Offering a unique experience amongst the Caribbean Islands, Grenada and its sister islands (Carriacou & Petite Martinique) offer a variety of different holiday options to suit any visitor.
Picturesque beaches, waterfalls, rainforest and some of the best diving spots in the world all combine to create the perfect holiday destination within the Caribbean.
The accommodation on Grenada offers something for everyone; families can enjoy friendly resorts while couples can indulge in a luxurious stay at a boutique hotel.
Grenada also has year round warm weather, with most tourists visiting from December to April when the weather is at its driest.
HISTORY
Independent since 1974, Grenada's history includes its first inhabitants of Arawak and Carib Indians through to its occupation by the Spanish, French and the English, who have left their influences on the islands.
Red British phone boxes, French place names and West African cuisine can still be found and enjoyed today.
A tour of the island is the best way to experience the history and culture, allowing you to discover treasures such as Forts George and Frederick, the Amerindian Petroglyphs hidden in the rainforest and the Cricket Museum.
The islands also have rum distilleries and spice plantations, while the Belmont Estate is a great attraction where you can taste the island's authentic Grenadian flavours and the new goats cheese and chocolate from the famous Grenada Chocolate Factory.
Today Grenada grows more spices per square mile than any other place in the world. Short bursts of rain feed the rainforest and crops, allowing Grenada to produce a third of the world's nutmeg, in addition to cloves, ginger, mace, turmeric and cinnamon.
BEACHES
Grenada offers pristine beaches and these include forty white sand beaches and nine black sand beaches that are cooled by steady trade winds.
The most famous of these beaches is Grande Anse Beach, which boasts two miles of soft sand that fronts beachside restaurants, the Vendors Market and the largest concentration of hotels within Grenada.
Morne Rouge Bay, La Sagesse and Magazine Beach are great for water sports.
Pink Gin boasts views of St George's, numerous bars, restaurants and activities to keep all visitors occupied.
Scuba diving throughout Grenada is very popular, with over 50 great drift, reef and wreck dives to investigate including the world famous Bianca C known as the 'Titanic of the Caribbean'.
NIGHTLIFE
From causal dining at a beachfront restaurant to fine dining at a gourmet restaurant such as the Gary Rhodes restaurant at the Calabash Hotel, there are plenty of options in Grenada.
International cuisine is widely available. Savour the world's freshest fish and lobster and Grenada's National dish, Oil Down which is cooked in a Karhee, or large curry pot.
Street food is also influenced by the cultural diversity of Grenada and popular dishes include aloo pie, dal puri and doubles, which are essentially a chickpea curry sandwich served between two pieces of fried bread, known as bara.
A variety of clubs and bars exist to keep you entertained into the early hours and you may also want to enjoy an amazing sunset cruise where you can enjoy lobster and champagne as the sun sets over the horizon.
TOURS AND EXCURSIONS
The most memorable visits to Grenada boast a variety of experiences.
These include visiting the mona monkeys at the Grand Etang National Park or visiting Gouyave, known as the town that never sleeps, for Fish Friday where you can party with the locals, enjoy festival music and sample the inexpensive food.
Other areas of natural beauty include amazing waterfalls such as the 3 waterfalls of Concord and the Seven Sister Waterfalls.
The rum distilleries and nutmeg factories offer an intriguing insight into past and present Grenada life and the Bay Gardens of St George are a true tropical retreat for those who wish to relax.
The best place to shop is the spice market in St George's which brings a mix of retail items and local produce: pick up spices, fresh fruits, locally produced rum, rum-based liqueurs and locally made handicrafts. Duty free is available in Grand Anse and St George's.
The South Grenada Regatta, based at Le Phare Bleu Marina & Boutique Hotel, is the highlight of February in the Caribbean for both sailor and spectator, who can enjoy the exciting races in several different categories: with spinnaker, without spinnaker, catamaran and fun class.
The event begins with a Count Down Party with live music, Curry Night Special and an extended Happy Hour in the Poolbar Restaurant.
Taking place in Clarkes Court Bay the first race day is a special day of Match Racing and commences at 9 am on Friday 24th February. A barge with a bar is located in the centre of the Bay for watching the races and as a staging area for crews before the race. A free water taxi from Le Phare Bleu to the Match Race Island & Bar is offered so that you can't be closer to the action!
Saturday and Sunday offers the main race days with further entertainment and services for the spectator. Powerboat rides with seafaris around the Bay are available, a pirates trail for the kids and each day ends with a prize giving and race party.
Dance the night away to live music and soak up the atmosphere in the Poolbar Restaurant.
Attracting visitors from across the world, the Annual Carriacou Parang Festival is a spectacle not to be missed.
The festival has revived and kept alive the tradition of 'house to house' serenading of string bands and hosanna carol singing and today includes performances from local, regional and international entertainers and more.
Carriacou Parang is filled with musical entertainment. The festival has now been extended over the entire weekend and climaxes with the much-anticipated Parang String Bands Meléé competition. The Carriacou Parang Festival takes place each year on the weekend preceding December 25th.
Specialising in fun and informative guided tours, Caribbean Horizons is the natural choice for half day, full day, hiking, sailing, evening and private tours.
A great tour option for those who want to see most of Grenada in one day is the West Coast Tour, which begins in St George's before continuing along the West Coast to attractions such as the Concord Falls, Gouyave Nutmeg Station, lunch at a plantation house and rum tasting at a 200 year old distillery. The tour ends by cutting across the mountains, through Grand Etang rainforest, which is home of the Mona monkey.
Alternatively you may wish to hike into the rainforest, visit the Saturday Market, enjoy the Grenada Gardens or take a romantic sunset cruise.
One of the best sailing tours is the Grenadine Fly Sail where you can see the Grenadines by air on a 25-minute panoramic flight, land on Union Island and join a choice of two sailing yachts to explore the Tobago Cays, Mayreau and Palm Island.
If you are looking for a tour of Grenada with a personal touch from a tour guide with intimate knowledge of the island, then Chris's Tours and taxi will be ideal for you.
Tours are customisable to ensure they are tailored to your own tastes and interests and may take the form of a historical tour of Grenada's rich colonial past or a walk through tour of the bustling Saturday market where you can sample the fruits and spices that Grenada has to offer.
Half day, full day and private tours are available and these may include a hike to Seven Sisters Waterfall, Grand Etang to Concord Falls hike or visit local attractions such as the Belvedere Plantation, Nutmeg Pool, Dougaldston Spice Estate, Caribs
Leap, rum factory and chocolate factory.
Receiving the award of Tour Operator of the Year by the Grenada Board of Tourism, Henry's Safari Tours are one of Grenada's success stories and a great choice for anyone wanting to enjoy what Grenada has to offer.
With an intimate knowledge of Grenada, Henry's Safari Tours can work with you to create the perfect excursion from energetic hiking tours to relaxed driving tours or from river rafting trips to nature and birding trips.
The spectacular scenery of Grenada can be enjoyed on a hike with popular locations to visit including the Seven Sisters Falls, Honeymoon Falls and Concord Falls.
If a relaxed driving tour is more for you then a variety of half and full day excursion are recommended. Travel right around the island or focus on the mountains, coast or lakes where the amazing wildlife of Grenada can be seen.
Located in St. Patrick and only an hour's scenic drive from St. George, Belmont Estate is the Caribbean's finest agri-tourism experience.
The unique 17th century plantation offers guests the opportunity to participate and observe the authentic workings of a fully functional historic plantation. A variety of activities and tours include visits to the heritage museum, cocoa processing facilities, organic farm and gardens.
The museum allows you to take a step back in time and discover the legacy of Grenada's ancestors, whilst the plantation tour will allow you to explore the story of the cocoa bean.
The tropical gardens are perfect for a stroll where you may encounter the friendly farm animals, monkeys, parrots and tortoises.
Guests can also enjoy organic chocolate bars and bonbons from the Grenada Chocolate Company, goat cheese from the Goat Dairy and locally made crafts.
Paul's, is a unique attraction comprised of a beautiful two-acre landscaped garden, the De La Grenade factory, and the factory shop where you can sample and purchase the award-winning finished products.
A stroll through the garden reveals plant life from which the factory's signature jams, pepper jelly, nutmeg syrup, liqueur, seasonings, and sauces are made.
Paths covered with nutmeg shells lead you past native shrubs, flowers and fruit trees while guides identify the vast array of flora and give you information on traditional foods and remedies. A tour of De La Grenade Nutmeg Garden is an absolute must for visitors to the 'Isle of Spice'.
Discover St George and its surroundings in a charming, comfortable and unique way with the Grenada Discovery Train.
Narrated scenic city sightseeing trips take place onboard the trackless tourist train with a design inspired by the 1900's steam locomotives.
The journey begins at the Cruise Ship Terminal just outside Esplanade Mall and departs hourly from 9am to 3pm. Your first stop is at Fort George and then past the Summer House for fantastic panoramic views of the Carenage.
Next, is the National Museum followed by photography opportunities along the picturesque waterfront at Herbert Blaizes' View Point.
Also available is a special sunset trip that takes passengers up to a site of unique and well preserved forts. This trip includes a guided tour of the Forts complex, local snacks and rum-punch.
The Grenada Discovery Train is also available for charter for special occasions and weddings. Admissions to Fort George and the National Museum are included in the cost of the ticket.
Grenada Seafaris provide sea tours ensuring you see the best bits of Grenada during your holiday. Snorkel tours and private charters are offered, details of which are available on request.
The most popular island tour visits many of the bays and coves on the West coast where, during the brief stops, you can learn about Grenada, including its nautical history, ecology, geology and wildlife.
A highlight of the tour is a snorkel stop (conditions permitting) at the Underwater Sculpture Park where Albert, the snorkel guide takes you on a snorkelling tour to visit the underwater statues created by sculptor Jason Taylor.
Anyone not wanting to snorkel or swim can relax on board. The tour is suitable for ages of two and upwards and snorkel gear is provided as well as juice and water.
Take command and pilot your own boat and snorkel with Sea Sun Adventure and the E-Sea Riders excursion. This unique experience sees you as the captain of your own two-person inflatable motorboat.
Follow your guide as you pass by large yachts in Port Louis Marina and inside the Carenage of St George's before breaking out into the Caribbean Sea. You will pilot your motorboat along coastline and enjoy the scenery that Grenada has to offer.
There is plenty of time to stop in the Marine Park where you can explore one of Grenada's foremost snorkelling sites. Here you may swim or snorkel before the return journey.
The 60 foot state of the art catamaran 'Shadowfax' was built by one of the world's top catamaran designers and will allow you to enjoy a choice of luxury cruising tours at speeds of up to 20 knots.
The most popular excursion is the Champagne and Lobster Cruise, which offers six hours of sailing from St George's Harbour along the beautiful South West Caribbean Coast before sailing to the secluded Hog Island.
There's time to stop and snorkel on a stunning coral reef that is teaming with marine life, after which you may enjoy your lobster lunch cooked and served on the beach where you can swim and explore 'Robinson Crusoe' Island, before the hour's sail back to St George's.
Located at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina - St George's, True Blue Sportfishing are the experts in providing fishing charters in the best deep sea fishing venues in the Caribbean.
Captain Gary Clifford has been offering fishing charters since 1998 and invites you to enjoy his speciality of offshore deep sea fishing for Blue & White Marlin, Sailfish and big Yellowfin tuna as well as wahoo and dorado.
He is also a member of The Billfish Foundation and practices tag and release for all billfish caught. Only the best tackle and equipment is used and the purpose built 31ft Innovator 'Yes Aye' is capable of 30 knots whilst providing a comfortable ride similar to that of a much larger vessel.
True Blue Sportfishing are dedicated to helping you catch the fish and blue marlin can be hooked just 20 minutes from the shore. Half and full day fishing trips are available and the boat can be chartered privately for your group or shared for those who don't wish to charter the whole boat.
Aquanauts take great pride on offering a professional and personal service with knowledgeable instructors.
Grenada has dive sites to suit all experience levels with a large number of wrecks, coral covered reefs and colourful marine life to see. Aquanauts dive centre is located within just a few minutes boat ride of some of the best dive sites so you can get into the water and start exploring straight away.
The course schedule is arranged to suit you and you can choose from Discover Scuba right through to specialist courses such as Digital Underwater Photo and Deep Diving.
Aquanauts also offer dive courses for kids so the whole family can enjoy diving together, with children from the age of eight able to enjoy the safe environment of the pool and kids of 10 upwards able to sign up for full certification classes.
Aquanauts also offers technical diving and welcomes rebreather divers; providing all the facilities for a silent dive holiday.
Offering superb scuba diving, snorkelling and PADI training, Dive Grenada is a small, friendly and flexible dive shop that provides a personal touch to your diving experience. Grenada is the 'Wreck Diving Capital of the Caribbean' and the PADI 5 Star and BSAC Resort Centre of Dive Grenada at Grand Anse Beach is perfectly placed to take advantage of this.
The best dive spots are close by and these include the unique Underwater Sculpture Park, stunning reefs, drift dives and the infamous Bianca C 'Titanic of the Caribbean'.
Snorkelling trips are also available and a great family choice. The 'Marine Protected Area' will allow you to explore the sheltered reefs with beautiful corals, sponges and a large variety of marine life. If you haven't dived before then the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Course will get you into and under the water safely.
Experienced divers can choose from a selection of advanced and specialist courses.
ScubaTech offers the complete range of PADI programmes from beginner up to Divemaster and, whether you are new to scuba diving or an expert, you will be able to find the perfect programme to suit your skill level.
Grenada is a diver's paradise and with more than 30 sites including the famous Bianca C, the "Titanic of the Caribbean", so you can enjoy a variety of technical and recreational diving.
ScubaTech aims to provide high quality individual service with small groups on each dive and a focus on safety and fun to combine the best ingredients for a fantastic dive trip.
The Grenada Dive centre is located in the sheltered Prickly Bay and is equipped with a private jetty for easy access to the dive boat at all times.
As well as the full range of PADI course, ScubaTech also offer rebreather training for SCR Drager Dolphin, CCR Buddy Inspiration and technical dive training to Extended Range.
Other activities on offer include sightseeing tours of Grenada and a sunset champagne cruise as well as a variety of other water sports.
Footloose Caribbean Yacht Charters provide yacht charters in the Grenada and the Grenadines with the option of a day sail or charters of 3 to 10 nights.
These unspoiled islands have turquoise bays, anchorages and moorings to explore and your time will be spent exploring these islands.
Day Sail options include a trip to Calivigny or Hog Islands where turtles and whales can often be seen in the water and where you will find plenty of snorkelling opportunities.
Alternately, you can choose one of the longer sails north, to the uninhabited islands - Isle de Ronde or Sandy, where the pristine white beaches are deserted and the snorkelling is fantastic.
Both day sails include a full barbecue lunch prepared on the deck and snorkelling equipment is provided. Longer three to 10 day charters allow you to visit many of the islands and you can choose to dine on board or in one of the fantastic island restaurants.
Footloose Sailing can also organise wedding arrangements so you can get married on board and go sailing afterwards and enjoy a romantic sunset cruise.
Offering a heightened experience with the exclusivity of a private skippered yacht charter, Horizon Yacht Charters will allow you to explore Grenada.
Bespoke day sails or half day sails can comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests and the highly experienced skipper will cater to your every need to ensure your cruise is the perfect experience.
You may sail the boat yourself, swim in the sea, snorkel or simply relax and unwind as you enjoy the stunning scenic views.
Horizon Yacht Charters also offer a sunset cruise that leaves from the Port Louis Marina, St George's. This romantic cruise is unforgettable and you can enjoy a complimentary glass of wine as the sun goes down.
Housed within one of the first buildings in St George's built by the English over 250 years ago is the Art Fabrik boutique. Look for the fire-orange painted house.
Here you will see wearable art as you tour around the batik studio. Everything is made under one roof and you can follow the creative process as the design, testing, creating, tracing, waxing, dying, boiling and drying out under the Caribbean sun takes place just as it was centuries ago.
The hand painted batik clothing, unique accessories and jewellery capture the imagination and friendly sales people are on hand to show you the range and of course you can purchase a gift if you wish.
This guide was prepared by Holidays Please who are an UK holiday company that sells high quality Grenada holidays and Grenada hotels.