Grenada was our last stop on a cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, and we decided to stay and experience some of the best things to do in Grenada over the final two weeks of our trip before flying home. While many Caribbean islands share common threads, Grenada has its own way and features that set it apart.
Arriving at Grenada’s Melville Street Cruise Terminal reveals the country’s beauty from the outset. As we approached the terminal on the Seven Seas Mariner, the view from the top deck was remarkable. From the top deck, you see a patchwork of St George’s colonial buildings set against hills that provide the perfect backdrop.
Grenada is located near the edge of the Caribbean map in the Eastern Caribbean, north of Trinidad and Tobago and 831 kilometers from Venezuela. We couldn’t have asked for any more from the few Grenadians we encountered of the country’s 117,000 population. They are friendly, with easy-going personalities, and are always willing to help. The fact that English is Grenada’s official language also makes navigating the country easier.
Grenada’s culture is mixed with Creole traditions, a deep African heritage, and French and British colonial influences. The country has distinguished itself from the many Caribbean island nations by becoming a global leader in spice exports, namely cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Spicemas is another signature Grenadian export and has become one of the Caribbean’s premier events.
The Underwater Sculpture Park left the biggest impression, as did several of the highlights we’ve selected from the numerous things we did on the island.
Plunge into the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park
Grenada is home to many amazing diving sites offering breathtaking views of its coral reefs and shipwrecks. Something every publication and travel blogger suggests is visiting the world’s first underwater sculpture park.
Located in the Molinere Beauséjour Marine Protected Area, the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park (also called Molinere Bay Underwater Sculpture Park) features a collection of underwater contemporary art produced by renowned sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.
With the park listed as one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World, it was our first stop in Grenada. We booked a scuba diving tour, which included a 10-minute boat ride from Grande Anse to the park.
Feast for Fish Friday
Gouyave, the town that never sleeps, is a fishing village on Grenada’s west coast. This village is full of Caribbean characters, and every Friday night, it comes to life with the sound of steel drums, fruity beverages, and the smells of the best seafood dishes on the spice aisle.
Fish Friday starts at six in the evening, with local vendors lining the streets with their grills, steamers, and cookers ready to delight your tastebuds with delicious food such as fish cakes, shrimp, jerked marlin, kebabs, barbecued snapper, fry jacks, conch, and lobster.
We enjoyed the Friday Night Bonfire held at the Savvy Beach Cabana, which provided a rich historical and cultural experience with the ambient pan music, sparkling bonfire, and local Oil Down and Pelau that we tried.
Explore Pearls Airport
Once Grenada’s primary airport until the mid-1980s, Pearls Airport now features the remnants of two Cuban planes. Located north of St George’s, close to Lake Antoine, it’s a hidden gem for history enthusiasts and photographers.
We were visiting Greenville and took a short taxi ride to the airport. As we arrived, the derelict planes lent an eerie atmosphere, making the attraction truly distinctive attraction and one of our top places to visit in Grenada.
Besides the aircraft remnants, the site has evolved into an open-air gathering spot, where locals often play cricket on the runway.
Walk along the Carenage
The Carenage is a lively horseshoe-shaped harbor and waterfront promenade in Grenada’s capital city, St George’s. A walk along the promenade is a great way to explore the main island and St George’s.
Being close to the cruise port, we took a walk shortly after arriving to browse the stores in the shopping centers, watch boats docking, and take in the city’s sites and architecture.
Tour the Grenada National Museum
When you visit Grenada, you may want to learn about the island’s culture and history. A great way to do this is by spending a few hours at the Grenada National Museum.
Once home to a prison, barracks, hotels, and a warehouse, the museum is now sectioned into areas that reflect its content: Economy, plantation, slavery, and whaling and fishing archaeology.
We opted to go on Tuesday to experience Grenada’s Independence exhibit and enjoy the weekly outdoor lunch hosted at the museum. Besides the independence exhibit, the museum’s artifacts about Grenada’s plantation economy and slavery industry provided a broader historical narrative of the region.
Head over to Fort George
Once the heart of the St George’s, Fort George is considered one of the most important historical structures in Grenada and forms the center St George Fortified System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built between 1706 and 1710, the Fort was initially called Fort Royal before being renamed in 1763. The Fort sits on a hill between the sea and the inner harbor, offering sweeping views of the capital, the harbor, the southern coastline, and the ocean.
A day tour was how we visited the the structure, allowing us to admire its stones and learn about its history from a local guide.
Immerse yourself in Grand Etang National Park
Grand Etang National Park is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. Home to lush vegetation, a mountainous terrain, a variety of ecological subsystems, and the picturesque Grand Etang Lake, the park boasts a range of flora and mammals and tropical birds like mongoose, broad-winged hawk, Mona monkey, and Lesser Antillean tanager.
The Grand Etang National Park is part of the Grand Etang Forest Reserve. There are trails for every experience level, including:
- Beauséjour (around 300 meters)
- Shoreline (two kilometers)
- Seven Sisters Trail (five kilometers)
- Annandale Trail (six kilometers)
We took a half-day guided tour with an experienced guide who took us through the park’s Beauséjour trail. The hike was relatively challenging but short, taking around 15 minutes.
Cool off at Concord Falls
You’ll find several amazing waterfalls in Grenada, some of which you may not have heard about. One of Grenada’s most famous is Concord Falls in Morne Docteur.
At this point in our trip, we had rented a car for a few days and drove to Morne Docteur from Lance aux Epines. The 20-kilometer journey took about 40 minutes. There was an easy trail through Concord Mountain Forest to get to the falls, and the water was crystal clear although ice-cold, perfect for a hot day during the dry season.
Savor the aromas at Laura’s Herb and Spice Garden
To see precisely why Grenada is known as the Spice Island, you need to visit Laura’s Herb and Spice Garden. Located in Epping Forest, St David, the garden perfectly displays the island’s rich heritage with the selection of fresh spices, plants, and herbs grown there.
From cinnamon, ginger, and pimento to chadon beni and nutmeg, a garden tour will provide you with all the information you need to use and care for them. I tried some raw cocoa seeds for the first time. Their earthy bitterness was far off the sweet chocolate we’re used to.
Sample craft beers at West Indies Beer Company
Having opened in 2014, the brewery has since established its reputation as a knowledgeable provider of quality Caribbean cider and craft beer.
If that’s not to your taste, you can choose from a selection of wines, spirits, soft drinks, and delicious food made from the island’s spices and fresh fruits. We visited the brewery while spending a few nights in Lance aux Epines, had dinner there, and sampled some in-house cider.
Treat yourself at the House of Chocolate
If you have a sweet tooth, this is the perfect activity. Located on Young Street in St George’s, the House of Chocolate is a unique and beautiful hand-crafted miniature museum that depicts the history of chocolate.
The museum has a small café where you’ll find a selection of delicious chocolates made onsite, as well as other treats such as ice cream, cakes, and drinks.
There was a mall boutique that houses a selection of all products made in Grenada using cocoa beans. I bought some chocolates as a souvenir.
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Be captivated at Carriacou Regatta Festival
Beginning in 1965, the Carriacou Regatta Festival is one of the biggest of its kind and the Caribbean’s longest-running regatta. The festival occurs yearly in Grenada’s mainland and nearby islands over Emancipation weekend before carnival season.
The regatta race events primarily focus on workboats built locally and regionally and include several water sports and cultural activities like donkey racing.
People from all over the Caribbean visiting the festival, including locals, foreign retirees and successful application of the Grenada citizenship by investment program, and other CARICOM nationals. Though our dates didn’t align with the event itself, locals insisted it’s one of the can’t-miss events on the island.
Rum tasting at the River Antoine Rum Distillery
Looking for unique things to do in the Caribbean? Why not visit Grenada’s oldest rum distillery? Built in 1785, the historical significance of River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery has been maintained by conserving the buildings and surrounding natural landscape.
Rum distillation still happens here and is carried out using traditional methods that have persisted since the 1700s. Our guided tour at River Antoine Rum Distillery included a taste of the iconic Rivers Royale Grenadian Rum.
Spend a day at Grand Anse Beach
Grand Anse Beach in St George is Grenada’s most popular beach and a sought-after destination for investing in Grenada real estate. Grand Anse Beach is covered in soft sand and is fringed by almond trees. The beach and its azure-hued bay offer a variety of watersports and good access to some of the best Grenada hotels and restaurants.
You’ll find a craft and spice market on its white sandy beaches, where you can watch a breathtaking sunset accompanied by a nutmeg-sprinkled rum punch and live music at Umbrella’s Beach Bar.
Catch a glimpse of sea turtles at Levera Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Grenada, Levera Beach, is found across the north of the Caribbean island. Often described as looking straight out of a postcard, thanks to its golden sand, crystal-clear blue waters, and palm trees lining the coast, Levera National Park is a fantastic place to watch Leatherback turtles.
Breeding seasons begins in March and lasts until August. We drove up to the beach from Greenville and watched leatherback turtles arrive on the beach, lay their eggs, and return to the ocean. A truly raw and unforgettable experience.
Get involved in Spicemas
Participating in Grenada’s Spicemas is an unparalleled experience on the island. This highly anticipated annual event among Grenadians and foreigners living in Grenada honors the country’s rich culture and liberty with colorful celebrations.
Held after Emancipation weekend in the second week of August during the Grenada Carnival, Spice Mas features an impressive lineup of parades, competitions, dancing, soca, and calypso music.
We specifically chose to visit in August to attend Jab Jab, and early J’Ouvert morning, and saw revelers paint themselves with black grease, don chains and whips, and dress in devilish costumes to masquerade.
Pick up souvenirs at St George’s Market Square
Grenada has excellent markets where you can explore the many stalls selling local spices, foods, fresh produce, and craftworks.
St George’s Market Square along Young Street is particularly appealing, especially on a Saturday morning, where you can find a fish market and souvenirs to take home. It’s also within walking distance from other attractions like Fort George.
Wandering through St George’s Market Square was a sensory experience due to the nutmeg and spices being sold on nearly every stall. In addition to the market stalls, colonial-era buildings and architecture surround the market.
Hop over to Hog Island
A beach lover’s paradise, Hog Island is a small island off the south coast of Grenada’s mainland and is one of the most accessible options to visit nearby islands.
A water taxi from Lance aux Epines is the easiest way to get there, but we opted to hike through the Hog Island Route and cross the Hog Island Bridge by foot to reach the island. The route continued until we reached Roger’s Barefoot Beach Bar, which served welcome tropical cocktails after the long trek.
Go diving at Dragon Bay
Dragon Bay can be found in the picturesque village of Moliniere, Grenada. This stunning beach promises an unforgettable coastal experience with snorkeling in the clear waters alongside the colorful marine life.
The bay features a crescent-shaped shoreline of golden sand that stretches for about 200 meters and serves as the diving point for those brave enough to swim to the Underwater Sculpture Park.
Though we didn’t spend long there, the peaceful setting was a nice break from the other energy-zapping activities we did.
Uncover Carriacou’s New Underwater Sculpture Park
Visiting A World Adrift Underwater Sculpture Park off the coast of Carriacou adds to Grenada’s of blend of art, culture, and environmental awareness. The new underwater sculpture park opened in 2024 features 30 boat sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor, each helmed by a local schoolchild.
While we didn’t have to to visit this park also, we learned that the sculptures were installed to serve as artificial reefs as well as a tourist attraction, promoting marine biodiversity. Accessible to both snorkelers and divers, you can take a water taxi from Hillsborough to reach the park and experience highlights the islands fragile and beautiful ecosystems.
Sail on a sunset and champagne cruise
One of the most romantic things to do in Grenada and a great way to enjoy the island’s stunning views is on a sunset champagne cruise with tour companies like Corsair Sailing Charters & Experiences Grenada.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of champagne and fresh appetizers prepared onboard as you sail just offshore of the coast of Grenada.
As our trip to Grenada came to an end, we couldn’t have chosen a better send-off than a sunset cruise in the Caribbean Sea with Corsair Sailing Charters & Experiences Grenada. The crew made us feel welcome, and with a drink in hand, it was the perfect high note go home on.
Getting Around Grenada
Grenada’s main gateway is Maurice Bishop International Airport, which receives international flights from hubs around the world, including Miami, New York, Toronto, London, Lisbon, Istanbul, and Dubai. After arriving on the island, you can get around with local buses running along the main routes, private taxis, or by renting a car.
Water taxis are readily available and transport visitors and locals to neighboring islands. The island’s road system is well-maintained by Caribbean standards but can be tight and hectic, so it’s best to your time if you choose to drive.
