Grenada & Carriacou / Special Interests

The Grenadians enjoy their music and the key moment of the year is Carnival, which is held in August (usually the second week, but the dates can vary). It is fun to watch if you are on-island and you can even join in. As with many of the former British Caribbean island carnivals, if you want to it is possible to join in the dancing in the street parades, both at J’Ouvert but also in one of the bands, by buying a costume and going along. If you want to experience West Indian music in an unthreatening environment, you can go along to the local clubs.

Grenada does some sports better than others and there is certainly enough to keep you busy. The island is particularly well set up for sailing. It is a great place to start or finish a yachting trip along the chain of the Grenadines. The scuba diving in Grenada may not be renowned around the Caribbean, but if you have an interest in diving it is well worth going out for a dive here. There are some pretty reefs along the protected western shore of the island. And with just one nine-hole course currently functional, the island is not known for its golf. Things are afoot with a new course under construction, though it has already experienced financial difficulties. There are a growing number of spas on the island and holistic activities such as yoga are beginning to be more widely practiced.

The flora and gardens of Grenada on the other hand are exceptional, even for this immensely fertile part of the world. There are some superb private gardens, and then there are the working estates where you can see Grenada’s many spices under cultivation. The nature in Grenada is relatively good for these islands. There are more land animals and there is quite good birdlife, though there are not many guides. There are however, good hiking guides, who can explain the natural life as you go along the excellent trails.

Grenada’s food is solidly West Indian, and there are some good places to experience its traditional food and cooking. Otherwise many of the restaurants are fairly international in lovely seaside settings.   Grenada has a relaxed unpretentious air about it, so it is relatively easy on the single traveller, for instance in its quiet inns and hideaways, but it does not have many facilities specifically designed for solo travellers. Families with young children will be well received in most places in Grenada, through there are not actually many places that cater for them specifically with children’s programmes and facilities.  With its low-key hotels in lovely settings Grenada can make an unforgettable place to get married or spend a honeymoon.  Finally, plenty of cruise ships do visit the island, the largest of which tie up to the pier that sticks straight out into the Caribbean from the Esplanade side of St George’s.

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