Carriacou is one of the few places left in the Caribbean where the pace of life is genuinely unhurried. There are no large all-inclusive resorts, no cruise ship crowds, and no manufactured entertainment. What you get instead is a small island of around 34 square kilometres with pristine beaches, exceptional diving, a seafaring culture stretching back centuries, and warm, unpretentious hospitality. For guests staying at Las Tortugas Villa on the island’s west coast, most of the best things to do in Carriacou are within easy reach, many within minutes.
Sandy Island
Sandy Island is the centrepiece day trip for most visitors to Carriacou, and with good reason. A low-lying sweep of white sand ringed by shallow turquoise water, it sits just across the bay from Las Tortugas Villa and is reached by water taxi from Paradise Beach in a matter of minutes. The snorkelling here is among the best in Grenada’s Grenadines. The reef on the island’s north side is actively recovering following Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 and marine life is abundant. Bring water, sunscreen, and shade of your own; the island has little natural cover and a full day here passes quickly.
ConchCasa and Paradise Beach
Guests at Las Tortugas Villa have exclusive use of ConchCasa, a private boathouse on the villa’s own stretch of Paradise Beach, reached by a three minute walk down a paved path from the property. At the far end of the beach with very few other visitors, it offers a naturally secluded spot to spend a morning or afternoon. The swimming and snorkelling directly in front are excellent, and the boathouse is stocked with a cold beer fridge, hammock, loungers, and chairs. It is the kind of place where a few cold beers and an afternoon in the shade or sun is genuinely hard to beat, and unlike Sandy Island it requires no planning or water taxi. Just walk down and settle in.
Paradise Beach itself is one of the finest stretches of sand on the island’s west coast, and the beach bars along its length make it easy to spend a full day here without ever needing to leave. Closest to the villa is Off the Hook, a relaxed spot for cold drinks and light bites. A short walk further along brings you to Paradise Beach Club, popular for its beachfront setting and casual food. At the far end of the beach, Mama Joy’s rounds out the options with its own warm, local character. All three are within easy walking distance of the villa.
Diving and Snorkelling
Carriacou sits within one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the eastern Caribbean and the dive sites around the island reflect that. The wrecks, reefs, and walls accessible from the island’s shores attract divers of all experience levels.
For guided dives, two operators are currently active. Dive Carriacou is based around five minutes from Las Tortugas Villa and offers PADI courses alongside guided reef and wreck dives. Deefer Diving operates from Hillsborough, roughly 15 minutes away, and has built a strong reputation for small-group experiences. Both are good options for guests looking to explore below the surface, whether for the first time or as experienced divers.
For snorkellers who prefer to stay closer to shore, the waters immediately around the villa offer calm, clear conditions. Sandy Island is the obvious highlight, but Saline Island, known for its shallow lagoon and resident sea turtles feeding in the seagrass, is well worth a boat trip for those who want to venture further.
Honeymoon Hole and Black Sand Beach
A few minutes drive and short hike west of the villa are two secluded beaches, Black Sand Beach and Honeymoon Hole (aka White Sand Beach). Black Sand, the larger of the two, features black volcanic sand and great snorkeling along the rocky point defining the beach, while smaller Honeymoon Hole is slightly more remote but features traditionally white sand. Both settings are striking. Black Sand Beach is a one-minute walk from the end of the road, while Honeymoon Hole requires a short hike along a poorly defined path over the intervening headland. Both beaches are also accessible by boat.
Anse La Roche and the Northern Beaches
The beaches on Carriacou’s north and east coasts offer a different character to the western shores. Anse La Roche, tucked into the island’s northern coastline, is regularly cited as one of the finest beaches in the Grenadines. It is accessible by boat, or by an unpaved 4WD road followed by a short walk. The snorkeling is excellent over a sandy bottom and around a picturesque rock outcrop that lends the beach its name. Tim’s Sunset Beach Bar and Restaurant offers shade, cold drinks, and good food (reservations recommended). Tim also provides boat access to this fairly remote location.
Windward Village on the island’s east coast is worth a stop for anyone interested in local culture. This is where Carriacou’s traditional wooden boat-building tradition remains active, with craftsmen continuing to build vessels by hand using techniques passed down through generations, a practice that feels increasingly rare in the modern Caribbean.
The Carriacou Regatta
If your visit coincides with Carriacou Regatta week, consider yourself fortunate. Held annually in late July or early August, the regatta is the island’s biggest event of the year and centres on traditional wooden boat racing in Hillsborough Bay. The atmosphere is entirely unlike a manufactured festival. This is genuinely the whole island gathering to celebrate a heritage that belongs to Carriacou specifically. Racing, music, food, and the particular energy of a small community in full celebration make it one of the most authentic Caribbean experiences available anywhere in the region.
Hillsborough
The island’s main town is a quaint Caribbean shoreline community, small enough to cover on foot in a couple of hours. The market, the banks, and many of the island’s restaurants and shops are clustered within a short walk of each other. The market is liveliest in the mornings when fishing boats come in and local produce arrives from the smaller surrounding islands.
Getting Around
Las Tortugas Villa comes with a 4WD vehicle included in the rental rate, which makes independent exploration of the island straightforward. Carriacou’s roads range from well-maintained to genuinely rugged in places, and the 4WD is particularly useful for reaching the more secluded northern and eastern beaches. Most of the island’s highlights are reachable within 20 to 30 minutes from the villa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Carriacou for a week?
A week on Carriacou gives you time to explore the main beaches, Sandy Island, Anse La Roche, and Paradise Beach, alongside diving or snorkelling excursions, a trip to Windward Village, and days spent simply relaxing on the island’s quiet west coast. The pace is unhurried and that is the point.
Is Carriacou good for snorkelling?
Yes. Sandy Island and Saline Island are the standout snorkelling spots, both accessible by water taxi. The reefs around Carriacou are recovering well following Hurricane Beryl and marine life including turtles, reef fish, and occasional rays are regularly sighted.
Is there good diving in Carriacou?
Carriacou has two active dive operators, Dive Carriacou and Deefer Diving in Hillsborough, offering guided dives on reefs and wrecks. The water clarity and biodiversity around the island make it a genuine diving destination rather than an afterthought.
What is Honeymoon Hole in Carriacou?
Honeymoon Hole, also known as White Sand Beach, is a secluded beach on Carriacou’s western coastline, sitting just over the headland from Black Sand Beach. It is reached via a short drive and a hike along a poorly defined coastal path, or by boat.
Do you need a car in Carriacou?
A vehicle makes a significant difference. Minibuses connect the main towns but the more secluded beaches and northern villages are not easily reached without your own transport. Guests at Las Tortugas Villa have a 4WD included in their stay.
When is the best time to visit Carriacou?
The dry season from January to May offers the most reliable weather and the clearest conditions for diving and snorkelling. The island is quieter outside regatta season and receives very few international tourists year-round, which is part of its appeal.
Guests staying at Las Tortugas Villa, a three-bedroom seafront villa on Carriacou’s west coast, are ideally positioned to explore the island at their own pace. The included 4WD, daily housekeeping, and private infinity pool mean there is no pressure to fill every hour, and on Carriacou, that is exactly how it should be. For couples planning a special escape, see the Honeymoon in Carriacou guide. Families travelling with children will find the Family Villa Carriacou page useful for planning.