Carriacou Island Tour

Carriacou is located below the hurricane belt in the beautiful Grenadines archipelago. Its remarkable wildlife and marine life makes this island the ideal setting for our 18-day Ecology and Community Service program. The prestigious Kido Ecological Research Center, sprawled across eight forested acres between a national park and a pristine beach, serves as our summer home and open-air classroom. Days are filled working side-by-side with local youth on coastal conservation projects and cross-cultural activities. Nights are spent on nesting sea turtle patrol. Don’t worry. It’s not all work- if you can even call this work! There’s also time to take off on a catamaran excursion or enjoy a sailing regatta.

Ashore Itinerary
With Kido as your home base, you’ll explore Carriacou’s untouched beaches and national parks. You’ll spend the very early mornings snorkeling, hiking or kayaking on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. After breakfast that you prepare, local youth participants will join you to engage in exciting discussions and activities on the environment and other issues. It's a cultural exchange that brings new awareness to everyone. The afternoons will bring exciting fieldwork activities, scuba diving, or beach games. You will also take your turn on important all-night sea-turtle monitoring patrols! See a Sample Carriacou itinerary

» Learning
Our hands-on program combines marine biology, ecology and environmental conservation projects, and fieldwork with in-depth presentations conducted by Kido leaders and Sail Caribbean staff. You’ll participate with local youth in discussions on coastal restoration of mangroves and then get to work at United Nations restoration project sites. You’ll also facilitate challenging cross-cultural and team-building activities. A local chef will teach you to cook local favorites and you will take your turn creating delicious meals in the Kido kitchen. At the end of each rewarding day, you’ll participate in engaging discussions as part of our True Course initiative for leadership training and personal growth. More on Carriacou Learning

» Activities
In addition to working on our environmental projects, you will teach the local youth water safety and snorkeling techniques as well as lead team-building and leadership activities and earn over 40 community service hours in the process!

Each day brings amazing new opportunities. Carriacou is known for its traditional wooden schooners. You’ll visit boat-building sites and then watch the schooners compete in the Carriacou Regatta Festival. Play kickball and learn cricket, a favorite national pastime. Hike nature trails through forests, pastures, mangroves, and along beautiful beaches. You’ll likely encounter iguanas, harmless boa constrictors, pelicans and manicou along the way. Snorkel or dive in some of the best habitats for reef fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and nurse sharks. You’ll also spend a day sailing to neighboring islands on a 42-foot Catamaran. Learn more about Carriacou Activities.

» Optional Courses
After spending time conducting research in shallow water habitats and through marine research snorkeling, appreciate the sea from another perspective- below the surface! Try scuba for the first time with our discover scuba course. For certified divers, enjoy an exciting recreational dive. Both offer an exciting experience! More on Optional Courses