The owner of Savvy Grenada Sailing Charters, Danny Donelan is on a mission to preserve Grenada’s sailing and boat-building legacy by providing authentic experiences aboard classic Carriacou sloops – wooden vessels whose handcrafted tradition nearly died out 30 years ago.
This interview is part of The World Made Local, a global collaboration between the seven international editions of Condé Nast Traveller in which 100 people in 100 countries tell us why their home turf should be your next destination.
What exactly is a Carriacou sloop and why is it so important to Grenada’s heritage?
Carriacou sloops were originally made for inter-island trading by Scottish boat-builders who were brought in by plantation owners nearly 200 years ago. Grenada, Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and Bequia were the mecca for boat-building in the Caribbean at the time and over the years this tradition has become a part of our cultural identity. Boat-building is essential to these small islands as a large percentage of the population makes a living off the ocean, and the only way we are going to keep this tradition going is for visitors to experience these sloops first hand in the most authentic way possible, which is why I hire local boat-builders from Carriacou to captain them.
What makes Grenada so special in the Caribbean?
Grenada has a little of everything to offer: both black- and white-sand beaches; waterfalls and rivers; 200-year-old spice plantations that have been turned into chocolate factories; great restaurants; a happening nightlife; and great snorkelling and diving. But I think what truly sets us apart is our people. Grenada has the friendliest of people, so it's not hard for visitors to make friends and experience our culture through the eyes of locals.
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What should we do here?
Sail on a traditional Carriacou sloop with Savvy Grenada Sailing Charters, of course! Other must-dos include all things chocolate, from visiting Belmont Estate for lunch to see how chocolate is made to producing your own bars with Tri-Island Chocolate. On Saturdays, Grenada Hash House Harriers organises a walk in different locations, which always ends at a rum shop, where local food is cooked and rum is at the ready for thirsty hikers. Talking of local rum shops, make sure to do a tour – there is one on every corner and each one has its own mood, characters, music and vibe. Nimrod's in Woburn is one of my favourites. For some live music, a Sunday barbecue at Aquarium is a must-do, as are Tuesday nights at the Grenada Yacht Club, Wednesday nights at Dodgy Dock, and Saturday nights at La Plywood Beach Bar. Foodies should sail over to Carriacou for a long weekend and make sure to visit Anse La Roche Beach, Paradise Beach Club, Big Citi Grill and Bogles Round House.
What are the best off-the-beaten-track beaches and sailing spots?
Saline, White Island, and Anse la Roche in Carriacou, and Bathway Beach in Grenada. For sailing, the west coast is best because the waters are always calm, the winds are steady, and there are lots of places to snorkel, such as the Underwater Sculpture Park, Flamingo Bay, Mango Bay and Calypso Island.
What makes Grenada such a great sailing destination?
We have three annual sailing events, including the Carriacou Regatta – for traditional sloops and dinghies – which is the oldest in the Caribbean. Grenada’s waters are amazing, of course, but what makes us truly unique is that we build our own boats. Yachting is traditionally a very elitist sport, but in Grenada, everyone from boat-builders and fishermen to regular folk own handmade yachts and race them in our local regattas. When we compete, we race as a village, which means our regattas are a little more colourful than most: the whole village comes to cheer you on and then we party afterwards – Grenadians know how to party so our regattas are very lively and authentic events.