Carriacou clearing in/out from the Grenadines

Arg! Lobster season will be CLOSED while we are in the Grenadines! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

I should have known that, but somehow I forgot in all the excitement of actually going!

Anyway, any good bad or indifferent experiences in going to Carriacou? Worth it? We'll be there for 2 weeks, so will likely have the time.

Idea of costs?

Just wondering if it's worth it.

Thanks!

Beautiful island. Well worth it even for just a day. We plan on spending a few days there next time. Beautiful beaches and amazing views from the hospital hill and other spots. Sandy Island is fantastic with good snorkeling, could spend a day or 2 just there. Watch the taxi drivers. They like to take you on tours whether you want to or not and expect to get paid big for their services. Good idea to set the fare before you get in as with most places in de islands.

Really easy to clear in and out on Carriacou at Hillsborough. You just do C&I at the police station which is no more than 100 yards from the dock and then pay port fees right at the dock. 10-15 minutes at the most.

Awesome! Thanks!

Wasn't sure if I'd be too into limin to bother, but if it's that easy, we might just make the time and effort to get there!

I am a landlubber, so I can't speak from the sailing perspective, but I thought that Carriacou was terrific. The people were very friendly and doing the bar hop on Paradise Beach was worth it.

Yep, like Mike said real easy and a short walk from the dink dock. But the clearing back in at Union is a real P.I.T.A. The office in the harbor is often closed, requiring a walk to the Airport. Coming back in o the Grenadines is way more expensive than clearing in to Carriaco But what the hell it’s a cool island.

Have fun

Rick

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Carriacou is fantastic and the perfect place for limin. Prices are very reasonable and you can get all over the island by local bus, much cheaper than taxis. Be sure to go over to windward and see the Carriacou sloops being built from local materials, Petit Carenage is one of our favorite beaches in the islands. From the C&I office if you go to the main road and turn left, there is a restaurant, The Jerk Center, where you can get a meal, like jerk chicken for 15 EC

Great! Thanks for the tips and info.

Rick, do you have an idea of costs both ways? Any tips before I go to both check ins (like if they require paperwork filled out ahead of time, or do I pick up the forms there? Can Jim come with me, or does he stay on the boat?)

Thanks!

Dawn, I can’t remember the exact cost’s for C&I but if I remember the cost to return to the Grenadines was 40 – 50 US but that might have been the cost of the day. As far as having company when you go to either – that’s never been a problem. The Grenadian C&I is whole lot more relaxed than checking back in.

I think it was around EC$ 140 clearing in to SVG for a boat full. Definitely don't get caught for overtime. Much cheaper in Grenada/Carriacou but not sure how much. I tend to only remember the expensive places!

Thanks for the info, Rick & Mike.

Figured it would be a good experience to try to clear in/out as the Captain, instead of just crew on a delivery. If ya gotta do it, might as well be somewhere that you actually WANT to go to... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

I was hoping you'd both be down island in June so I could buy a round or three for all the help, but if not, maybe we'll see you in the BVI's in Jan 2013?

Mike, where are you going that you'll be in Maine? Any chance of heading farther north, like somewhere close to us?

Hi Dawn

We are heading to Maine to see friends we made during World ARC. I have been wondering about crossing the border as we do have other friends in Nova Scotia.

After Maine we are then doing Boston Cape Cod area - again to see friends. Then on to New York, then Chesapeake area to meet several groups of friends, then ICW all the way to Florida before heading back to the BVI for December 1st.

Really looking forward to it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Wow, Mike, it sounds like a wonderful trip! Will you be aboard Jeannius?

I hope we get a chance to see you, when are you heading up?

Please keep in touch, as maybe we can figure out somewhere in there to have a visit!

Yes we are on Jeannius. Jeannius finishes for this season in bareboat 30th June, we head north straight after the TTOL Flotilla 8th July and are away until we return to Conch for the 1st December.

That sounds like an awesome trip Mike! When do you plan to be in the Boston/Cape Cod area? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

That is just about the only part of the trip that is definitely fixed as our daughter is taking time off work to be with us <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> She arrives Boston 22nd August and leaves New york 9th September so I guess Cape Cod will be last few days of August.

Just got back from a St Lucia to Grenada trip. Trip report to follow hopefully after catching up with reality !!

Clearing in to Grenadines is $35EC per person plus about $50EC misc. Clearing out is $50EC. Overtime for Sunday was $65EC.

We needed water so tied up at Anchorage Yacht Club in Clifton - shortest walk to the airport. They let us stay for a couple of hrs no charge.

Clearing in to Grenada is around $100EC - this time we cleared in St George.

The actual clearance process takes 20 minutes or less assuming no lines. However the overhead of anchoring, dinghy ashore etc eats the time up particularly if you were not planning on visiting Clifton twice.

The form required is at the office, - only one person with all passports needs to visit. If you have more than a couple of people on board a printed crew list will save a lot of writing time. Need 3 or 4 copies per clearance.

Have a great time

Bob

Thanks Bob! Looking forward to reading your trip report, any hope of seeing it before we leave on June 1st??!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks!

We were on a sailboat in the Carricou harbor in 1994 and watched this motor grader fall from the boat into the water.

In many ways it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I have no idea how they managed to get it out of the water.

Clearing in at Hillsborough was not pleasant for me last week. My first stop was customs at the dock, and the agent kindly sent me on to immigration at the police station before he could see me.
There is a stern sign on the door of immigration stating the hours and instructing the visitor to knock before entering the office. I thought knocking on a government office was a bit odd (not ever having seen this before) but I knocked 3 times, waited, heard nothing and entered.

This was mistake #1. Knocking does not mean it's OK to enter the Realm.
I entered and greeted the agent with a polite "Good Afternoon." No response. Awkward silence. I put my small boat paperwork bag on the counter and begin to get my passports ready. I notice I left my pen back in Union. I ask the agent if I can borrow a pen.
This was Mistake # 2. More awkward silence as I'm ignored more. Finally, the agent looks up and say's "how can I process you unless I know if you are departing or arriving?!!" I am then treated to a 5 minute lecture or chewing-out about how rude I have acted. I put my bag on his counter without consent. I asked to borrow a pen. I'm told that I am rude and arrogant.
I'm totally taken aback over his vile and mean lecture.
I close my dropped jaw, and proceed to apologize all over myself and told him that if I was rude in any manner, it was not intended.
He was very cold and mad for the rest of the paperwork process, and all told I spent 90 minutes in his office. He eased up a trifle as I did my best to warm him up. I was at his mercy and he knew it.
This process took a very LONG time, and I was the only cruiser clearing. What happens in the busy season?

I finally cleared and walked over to Customs. The agent there was "what took you so long, mon? I thought you got lost." He was grinning, he must have had an idea that I encountered a run-in.

95% of the local I encountered in the Windwards were a delight to talk to. This agent in Hillsbouough was the exception by far.

When I run into a rude C&I officer who ignores and tries to let me have it.. I just tell them I changed my mind and don't want to stay in whatever island it is.
It sort of blows them away.

I've always had a good experience with C&I in Carriacou and like you say it's convenient and then a short walk to the bakery.