Traveling between Grenada and Carriacou offers breathtaking Caribbean views and a gateway to unspoiled island life. Osprey Lines operates the main fast ferry connecting these sister islands, and understanding how it works before you arrive saves significant stress at the dock.
Unlike the slower cargo vessels, the Osprey ferry is designed for speed. Knowing the schedule, understanding the boarding process, and preparing for open-ocean conditions makes a real difference in how the crossing feels.
- Route: St. George's (The Carenage) to Carriacou (Tyrell Bay)
- Journey time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
- Operating days: Monday to Saturday (no Sunday service)
- Adult fare: EC$80 / US$31 one-way (2026)
- Advance booking: tickets purchased in person at the dock office
Osprey Ferry Schedule and Departure Times
Osprey Lines runs six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Sunday is the only day with no service.
Monday to Friday - two sailings each direction:
From Grenada (St. George's): 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM
From Carriacou (Tyrell Bay): 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM
Saturday - one sailing each direction:
From Grenada: 9:00 AM
From Carriacou: 5:00 PM
The schedule is subject to change around major public holidays. Osprey typically suspends service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and Good Friday. Carnival season in Carriacou sometimes brings enhanced sailings; check directly with the office if traveling during festival periods.
One practical note: Caribbean transport schedules operate on their own rhythm. Departures from Grenada often run 20 to 40 minutes late, which is normal and widely accepted by locals. Build this buffer into your plans, particularly if you have an onward commitment in Carriacou.
Ticket Fares and Booking
Tickets for Osprey Lines are purchased in person at the dock offices. Online booking is not reliably available.
| Passenger | One-way fare (EC$) | One-way fare (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | EC$80 | US$31 |
| Child 5-12 | EC$50 | US$19 |
| Child under 5 | EC$10 | US$4 |
Where to buy tickets:
In Grenada, the Osprey ticketing office sits on H.A. Blaize Street at The Carenage in St. George's. In Carriacou, the office is on Main Street in Hillsborough.
Arrive at the dock at least 45 minutes before departure. This gives you time to buy your ticket, hand over checked luggage, and secure a good seat before the queue fills the terminal. During peak season and local holidays, the line can extend across the street toward the fire station, so earlier is better.
Cash is the preferred payment method. The fare runs EC$80 / US$31 for adults one-way in 2026; bring local currency or USD.
Luggage Allowances and the Boarding Process
Space on a fast ferry is more limited than you might expect. Passengers can bring standard travel luggage, but larger suitcases must be handed to the deck crew during boarding. They go into designated cargo holds or the rear deck area.
Because you will not access those bags during the crossing, pack a small daypack before you board. Keep your valuables, electronics, travel documents, and most importantly, any motion sickness medication, in that carry-on with you in the passenger cabin.
The crew is efficient and the boarding process moves quickly once it starts.
What to Expect on Board: Seasickness and Sea Conditions
This is the aspect of the journey that most first-timers underestimate. The Osprey is a fast vessel that cuts efficiently through the water, but the stretch between Grenada and Carriacou crosses open ocean. The route passes near the Kick 'em Jenny underwater volcano, an area known for unpredictable currents and swells that make the boat pitch and roll regardless of how calm the sky looks.
The outbound leg from Grenada to Carriacou is consistently rougher than the return. Experienced travelers confirm this pattern trip after trip.
If you are even mildly prone to motion sickness, take preventative medication (Dramamine, Bonine, or equivalent) at least one hour before departure. Taking it at the dock after you board is too late for most people. A light breakfast works better than an empty stomach; avoid heavy meals and alcohol before the crossing.
Choosing your seat: The ferry has a plush, air-conditioned lower cabin and an open-air upper sundeck. The sundeck offers panoramic views and sea breeze but amplifies every swell. If your stomach is at all uncertain, sit inside, toward the back-center of the lower cabin, where the motion is least volatile. That position places you over the heaviest, most stable part of the hull.
A new air-conditioned terminal now operates at Tyrell Bay on the Carriacou side, making arrivals more comfortable than they were a few years ago.
Alternatives to Osprey Lines
If the Osprey schedule does not align with your plans, or if you want to avoid a rough sea crossing entirely, two solid alternatives exist.
By air - SVG Air: A 20-minute island-hopper flight connects Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada to Lauriston Airport (CRU) in Carriacou. SVG Air operates multiple times a week. The aerial approach over the Grenadines is genuinely spectacular. This is the best option for travelers with tight itineraries or strong sensitivity to motion sickness.
Slower ferries: The Tyrell Bay Express and Kayak Lines run on days when Osprey also operates, completing the journey in approximately three hours. These heavier vessels sit lower and feel somewhat more stable in choppy conditions, though the trade-off is a significantly longer ride.
If you are planning the broader Grenada trip, the flights to Grenada page covers getting to the main island first, and driving in Grenada is useful if you plan to explore the island by car before catching the ferry north.
