Grenada: Hog Island, Uninterrupted

Visiting Hog Island during the week is like purchasing a private island at the bargain price of $20 EC per head. For the cost of roundtrip boat passage from the fishing village of Woburn to the island, you could find yourself blissfully undisturbed on this tiny L-shaped strip of beach. That’s a pretty sweet deal in my book.

I heard all about the epic-ness of Hog Island from an enthusiastic Grenadian I met on Grand Anse beach. He promised a big lime, BBQ and beers at Roger’s Barefoot Beach Bar. I was looking forward to experiencing the hype first hand but when Captain Sperry’s fishing boat touched ground there were only two people there and they made a swift departure within 5 minutes of our arrival.

As it turns out, my friend on the beach forgot to mention one pretty significant detail – the island only comes to life on Sundays.

Every other day of the week it’s a ghost town. So there we were, my father and me, with an island all to ourselves.

Little did I know that Hog Island at rest – completely empty and eerily serene – was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Rustic. Unpretentious. Rugged. And a little wild. It lacks all the amenities I’ve grown accustomed to while playing the role of Professional Beach Bum – no chairs to rent, no bar staff walking around taking drink orders, no lifeguards, no restrooms, and barely enough of that powdery white sand for you to lounge on without the water creeping up and licking your toes – but, strangely enough, those things would have felt out of place. Hog Island is a place you go to appreciate it’s simplicity.

Luckily, where it falls short in the frills department, it makes up for in function. As a part of the Woburn Clark’s Court Bay Marine Protected Area, the island has been equipped with just enough infrastructure for visitors to have a safe, clean, and fun time – picnic tables, BBQ pits, makeshift swings, a hammock that could easily fit two and an a wooden structure that serves as Roger’s Bar with bare shelves I imagine are usually well stocked on Sundays. The perfect elements for a day trip with a group of friends or family.

Now, what do you need to know to enjoy this little slice of heaven?

When to go

Monday to Saturday, if you want it all to yourself. Sunday, if you’re looking for a good party scene.

How to get there

Boat: You can hire a boat for $20 EC per person from the jetty in Woburn. The process is very informal but you can ask for Sperry, as that’s the captain who took us there and back safely.

Walking: There’s a bridge in Mt. Hartman that will take you from the mainland to the island. It’s closed to vehicular traffic at the moment, but if you’re up for it you can make the 30 minute journey on foot – over the water and along the trail that will take you through the bushes and right on to the beach. (NB: It is not advised that you make this walk alone.)

What to bring

Bring food/snacks and drinks, especially if you plan on spending a significant portion of the day there. There’s absolutely no source for either on the island, unless Roger’s is open. There’s a bare-minimum bar at the jetty in Woburn where you can pick up some beers, soft drinks and a few snacks. If you plan to BBQ then coals and the required utensils are a must. In the end I didn’t need it but I wouldn’t have complained if I had a beach mat with me. The picnic tables make it convenient for you to play games like cards and dominoes so again, if you’re spending the day there pack other items to occupy your time. Regardless of how long you’re going though, be sure to pack garbage bags so you can leave the island just as you found it.

A deserted Hog Island embodies the spirit of #puregrenada, in my opinion. So if you have time, and you’re not opposed to ‘roughing it’ for a bit, I highly recommend this excursion be included in your itinerary while you’re visiting Grenada!

Check out this short home video of my Hog Island trip.

Have you ever been to Hog Island? Whether it was on a Sunday or otherwise, share what your experience was like in the comments!

 

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