Logistics · Destination Guide
Small-island reef diving, easy cay snorkels, and a culture-rich base on Grenada's quiet Grenadine outpost
Updated Mar 25, 2026 • 27 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most international travelers enter Grenada through Maurice Bishop International Airport on the main island, then continue to Carriacou either by SVG Air to Lauriston Airport or by ferry from St. George's to Tyrell Bay Port. Official tourism guidance describes the flight as about 20 minutes and the sea transfer as about 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on service. Because Carriacou pages still carry post-Beryl recovery notes in 2026, reconfirm your final transfer and accommodation shortly before departure rather than assuming old timings still hold.
Lauriston Airport
CRU • TGPZ
6 km • Around 10 minutesutes by taxi to Tyrrel Bay
Carriacou's own airport, used for short domestic and regional hops and the cleanest arrival option if you want to be in Tyrrel Bay quickly.
Transport: Pre-booked taxi, Accommodation pickup, Rental car by arrangement
Maurice Bishop International Airport
GND • TGPY
62 km to Lauriston by air, then local transfer • Allow around 20 minutesutes by onward flight to CRU or around half a day for road transfer plus ferry
Grenada's main international gateway. Most visitors connect onward to Carriacou by domestic flight or by road transfer to the ferry in St. George's.
Transport: SVG Air connection, Taxi to St. George's ferry terminal, Private transfer plus ferry
Carriacou is small enough for taxis and short hired rides, but a rental car gives you much more flexibility for High North, Paradise Beach, and multiple village stops. Grenada drives on the left, and official tourism FAQs state that a local visitor driving permit costs EC$60. Some rental agencies issue that permit directly. Minibuses exist, but they are not the easiest fit for wet gear, camera housings, or an airport-to-dive-base day.
Grenada requires a valid passport and official tourism guidance asks for at least 6 months of validity from arrival plus proof of return or onward travel. Many passport holders from the US, Canada, UK, much of Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the wider Caribbean do not need a visa for short stays, but travelers should always verify their own nationality. The official Grenada ED card portal says the online Immigration and Customs form must be completed within 72 hours before arrival. If you arrive by yacht, Tyrell Bay Marina is an official clearance point for Carriacou.
For heavy dive setups, ferry travel can be easier than the inter-island flight because the aircraft sector is short and baggage is naturally tighter. Local dive operators provide tanks, weights, and standard rental gear, and they advertise same-day tank services and yacht pickup support. If you are diving inside the protected area, ask whether the operator adds the small daily MPA surcharge at check-in.
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but Grenada's tourism FAQ and local operator material both note that US dollars are widely accepted. Major cards work at many hotels and car rental companies, while smaller beach bars, taxis, and ad hoc transport are easier with cash.
The most reliable ATM concentration is in Hillsborough rather than around beaches. Republic Bank and Grenada Co-operative Bank both have a Hillsborough presence, and local listings note 24/7 ATM access beside the branch entrances.
220V • 50Hz • G
Grenada's tourism FAQ states that the island runs on 220 volts at 50 cycles. Most North American travelers need both a type G adapter and a charger that can safely handle 220V.
Communications
Government infrastructure material describes telecom across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as strong, and both Digicel Grenada and Flow Grenada actively sell mobile service on the island. Around Tyrrel Bay, most travelers can expect workable mobile data and guesthouse Wi-Fi, but do not assume perfect coverage on remote north-coast beaches, mangrove excursions, or offshore cay days.
Language
English is the official language. Grenada's tourism FAQ also notes that French-African Patois is not uncommon, and on Carriacou you will also hear a strong local island cadence that is part of the destination's character.
Insurance
Carry dedicated dive insurance plus medical evacuation cover. Carriacou has a public hospital, but advanced specialist care and hyperbaric support are on Grenada's main island, which turns a manageable incident into a transfer problem if you are uninsured.
Packing list
