History of Canouan

CRD Ltd. built roads throughout Canouan (previously only dirt tracks), installed electricity to the island and residents houses and provided desalinated water for the first time. Prior to that, fresh water was brought by boat from St. Vincent on a regular basis. Locals who are not employed by the resort, however, are forbidden admittance to the property nowadays as it is private property. However the beaches remain public property and locals are allowed to use the beaches and can access either through the resort or by boat. It was announced that the resort would revert from Raffles/Fairmont Resorts back to Caranege Bay Resort on May 20, 2010.

The two major resorts on Canouan, Raffles and the Tamarind, provide a stark contrast to life on the rest of the island. Outside the two resorts, wild dogs roam freely, along with chickens, goats, turtles, lizards, and the occasional bat. In 2004 Raffles began managing the Raffles Resort, which occupies 1/3 of the island. The resort has a golf course, casino and 150 room hotel. The Raffles Golf Course won the Robb Reports best of the best Golf Courses in the World 2005 and consistently voted top course in the Caribbean. The Trump International Golf Club at Tamarind was designed by Jim Fazio.

There are 2 schools on Canouan - the Government Primary school and the independent Pelican school used mainly - but not exclusively - by expatriate children. There is also an official Canouan