Hillsborough Bay

Marinas near Hillsborough Bay

Helpful Links:

Guide to Carriacou

Grenada Board of Tourism

Guide to Grenada

Grenada Travel Guide

Grenada Calendar of Events

Port Salines International Airport

Introduction:

Located on the western side of the island of Carriacou (part of Grenada), Hillsborough Bay and the surrounding areas offer protected anchorage from all directions except from the west to north. In strong northerlies or westerlies, hiding out in Watering Bay (town of L’Apelle) on the east side of the island is preferred.

Hillsborough and Bogles are the two primary port towns off Hillsborough Bay, but Hillsborough is the center of activity and the town with the best facilities for cruising boaters. Bogles is located northeast of Jack Adan Island, while Hillsborough is located farther south, about 1.5 miles east of Sandy Island.

Navigating the Water:

Grenada uses the IALA B (red right returning rule). Customs and Immigration: Arriving yachts should display the yellow ‘Q’ flag and the courtesy flag of Grenada from the starboard spreader of the main mast. (Courtesy Grenada Department of Tourism) Hillsborough Bay is bounded on the North by Jack Adan Island and to the south by Sandy and Maybouya islands. The eastern end of Sandy Island has a flashing red beacon marking the reefs that extend northeast off its eastern side. Maybouya Island is unmarked. To the north, Jack Adan Island is unmarked on its north side, but there is a flashing green beacon off its south end to help guide you in from the north or west.

Once you have set up a course to guide you safely in between the two islands (the opening is a mile wide), head east toward the town of Hillsborough on a course of 119 degrees true until you come up on the anchorage off the dock in Hillsborough (visible in the image above). Depths just offshore of Hillsborough are between six and 11 feet with a sand bottom. If the anchorage is crowded at Hillsborough, you can head about .2 miles north, just south of McIntosh Point, where there is another anchorage with similar depths.

Ashore in Hillsborough, there are a variety of facilities. If you need to gather some cash, there are a few banks scattered about town. Ask one of the locals for directions once you get ashore. If you’re hungry, there is certainly no shortage of restaurants and bars in Hillsborough, and many of them butt right up against the beach, offering spectacular tropical views. If you need to stock up the galley, there are reportedly a couple of markets for produce, breads and dry goods.

Local Notices to Mariners:

See our “Local Notices to Mariners” blog for updates on the latest conditions and advisories for this area.

Things To Do/Local Events:

Grenada and its sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique are known for their spectacular clear waters. Activities both above and below the water entice visitors to these islands year after year. Located outside of the hurricane belt at 12 N, our islands provide smooth sailing and safe anchorage, all year round.

Carriacou, the Gateway to the Grenadines, is the perfect starting point for a sailing vacation up the islands, and we have many companies who will arrange bare boats, crewed yachts or charters to suit your vacation needs.

For the seabound, Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique boast a year round list of regattas and races. One of the most notable yachting events is the Annual La Source Grenada Sailing Festival that is held towards the end of January.

For a detailed calendar of events for the Grenada area, see our “Helpful Links” section below for more details.

[i]Information Courtesy Grenada Board of Tourism[/i]

Transportation:

The Port Saline International Airport is located on the south end of the main island of Grenada and it offers daily regional and international commercial jet service from major carriers including American Airlines, British Airways, Condor and Virgin Atlantic. You may also choose from a variety of regional turboprop and smaller carriers than can shuttle you between other islands in the windwards and beyond.