On 1 July 2024 Hurricane Beryl crossed Carriacou and Petite Martinique as a powerful Category 4 storm, the most destructive in their modern history. Homes, guesthouses, hotels, restaurants, boats and utilities were damaged or destroyed across both islands. Recovery has continued since, and many places have reopened, but conditions vary from one property to the next, and online information has not always kept pace.
Visiting supports the islands' recovery, and most travellers who come with sensible expectations find a warm welcome. The key is booking carefully. A listing written before the storm, photographs from years ago or a calendar that still accepts reservations do not prove that a property is operating as described. This checklist sets out what to confirm before paying, so that your stay is comfortable and your money goes to places that are genuinely ready for guests.
Why older listings can mislead
Much of the accommodation on Carriacou and Petite Martinique is run by small, local owners, some of whom were dealing with damage to their own homes as well as their guest rooms after the storm. Updating booking platforms was understandably not a priority. As a result, some listings may still show pre-hurricane photographs, list amenities that are not yet restored, or allow bookings for properties that are partly repaired or closed.
Equally, some properties have rebuilt to a higher standard than before, with stronger roofs, new fittings and improved water storage, and their older photographs undersell them. Either way, the listing is not reliable on its own.
The landscape around properties has changed too. Trees were stripped, some beaches were reshaped and vegetation has been regrowing since. A view described as shaded by palms may be more open now. None of this need spoil a stay, but it helps to know what you are booking. Recent guest reviews, from the last few months rather than the last few years, are the best guide, followed by direct contact with the owner or manager.
The checklist, step by step
Work through these questions with the property before paying a deposit, ideally by email or message so you have the answers in writing.
- Confirm the property is open and accepting guests on your exact dates, and that the specific room or unit you are booking has been repaired.
- Ask for recent photographs of the room, bathroom, kitchen and outside areas, taken in the last few weeks.
- Check the roof, windows and doors are fully restored, and whether any repair work is still under way on the property.
- Ask whether there is construction on neighbouring plots, which can mean daytime noise and dust.
- Confirm how water is supplied: cistern, mains, desalinated supply or deliveries, and whether drinking water is provided.
- Ask about power: is the property on the grid, and is there backup such as a generator, solar or batteries during outages?
- Check that the amenities you care about are working: air conditioning, hot water, Wi-Fi, kitchen appliances, pool.
- Ask which nearby restaurants, shops and beach bars are open, and whether the property can provide meals.
- Confirm how you will get from the ferry at Tyrrel Bay or from Lauriston Airport to the property, and the likely cost.
- Read the cancellation and refund terms carefully, especially for travel in hurricane season, and get them in writing.
Water, power and connectivity
Utilities took a heavy blow from Beryl. Power lines and mobile towers went down, and water infrastructure, including desalination plants and storage, was damaged. Services have been restored in stages, and public works to improve water storage have been reported, but outages may still be more frequent than on Grenada's main island.
Water is the utility guests notice first. Carriacou has no permanent rivers, so households and guesthouses depend on rain collected in cisterns, topped up by piped supply where available and by deliveries in a drought. The dry season, roughly January to May, is when tanks run lowest, and a property whose cistern or gutters were damaged by the storm may have less storage than before.
For a guest, the practical questions are simple. Does the property have its own cistern, and is it in good condition? Is drinking water filtered, supplied separately or bought in? If the grid goes down, what keeps the lights, fans, fridge and Wi-Fi going? Properties that have added solar panels, batteries or a generator since the storm are well placed to handle outages.
Mobile coverage and internet are generally available, but speeds and reliability can vary by area. If you need to work remotely, ask the host for a recent speed test and whether there is a backup connection. Carry a portable battery pack and expect the occasional interruption. Visitors who are relaxed about this have a better time than those who need constant connectivity.
Food, shops, transport and services
Meals. Restaurant choice on Carriacou was limited even before the storm. Some places reopened quickly; others took longer or have not returned. Ask your host which restaurants are currently open and on which days, and consider self-catering for some meals.
Shops. Supermarkets in Hillsborough and smaller shops in villages stock essentials, but some items may be out of stock until the next delivery from Grenada. Bring anything specific you need, such as particular medicines or dietary items.
Transport. Minibuses and taxis operate, though there may be fewer than before. Booking taxis through your host, especially for the ferry and airport, avoids waiting.
Money. ATMs can occasionally be offline. Carry enough EC dollars in cash for a few days, and confirm whether your accommodation accepts cards or only transfers and cash.
Health. Princess Royal Hospital at Belair serves Carriacou, and the government has reported completing its refurbishment. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover remains wise on a small island.
Booking terms and hurricane season
Beryl was a reminder that powerful storms can strike early in the season and intensify quickly. If you are travelling between June and November, choose flexible booking terms where possible, and buy travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and interruption due to named storms at the time you book, not after a storm has formed.
Small properties often ask for deposits by bank transfer. That is normal, but read the cancellation terms carefully. A fair policy explains what happens if a storm forces cancellation, if ferries or flights are suspended, or if the property itself is damaged. Ask whether a deposit can be moved to new dates rather than lost.
During the stay, follow guidance from your host and from the National Disaster Management Agency if a storm threatens. Small islands can be cut off for days if ferries and flights stop, so take advice seriously and consider leaving early if officials recommend it.
Being a helpful guest during recovery
Tourism spending matters to Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and a visit can contribute to recovery when it is made thoughtfully. Choosing locally owned accommodation, eating at local restaurants, hiring local guides and drivers and buying from vendors all keep money on the islands.
Use water sparingly, since supply has been under pressure. Be patient when something is out of stock or a service runs late. Ask before photographing damaged buildings or people, and avoid treating recovery sites as attractions; many residents lost homes and possessions. Conversations are usually welcome, and most people are proud of what has been rebuilt.
If you want to help further, ask your host whether there is anything genuinely needed, rather than arriving with donations that may not fit. Check customs rules before bringing goods. Often the most useful contribution is simply returning, recommending reliable places to others and leaving honest, recent reviews that help the next visitor book well. A review that mentions the date of your stay, the state of water and power, and which nearby places were open is far more useful to the next traveller than a general verdict.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a good time to visit Carriacou after Hurricane Beryl?
Many guesthouses, restaurants and services have reopened, and visitors help the recovery. Conditions vary by property and area, so book carefully, confirm what is operating and arrive expecting some rebuilding and a greener landscape still regrowing.
How can you tell if a Carriacou property has been repaired?
Ask the owner directly for recent photographs, read reviews from the last few months, and confirm in writing that your room, roof, water and power systems are fully restored. Older listings and photographs may not reflect current conditions.
Are there still water and power problems on Carriacou?
Services have been restored, but outages can still be more frequent than on Grenada's main island. Choose accommodation with a cistern in good condition and some form of backup power, and use water carefully throughout the stay.
Is Petite Martinique open to visitors after Beryl?
Visitors can travel to Petite Martinique, but the island suffered very heavy damage, and accommodation and services are limited. Contact any guesthouse directly to confirm it is operating, and bring cash and essentials from Carriacou or Grenada.
Is travel insurance worth it for a Carriacou trip?
Yes. Choose cover that includes medical evacuation and trip cancellation or interruption due to named storms, and buy it when you book. Small islands can be cut off when ferries and flights stop during severe weather.
