Like many travelers, my introduction to Grenada came via social media. Stunning photos of the island’s Spice Mas Carnival, the boisterous, island-wide festival that takes place every August, filled my feed. The pictures and videos of the masqueraders in dazzling, feathered costumes and the formidable, oil-slicked paraders called Jab Jabs, made me want to explore this tiny Eastern Caribbean island.
I got my wish not long after, and I also discovered that, along with a rich Carnival tradition, the island offers tranquil beaches, great dining and plenty of activities off the resorts, ensuring that boredom isn’t an option. If this Caribbean island is on your radar, here’s a guide on the best things to do in Grenada: what to do, see and eat on the island.
What to do
Getting around Grenada is pretty easy. The island is only 21 miles long and 12 miles wide, and you can drive the whole island in about five hours. Transportation options include car rentals, public buses (which have limited routes, especially if you’re traveling outside of the capital of St. George’s) and a ride-share app called Haylup.
Your trip should include a visit to Grand Anse Beach, a two-mile-long public beach that features a stretch of hotels, restaurants and rental facilities for water sports equipment. If your hotel isn’t on Grand Anse Beach, you can head here for the day and rent beach chairs and umbrellas.
If you’re looking for a more low-key beach, try Morne Rough Beach (known as BBC Beach) on the island’s southwestern coast, which has a gentle surf and quiet water. Another beach worth exploring is Magazine Beach, which is even less crowded than Grand Anse or BBC beaches. Also located on the southwest coast, the white sand beach is bordered by rocky bluffs, giving it a private feel.
To see the wilder side of Grenada, head inland to Grand Etang National Park. Less than 30 minutes from St. George’s, the lush park has a gorgeous lake and the rainforest-like setting is a departure from the rest of the island. If you have a car, you can head here and explore on your own, or sign up for a tour, which includes a guided hike through the trails where you might spot a few friendly Mona monkeys.
Grenada’s nickname, “The Spice Island,” comes from its production of nutmeg and other spices, which you can learn about on a tour of Belmont Estate, a former 17th-century plantation that now offers cocoa and chocolate tours. Plan to spend about half a day here and stay for lunch, a three-course meal of Grenadian dishes made with farm-fresh ingredients.
Looking for something to do underwater? Grenada is home to the world’s first underwater sculpture garden, Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, which features dozens of concrete statues submerged beneath the waves. To fully appreciate these underwater artworks, consider booking a glass-bottom boat ride, snorkeling expedition, or diving adventure.
If you have an extra day or two, make plans to check out Carriacou, the largest of Grenada’s sister islands. Carriacou is accessible by a 20-minute flight or a 90-minute ferry. Carriacou has overnight accommodations, mostly small boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts and one of the best things you can do while you’re here is to beach hop. Book a day tour with Lambi Queen Tours to explore Carriacou’s best beaches and remote islands. Some stops include White Island, Saline Beach, Sandy Island Beach and Anse La Roche Bay, a pretty crescent-shaped beach home to Tim’s Beach Bar, a rustic diner on the beach serving whole cooked lobsters and stiff drinks.
Where to eat
Great food is easy to come by in Grenada, and there are several stand-alone restaurants on the beach where you can grab a bite. Umbrellas is a two-story indoor-outdoor restaurant just steps from Grand Anse Beach. The restaurant gets busy at dinner, so consider visiting here for lunch instead. Their blackened shrimp and bread pudding dessert are some of the best on the island. The Aquarium Restaurant on Magazine Beach is another great choice, offering a diverse menu of international flavors, including Malaysian lamb, West Indian Beef Pepper Pot and potato gnocchi.
If you ask anyone who’s been to Grenada, they’ll tell you that you must head to True Blue Beach Resort’s Dodgy Dock restaurant on Wednesday night. The restaurant transforms into a food hall, with dozens of local food vendors offering some of Grenada’s best-loved dishes, such as oil down, baked macaroni and cheese and bakes (deep-fried dough bread). The event starts at 8 p.m. and lasts well into the night with live music and a DJ.
If you’re craving Italian, there’s a fantastic Italian restaurant called La Luna inside the restaurant with the same name. The owners of the boutique hotel are Italian and they bring their food expertise to the curated menu; the homemade ravioli and lobster linguine are two dishes that I still think about today.
Where to stay
Grenada’s accommodations range from affordable to ultra-luxe. Many travelers opt to stay on Grand Anse Beach, Grenada’s most popular (and longest) beachfront, which hosts several of the island’s top resorts. If you’re splurging, the contemporary Silversands Grenada offers sleek guestrooms and villas, a 330-foot infinity pool and a four-treatment-room spa. Another great option is Spice Island Beach Resort, a high-end, all-inclusive resort. This resort has beachfront villas and select accommodations have private plunge pools. Just a few feet away, Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort offers suites and villas nestled on a hill, providing sweeping views of the beach, which is a short walk across the street.
For something away from Grand Anse Beach, consider True Blue Bay Resort. It sits on its own small bay and has a lively food event on Wednesday nights (more on that later). The resort also features an ocean-view yoga studio that offers classes several times a week. And for a secluded stay on the southeastern side of the island, Six Senses La Sagasse is tucked between two quiet beaches. Each spacious accommodation at the eco-luxury resort has a private pool and the wellness program includes aerial yoga classes.
