Just south of rugged St. Vincent, there's a group of islands known as the Grenadines, which is considered among sailors as some of the best tropical cruising grounds in the world.
This Travel Notes page provides useful information about Canouan. From airport procedures to currency exchange, it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and worry free.
Base Manager
Jage Martin
Address
The Moorings Grenadines Ltd
Grand Bay
Canouan Island
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation: 8:00am - 4:00pm, 7 days a week.
Base Facilities
2 Restaurants, hotel, Internet service, gift shop, dive shop, fax service, fuel and ice. Postage stamps are available at the base. Laundry service available locally. Telephones credit card or collect calling on site.
Base Map
How to Get There
Fly to Canouan Island Airport; connections are Via Puerto Rico, Barbados, St Vincent and Martinique Canouan Airport to The Moorings. Distance from the airport to the base is approximately 10 minutes by taxi; cost is approximately $5 pp each way.
Servicing Airlines
American Eagle
Mustique Airways
St. Vincent Grenadines Air (SVG Air)
LIAT
Due to the number of flights which we organize, the Moorings can offer some great rates to many destinations. Please make sure you contact your Vacation Planning Specialist before you book your flights.
Customs / Immigration Information
Visitors must possess a valid passport and onward ticket.
Visas are not required for EC and North & South American Citizens.
No vaccinations are required.
There is a $5EC per person/per day cruising tax (up to a maximum charge of 7 days) for the windward regions. This fee is payable upon arrival at the base. Clients must clear customs as they pass through each country. In addition, there is a $10 pp/pd tax charged for entry into the Tobago Cays.
Import of food products: Customs in Canouan will confiscate any fresh food products meat, veg, dairy etc and tinned meats. They confiscate packaged products when packed alongside fresh products in the bags. Suggestion is to pack only small quantities of specialized packaged products, if needed -- nothing fresh or tinned meats or meat products.
Airport
Canouan Airport
Canouan is accessible by air from North America, Canada and Europe through six major gateways: San Juan (150 min), Barbados (55 min), Grenada (20 min), Martinique (60 min), St. Lucia (40 min), St. Vincent (15 min) with connection to Canouan Airport either by scheduled flights or private charter.
Airport Transfers
Transfers from the airport to the base are not included.
Arrival / Departure Procedure
Embarkation: Charters start at 12 noon.
Briefing Times: Boat/chart Briefings are scheduled at 10:00am 7 days a week. Chart briefings can be arranged any time for clients arriving by private charter plane or on special request. All head charterers are required to attend the briefings.
Disembarkation: All charters end at 12:00 noon at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks.
Late Arrival Procedure
The Customer Service Desk will remain open until the clients arrive. You will be shown to your boat. Overnight moorings buoys, by Moore Secure.
Taxes / Departure Tax
Departure tax: EC$40.00 or US$15.00 per person (from the age of 12 years).
Taxi
Taxis are provided by The Tamarind Beach Hotel at a cost of $5 US per person each way. Payable on arrival at The Moorings base.
Car Rental
An international or temporary Vincentian licence is required. The cost for the license is US$19 (EC$50). Traffic drives on the left. Speed limit is 25 mph. There are no major car rental companies available in Canouan.
Tamarind Beach Resort offers car rental services.
Area: 389 sq km
Population: 104,574 (St. Vincent)
Capital City: Kingstown - St. Vincent
Official Languages: English and French patois
Ethnic groups: African, mixed, East Indian, European, Carib-Amerindian
Religion: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, Protestant
Government: Parliamentary Democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Industries: tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry
Tipping: 10-15% is generally acceptable, if it has not been added already
Electricity: Electric current is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. Most sockets take 3-pin square plugs (UK standard). Adaptors are available in rooms. There is a 12V cigar lighter outlet by the chart table on the majority of our yachts.
Time: UTC/GMT -4 hours
Festivals & Holidays
1 - 2 January: New Year's Day Holiday
22 January: St Vincent & the Grenadines Day
22 February: Independence Day
14 March: National Heroes' Day
1 May: Labour Day
July: Carnival
27, 28 October: Independence Day & Public Holiday
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: 2nd Day of Christmas
| Moveable Public Holidays | 2009 | 2010 |
| Good Friday | 10 April | 2 April |
| Easter | 12 April | 4 April |
| Easter Monday | 13 April | 5 April |
| Whit Monday | 1 June | 24 May |
Hotels
Tamarind Beach & Yacht Club
The Crystal Apartments
Restaurants
Palapa restaurant
The Pirate Cove
Post Office
Post Office: Postal services are offered through the local post office. Letters and post cards ready to be sent can be left at the base.
Internet Connectivity
Internet Connection: Tamarind Beach Resort offers internet service for a nominal fee (approx $5 USD per 15 min.).
Cellular Phones
Your cell phone may work in the Caribbean, check with your service provider for coverage. Phones are available at the base free of charge just pay for credit for airtime.
Tourist Information Centres
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ministry of Tourism & Culture
Vida Bernard, Director of Tourism
P.O. Box 834, Bay Street,
Cruise Ship Terminal Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Tel: 784-457-1502 Fax: 784-451-2425
Email: tourism@caribsurf.com / Website: www.svgtourism.com
Banks
NCB Bank with ATM.
Located approx. 5 min. from the base.
Banking Hours: 8:00am – 1:00pm / Mon – Th; 8:00am – 1:00pm & 3:00pm – 5:00pm / Fri
Currencies / Money Exchange
Currency: EC Dollars and US Dollars are used throughout the Grenadines.
Accepted Forms of Payment: US Dollars are readily accepted throughout the island. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted in most of the larger restaurant. Major credit cards are generally accepted by hotels and car rental companies. Please note that stores and restaurants generally do not accept credit cards or travelers checks.
Exchange Rate valid as of: 21/8/2009
€1 =3.71 EC Dollars
£1 = 4.32 EC Dollars
US$1 = 2.62 EC Dollars
Fishing
No Fishing permits are required for fishing. No spear fishing allowed.
Lobster season is from Sept 1st to April 30th.
No fishing in the conservation areas, including the Tobago Keys.
The hire of fishing equipment is not possible in this area.
A few items are available to purchase locally such as hand lines, a few lures for fishing off the docks, etc.
Contact the Fisheries Division (784) 456-2738 / email fishdive@caribsurf.com for more information.
Snorkeling or Diving
The Grenadines's warm clear waters and numerous spectacular reefs and marine life offer a perfect environment for snorkeling as well as beginner and expert divers.
Snorkel equipment is available at the base. To dive in the Tobago Cays you can only go with a dive operator, who holds a Tobago Cays license. In other parts of the cruising ground you can dive without a dive operator.
Grenadines Dive
Clifton, Union Island / Contact Glenroy Adams
email: GDive@GrenadinesDive.com / web site: www.GrenadinesDive.com
Water Sports
Kayaks can be added to your charter contract. Other watersports equipment (listed below) is available to guests staying at the Tamarind Beach Hotel. If you are not staying at the hotel, you may still use this equipment by paying $10 USD for the use of the beach facilities; then you can rent the equipment at the rates listed below.
Sunfish US$ 25 - per day; Hydro bike US$ 10 - per day; Windsurf US$ 15 - per day
Snorkeling equipment US$ 7 - per day
Marina Information
Cruising Tax/Permits:
There is a $5EC per person/per day cruising tax (up to a maximum charge of 7 days) for the windward regions. This fee is payable upon arrival at the base. Clients must clear customs as they pass through each country.
Overnight Stays in the Cruising Ground:
See Guide to Caribbean Windward Anchorages
Moorings:
A listing of sites is covered in the chart briefing.
Electricity Information
Electric current is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Most sockets take 3-pin square plugs (UK standard). Adaptors are available in rooms.
There is a 12V cigar lighter outlet by the chart table on the majority of our yachts.
Mooring & Park Fees
There is a $5EC per person/per day cruising tax (up to a maximum charge of 7 days) for the windward regions. This fee is payable upon arrival at the base. Clients must clear customs as they pass through each country.
Interesting Sites
Please visit the Itinerary Page for more of the best places to visit on your trip. While you are in Canouan take the opportunity to visit these other cultural attractions.
Mount Royal: Mount Royal, the highest point on the island, offers panoramic 360 degree views of St. Vincent & The Grenadines, and even St. Lucia on a particularly clear day.
The Beaches: The Island offers five pristine white sand beaches with clear turquoise waters, surrounded by one of the largest coral reef in the Caribbean. The beautiful deserted beach, Mauhault, is the perfect spot for secluded picnic and turtle watching during certain times of the year.
Moorings Provisioning
On a Moorings Crewed Yacht charter, all of your food and beverages are included (alcohol too)! Your gourmet Chef will prepare delicious meals, snacks and drinks that are customized for your dietary needs and preferences.
After reserving your yacht, we will provide you with a Cuisine and Beverage Preferences Form, where you may indicate the personalized selections for all guests. This assists your gourmet Chef in preparing dishes and drinks customized for everyone to enjoy. Speak with your Moorings Vacation Planning Specialist for details.
Supermarkets
There is a small supermarket near the base.
Travel Insurance
Moorings offers 'Charter Care' which is a comprehensive travel insurance scheme for your complete peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, please make sure that it covers all of the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.
Vaccination and Immunization Information
Canouan is generally risk-free of contagious disease.
At time of publication, an International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory.
Clients wanting more information on vaccinations and immunizations should contact:
The Centers for Disease Control's International Travelers' Hotline in the USA at 404-332-4559.
Detailed traveler's advice on traveling abroad can also be found at www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm. This website is in English.
For Americans, useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
Our 2012 brochures with new destinations
Check out our latest offers & discounts
Crewed Yacht Caribbean offer: Save 10%Explore the Caribbean on a yacht with your own personal captain and chef and save 10% on a Crewed Yacht Charter at our bases in Tortola, Canouan, Grenada and St. Lucia.
Captain's Rewards - NOW ONLINE!Now get your 5% Captain's Reward when you book online - check your inbox for your promotion code or call for details.
St. Lucia is sometimes called the Jewel of the Windwards, and it's…
The Windward and Leeward islands form the eastern border of the Caribbean…
Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is endowed with unparalleled…
©2012 The Moorings
All Rights Reserved.
