The passage south from Grenada to Trinidad is one of the most common offshore hops in the southern Caribbean, and one of the most misjudged. It is short enough to look easy, around 80 nautical miles from Grenada's south coast to the Chaguaramas area, but it is usually sailed overnight, crosses a strong westward current, passes offshore energy installations and approaches a coastline where security advice must be taken seriously. Tobago, to the south-east, is a different proposition again: a dead beat into the trades and current for most of the way.
Yachts make the trip for good reasons. Trinidad lies further south than Grenada and outside the usual hurricane tracks, Chaguaramas has long been a major yacht maintenance centre, and both islands offer cruising very different from the Grenadines. This page covers distances, timing, the sea conditions to expect, security and paperwork logic, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
Distance, heading and why most boats sail overnight
From the south-coast bays of Grenada to the Bocas, the channels between Trinidad's north-west peninsula and the small islands off it, is roughly 80 to 85 nautical miles on a heading slightly west of south. At a cruising speed of six knots that is around 14 hours, before allowing for current.
The standard plan is to leave Grenada in the late afternoon or evening and arrive off Trinidad after sunrise. Sailing through the night means making landfall in daylight, which matters because the approach to the Bocas involves strong currents, steep shores and commercial traffic. Arriving before dawn simply means heaving to or slowing down off an unfamiliar coast in the dark.
Most yachts enter through Boca de Monos, the easternmost of the channels, and turn into the Chaguaramas area. Currents through the Bocas can be strong and vary with the tide, so time your arrival and follow up-to-date pilotage notes rather than relying on an old chart.
Wind, sea and current on the way south
The trades are on the beam. With the wind from the east or east-north-east, the course south is a beam or close reach, often a fast and pleasant sail. In winter, stronger trades can make it boisterous; in late summer and autumn the wind may be light enough that engine hours are needed.
The current sets west. The dominant set is towards the west, often one to two knots and sometimes more. Over a 14-hour passage that can push a boat many miles off its rhumb line. Most skippers steer well east of the direct course early in the passage so that the current carries them down onto the Bocas rather than past them.
Sea state builds near Trinidad. As depth decreases and currents interact near the Trinidad coast, the sea can become steep and confused, particularly with wind against tide in the Bocas. Expect the last few miles to be the most uncomfortable.
Squalls at night. In the wet season, squalls are common at night and harder to see coming. Reef before dark, keep a radar watch if you have one and brief the night watch on when to call the skipper.
Energy installations and shipping
The waters north of Trinidad hold offshore oil and gas infrastructure and carry commercial shipping, which changes how you keep watch:
- Gas production platforms stand in the sea north of the Trinidad coast. They are lit, but at night their lights can confuse depth perception and be mistaken for ships. Mark their charted positions before departure and give them a wide berth.
- Exclusion or safety zones apply around offshore installations. Check current notices and keep outside them.
- Supply vessels, tankers and fishing boats move in the area around the clock. AIS helps with larger ships but not with small fishing boats, many of which show minimal lights.
- The approaches to the Gulf of Paria are busy. Cross shipping lanes at right angles and keep a sharp lookout in the last hours.
- Fishing gear, including long nets, can be found offshore. A cutter or line cutter on the propeller shaft, and a mask and knife ready, are worthwhile precautions.
Security: take the advice seriously
There have been incidents of armed robbery and piracy against yachts and fishing boats over the years in waters off the Paria Peninsula of Venezuela and in parts of the Gulf of Paria. The usual advice is to stay well east of the direct line and away from Venezuelan waters, and some cruisers prefer to sail in company with another boat, keeping in radio contact.
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net, a volunteer reporting service, collects and publishes reports of incidents against yachts, and is worth checking before you plan this passage. Local cruisers' nets in Grenada also discuss current conditions. Patterns change over time, so base your decision on recent information rather than on stories from years ago.
Practical measures include filing a float plan with someone ashore, keeping navigation lights on, monitoring VHF, having your position easy to transmit and agreeing with your crew how you would respond to an approaching unidentified vessel. Many skippers also keep AIS transmitting for the safety benefit, though some switch it off in sensitive areas; the decision is a personal one.
Tobago: the harder option
Tobago lies to the south-east of Grenada, at a similar distance to Trinidad. The difficulty is direction. With the trades from the east and the current setting west, a passage from Grenada to Tobago is usually a long beat or motor-sail into wind and current, and boats that try to sail it on one tack often end up far west of their target.
For that reason many cruisers visit Trinidad first and then make the shorter, though still windward, hop along Trinidad's north coast and across to Tobago, timing it for a lull in the trades. Others leave Tobago until they are heading north again from Trinidad, when the angle is better.
Anchorages on the north and west of Tobago, around places such as Charlotteville and the Store Bay area, have been popular with visiting yachts, but the island has its own clearance arrangements separate from those in Trinidad. Check how and where to clear in before you leave Grenada.
The return north to Grenada
Coming back is usually easier. Leaving the Bocas for Grenada, the trades are again on or slightly forward of the beam, and the westward set now needs to be countered by steering east of the direct line so that you do not end up making landfall on Grenada's south-west corner or further west than planned. Many boats leave Trinidad in the evening to arrive at Grenada's south coast in the morning, with good light for the reef-fringed bays.
Timing the exit from the Bocas matters. Currents in the channels can run strongly against you depending on the tide, and a boat that leaves at the wrong moment may make very slow progress in steep water. Up-to-date tidal current information and local advice from cruisers in Chaguaramas help choose the hour.
On arrival in Grenada, clear in with customs and immigration at a port of entry before moving on. Keep your clearance from Trinidad and Tobago to show the officials.
Paperwork and planning checklist
Trinidad and Tobago is a separate country, and its clearance rules can change. Confirm current requirements with the authorities or a recent cruising guide, then work through this list:
- Clear out of Grenada with customs and immigration, keeping your outward clearance paper for presentation on arrival.
- Check Trinidad and Tobago's current procedure for yacht arrivals, including any pre-arrival notification and whether arrivals outside office hours incur extra charges.
- If your boat is chartered, confirm whether the charter agreement allows this passage at all; many charter companies do not permit it.
- Check insurance: some policies have specific clauses for these waters or require notification.
- Plan the departure time backwards from a daylight arrival at the Bocas, add a margin for the westward set, and brief the night-watch rota.
- File a float plan and agree a check-in time with someone ashore.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to sail from Grenada to Trinidad?
The passage is roughly 80 to 85 nautical miles from Grenada's south coast to the Bocas, typically 13 to 16 hours for a cruising yacht. Most boats leave in the late afternoon or evening so they arrive in daylight, adjusting for the westward current along the way.
Is the passage from Grenada to Trinidad dangerous?
It is a routine passage for well-prepared boats, but it requires care: a strong westward set, offshore platforms, commercial traffic and security concerns near Venezuelan waters. Staying east of the rhumb line, checking recent incident reports and filing a float plan are standard precautions.
Why do yachts go to Trinidad for hurricane season?
Trinidad lies further south than Grenada and outside the usual hurricane tracks, which can affect insurance terms. Chaguaramas has long offered extensive haul-out and repair facilities. Owners weigh these benefits against costs, distance and the security advice for the passage.
Can you sail directly from Grenada to Tobago?
Yes, but it usually means beating into the trade wind and against the westward current, which is slow and uncomfortable. Many cruisers go to Trinidad first and then make the shorter windward hop to Tobago, or visit Tobago when the wind angle is more favourable.
Do charter yachts from Grenada allow trips to Trinidad?
Many charter companies restrict their boats to the Grenadines and do not permit the passage to Trinidad and Tobago. Check your charter agreement before planning; sailing outside the permitted area can void insurance and breach your contract.
