Beaches
The beaches of Grenada are envied across the Caribbean for their sublime settings of soft, powder-white sands and clear, cerulean seas. Grande Anse is the island’s trademark, a stunning, two-mile strand bordered by tropical greenery and a backdrop of lush, rolling mountains. Other beaches to note include Morne Rouge, La Sagesse and the exclusive grains skirting the shores at Calabash and Laluna. In total, Grenada’s indented coastline showcases over forty-five beaches, some only accessible by foot or boat. Sailing trips to tropical hideaways Carriacou and Petit Martinique bring even more blissfully pristine sands.
Scuba-diving
Grenada’s teal-green seas are a magnet for diving and snorkelling, with mysterious wrecks, plunging walls and spectacular reefs. Unique to the region is the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, showcasing an extraordinary display of coral-encrusted human statues anchored on the sea-bed – a surreal experience to add to your logbook. Top pick of the wrecks is The Bianca C, the biggest shipwreck for miles around and ranked in the world’s top ten. Others to note include King Mitch, Fiona and Buccaneer. From wrecks to the wonderful reefs at Flamingo Bay and Grand Mal, there’s a site for every ability promising amazing undersea encounters.
Culture
Grenada has a delightfully vibrant mix of African, French, British and East Indian cultures, shaping many aspects of the island’s lifestyle, including food, music, language and architecture. Plan a visit around one of the island’s many festivals; in January, perhaps, to join captains and crews for international yacht racing at the Grenada Sailing Festival, or in February for Independence celebrations. During the summer months, there’s the Grenada Drum Festival, the utterly delicious Grenada Chocolate Festival and the Spice Mas Festival, a time when Grenada struts its stuff in a colourful carnival of pageantry, song and dance; a bumper-sized party of island heritage and highlight of the cultural calendar – it’s not-to-miss!
History
Unravel Grenada’s colonial past and tour the island’s centuries-old forts, with their rambling, underground passageways and colossal cannons. Fort George (today’s police HQ) commands a prime spot above St. George’s town and harbour, as do Fort Frederick atop Richmond Hill and Fort Matthew, the island’s biggest stronghold. The Grenada National Museum exhibits historical artefacts and rare collectibles. Rewind even further and visit the petroglyphs of Duquesne Bay and other archaeological sites showing evidence of Arawak settlement. Other gems include the Belmont Estate, a 300-year-old working cocoa plantation and the River Antoine Rum Distillery, which produces this favourite Caribbean tipple the old-fashioned way.
Waterfalls
Allow time to explore this charming Caribbean isle and head inland away from the coast to the wonderfully wild and lush mountainous zones, sprinkled with spectacular, fast-flowing waterfalls. Seven Sisters Falls is a beauty, where the water fills a pool large enough for a refreshing dip in show-stopping surroundings. Another hotspot is Concord Falls, again with pools for freshwater bathing. Or seek out Royal Mount Carmel Falls, where two crystal-clear waterfalls plunge over 70 feet into a pool – not deep enough to swim in, but the scene is magnificent to watch.
Food
The ‘Spice Isle’ is famous for exotic spices, used to flavour traditional dishes. Tuck into the national dish of ‘oil down’, a concoction of breadfruit, salted meat, turmeric, dumplings and callaloo greens slow-cooked in coconut milk. Other culinary delights include spicy chicken stew, pumpkin mash and nutmeg ice-cream. Sample these and more in local restaurants and in our featured hotels, where menus showcase the finest international cuisine with a Grenadian twist. The rickety tables of St. George’s Market are heavily laden with goodies – a great place to pick up spices. Grenada is also a rich producer of cocoa and Grenada’s Chocolate Company makes high-quality, organic dark chocolate that’s won various awards.
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
Nutmeg
You might be surprised to know that a third of the world's nutmeg supply comes from Grenada which is the main reason for its nickname as the ‘Spice Isle’.
Rhodes Restaurant
Foodies will be delighted to hear that a Gary Rhodes Restaurant features at Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa. Inspired by the beauty of Grenada, taste a range of creative dishes mixing elegant cuisine with the spices and flavours of the island to create world-class dining.
Spa Treatments
Newly designed by one of America’s top architects and interior designers, Kobi Karp, Janissa’s Spa at Spice Island Beach Resort will submerge you in the soothing fragrances of local herbs and spices in an elegant oasis. Afterwards, you must try one of the freshly brewed herbal teas, a wonderful touch to finish off any treatment.
Flight Information
British Airways (via Barbados) and Virgin Atlantic (via Tobago) from London Gatwick. Private charter flights available on request.
Flight Time
From London Gatwick to Grenada: 10 hours, 40 minutes (excludes touchdown time in Barbados).
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.
For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.
View the travel advice in full here: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/grenada