Port information & tips for Canouan
Canouan is an exclusive jewel in the heart of the Grenadines, boasting untouched nature and a luxurious flair. The island enchants with powdery white sand beaches and crystal-clear water, making it an ideal retreat for both relaxation seekers and explorers. Absolute highlights include the picturesque Shell Beach, the elegant Sandy Lane Yacht Club, and Mount Royal, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire island chain. Ships dock at the modern pier of the Sandy Lane Yacht Club or at Grand Bay Jetty, from where the main town of Charlestown is just a few minutes away. Thanks to these short distances, the most beautiful stretches of coastline are easily and comfortably accessible.
Arrival & Departure
Getting around
Highlights & Districts
Useful tips
Returning to the ship
Canouan, an enchanting island in the Grenadines, is visited by cruise ships as a port of call, with guests typically brought ashore by tender boat as the ships anchor off the coast. Direct travel from the DACH region is only possible by plane with stopovers due to the island's location and infrastructure.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region is primarily by plane, although no direct long-haul flights to Canouan (CIW) are offered. Travelers first fly to a major Caribbean hub, such as Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) on Barbados or Argyle International Airport (SVD) on St. Vincent. From Barbados (BGI), you can reach Canouan Airport (CIW) by connecting flight in about 20 to 50 minutes. The flight time from Argyle International Airport (SVD) to Canouan (CIW) is even only about 15 minutes. Regional airlines such as SVG Air, Mustique Airways, and interCaribbean Airways serve these routes.
Transfer & onward journey
After landing at Canouan Airport (CIW), the short distance to the Charlestown Jetty, the landing point for the cruise ship tender boats, is only about 3 kilometers. Local taxis are available for this convenient transfer. For exploring other islands in the Grenadines, ferry connections exist, for example with the Jaden Sun Fast Ferry from Kingstown (St. Vincent) via Bequia and Canouan. The ferry ride from Bequia to Canouan takes about 60 minutes.
Pre-cruise hotel
Due to the long flight time from the DACH region and the necessary inter-island transfers, staying at a pre-cruise hotel before the start of your cruise is highly recommended. This allows for a relaxed arrival and the avoidance of travel stress on embarkation day. You can find hotels both on Canouan itself and on the larger hub islands such as Barbados or St. Vincent. Many of the luxurious resorts on Canouan also offer a smooth and often free transfer from the airport.
Check-in & embarkation
Please note that with your travel documents, you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually about one hour before the planned departure.
Also during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always observe the current announcements and notices on board, as berthing and departure times can change at short notice.
The port of Canouan in Charlestown offers direct access to this exclusive island in the Grenadines and allows travelers to easily continue their journey to the surrounding beaches.
Golf Carts
Golf carts are the most popular way to get around the island and are available for rent directly in the port area. With these agile vehicles, you can explore the hilly landscape and the dreamlike bays particularly flexibly while enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
Water Taxis
Local water taxis wait at the pier and offer convenient connections to secluded beaches or neighboring island gems such as the Tobago Cays. The trip across the turquoise water is also an excellent way to admire the impressive coastline of Canouan from a new perspective.
On Foot
The main village of Charlestown is directly adjacent to the port and can be reached quite relaxed within a few minutes' walk. The short path leads you directly to local cafes and small shopping facilities and offers an authentic insight into the peaceful island life.
To perfectly plan your day on the exclusive island of Canouan, we recommend a combination of maritime elegance directly at the harbor and the untouched natural beauty of the rolling hills.
Glossy Bay Marina
The state-of-the-art yacht marina in the south of the island impresses with its luxurious architecture and, thanks to elegant boutiques and first-class gastronomy, offers the perfect setting for a stylish start to your shore excursion.
Mount Royal
As the highest point on the island, Mount Royal offers a spectacular panoramic view over the entire archipelago of the Grenadines and is also the ideal place to experience the lush tropical flora up close during a light hike.
Shell Beach
This picturesque stretch of coastline on the windward side delights with its fine shell deposits and crystal-clear water, which, thanks to the offshore reefs, offers perfect conditions for a relaxed swim in an exclusive atmosphere.
Shell Beach
The beautiful Shell Beach is located on the picturesque east coast of the island and is easily accessible from the port in Charlestown with a short taxi ride of only about ten minutes. This stretch of coastline impresses with its crystal-clear, turquoise water and fine white sand, and thanks to an offshore reef, it is perfectly suited for a calm swimming experience in a protected atmosphere. On-site, the charming Shell Beach Bar offers high-quality refreshments and light meals, allowing you to enjoy your stay in an exclusive and relaxed environment. It is best to visit this spot directly in the morning to fully enjoy the idyllic tranquility of the Grenadines, and ideally plan your return journey to the ship ninety minutes before departure.
The return journey to the pier on Canouan is very relaxed and safe thanks to the island's manageable size. The paths to the port are short and lead through friendly, easy-to-navigate areas with a direct view of the water.
Taxi
Vehicles are reliably available at the exits of the Mandarin Oriental as well as at the Sandy Lane Yacht Club and will take you back to the Grand Bay Pier or the marina in a short time. Additionally, you will find central pick-up points in the center of Charlestown, from which local drivers perform the transfer to the port quickly and safely.
On Foot
From the center of Charlestown, you can walk easily and directly back to Grand Bay Pier in a few minutes. The route runs along the main road and is easy to find at any time thanks to the clear structure of the town and the good visibility of the port facilities.
Resort and Port Shuttles
Many accommodations and the marina at Glossy Bay offer coordinated transfers that conveniently transport guests to the tender boat departure points or the main quay. Thanks to these synchronized connections, you will reach the port on time and also enjoy a relaxed ride through the picturesque island landscape.
