Prickly Bay, also known as L’Anse Aux Epines, is the most beautiful of the southern harbors, in my opinion.  This anchorage has a number of advantages over the others, making it the recommended stop for your entire trip.  You can lounge around in relative quiet, swim in the clear water, clear customs, take on water, fuel, and supplies at Spice Island Marine, dine, and reach other points on the island by taxi or foot - all from this one anchorage.  So, if you’re visiting Grenada for 4 or 5 days, establish Prickly Bay as your base of operations and go from there.

Getting There

Prickly Bay is the second of the south coast anchorages past Point Salines from the western (leeward) side of the island.  It is a little over an hour and a half  from St. George’s by motor.  You could sail the first four miles (45 minutes), but once you round Point Salines, the situation changes.  Substantially more wind, current, and waves will force you to motor the last two and a half miles, and that will take you 40 minutes.  It won't be pleasant.  Sailing would take substantially longer.

It is only a 10 minute motor from True Blue Bay, and a 30 minute motor from Mt. Hartman Bay or Hog Island.

The entrance is wide and open, so head right down the middle.  Be mindful of the reefs that extend out on east side of the bay.  There is also a reef right in the middle of the harbor that is too deep to see but too shallow to cross over at low tide.  It is marked by a white ball and easy to spot once you are aware of it.

There are a number of great places to anchor, depending on what you like.  A very  pretty spot, in my opinion, is in the northeast corner of the Bay, beside the “no mooring” buoys near the Calabash Hotel.  The depth is about 20 feet, so you’ll need a fair bit of anchor chain down to achieve the proper scope.  The wind direction shifts periodically, so be sure you have enough room to swing on your chain.  Plan ahead.

If you want to be by yourself, it is possible to anchor further out, away from everybody else.   Spice Island Marine has one of the few decent dinghy docks in the southern Caribbean, along the seawall in front of the main lawn.  Slips are also available at if you really want to be at the dock. 

A different anchoring experience is available closer to the mouth of the harbor, right in front of the Rendezvous Beach Resort.  The shoreline is real pretty there, and you will find it much quieter because it is not overrun with boats.  The resort has moorings available for $10 US per night, and the floating dinghy dock makes the deployment of rum-soaked individuals less entertaining, but easier.

Conveniences

Spice Island Marine provides excellent facilities.  Customs and Immigration are located here, so you can get all formalities over with in one stop.

There is a decent grocery store on the premises, so you will be able to re-provision as necessary.  The Marina has slips available, and you can refuel and take on water.  You can arrange tours and catch a taxi from here as well.

The Rendezvous Beach Resort welcomes cruising visitors to partake in their fine dining and great bar atmosphere.  Owned and operated by long-time charter skipper and cruiser Charlie Link, they have inexpensive rooms for those in need, a business center, and a token laundry.  They also serve 1.25” thick rib-eye steaks for those desperate for a quick beef fix.  Be sure to introduce yourself to Charlie and ask about the many benefits of belonging to the resort’s Skipper’s Club.

Lounging Around

Despite the number of boats anchored here, it really is rather quiet and peaceful.  It is an anchorage that lends itself well to just lounging around on the boat and taking in the scenery.  The stretch of golden sand at the Calabash and the backdrop of expensive whitewashed villas poking out of the surrounding hills matches my vision of a great Caribbean anchorage. 

Dining Out and Socializing

The Boatyard is conveniently located right at Spice Island Marine, while The Red Crab, Choo Light, and Calabash are within walking distance.  The Rendezvous has its own dock.  All others are reachable by taxi that will cost you no more than $70 round trip.

Happy Hour is quite popular with the cruisers at the Tiki Bar at Spice Island Marine.  Watching the sun go down with a fresh beverage in hand is also popular at the beach bar at the Rendezvous Beach Resort.