Southern Grenada

After spending 10 days at Port Louis Marina, St George’s, we headed south to the bottom of Grenada. This coastline has many long, thin bays stretching inland, most of which are surrounded by mangroves. This makes the area a well known hideaway for boats during the hurricane season. Unfortunately, the down side of this is that the water is not very clear. Instead, it is murky from the water running down from the land. Still okay for swimming, but generally not good for snorkelling.

Initially, our plan had been to try out several of the bays along the south coast, but our first stop, Secret Harbour, was so good that we stayed for a week. It was not really ‘secret’, as, like most of the other bays along this coast, many boats were anchored or moored there, including several of our ARC+ friends. There were very limited facilities ashore, but that was no problem for us. The small marina allowed us to use their dinghy dock to get ashore and a nearby boutique hotel provided free music every night. Of course, this was not really for us, but it was loud enough for us to hear while relaxing in the cockpit. We were even treated to an amazing firework display on one night!

Whilst at anchor in Secret Harbour, we discovered the daily cruisers’ net.  This is run on VHF Channel 66 Monday to Saturday by a group of volunteers and is a great way to find out what is going on locally.  With welcomes and goodbyes, treasures to sell, things wanted, social events and adverts for local business, it is an amazing resource. We discovered many new things – Jenny’s Farmers’ Market, Fast Manicou’s drinks runs and Shademan’s shopping buses to name but a few.

On a couple of occasions we did venture out of Secret Harbour on the dinghy and went around the headland to Hog’s Island. There we discovered Roger’s Beach Bar – literally that – a wooden shack on the beach that the sea washes into. With no power, the bar and menu are limited, but who needs more than a cold beer or rum punch and some chicken wings. One of our trips there was on a Sunday which coincided with the weekly BBQ. This chilled event saw visiting cruisers and locals alike watching the sun go down. As the locals say, a great place to ‘lime’.

For Christmas 2021, we joined several other ARC+ boats at Le Phare Bleu Marina. Set in a beautiful bay, this marina and small shopping village is a hidden gem. In the ‘village’ there are several small independent businesses. Our favourites were the Meet and Meat Market(deli), La Belle Vie Café (Coffee and pastries), Island Fever Tropical Tavern and the Blue Light Caribbean Gin Distillery. Lots of little luxuries over the festive period.