Grenada's main island and its sister isle Carriacou make two very different halves of a honeymoon. The main island has the resorts, restaurants, rainforest and waterfalls; Carriacou has slow days, almost empty beaches, small guesthouses and villas, and an evening routine that rarely goes beyond dinner by the water. Splitting the stay gives you both moods without changing countries or currencies.
The idea is simple, but the details matter. Getting between the islands takes either a ferry crossing of a couple of hours or a short flight in a small aircraft, and the accommodation on Carriacou is modest in scale. Hurricane Beryl struck Carriacou and Petite Martinique very hard in July 2024, and recovery has been uneven, so every booking there needs a direct check before you commit.
This guide covers how to divide your nights, which way round to travel, the practical choices on each island and the mistakes that turn a relaxed plan into a stressful one.
How to split the nights
For a ten-night honeymoon, a common split is six or seven nights on the main island and three or four on Carriacou. That gives time to settle in at a resort, see the island properly and then wind down at the end. For a week, five and two can feel rushed on Carriacou, because a full day is lost to the transfer; four and three often works better if relaxing is the priority.
Which way round matters too. Starting on the main island lets you recover from the long flight in a comfortable resort with easy dining and a spa, then move on once you have found your rhythm. Ending on Carriacou means the quietest days come last, which many couples prefer. The reverse order makes sense if your international flight lands early and you can connect the same day, or if you want the resort comforts for the final nights before flying home.
Whatever the order, avoid scheduling the inter-island trip on the same day as your international departure. A delayed ferry or a cancelled small-plane flight should not cost you your flight home.
Ferry or flight: choosing how to cross
The ferry. A fast passenger ferry links St George's with Carriacou, docking at Tyrrel Bay since Hurricane Beryl rather than in Hillsborough, the main town, with some sailings continuing to Petite Martinique. The crossing usually takes around two hours. It is the cheaper option and gives views of the Grenadines on the way.
Sea conditions. The channel between the islands can be lively, particularly in the windier months. Anyone prone to seasickness should take precautions before boarding and sit low and towards the middle of the vessel.
The flight. Small aircraft fly between Maurice Bishop International Airport and Lauriston Airport on Carriacou in roughly twenty minutes. Fares are higher and baggage limits can be strict, so pack light or ask about excess.
Timetables. Ferry schedules and flight operations change. Check current times directly with the operators shortly before travel, and allow for the fact that sailings may be reduced on Sundays and holidays.
Mixing the two. Some couples fly one way and take the ferry the other, for example flying to Carriacou to save time and sailing back to see the coast.
Where to stay on the main island
Most honeymooners base themselves in the south-west, where the beaches are calm and the restaurants close together. Grand Anse puts you on the island's best-known beach with a choice of resorts and easy access to St George's. Morne Rouge, just around the headland, is a smaller, quieter bay. The airport peninsula around Point Salines holds the larger all-inclusive resorts, while Lance aux Epines and the south-coast inlets have smaller hotels and villas with a more residential feel.
For a two-centre trip, the main-island half is usually where you spend more: a room with a sea view or plunge pool, a few good dinners, a spa morning and the island tour. Being in the south-west also keeps the ferry terminal in St George's and the airport within easy reach for the transfer day. If you want rainforest and waterfalls, plan a day trip into the interior rather than staying there, unless a hillside or eco-lodge is part of the appeal.
Where to stay on Carriacou
Carriacou has no large resorts. Accommodation is mostly small hotels, guesthouses, apartments and private villas, spread around Hillsborough, the beaches at L'Esterre near Paradise Beach, Tyrrel Bay on the south-west coast and a few hillside spots with views across to the Grenadines. For a honeymoon, a villa or small hotel with a view and a short walk to the sea is usually the right choice.
Life here is simple, and that is the point. Days revolve around swimming at Paradise Beach or Anse La Roche, a water taxi to Sandy Island for snorkelling, a long lunch and an early night. A hire car or local taxi helps for exploring, as the island is small but hilly. Petite Martinique, a short boat ride away, is smaller still and rewards a day visit.
Because of Hurricane Beryl, ask each property specific questions: whether it has reopened fully, what has changed, whether there is backup power and water storage, and which nearby restaurants are operating. Recent reviews and direct messages to the owner are more reliable than older listings.
Petite Martinique deserves a mention of its own. It is a small, close-knit island with a strong boat-building and seafaring tradition, very few visitor rooms and almost no tourist infrastructure. Most honeymooners see it on a day trip from Carriacou, combining the boat ride with a walk and lunch, rather than staying overnight. Beryl hit it hard as well, so ask locally what is open before setting off.
A sample ten-night two-centre plan
One way to shape a ten-night honeymoon, adjustable to taste and season. It assumes an international arrival on the main island and the inter-island transfer by ferry or small plane:
- Nights 1–3, south-west Grenada: arrive, sleep, and do nothing more ambitious than the beach, the pool and a first dinner by the sea at Grand Anse or Morne Rouge.
- Nights 4–6, still on the main island: one island tour with a guide through St George's, Grand Etang and a spice or cocoa estate; one boat day along the west coast; one spa morning and a special dinner.
- Day 7, transfer: a morning ferry or flight to Carriacou, settle into the villa or guesthouse, and an evening walk along the bay.
- Nights 7–9, Carriacou: Paradise Beach, a water taxi to Sandy Island, a drive around the island, a day trip by boat to Petite Martinique if the sea is kind.
- Day 10, back to the main island: return a day before the international flight, with a final night near the airport or Grand Anse to remove any risk of a missed connection.
Mistakes to avoid on a two-island trip
These are the problems that most often undo a split-stay honeymoon:
- Too little time on Carriacou. Fewer than three nights leaves almost no full days once the transfers are counted.
- Same-day connections. Linking an international flight with the ferry on the same day leaves no margin for delays.
- Overpacking. Small planes have tight baggage limits, and carrying heavy cases on and off the ferry is hard work.
- Assuming card payments everywhere. Carry enough Eastern Caribbean dollars for taxis, water taxis and small restaurants on Carriacou, where cash is still common.
- Relying on old reviews. Post-Beryl, a glowing review from 2023 tells you little about a property today.
- Expecting nightlife. Carriacou is quiet after dark. Plan the celebratory dinners and late evenings for the main island.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Grenada to Carriacou?
The fast passenger ferry between St George's and Carriacou, which now docks at Tyrrel Bay, usually takes around two hours, depending on the vessel and sea conditions. Schedules change and sailings can be reduced on Sundays and holidays, so confirm times directly before travelling.
Is it worth adding Carriacou to a Grenada honeymoon?
For couples who enjoy quiet beaches, snorkelling and slow days, yes. Carriacou is very different from the main island. Allow at least three nights so the transfer days do not take over the stay, and check accommodation status after Hurricane Beryl.
Are there luxury resorts on Carriacou?
Carriacou has no large luxury resorts. Accommodation is mainly small hotels, guesthouses, apartments and private villas, some of them very comfortable. Couples wanting resort facilities usually take those on the main island and enjoy simplicity on Carriacou.
Has Carriacou recovered from Hurricane Beryl?
Recovery since July 2024 has been ongoing and uneven. Some guesthouses, restaurants and services have reopened, others have changed or remain closed. Contact properties directly, ask about power and water arrangements, and check recent reports before booking.
Should we fly or take the ferry to Carriacou?
The ferry is cheaper and scenic; the flight saves time and avoids rough seas. Flights in small aircraft have strict baggage limits. Many couples fly one way and sail the other to enjoy both.
