Why We Prefer Grenada for the Hurricane Season
11 August 2013 | Woburn, Grenada
Lynn
Lynn is enjoying an ice cold apres-hike Coke at world famous Nimrod's rum shop in Lower Woburn, Grenada. (Ken was behind the camera.)
We like Grenada. If we are going to have to not wander as much due to insurance requirements for the hurricane season, we are glad that this is one of our options. I figured I'd share our reasons with you.
Grenada offers a number of nice bays where you can anchor, and still be able to swim off your boat. For us, our "sea baths" are important! But the option to anchor off St Georges or some of the other "in the thick of it" anchorages, or go to one of the more secluded and quieter places if you want to get away from other boats, is very nice. The bonus that Customs doesn't require you to check in with them when you move around (like some island countries) is even better. Grenada also doesn't have a power boat fleet that flocks to the nice anchorages for the weekend, so cruisers are pretty spoiled in having a choice of locaton, and not suddenly having the anchorage fill up on the weekend with party-minded neighbours. Carriacou and the Grenadines are an easy day-sail away if you want to explore these areas out of the big tourist season (and also with the milder summer winds). Most of our anchorages are close to residential or rural areas, which can be quite pleasant, and also means that these locations
are quiet (you can avoid booming music or the pollution of an industrial port).
The country is small enough to enjoy, but big enough to provide variety. We don't require a long bus ride to get into the "big city" so that we can go to the market, fish market or get things done. Actually, for about $1.00 US, you can catch a bus and be there in no time! Or a couple of buses get you to some of the great hiking areas if you are inclined to explore. You can be in a quieter anchorage and still be able to get into town for whatever you need.
The options of things to do could be overwhelming, but one can't say that they need to be bored. With businesses offering things for us to do (movie Nights, ½ price pizza, trivia, musical entertainment), cruiser-generated activities (water aerobics, yoga, tai chi, musical jam sessions, tours.) There are activities for all Grenadians (Friday Jazz Night, Fish Friday, Victoria Food Festival, and of course my beloved Hashes), so that you are likely to find something that you want to do, or stay on the boat and do work or relax at home. Some of the cruiser kids join day camps or the sailing school at the Yacht Club.
If you prefer the concept of being at a marina, there is a choice of eight in Grenada, and they are as diverse as could be. Do you want to be close to the heart of the city, or prefer the idea of being at a resort? Maybe you want to be away from it all and have a bird sanctuary and national park next door instead, so you can have a pleasant morning walk in fresh air and the sound of birds, without the concern of road traffic (especially nice for dog owners and runners). Grenada doesn't have a huge industrial port, so there isn't much concern for high traffic flow of the big ships, barges etc... more likely dinghies and local fishing boats will be the main traffic in your bay.
The timing for Carnival is nice for us, too. It is in the summer, so it gives us something very interesting to look forward to in the middle of the hurricane season.
Climate-wise, it IS the Tropics in the summer, but you can plant your anchor somewhere where the trade winds blow, and it really doesn't get horribly humid and hot. Even the marina people aren't forced to have air conditioning to make things liveable, although fans are pretty nice to have. Few people feel the need to have to hide from the heat in the middle of the day, huddled in an air conditioned boat, and you don't have to get your run or walk in by 6:00 am for fear of turning into a puddle of sweat in five minutes.
Yes, hurricanes have struck Grenada. That is absolutely true, but tropical weather forecasting these days gives a lot more notice of anything that may be rearing its' ugly head. The National Hurricane Center has now switched to five day outlooks rather than their previous 48 hour outlook. Granted, it isn't perfect, but they have done a pretty good job that we have seen in the past five years. If something were to come, we should get enough warning to prepare as best as we can, whether it is to leave, or batten down.
So, we'll continue to enjoy limin' here for the summer. Grenada has what we want.