Tyrrel Bay: Carriacou’s Sheltered Yacht Harbour and Southern Grenadines Cruising Hub

Tyrrel Bay is the yachting heart of Carriacou, a broad natural harbour on the island's southwestern coast filled with cruising yachts, fishing boats and the relaxed waterfront life for which the Grenada Grenadines are known. Sheltered from the prevailing trade winds and surrounded by green hills, the bay combines a dependable anchorage with one of the strongest concentrations of yacht services between Union Island and Grenada. Grenada Tourism Authority describes Tyrrel Bay as a naturally protected mooring and an important center for the island's sailing community.

For charter guests, Tyrrel Bay is considerably more practical than many of the remote anchorages farther north. Restaurants, cafés, provisioning, chandlery, fuel, diving and marine repair services are all available around the waterfront. Carriacou Marine occupies the southwestern side of the bay with haul-out facilities, moorings, a fuel station and Customs and Immigration, while additional marina and boatyard infrastructure makes Tyrrel Bay especially useful when a yacht needs maintenance or supplies.

Its location is equally valuable. Hillsborough and Paradise Beach are within easy reach by road, while Sandy Island lies just offshore from Carriacou's western coast. To the north are Petite Martinique, Petit St. Vincent and Union Island, while Grenada awaits farther south. Tyrrel Bay therefore works equally well as an overnight anchorage, clearance stop, provisioning base or longer pause during a Grenadines yacht charter.

The entrance into Tyrrel Bay is generally straightforward, but captains should still approach in good visibility using current charts. Recent cruising guidance warns of potential underwater hazards and debris associated with vessels damaged during Hurricane Beryl, although many wrecks have since been removed. Noonsite also notes that navigation marks within the approach are not illuminated, making daylight arrival the preferable option for crews unfamiliar with the harbour.

Carriacou Marine lies on the southwestern side of the bay at approximately 12°27'12"N, 61°29'14"W and monitors VHF Channels 16 and 68. Yachts arriving in Grenada from the northern Grenadines can currently complete Customs and Immigration formalities here. Foreign yachts should proceed directly to the designated anchoring or docking area displaying the Q flag until the captain has completed clearance.

Tyrrel Bay provides one of the largest and most protected yacht anchorages in Carriacou. Current cruising guidance describes a gently shelving seabed of sand and weed, with typical anchoring depths of approximately 3 to 5 meters and enough overall space for dozens of yachts. The bay can become crowded during the main sailing season, particularly as mooring fields have reduced some of the traditional free anchoring area.

Moorings are also available, including dedicated buoys operated by Carriacou Marine, and several dinghy docks provide convenient access ashore. Crews choosing to anchor should look for clear sandy holding and remain aware of seabed debris. For yachts needing more infrastructure, Carriacou Marine offers stern-to dock spaces, while the wider bay contains substantial marina and haul-out facilities.

Tyrrel Bay has developed into Carriacou's principal marine-services center while retaining the atmosphere of a Caribbean cruising harbour. Carriacou Marine currently offers chandlery, fuel, showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, a convenience store, café, technical services and a 40-ton travel lift capable of handling vessels up to approximately 70 feet. The bay is also home to dive operations offering excursions to reefs, wrecks and snorkeling sites around Carriacou.

The harbour is also convenient for exploring the rest of the island. Hillsborough and its ferry connections are roughly a short drive away, while Paradise Beach, Sandy Island and Carriacou's traditional boatbuilding villages can easily be incorporated into a day ashore. This combination of reliable anchoring, yacht infrastructure and access to Carriacou's beaches and culture makes Tyrrel Bay one of the most important cruising stops in the Grenada Grenadines.