Things to Do in Grenada

This private estate and spice garden is rich with orchards, vegetables, spice plants and tropical flower gardens. It is divided into two sections, one representing the old gardens and the other the new. The old garden is home to everything flowering—including large fruit trees and colorful flowers. The orchards grow everything from bananas and avocados to sugarcane, and visitors can see the tropical citrus fruits the Caribbean is famous for, as well as its colorful ornamental flowers—orchids, ferns, roses and the national flower of Grenada, the bougainvillea.

The “new” garden is an area recovering from the devastation of 2004’s Hurricane Ivan. It’s a community project that grows and protects Grenada’s native plants such as ginger lilies and heliconia. There are even more fruit trees to wander through, including passionfruit vines and several different types of palms. Tropical plants and fruits of all shapes, sizes and uses can be seen here. Though the gardens are maintained, the area maintains a wild, jungle-like atmosphere and a sense of these plants thriving in their natural environment. 

This expansive nutmeg garden is the home and source of a variety of nutmeg products made by the company De La Grenade. As Grenada is famous worldwide for its spice exports, particularly nutmeg, the gardens here give visitors the chance to experience the heart of the “Isle of Spice.”

Learn about the historical, traditional and medicinal uses of spices and other local plants. The highlight of the experience is an aromatic walk through the herb and spice gardens, which spans over two acres. Walk over nutmeg shells, enjoying the smell of local fruit trees, flowering plants and of course—the nutmeg spice.

In addition to seeing many of the natural plants and flavor sources, visitors can sample De La Grenade’s many beverage concentrates, syrups, jams and house La Grenade liqueur. The processing area grants behind-the-scenes insight into how these products are created and then shipped all over the world. There are also various homegrown fruits and spices—all native to the area—for tasting and purchase.

The River Antoine Estate is home to the oldest rum distillery in Grenada, where the originaly owners began producing rum in 1785. Today's owners continue the tradition, serving as a huge part of the Grenadine culture and history and offering a glimpse into the production of one of the country’s most famous exports.

Visitors can learn about and witness the process of production, from the initial picking of the sugarcane plant, which is compressed by a water wheel and boiled, to the fermentation and distilling processes. The site's water wheel is actually the oldest in the whole of the Caribbean. Of course there are opportunities to sample and taste the famous finished product, which is completely organic.  

River Antoine rum is made entirely from the sugarcane juice during Grenada’s dry season (January to May) and supplemented with molasses in the wet season (June to December). Two different strengths are produced here, one of which is illegal to bring on a plane home, as it contains more than 70 percent alcohol!

The Grand Etang Lake in the central highlands of Grenada was formed in a natural crater of one of the island’s extinct volcanoes. Now filled with bright blue water, multiple waterfalls and creeks flow into the lake, creating a tropical landscape that beckons to be explored. Spanning 36 acres, the lake itself is approximately 20 feet deep.

With the presence of native birds, brightly colored reptiles and rare vegetation throughout, it’s impossible not to feel the rain forest climate. Mona monkeys can be seen and heard in the neighboring jungle, while armadillos, mahogany trees, mongooses and rare tropical orchids are other sights to look for.

As this is a popular hiking spot, most visitors enjoy taking the trail surrounding the lake or choose from one of many shorter treks through the lush rain forest. It takes approximately an hour and a half to hike the entire loop, but the views are worth it. 

This waterfall site has not one but three separate streams to visit—from a 35-foot cascade right as you enter the falls area to two larger waterfalls that require a hike through the forest reserve. The first waterfall is accessible via a paved path with handrails and is worth making the visit to for the sight alone. The natural pools here make for a refreshing swim.

The forests are popular for hiking among large boulders, creeks and trees. The winding path leads through a nutmeg plantation, first visiting the second waterfall named “Au Coin” before finally reaching the farthest waterfall (“Fontainebleu”), which towers 65 feet over the ground below. It takes approximately an hour to reach the final waterfall, and while it is possible to swim in the clear, small pools underneath the falls, visitors are advised to watch the currents.

Carriacou provides a laid-back alternative to the larger neighboring island of Grenada, where many day trips to Carriacou begin. One of the Grenadine Islands, Carriacou is known as “the island surrounded by reefs." Its pristine beaches and clear waters offer ideal conditions for snorkeling and scuba diving.

 

Located northeast of Grenada, Carriacou was settled by Arawak and Carib people from South America; their influence, along with that of the French and British, can still be seen in Hillsborough, the only town on the island. Gain insight into island culture by attending a music or dance performance, or visiting the small Carriacou Museum. Day trips from Grenada via ferry are available.

 

 

Carriacou is 20 miles north of Grenada. Ferry service is available Monday through Saturday starting at 9am, and Sunday from 8am. Travel time from Grenada is 1.5 hours. Return ferries depart Carriacou daily starting at 3:30pm. Small aircraft can also land at the island’s Lauriston Airport. Minibuses run on the island from 7am to 5pm.

 

If you want to catch the Carriacou Maroon Music Festival, which celebrates the traditional Caribbean practice of a “maroon”—offering thanks for the last harvest and asking for good fortune for the next planting season—plan your trip for April. If you want to join in the celebration of Carnival, book your visit for some time in February or early March (depending when Easter falls).

 

Located 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from Carriacou, Petite Martinique is a tiny island with a small population, most of whom make a living building boats, fishing, and seafaring. Tourists who visit Petite Martinique and Carriacou on the same day trip can climb Petite Martinique’s Piton volcano via a well-marked trail. From the top, catch views of the neighboring Grenadine Islands.

If Grenada is known for being the “Isle of Spice,” then Gouyave should be known as “nutmeg village” for its role as the main producer of the island’s most famous spice. Located on the west side of the island, Gouyave is a Grenadine fishing village, and its three-story Gouyave Nutmeg Station churns out 3 million pounds of the exported spice each year.

The Nutmeg Station gives visitors the opportunity to see, smell and taste nutmeg while learning about its many uses. See the nutmeg fruit in its raw form, and then watch and learn how nutmeg is picked and processed, sorted by hand and packed to ship worldwide. The nutmeg fruit is soaked in the Gouyave Nutmeg Pool, which allows for seed separation from the pod, which is then dried for six to eight weeks and sorted for size and quality. The station also makes local jute bags of nutmeg stenciled with any words of your choice. There are tours given daily. 

If you find yourself watching two people dancing barefoot in a large copper pot, rhythmically moving to the beat of a drum while stomping on piles of cocoa, you know you’re at the Belmont Estate on the northeastern coast of Grenada. Here at this traditional island estate that dates to the late 1600s, “dancing the cocoa” is just one tradition that still lives on to this day. Designed as a way to remove unsightly residue from the exterior of freshly grown cocoa beans, the dance today is a highlight of touring the 400-acre plantation. Though the estate was founded on sugar and coffee, it’s now spices such as nutmeg and cloves that spring from the Caribbean ground. For travelers with a self-professed chocolate addiction, a tour of the neighboring Granada Chocolate Company showcases the process of cocoa beans being transformed to silky rich chocolate. Or, for a taste of authentic Grenada cuisine in a pastoral island setting, the restaurant on site at Belmont Estate is regarded as one of the island’s best for its fine collection of flavors. Families will love the petting zoo and chance to hang with the goats, and this model of island agri-tourism successfully fuses Grenada’s past with its modern, tourism future. 

The Carenage is St. George’s lively waterfront promenade, which winds around Grenada’s inner harbor. Its name is derived from the French word carenage, meaning “safe anchorage.” Lined with colonial-era buildings, the inlet offers shops, seafood restaurants, and cafés, plus it’s near Grenada’s bustling open-air market.

 

This marina is busy with fishing boats, yachts, and barges, as well as the ferry to Carriacou. Whether you visit Grenada with a tour or independently, it’s a pleasure to grab a meal at one of the many seafood restaurants, or rum at a local bar, and snap photos of the quaint Georgian buildings that line the waterfront. Shop here for souvenirs, spices, preserves, local crafts, and more.

 

 

From the cruise ship terminal, it’s a short walk (less than 10 minutes) to the Carenage. If you drive, park outside the marina area and walk to the waterfront, because parking is limited and navigating the roads can be tricky. Public minibuses are available around the island; from the central bus station in St. George’s, it’s 15–20minutes’ walk to the Carenage.

 

Grenada is known as the Spice Island, so a visit to the open-air spice market is a must. Located inland from the Carenage, near the Esplanade Mall, the shopping area is open daily, but Saturday mornings are the busiest because that’s when farmers and vendors from across the island come to sell their produce.

 

From the Carenage, head up to Fort George to take in picturesque views of the town and harbor. The battery dates back to 1705 and was named in honor of King George III when the British took control of Grenada. The viewing section features plaques indicating important landmarks, along with several canno

This five-acre private garden is home to some of the oldest mahogany trees in Grenada, as well as some of the island’s most treasured native plants and flowers. With the ocean bordering one side of the estate and the mountains facing the other, the gardens are particularly scenic and are frequently featured as a top garden spot in the Caribbean.

Some garden highlights include the Japanese area and fish ponds; exotic tropical flowers such as hibiscus and bougainvillea; and the variety of tropical fruit trees such as coconut, mango and banana. Hummingbirds and other small local birds are a common sight, and large tortoises roam the grounds. Of course, the scent of spice plants on the “Spice Island,” as Grenada is known, follows visitors throughout. Nutmeg and cashews are also grown here, and it’s best to visit with a guide who can point out the various exotic plants.

There are lovely beaches tucked away in La Sagesse Nature Center, but bird watching is the bigger draw here. Birds flocking to the estuary’s tranquil mangroves, scrub, cactus, and salt ponds include coots, egrets, herons, and flycatchers. Follow the hiking trails that wind through the park and see how many varieties you can spot.

 

Formerly the estate of Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, Lord Brownlow, La Sagesse Nature Center is located on the southeast coast of the island. This idyllic hideaway offers accommodations, including a colonial-style manor house and cottages. There’s a beachfront restaurant where you can dine under the palms. In addition to birdwatching, the property boasts peaceful beaches and free guided tours. Some island tours also include the nature center, offering time to swim and snorkel at the beaches.

 

La Sagesse is located on the southeast coast of Grenada on La Sagesse Bay in St. David; it is 30 minutes away from St. George’s by taxi. From the cruise terminal, it’s 40-minutes’ drive; you can either prebook a taxi for a set rate or grab one upon arrival and negotiate a fee. Tours of the island typically include round-trip transportation from the hotels.

 

La Sagesse Nature Center is open daily from 8am to 9pm and admission is free. You’ll encounter the biggest crowds during the weekend, but the center’s beaches are known for being secluded and less congested than others.

 

Located inside the Grand Etang Rain Forest on the south side of Grenada, the Seven Sisters Waterfall is a 7-step waterfall with a large pool at the bottom that’s perfect for swimming. This natural attraction is also a popular hiking spot. Guides are available to provide walking sticks and to help hikers navigate slippery rocks.