General Information

The island of Grenada in the Caribbean is known as the "Spice Isle" because it grows more spices per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Grenada is one of the world's largest producers of nutmeg. The island is also known for its cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and many other spices grown and produced there.

 

 

It is a lush green tropical island, rich in rainforests, tropical flowers, waterfalls, beautiful beaches, hidden bays, and friendly residents. Grenada is the southernmost island in the Windward Islands, located about 160 km north of the South American coast. The island, with an area of 344 square km, is one of the destinations on Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries and has been gaining popularity in recent years. About a third of the tourists on the island arrive on cruise ships, and this number grows every year. In its distant past, Grenada belonged to the French, then became a British colony, and today it is an independent nation within the British Commonwealth. The official language is English and the currency is the East Caribbean Dollar, although US dollars are accepted everywhere.

Cruise Ships and the City of St. George's

Cruise ships arrive at the nation's capital, St. George's, considered one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in the Caribbean. St. George's harbor is a scenic port with a magical view of the city built on hills.

The modern cruise ship pier is located near Market Square, and from the terminal, you can exit directly to the main promenade in the city center, which is full of shops and restaurants. The main street in St. George's is "The Carenage," which is a short (but steep) walk from the pier.

♦ Tours in Grenada from Viator adapted for cruise passengers:

Includes pickup and drop-off at the cruise port:

 

 

The center of St. George's is small and easy to explore on foot, though keep in mind there are many uphill and downhill slopes. The city has narrow, winding streets lined with small shops and pastel-colored colonial houses. The city is home to the National Museum of Grenada and two forts: Fort George, located on a hill near the harbor, and Fort Frederick, which was started by the French but finished by the British in 1791. The fort offers a spectacular panoramic view of two-thirds of the island.

 

Don't miss a visit to the market (on Granby Street), which is open daily but is especially lively on Saturdays, with stalls selling local handicrafts and especially locally produced spices at attractive prices.

 

For spice lovers, visiting two additional attractions is recommended: Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Cooperative – a guided tour of a nutmeg production factory where you will learn a lot about the stages of spice production, growing methods, processing, and uses. The three-story factory produces over 1,000 tons per year of the spice, which is the number one export product of the island's residents, and is located in the heart of the Gouyave fishing village.

Dougaldston Spice Estate, south of Gouyave fishing village. This is an open-air museum located in a historic plantation house where various spices are still grown and processed. You can see how the many herbs are dried on huge racks under the sun and, of course, you can purchase bags of local spices.

 

Nature Sites

The island is also known for its excellent nature sites. A recommended trip is to Concord Falls, located about 13 km north of St. George's. This is a series of three waterfalls; the first is located near the main West Coast Road in St. John, and a maintained hiking trail leads to the other two. The third waterfall, at 20 meters high, is the most impressive of all.

 

Another beautiful set of waterfalls is the Seven Sisters Waterfalls located in the heart of the island. They are reached by a walk of about 1.5 km on a muddy trail in the heart of the jungle. You can jump from the top of two of the falls into the pools at their base or simply enter one of the pools to refresh in the cool water. The drive to the falls, located near Grand Etang National Park, takes about half an hour from the port.

Grand Etang National Park is located in the heart of Grenada's rainforest. It is a bird sanctuary with many walking paths, lookout points, and a lovely deep turquoise lake formed within a volcanic crater at an altitude of 530 meters above sea level. The park also has a visitor center with displays of local flora and fauna.

 

Another excellent national park is Levera National Park, located on the northern coast of the island. It features several beaches, coral reefs, mangrove swamps, a lake, and a bird sanctuary. The park is suitable for both hiking enthusiasts and those who prefer to swim or snorkel.

Diving and Snorkeling

Grenada is a great destination for diving and snorkeling lovers. Dozens of dive sites are scattered around the island, including coral reefs, shipwrecks, and even an underwater sculpture park. A popular dive site is the wreck of the "Bianca C." This 180-meter-long cruise ship caught fire and sank in 1961 to a depth of about thirty meters near the shore. Today it serves as a habitat for giant sea turtles, barracuda, and eels.

Beaches

The most recommended and popular beach on the island is Grand Anse Beach, located in the southwest of the island about 5 km south of St. George's. This is a three-kilometer crescent-shaped beach with white sand and calm, clean waters. Coconut trees provide plenty of natural shade. The beach offers a wonderful view of St. George's. It is considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The beach has a selection of restaurants, and you can rent sailboats or go on a high-speed banana boat ride. A nice craft and spice market is also located at the beach. You can reach the beach with a ten-minute taxi ride or by "Water Taxi," which is a common and convenient means of transport on the island.

 

Another excellent beach is Bathway Beach, located within Levera National Park in the north of the island. The natural reef near the shore protects it from Atlantic Ocean waves. This beach has a wide stretch of white sand.

Map of Grenada Island:

 

 

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