Stepping foot in Grenada for the first time can be a little intimidating, whether you’ll be staying for a few years while you attend school or are just visiting for a quick vacation. During your free time, you might be tempted to catch up on some favorite TV shows or dive into a new book. But you’ll also want to seek out experiences that are unique to your new destination.
The good news is there are tons of exciting things to do in Grenada during your downtime. You just have to figure out which activities are most worth your while. We’ll help get you started with this list of ideas, and you’ll become more familiar with the island in no time.
Get acquainted with the island
Unless you’re extremely familiar with all of the Caribbean islands, you may not know much about Grenada. Jeffrey Bates, Director of Admissions at St. George’s University, says the 124-square-mile island is about 200 miles northeast of Venezuela.
Within the island, there are rainforests, mountains, and beaches. “It is one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Bates muses.
“It is one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
Don’t worry too much about feeling as though you need to make some adjustments when you first arrive. Dariece Swift, a writer and co-founder of Goats on the Road, was completely unfamiliar with Grenada before moving there with her partner for an extended pet-sitting job. Between exploring and checking Facebook groups, she soon felt up-to-speed.
“Eventually, we started to make friends with locals, and would find new and exciting places to go from them,” Swift says.
We highlighted some ideas to make sure you have a great time while in Grenada. Keep reading to see which sights, celebrations, and sounds you’ll want to experience before leaving.
10 Fun things to do in Grenada
1. Enjoy a water adventure
There are few destinations more suitable for folks who enjoy the ocean. “The island of Grenada is really well known for all of the water activities that it has,” Bates says. You’ll find opportunities to snorkel, kayak, sail, scuba dive, and more.
“The island of Grenada is really well known for all of the water activities that it has.”
Once you go below the surface, you’ll find something really surprising. “There’s a local artist that has these sculptures that he buried and created a dive site for,” Bates explains. He also mentions there are numerous shipwrecks that divers can see.
2. Get lost
There’s a lot to explore in Grenada, and hitting the road is a great way to make sure you see as much as possible. “Everyone should take a drive around the island,” Swift suggests. “And don’t worry if you get lost — it’s all part of the fun.” She particularly recommends packing some food for a beach picnic.
“Don’t worry if you get lost — it’s all part of the fun.”
Before setting off for your drive, though, make sure you’ve gone through all the necessary procedures. You’ll need to obtain a Grenadian license by heading to the local police station, presenting your international license, and filling out a basic form.
3. Explore local food tours
Grenada is known as the spice island, thanks – in part – to its status as a major nutmeg exporter. You’ll also find ready-to-eat foods that are made locally, and some of the manufacturers even let you have a behind-the-scenes peek. Swift suggests checking out the tours available at Belmont Estate and River Antoine Rum Distillery.
4. Go island hopping
While there are plenty of activities to keep you busy on the main island, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to visit some of the nearby spots. You can travel by ferry to Petite Martinique and Carriacou. U.S. News & World Report says these side trips are especially nice for those wanting an escape, since you likely won’t run into other visitors.
5. Hit the hiking trails
If you enjoy the outdoors, then make sure to take advantage of the trails throughout Grenada. The rainforests provide some especially breathtaking scenery. “There are about seven different beautiful waterfalls that you can hike to,” Bates says.
“Hashing, a hiking group, happens every Saturday.”
Solo travelers who might be nervous about hitting the trails alone will want to check out the Grenada Hash House Harriers. “Hashing, a hiking group, happens every Saturday,” Swift explains. The weekly meetup invites hikers of all fitness levels to come join in on a walk or run.
6. Lime at the beach
“Liming is a huge part of Grenadian culture,” Swift explains. “It’s the art of doing nothing – with someone.” These impromptu get-togethers take place everywhere from the beach to someone’s front porch. Swift says food and drink are often shared when locals lime, so be sure to bring an appetite.
“It’s the art of doing nothing — with someone.”
7. Treat yourself to some tunes
Grenadians love music, particularly calypso and reggae. One of the best ways to enjoy tunes on the island is the Pure Grenada Music Festival. This three-day event takes place in April and features some of the best artists around.
“The local talent in Grenada is incredible!”
“The local talent in Grenada is incredible! Listen to one of the many bands at numerous restaurants around the island, or at a concert,” Swift suggests. “I celebrated my birthday at a dinghy concert, and it was amazing.” Dinghy performances take place on a tugboat and all attendees float up in dinghies, the small boats larger ships bring along to go ashore.
8. Live it up during Spicemas
“If you visit in August, then definitely partake in the carnival celebrations,” Swift recommends. Grenada’s carnival is called Spicemas, and it shares some similarities with other celebrations throughout the Caribbean: parades, music, costumes, and competitions. One of the most memorable parts of the celebration is J’Ouvert, a parade of masqueraders with oil-slathered skin and horned helmets.
“If you visit in August, then definitely partake in the carnival celebrations.”
9. Give back
Perhaps you’d like to know about some opportunities to give back to the community while in Grenada. “Volunteering your love and time at the Bel Air Children’s Home or at the Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) is always a great way to spend a few hours,” Swift says. You can also work as a research volunteer for Ocean Spirits, an organization that strives to protect the leatherback sea turtle population.
10. Watch the sunset
It might sound corny but, among her many other suggestions of things to do in Grenada, Swift recommends watching the sun dip below the horizon at the end of the day. Grande Anse Beach is a great place to do this, but you may soon find a spot all your own.
“There are enough hidden gems for everyone to have ones they like to keep to themselves.”
“That’s the great thing about Grenada,” Swift says. “There are enough hidden gems for everyone to have ones they like to keep to themselves.”
Relax and recharge
It’s clear you don’t have to worry about running out of things to do in Grenada. Whether you love seeking out the next great adventure or prefer to lime like a local, you can always find something to suit your preferences.
There’s even more good news for food lovers. Grenada is home to all sorts of delicious dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Learn more about some of the delicacies you should taste by reading our article, “12 Grenadian Foods Every Island Transplant Should Try.”
