beach is picture-perfect and proves that tropical paradise beaches don’t just exist in the Photoshop-doctored pages of travel magazines. Almost one whole side of the island, sheltered from the wind, is a beach. Or try Paradise Beach, which is close to the airport and used by the locals, and has the best sand on the whole of the island.
Go drift snorkelling and admire the explosion of colourful sea life around the reefs. It’s like watching a movie as you let the currents take you along.
Sailing trips are a great way to see the perimeter of the island, stopping off at various coves as you go and jumping overboard at the best spots for swimming and snorkelling.
Other things to do in Carriacou? When you’ve had enough of the sea, try just walking around Hillsborough and take a peek in at the Botanical Gardens, or explore the Grenada National Park with a guided tour and marvel at the rich plant and animal life of the island. Hiking tours, treks – you name it, Carriacou has it.
The small museum on Carriacou has interesting displays about the island’s colonial past, when sugar cane and cotton were grown here.
No Caribbean island would be complete without its Carnival, and the one on Carriacou is as loud and colourful as you would expect. It’s held over February and March, and there are other festivals throughout the year.
With homely restaurants serving up traditional Maroon food, a handful of nightspots if you feel in need of Calypso rhythms (and who doesn’t?), and shops selling art and craft items, Carriacou has it all.
If you still can’t find anything to satisfy you here then give yourself a good pinch, because you’re either dreaming or dead.