Private, Skippered Catamaran Day Trip in Grenada

A private boat makes Grenada feel wonderfully open.

This seven-hour sailing trip gives you the freedom to shape the day around your group, with stops for snorkeling and swimming at the Underwater Sculpture Park, plus kayaking and paddleboarding. I also like the capable crew, with skippers such as Hayden, Daniel, Dell, and Wayne praised for clear communication, warm service, and good local judgment.

The main drawback is that food and drinks are not included. You need to bring your own supplies or arrange paid catering, and one unhappy group found the extra catering charge poor value. Also, confirm your departure time: the main schedule says 10 am, while the meeting details list 9 am.

Five Things To Know Before You Sail

• Your private boat is a 42-foot sailing catamaran, giving your group more room than a standard day boat.
• The Underwater Sculpture Park is the main activity stop, with snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding available.
• The listed price is $1,350 for up to six people, while the boat itself can carry up to 14 with the correct pricing option.
• The route follows Grenada’s south coast, from Halifax Harbour toward Point Saline and the southern west coast.
• The day ends with a sunset sail back to Grenada Yacht Club, a relaxed finish after the water activities.
• Food is self-catered, so bring lunch, drinks, and plenty of water unless you arrange a chef in advance.

Setting Out From Grenada Yacht Club

The trip begins at Grenada Yacht Club at Spout Point, in St. George’s. The boat returns to the same place, which keeps the day simple. You do not have to arrange a second pickup point after a long day on the water.

The schedule needs a quick check before you go. The cruise is described as departing at 10 am and returning around 6 pm, but the meeting information gives a 9 am start. Since departure and return times can be adjusted, contact Grenadines Sailing Escapade before the day and get the exact time in writing.

Pickup is offered, and the yacht club is near public transportation. That makes this easier to arrange than a remote marina departure, especially if you are staying around St. George’s. Still, do not assume a hotel transfer is included. Confirm what pickup means for your accommodation.

Once aboard, the private format becomes clear. Only your group takes part, so you are not tied to the preferences of strangers. If half the group wants to swim and the rest wants to sit in the shade, the skipper can usually shape the day around that balance, subject to weather and sailing conditions.

A 42-Foot Catamaran With Room To Spread Out

The boat is a 42-foot sailing catamaran called Bacchanal, also spelled Bachannal in some trip details. A catamaran gives you two hulls and a broad deck, which is useful for a full day aboard. You can move around, sit together, or find a quieter place while the boat is under sail.

The boat is described as fully equipped for both active outings and lazy cruising. The included gear covers snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and a paddleboard. That variety matters because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of day.

I would think of the boat as a comfortable base rather than a floating resort. There is no food or drink package included, and there is no suggestion of a full onboard bar. Pack what you need before departure. A private charter feels less luxurious when someone discovers there is no lunch halfway along the coast.

The boat can take up to 14 people, but the listed rate of $1,350 covers a group of up to six. Larger groups need the correct pricing option. This is an important distinction. At six people, the starting price works out to $225 per person before food or drinks. At 14, the per-person cost could be lower, but only if the larger group rate suits your dates.

The crew is another strong point. The skipper is fully qualified and has international experience, along with years of sailing around the Windward Islands. Specific crew members praised for their service include Captain Hayden, Daniel, Joshua, Dell, Kim, and Wayne. The most consistent praise centers on friendly help, good timing, and clear communication from the first booking messages through the sailing day.

Sailing From Halifax Harbour Toward Point Saline

The route takes you along Grenada’s southern coast, from Halifax Harbour toward Point Saline on the southern west coast. That gives you a mix of open sailing, coastal views, and water stops rather than one long cruise with no chance to get wet.

The exact route can vary. One group went as far as Victoria before sailing back, while another spent time touring the Carenage and stopping at a beach. These details suggest the skipper can adjust the outing to conditions, time, and your interests.

That flexibility is one of the best reasons to choose a private charter. You can ask for more sailing, more swimming, or more time at a particular stop. The trade-off is that the itinerary is not a rigid checklist. If you want a precise sequence of destinations, ask before departure.

The south coast also gives you a chance to see Grenada from the water rather than only from roads and resort grounds. You will get changing views of the shoreline as the catamaran moves between stops. I would not book this for a formal sightseeing lecture, though. The experience is built around being outside, sailing, and using the water.

Underwater Sculpture Park: The Day’s Main Water Stop

The Underwater Sculpture Park is the key stop on the itinerary. You can snorkel around the underwater artworks, then return to the boat for swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding.

This stop works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend time snorkeling, while anyone who prefers a calmer activity can use the kayak or paddleboard. If you would rather not get in the water, the catamaran gives you a place to relax while others explore.

Bring realistic expectations. The park is an activity stop, not a private underwater world. Conditions, visibility, and comfort in the water can change with weather. The supplied snorkeling equipment is included, but you may prefer to bring a personal mask if you already have one that fits well.

The underwater park also adds cultural interest to a standard beach-and-boat outing. You are not simply stopping for a swim. The sculptures give the snorkeling a purpose, and they make this part of the route more memorable than an unnamed patch of sea.

One particularly useful detail is that the crew may choose a quieter snorkeling beach if conditions or group preferences call for it. Daniel and Joshua were praised for taking one group to a beach that felt completely private. That kind of adjustment can make a difference when the main stop is crowded or the water is less inviting.

Lunch Planning: The Part You Must Handle

This charter is self-catered. You bring your own food and drinks, or you request catering with a chef onboard. The price does not include lunch, beverages, or any other refreshments.

For a seven-hour trip, food planning is not a minor detail. Pack a proper lunch, snacks, water, and any drinks your group wants. You may be able to arrange catering, but it must be requested as a special service.

The catering feedback is mixed. One group of ten paid an additional $100 for food and felt the amount provided did not justify the charge. That does not mean every catered meal will be poor, but it does mean you should ask exactly what the menu includes, how much food is provided, and whether drinks are part of the arrangement.

I see bringing your own provisions as the safer value choice. It lets you choose food everyone will eat and avoids a surprise bill. Pack items that travel well and do not require much preparation. You should also confirm how the crew handles ice, coolers, plates, and rubbish, since those details are not provided.

If you want a special occasion meal, a chef may make sense. For a casual family or friends’ outing, self-catering is likely the better deal.

Morne Rouge Beach and the Downwind Sail

After lunch, the boat makes a gentle downwind sail. This is likely the quietest part of the day, especially after snorkeling and paddleboarding. You can settle back, enjoy the movement of the catamaran, and watch the coast pass by.

There is an optional swim stop at Morne Rouge Beach. The beach gives you another chance to enter the water without treating every stop as a major activity. If your group has had enough swimming, you can stay aboard and keep the afternoon easy.

I like this part of the plan because it keeps the trip from becoming an exhausting string of stops. A good boat day needs unhurried time. The downwind leg gives you that, while the optional beach stop lets active members of the group keep going.

The beach stop may not suit everyone. If you want a long stay on land, this is not a beach excursion with hours of walking or facilities. It is a short, flexible pause within a sailing day.

Sunset Back Toward St. George’s

The return includes sunset views on the way back to the harbour. Timing will depend on the final departure and weather, but the evening sail gives the day a natural finish.

This is where a private boat can feel worth the cost. You are not being rushed back for a fixed bus departure or squeezed into a crowded transfer. You can sit with your group and let the final part of the route unfold at sea.

The crew receives strong praise for being warm without getting in the way. That balance matters on a private charter. You want safety, help with equipment, and local guidance, but you also want time alone with your friends or family.

The boat returns to Grenada Yacht Club, where the trip ends. Since the start and finish are the same, plan your evening around that location rather than assuming the boat will drop you at a hotel or another harbour.

Is $1,350 Good Value?

At $1,350 for up to six people, this is a premium day out. The price becomes easier to justify when your group fills the six-person option: $225 per person before food and drinks for roughly seven hours on a private 42-foot catamaran.

You are paying for privacy, a dedicated skipper, sailing time, snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and a paddleboard. You are also paying for flexibility. A shared cruise may cost less, but it cannot give your group the same control over stops and pace.

The value is strongest for a family, group of friends, or small celebration. It is less compelling for one or two people who mainly want a basic snorkeling trip. In that case, compare the private rate with shared boat options around Grenada.

Larger groups should price the correct capacity option carefully. The boat can carry up to 14, but the $1,350 figure should not be treated as the rate for everyone. Ask for the total price before booking.

The 4.8 rating and 96 percent recommendation fit the strongest parts of the experience: the crew, the private format, the boat, and the mix of activities. The main warning is food. Do not expect the base price to cover lunch or drinks.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day on the water without sharing the boat with another group. It suits families, couples traveling together, groups of friends, and anyone marking a retirement, birthday, or special holiday.

It is also a good fit for groups with different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can simply sit on deck while the skipper handles the sailing.

You should think twice if you want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour, an included meal, or a low-cost activity. This is not a simple transfer or a quick snorkeling outing. It takes most of a day and expects you to plan the food side.

The weather policy matters too. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Your own cancellation is different: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so choose your date carefully.

The trip can only be booked within two weeks of the date shown on the calendar. If your holiday is farther away, contact the operator and ask when that date will open. Since the charter is often booked about 14 days ahead, leaving it until the last minute may reduce your choices.

Should You Book The Bacchanal?

Book it if you value private time, a flexible route, and a full day that combines sailing with real water activities. The crew receives especially strong praise, and the boat gives a group room to spread out rather than treating the outing as a basic point-to-point cruise.

Before paying, confirm the departure time, group size rate, pickup details, and food plan. Bring your own lunch and drinks unless a detailed catering package makes sense for your group.

For six people who want a special day on Grenada’s south coast, this is a strong choice. For larger groups, compare the correct total rate. For small groups on a tight budget, a shared cruise may be the better buy.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours. The usual schedule is a departure around 10 am and a return around 6 pm, though the meeting information lists a 9 am start. Confirm the exact times with the operator.

Where does the trip start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Grenada Yacht Club, Spout Point, St. George’s, Grenada.

How many people can join the private charter?

The listed price is for up to six people, while the 42-foot catamaran can take up to 14 guests with the correct pricing option.

Is food included?

No. Food and beverages are not included. You can bring your own provisions or request catering with a chef onboard.

What equipment is provided?

The charter includes snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and a paddleboard.

Does the trip include the Underwater Sculpture Park?

Yes. The route includes a stop at the Underwater Sculpture Park, where you can snorkel, swim, kayak, or paddleboard.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations or amendments are non-refundable.