The Villa and Carriacou

Las Tortugas and Carriacou offer a complete change of pace from the hectic first world experience. Here, time seems to move much slower, and it often takes a day or two for our first-time guests to adjust.

Mornings at Las Tortugas begin with the songs of neighbourhood mockingbirds and the sight of hand-built fishing skiffs heading out across L’Esterre Bay. From the veranda or the infinity pool, you can watch yachts arriving and departing at Sandy Island across the bay, and majestic frigate birds wheeling in the updraft overhead. In the evenings, dusky Ramier pigeons race across the hillside on their way home to Mabouya, and the sun sets over the Southern Grenadines in a way that never becomes ordinary.

During the day, tan on a deck chair by the infinity pool, stroll Paradise Beach below the villa, stop for a cold beer at one of the local beach bars, or simply lie on the sand with a good book and take an occasional dip in the cool, clear waters of L’Esterre Bay.

A drive around the island reveals other beautiful beaches, panoramic views of Hillsborough and Tyrrel Bay, and the barrier reef protecting Windward on the east coast. Return to the villa for a sundowner on the veranda, then head out for dinner at one of the island’s excellent restaurants before returning, tired and replete, to your comfortable villa.

Diving and Snorkelling

Carriacou is one of the finest diving destinations in the Eastern Caribbean. Unspoiled and uncrowded dive sites are available for all experience levels, many of them within sight of Las Tortugas Villa itself.

The wrecks of the Westsider and Boris, both former ocean-going tugs, lie in 90 feet of water just off Mabouya Island, part of the SIOMPA Marine Park just a mile from the villa. The smaller wreck of the Rose rests in the shallow waters of Tyrrel Bay. Jack-A-Dan Island to the north and The Sisters Rocks to the west offer exceptional reef diving, all within easy reach.

For snorkelling, the reef directly below the villa is accessible on foot and worth examining from the veranda before heading down. Guests can also snorkel the reefs around White Island and Sandy Island on day trips by boat.

We recommend Lumbadive, a PADI 5-Star Dive Resort in nearby Tyrrel Bay, a five-minute drive from Las Tortugas. Owners and DiveMasters Richard and Diane are bilingual in English and French, and offer PADI certified training, equipment rental, beginner to advanced dive packages including Nitrox, and accommodation options. Deefer Diving is another excellent operator based on the island.

Images provided by: lumbadive

Island Excursions

Godfrey, the villa’s daily housekeeper and island guide, can arrange a wide range of excursions and activities:

• Boat trips to White Island and Sandy Island, perfect for swimming and snorkelling just across the bay
• Day trips to the Tobago Cays, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent (PSV)
• Fishing trips with local fishermen from Paradise Beach
• Sailing charters through the Southern Grenadines
• Hiking to Hospital Hill for panoramic views across the Grenadines

The Carriacou Regatta

Held every August, the Carriacou Regatta is one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated sailing events, drawing traditional wooden boats and racing yachts from across the region. If your stay coincides with Regatta week, it is not to be missed. 

Enquire directly at [email protected] or visit our contact page to plan your stay and arrange excursions.