Hillsborough, Carriacou
Hillsborough Bay · Carriacou main anchorage
12°28.6'N 61°27.6'W
Jurisdiction: Grenada (Carriacou)
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in 3–6m on sand. Bay is open to E and NE trade winds — anchor set firmly as trade wind chop can stress the rode. Consider Tyrrel Bay (4nm SW) for overnight and dinghy back to Hillsborough for customs clearance.
About This Anchorage
Hillsborough is the main town and administrative centre of Carriacou, Grenada's largest dependency — 33 km² island 27nm northwest of the Grenada mainland. Hillsborough Bay is the port of entry for Carriacou and has Customs and Immigration at the ferry pier. The bay is open to the east, making it rolly in the prevailing NE trade winds — most cruisers clear customs here and then move 4nm southwest to the much better-protected Tyrrel Bay for overnight anchoring. Hillsborough town is pleasant and compact — a good market, fresh fish, hardware stores, and a small rum shop culture. The Osprey ferry from Grenada arrives here multiple times daily. The historic boatbuilding tradition of Carriacou is maintained by several families in Windward village (4nm N) — traditional wooden sloops and schooners still built by hand using centurie-old techniques. Carriacou means 'Land of Reefs' in Amerindian — approach all sides with caution.
Protected From
N · NW · W
Exposed To
E · SE · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; customs and immigration clearance required
- Permit required
- No
- Mooring buoys
- Not available
Restrictions: Customs and Immigration clearance mandatory on arrival at Carriacou (especially if arriving from Grenada mainland or from SVG). Anchor clear of the ferry approach channel and ferry pier. Q flag required on first entry.
Hazards
- !Open to E and NE trades — anchorage is rolly in fresh trade winds; overnight not recommended; use Tyrrel Bay
- !Ferry traffic at the pier — anchor clear of the approach channel; Osprey ferry arrives multiple times daily
- !Reef systems around Carriacou — 'Land of Reefs' — approach all sides carefully with current chart; reefs extend off the bay entrance
- !Kick 'em Jenny exclusion zone: 8km south between Grenada and Carriacou — check UWI status before southbound passage
Skipper's Tips
- →Clear customs here on arrival then move immediately to Tyrrel Bay (4nm SW) for overnight — night-and-day difference in comfort
- →Windward village (4nm N by dinghy or taxi): see traditional wooden boat-building — one of the Caribbean's last living traditions
- →Osprey ferry from Grenada is the alternative to sailing the passage if Kick 'em Jenny is elevated
- →Hillsborough market: fresh fruit, vegetables, and the best nutmeg and spice selection outside Grenada mainland
- →Ask at the pier for the current fuel barge schedule — fuel barge serves both Hillsborough and Tyrrel Bay
Facilities
Several small restaurants and rum shops in Hillsborough town. Fresh fish market at the pier. Basic supermarket and provisioning.
Nearest provisions: Hillsborough town market (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Year-round access for customs clearance and provisioning. Overnight anchoring not recommended — proceed to Tyrrel Bay. Best December–April for the passage from Grenada.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In the Grenadines, trade wind squalls and current shifts can drag anchors without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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