Granada offers a wide selection of yacht charters including sailing and motor yacht charter, bareboat yacht charter, skippered yacht charter, crewed luxury yacht charter, and monohull and catamaran charter.
Average temperatures range between 25 ° C and 30 ° C, accompanied by constant and refreshing trade winds that make the yacht charter perfect. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. Due to the extraordinary topography of Grenada, the island also experiences climatic changes depending on the altitude. The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour and generally not every day.
Christopher Columbus first saw Granada in 1498 and first named it Isla de la Concepción and later named it Granada. At the time, the island’s Caribs lived there and called it Camerhogue. The Spanish did not settle permanently in Camerhogue and the English failed in their first attempts at settlement. The French fought and conquered Granada from the Caribs around 1650 and named the new French colony Granada. The Treaty of Paris ceded the colony to the United Kingdom in 1763. Granada became a Crown Colony in 1877.
In 1967, Grenada achieved the position of “Associated State of the United Kingdom”, which meant that Grenada was now responsible for its own internal affairs and the United Kingdom was responsible for its defense and foreign affairs. Full independence was granted in 1974 under the leadership of then Prime Minister Sir Eric Matthew Gairy, who became the first Prime Minister of Grenada. The Gairy government became increasingly authoritarian, prompting a coup in March 1979 by Maurice Bishop. Bishop’s failure to allow elections, along with his Marxist-Leninist socialism and cooperation with communist Cuba, did not sit well with the country’s neighbors, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Dominica, and the United States. 1983 saw a new coup by the PRA that brought a new pro-Soviet / Cuban government to power under General Hudson Austin. At the time of the coup there were some 50 Cuban military advisers and 700 armed construction workers on the island. Six days later, the island was invaded by United States forces allegedly at the behest of Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica. Five other Caribbean nations participated with Dominica and the US in the campaign, called Operation Urgent Fury.
Granada’s main airport is Port Salines International Airport and there are flights from the US English is spoken throughout Granada. US dollars and euros are used. Major credit cards may be accepted at hotels, restaurants, and some stores.
Granada is the largest in an archipelago of the same name. The smaller islands are Carriacou, Petit Martinique, Rhonde Island, Caille Island, Diamond Island, Large Island, Saline Island, and Frigate Island. Most of the population lives in Grenada itself, and major cities include the capital St. George’s, Grenville, and Gouyave. The largest settlement of the other islands is Hillsborough in Carriacou. The islands are known for their spectacular crystal clear waters. Grenada is technically located outside of the hurricane belt, the islands provide smooth sailing and safe anchorage all year round. However, in recent years, hurricanes have become more frequent and are sometimes experienced outside of the previously designated hurricane area. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan hit the island followed by Hurricane Emily in 2005.
Grenada’s landscape is one of the most beautiful and diverse environments in the Caribbean, including crater lakes and an astonishing variety of plant and animal life. The forests transform into mangroves on the coast, giving way to spectacular white sand beaches, sparkling blue water and exquisite coral reefs. The beauty of Granada is complemented by its rich history and its energetic and vibrant cultural heritage. There are many local festivals, fairs and markets that remain a vital part of life in Granada. Its centuries-old spice plantations and rum distilleries still use time-honored methods, emphasizing quality over quantity. Although the tourism industry has become more important in recent years, the easy island lifestyle and friendly people recall an atmosphere that has long since faded elsewhere.
English is widely spoken. But Granada Creole is considered the lingua franca of the island. French Patois or Antillean Creole is still spoken between 10% and 20% of the population. Although the French influence on the Grenadian culture is much less visible than on some other Caribbean islands, the surnames and place names in French remain, just as the everyday language is mixed with French words and the local dialect or patois. The strongest French influence is found in well-seasoned spicy food and cooking styles similar to those found in New Orleans and some French architecture has survived since the 18th century. The African roots of the majority of the population of Grenada have a great influence on the island culture, but the Indian influence is also seen with the dhal puree, goat and chicken curry in the kitchen.
Grenada is developing rapidly with new transportation facilities at St. David’s and Prickly Bay. Marinas can be found at St. George’s, Clarke’s, Court Bay, Prickly Bay, and Mt. Hartman Bay.
Carriacou is known as the Land of the Reefs. Carriacou will allow visitors to glimpse a more relaxed way of life. Coral reefs surround the island providing a base for beautiful sandy beaches. The main town and port of entry is Hillsborough and there are several smaller towns that dot the island. With a mix of Scottish and African ancestry, the island boasts a wealth of cultural traditions. Carriacuanos are renowned for their skills in navigating the sea and many locally made vessels are still in use today, from small fishing sloops to large commercial schooners. Hillsborough is the largest town in Carriacou and was established in the late 18th century. It is a developing port and a landing point for inter-island ferries. It is a hub for shopping and socializing and home to the annual Regatta festival and Carnival celebrations. Hillsborough Bay has a beautiful sandy beach that runs the length of the entire city and is just steps away from the lively scenes of Main Street.
Anse La Roche beach is one of the most picturesque of the Windward Islands. An impressive rock formation juts out about thirty meters from the coast and exhibits the interesting marine life below. The sandy beach is magnificent and with a bit of luck you may have it all to yourself. Snorkeling is very good from the point of view.
Petite Martinique, a dependency of Grenada, has a very strong culture and one of the highest per capita income in the Eastern Caribbean. Little Martinique is volcanic in origin, cone-shaped, with the highest hill the ‘Piton’, which rises to 756 feet above sea level. The Caribbean Sea bathes the coasts of the western side of the island and the spectacular waves of the Atlantic break on the east coast. Petite Martinique is small and intriguingly authentic. The main beach is on the western side of the island and includes two piers. One is privately owned and the other belongs to the Government of Granada. Anchor the yacht for the night here or a real treat. There are several quaint little restaurants within walking distance. It is also a great place to get water and fuel and browse for bargains on alcohol. Residents live off boat building, sailing and fishing and, in the old days, smuggling. There are usually several cargo ships at anchor. The many new and luxurious homes are recent, but some of the older wooden pitched-roof homes are photogenic, especially on the eastern tip of the island.
Union offers one-way yacht charters in the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Martinique. Ask the yacht charter company for details.