Sandy Island, Carriacou
Sandy Island nature reserve
12°29.5'N 61°28.3'W
Jurisdiction: Grenada (Carriacou)
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m on the west side in 2–4m on white sand. Excellent holding. In fresh NE trades swell can wrap around both ends of the island — anchor as close to the island mass as draught allows for maximum shelter. Check depth carefully — the island is very shallow on all sides.
About This Anchorage
Sandy Island is one of the Caribbean's quintessential desert island anchorages — a tiny uninhabited white sand spit northwest of Carriacou, ringed by turquoise water and a healthy coral reef. The island is a protected nature reserve: no fires, no camping, no rubbish ashore. The anchorage on the western (leeward) side sits in 2–4m of crystal-clear water on brilliant white sand, with snorkelling on the surrounding reef that is among the best in Grenada's waters. The island is tiny — just a palm-fringed sand spit — and completely undeveloped. Day-trippers arrive by water taxi from Hillsborough during daylight hours; overnight the island is remarkably quiet and peaceful. Sandy Island has no facilities whatsoever — completely self-sufficient required. The island is most comfortably accessed from Tyrrel Bay (5nm SW) or Hillsborough (2nm SE).
Protected From
W · SW · NW
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; nature reserve rules apply
- Permit required
- No
- Mooring buoys
- Not available
Restrictions: NATURE RESERVE: No fires of any kind. No camping on the island. No rubbish — carry all waste back to your vessel. Protect the coral reef — no anchor in coral; anchor only on sand. Take nothing from the island — shells, coral, living organisms.
Hazards
- !No facilities — completely self-sufficient; provision and water before arriving
- !Very shallow on all sides — approach carefully; check depths with echo sounder; coral heads near the reef edge
- !Nature reserve: no fires — violations take away this anchorage for all future sailors; please respect the rules
- !Day-trippers from Hillsborough arrive mid-morning — if seeking solitude, arrive early and enjoy dawn before the water taxis
Skipper's Tips
- →Arrive at sunset or spend the night — Sandy Island at dawn with no day-trippers is one of the Caribbean's finest moments
- →Snorkelling on the reef around the island: bring mask and fins; coral and fish are in excellent condition
- →Anchor well clear of the coral heads — use your echo sounder and look over the bow in clear water before dropping
- →Carry out everything you bring in — leave the island exactly as you found it; it belongs to the next sailor too
- →Best approached from Tyrrel Bay (5nm SW) on a morning sail — arrive before the day-trippers for the full desert island experience
Facilities
No facilities whatsoever. Completely self-sufficient required. Carry all food, water, and provisions from Tyrrel Bay or Hillsborough.
Nearest provisions: Hillsborough town (2nm SE) (2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Best December–May in settled trade wind conditions. June–November swell can increase from the north — assess conditions before anchoring. Nature reserve rules apply year-round.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
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.
Download Free for iOS