I know this is not the Southern Caribbean forum, but I also know that many of the participants here are experienced with down island cruising. That said, I am planning a one-way charter with Moorings from St. Lucia to Grenada in late May/early June. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> Our party of seven will need one night of land based lodging after arrival at the Moorings base on Grenada. Our return flight departs early the following morning. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel reasonably located in the Moorings/airport vicinity?

Also, we plan to self-provision our boat at the Moorings St. Lucia base on Marigot Bay. Any suggestions for our best options for doing our own shopping and for any provisioning services similar to Bobby's Market in the BVIs would be most welcomed.

Just have them take you to the nearby market. We took the cab from the airport to the base and made arrangements at that time with our driver to take us shopping at 7pm - we did the briefing, had dinner and then a few from our group headed to the market to do the shopping.

True Blue Bay Resort at True Blue Bay, only 5 minutes from the airport, and very reasonable. Their restaurant is good also, but if looking for something special, try the Aquarium, also close to the airport. Scuba dive? ... Take a two tank trip with Aquanauts at True Blue Bay. Reece is great at spotting critters.

I agree - True Blue is the best...

What Matrix said for provisioning at Marigot Bay. There is a small market at the Moorings base, but you would not want to provision there... too small and not the selection you would most likely require.

I found fresh fish is more readily available down south versus BVIs... if you enjoy fish, plan that into your menu. It is very easily purchased through boat boys who will clean and fillet it for you.

In addition, I found restocking a little more difficult down south. Keep in mind stores on the smaller islands close mid day usually until 3 or 4 pm. Depending on your itinerary, you will most likely eat on the boat more than in the BVIs, so proper planning is necessary.

We stayed at both True Blue Bay and Le Phare Bleu. True Blue is closer to the airport. I wouldnt hesitate to stay at either location again. Both very charming properties.

Down Island sailing is an awesome adventure!! Enjoy!

Thank you to all for your responses thus far. Regarding the availability of fish from the boat boys, what species were most available? I would be concerned about Ciguatera poisoning from some species, but I'm not sure that is a problem in the "down islands".

You will find tuna, dorado, barracuda, wahoo, and kingfish, at the fish markets you can also get snappers, jacks and ballyhoo

Since I have a boat with the Moorings down there, just always curious when I hear about someone chartering there, what are you chartering?

We have Moorings Beneteau 50.5 chartered. I believe the Moorings agent indicated the boat would be brought to St. Lucia from their base at Canouan.

With respect to the fish listed in the response below, is there any concern with Ciguatera poisoning in the St. Lucia to Grenada region?

My boat is a small cat so that's not the one.. it's based in st. lucia but bounces all the time between there and Grenada. Last Nov. we sailed/motored it north from Grenada to St. Lucia and a day or two later it was on it's way to Canouan. Have a great trip! We are envious as we are now back in the hateful freezing temps of Dakota.

We chartered a 40ft leopard out of Grenada. Charter company Horizon.