The charming Caribbean nation of Grenada is made up of the main island of Grenada along with the small islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique (both part of the Grenadine islands) and numerous uninhabited rocky islets. This island archipelago is volcanic in origin, creating beautiful landscapes of triangular mountain peaks and an impressive coastine. Localized areas such as Carriacou and the southwest tip of Grenada have low rounded hills, dry woodland forest, sheltered coves and beautiful white sand beaches.
Grenada was alternately occupied by the French and British, who used the island for the growing of sugar cane, cotton and spices. Today 75% of the population is descended from African slaves, with the remainder being of British, French, Portuguese and Indian ancestry. Only a few Caribs survived European colonization, finding refuges in the north of the island, and intermarrying with African slaves.
The capital is St George’s, a charming and quiet harbour-side town located in the southwest of the island. The picturesque Carenage inlet, with its colonial buildings and fishing boats, is surrounded by steep hills with old churches, forts and houses. Over the hill, on the seafront, is the lively commercial area, with shops, a market square, bus and cruise terminal. Dotted around the island are small fishing settlements. The total population is 108,000.
The islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique are idyllic. The former has plenty of white sand beaches, the latter is rockier. They are surrounded by shallow turquoise seas, coral reefs and sand bars and are within easy reach by ferry or yacht to the southern Grenadines of St Vincent. Carriacou (population 7,000) and Petit Martinique (900) are even quieter and slower-paced than Grenada with the smiliest of islanders, descended from Scottish boat-builders and African slaves.
With clear warm seas, coral reefs, numerous shipwrecks, underwater canyons surrounded by reef sharks, rocky islets and an original underwater sculpture park, Grenada has excellent diving and snorkeling. There is also very good sailing and windsurfing, with calm conditions on the leeward side and steady trade winds on the east coast.
On the mainland of Grenada, there is good hiking through the volcanic landscape and rainforests, to lakes, waterfalls, Amerindian rock carvings and colonial buildings.
Grenada produces 30% of the world’s nutmeg and a whole range of spices plus cocoa, giving it the spice isle slogan. There are also a wide range of tropical fruit and vegetables, growing on rich volcanic soils. A good place to see all this produce is in the street markets, the largest of which is in the market square in St George’s. And it’s possible to visit nutmeg and cocoa plantations and processing plants around the island.
Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique are incredibly charming, quiet and relaxing islands- good places to get away from it all and recharge your batteries. Grenadians are calm, laid-back, friendly and happy, with smiles in abundance. They are extremely welcoming- I lost count of the number of times people stopped me in the street to chat and ask me how I was enjoying Grenada.
The climate is warm year-round, with the cooler and drier season between November and April, probably the best (but also busiest) time to visit. From May to October, the sun is intense and the weather hot and humid, with heavy showers lasting from a few minutes to a few days. This is hurricane season, and even though Grenada is further south than the usual track of hurricanes, it can experience them (the last being Ivan in 2004, whose destruction can still be seen in the form of roofless churches around the island).
GETTING THERE
Grenada can be reached from all other Caribbean islands with LIAT, SVG Air and Caribbean Airways.The most common international hubs are Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad.
Long-haul international flights to Grenada (with short touch-downs on other islands) are from:
- London (British Airways, Monarch Airlines, Virgin Atlantic)
- Frankfurt (Condor)
- New York (Delta, Caribbean, Air Jamaica)
- Miami (American Airlines, American Eagle, Caribbean)
- Toronto (Air Canada Vacations, Air Transat)
Grenada can also be reached by a small private ferry from Union Island in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Jaden leaves at 07:30 on Mondays and Thursdays from the pier in the village of Ashton and reaches Hillsborough on Carriacou island an hour later.
GETTING AROUND, GUIDES AND TOUR OPERATORS
The Osprey ferry has twice daily services between St George’s, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
Minibuses are an inexpensive and fun way to get around the islands. On Grenada, they are frequent, numbered per destination and covering all parts of the island. Starting at the bus terminal in St George’s, destinations are as follows:
1- Grand Anse, airport, Point Salines
2- South and southeast coast to Grenville
5- West coast to Gouyave
6- Grand Etang, Seven Sisters waterfalls, Grenville
9- East coast only- Grenville to Sauteurs
3,4,7- Residential outskirts of St George’s
Taxi minivans pass by frequently and are easy to pick up (usually they call out to you for business).
Hotels can recommend guides and tour operators with whom they work. Otherwise, drivers of minibuses and taxis will usually readily accept to drive you around the island to the various sights. They tend to be very knowledgeable and chatty, so it’s a great way to learn about local life on the island. It’s just a case of choosing someone who suits your style. Prices should be negotiated but as a guideline a three hour hire should cost EC$100 to 150.
Cars and scooters can be hired from the airport and hotels.
ACCOMMODATION
There is a good selection of hotels in Grenada. These are concentrated on the southwest tip, along the beautiful white sand beaches and bays of Grand Anse, Morne Rouge, Point Salines and Lance aux Epines. On occasional points around the rest of the coast and in St George’s there are a few other hotels. Most accommodation is in the US$85 to US$200 per night price bracket, but the range is from US$30 for a simple guesthouse to over US$1000 for a top suite in a luxury hotel. Typically on or near a beach, the selection includes guesthouses, home-stays, apartments, all-inclusive resorts, chic hideaways and private estates. What perhaps is in short supply in Grenada are small boutique hotels and accommodation in the mountainous interior.
Carriacou and Petit St Vincent hotels are small, privately-owned and charming. There are several guesthouses in Hillsborough, as well as charming beachfront cottages a short drive up the west coast. Prices are considerably lower than the main island of Grenada.
INFORMATION FOR CRUISING SAILORS
Please refer to the useful information in Noonsite:
http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Grenada
INFORMATION FOR CRUISING SAILORS
Please refer to the useful information in Noonsite:
http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Grenada
Watch this space! Recommended hotels and articles are being posted.
