Hillsborough is Carriacou's only town and the administrative centre for both Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It is small, home to somewhere around a thousand people, and most of what matters sits along a short stretch of Main Street and the roads leading off it. If you need a bank, a pharmacy, a government office or a bus, this is where you come.
The town faces Hillsborough Bay on the island's west coast, with Sandy Island visible offshore and the airstrip at Lauriston a short drive south. Hurricane Beryl made landfall close by on 1 July 2024 and damaged a large share of buildings, and rebuilding has changed the look of parts of town since then.
This guide explains what you can do in Hillsborough, where things are, and how to use the town as a base for exploring the rest of the island.
Main Street and the essentials
Banks. All of Carriacou's banks have been located on or near Main Street. They are the main source of cash on the island, and ATMs can run low or go offline, especially before weekends and holidays. Withdraw what you need on weekdays.
Shops and supermarkets. Grocery stores, hardware shops and general stores carry most everyday items, though choice is narrower and prices higher than on the mainland because goods are shipped in. Fresh produce arrives on boats, so stock varies through the week.
Pharmacies. There is pharmacy provision in town for common medicines. Anyone on regular prescriptions should still bring enough for the whole stay, as specific brands may not be available.
Eating and drinking. Small restaurants, snack bars and rum shops along the bay serve local food, from fish and chicken to rotis. Opening hours are flexible, and many places are quieter on Sundays.
Post and government offices. The post office and offices of the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, along with other government services, are in town. Offices keep standard weekday hours and close at weekends.
The Carriacou Museum and the town's past
The Carriacou Museum, on Paterson Street, occupies a building that once housed a cotton gin. It is managed by the Carriacou Historical Society and holds Amerindian artefacts found on the island, objects from the colonial and plantation era, and material on the island's African heritage, boatbuilding and cultural traditions. It is small but one of the best introductions to the island, and worth an hour early in a visit.
Opening hours have historically been limited, often weekdays only, and may have changed since the hurricane. Check locally before making a special trip, and consider leaving a donation if entry is free or low cost, as such museums rely heavily on visitor support.
Hillsborough grew as the island's port under British rule, when cotton, limes and livestock were shipped out and goods came in. For much of its history, schooners and sloops built on Carriacou linked the island to Grenada, Trinidad and the wider region. That seafaring tradition still shapes the town's character today.
Health care and the hospital at Belair
The island's hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, stands on the hill at Belair, a short drive above Hillsborough. It serves both Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with emergency care, general wards and basic diagnostics. The building was badly affected by Hurricane Beryl, and the government reported in 2026 that refurbishment works had been completed, along with a new digital x-ray system and an on-site oxygen generation plant.
Serious cases that need specialist care are transferred to the General Hospital in St George's, usually by air or sea. This can take time, so anyone with significant health conditions should make sure their travel insurance covers medical evacuation and check what services are currently available before travelling.
Community health clinics in villages provide routine care. For emergencies anywhere in Grenada, including Carriacou, dial 911.
Getting around from Hillsborough
Hillsborough is the hub of the island's small transport network. These are the main options, with practical points for each.
- Minibuses. Local buses leave from the town centre to villages around the island, including Windward, Bogles, L'Esterre and Tyrrel Bay. They run mainly in daylight, carry route numbers on the windscreen and stop on request.
- Taxis. Taxis wait in town, at the airport and at Tyrrel Bay. Agree the fare before setting off, and take a driver's contact details if you will need a return trip.
- Car hire. A few local firms rent cars and jeeps. You need a local driving permit, which rental companies can usually help arrange. Driving is on the left, and roads are narrow and hilly.
- Water taxis. Boats from the waterfront run to Sandy Island and other spots. Agree the price, the pickup time and what happens if the weather turns.
- On foot. The town itself is easily walkable, and Belair, Lauriston and Paradise Beach are within reach for confident walkers, though shade is limited.
Sandy Island and the bay
Sandy Island, a low strip of sand and reef just off Hillsborough, is one of the most photographed places in Grenada. It lies within the Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area, which also includes the mangroves and oyster beds around Harvey Vale and Tyrrel Bay. Snorkelling is good on the reef, and the island is reached by water taxi from Hillsborough or Paradise Beach in a few minutes.
Visitors to the protected area may be asked to pay a fee, and rules prohibit anchoring on the reef, collecting coral or shells, and fishing in certain zones. The island has no shade structures or facilities, so bring water, sun protection and anything you need for a few hours, and take all rubbish back with you.
Hillsborough Bay itself is calm on most days, with boats moored off the town. The waterfront is a working area rather than a swimming beach; for swimming, head to Paradise Beach at L'Esterre or the quieter bays elsewhere on the island.
Common mistakes in Hillsborough
Hillsborough is relaxed and friendly, but its small size means a few avoidable errors can have big consequences.
- Running out of cash. Card acceptance is limited, and ATMs can fail. Keep a reserve of Eastern Caribbean dollars.
- Arriving on a Sunday with no supplies. Most shops close on Sundays. Stock up on Saturday if you are self-catering.
- Expecting the ferry in town. The Grenada ferries now use Tyrrel Bay. Allow time and transport to get there for departures.
- Missing the last bus. Buses thin out by late afternoon. Arrange a taxi if you plan to stay out.
- Assuming everything has reopened. Some businesses closed or moved after Hurricane Beryl. Confirm before relying on a particular shop, restaurant or office.
- Leaving official errands to Friday afternoon. Government offices and banks can have queues at the end of the week, and nothing reopens until Monday. Go early in the week if you need paperwork done.
Using Hillsborough as a base
Staying in or near Hillsborough has clear advantages for visitors without a car. Buses leave from the town centre for most villages, taxis are easiest to find here, and banks, shops and offices are within walking distance. It is also the natural starting point for water taxis to Sandy Island and for day trips to Paradise Beach, Windward and the northern trails.
A sensible pattern is to handle errands such as cash withdrawals, groceries and any official business on weekday mornings, when everything is open, and then head out to beaches or walks in the afternoon. Saturday mornings are busy with shopping; Sundays are quiet, with most businesses closed and fewer buses.
The trade-off is that the town waterfront is not a swimming beach, and evenings are low-key compared with Tyrrel Bay, where the yachting community supports more bars and restaurants. Many visitors find a good balance by staying within a short ride of town, at Belair, Lauriston or L'Esterre, and coming in when they need something.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillsborough the capital of Carriacou?
Yes. Hillsborough is the island's only town and the administrative centre for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with government offices, banks, shops, the post office and the main bus terminus. Most other settlements on the island are small villages.
Are there ATMs in Hillsborough?
Yes, the banks on Main Street have ATMs, but they can run out of cash or go offline, particularly at weekends and before holidays. Carry enough Eastern Caribbean dollars for a few days and withdraw during weekday banking hours when possible.
Where is the hospital on Carriacou?
Princess Royal Hospital is on the hill at Belair, just above Hillsborough. It handles emergencies and general care for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, while serious cases are transferred to the General Hospital in St George's on the main island.
How do you get to Sandy Island from Hillsborough?
Water taxis from the Hillsborough waterfront or Paradise Beach take a few minutes to reach Sandy Island. Agree the fare and a pickup time in advance, bring water and sun protection, and be prepared to pay a marine protected area fee.
Does the ferry from Grenada still dock in Hillsborough?
No. Ferries from St George's now berth at Tyrrel Bay, about ten to fifteen minutes from Hillsborough by road. Some smaller local boats still use the Hillsborough waterfront, but plan to get to Tyrrel Bay for Grenada sailings.
Is Hillsborough walkable?
The town centre is compact and easy to walk, with Main Street, the museum and the waterfront close together. Reaching Belair, Lauriston or Paradise Beach on foot is possible but involves hills and little shade, so carry water and avoid midday heat.
