Grenada’s Hidden Gems: My Top Ten Unforgettable Experiences

I have to tell you this month’s article was harder to write than I thought, because there is so much to see and do in Grenada. I finally put them in the order that impacted me the most. This means I had to leave off some very entertaining and insightful places like the Gouyave Friday Night Fish Fry (delicious local food served in a street fair atmosphere), Duquesne Petroglyphs (from the Caribs or possibly an even earlier tribal migration), and the dozen or so anchorages on the south coast (which is almost like a summer camp for boaters). So, let’s get started with my top ten of Grenada whose name comes from Granada in Spain, but with the spelling and pronunciation changed.

10. Bus System

I know it sounds crazy to put a bus system in my top ten, but this is the best system I found during my entire time in the Caribbean. There are nine different routes going all over the island and most of these originate in the capital, St George. When you are ready to get off just knock on the window or roof and out you go. If you have bags you can offer to pay a little extra and they will usually drop you right at your door. I used the Grenada buses to go all over the island and never rented a car.

9. Clabony Sulphur Springs

This hot spring is so off the beaten track that a lot of locals don’t even know about it. You can take a bus to Greenville and then have to find a ride past the village of Clabony. Once there you will probably have the waist deep hot springs to yourself to immerse yourself into relaxation. I am told that the source of the hot sulfur water is connected to the underwater volcano named Kick’em Jenny located 10-15 miles north of Grenada.

8. St. George

Situated on the rim of a long extinct volcano, you will find the capital of St George. One side of the volcano long ago collapsed forming the wonderful harbor. On the small hill protecting the harbor you will find Fort George and there are two other forts up on the hillside. Other fun places are the historic Church Street district, the harbor waterfront, Sendall Tunnel, the Central Market, and the little tourist train. No matter how long you are here for you will end up having to go to St George at some point, so make a day of it and enjoy the sights.

7. Grand Anse Beach

There are many beaches around Grenada, but none are more beautiful…and popular than Grand Anse. This beach has made top ten beaches of the Caribbean lists and is well worth the hype. The best part is that as you stroll along the mile
or so long beach you have so many nice beach bars to choose from for a drink or lunch. There are also many activities being offered along the beach for you to enjoy. If the crowds are not your thing, then there are plenty of less active yet wonderful beaches to choose from.

6. Rum factories

How can you come to a Caribbean island and not check out the rum? Much less Grenada! There are probably half a dozen different rum factories and they all offer tours and samplings. My favorite factory was River Antoine Rum due to the historic way they make the rum and still use the watermill in the process. Just be careful when it comes to samples…that stuff is strong! Westerhall Rum and Clark’s Court Rum are two other enjoyable factories to visit.

5. Grenada Hash House Harriers

I am told there are other Hash organizations in the world, but I do not think they could be as active as the one in Grenada. Every Saturday a trail is set up somewhere around the island and a hundred or so locals, ex-pats, and cruisers run the route through woods, creeks, fields, hills, etc. Think cross country on steroids. I think most of them run the course to get to the beer and fry at the end. Haha. The Hashes are a great way to see various parts of the island and will take you back into the bush to really see the island. If you go to an event, you will find out what ON ON means.

Grenada Hash House Harriers – Hashing in Paradise!

4. Tour with Cutty

There are tour guides and then THERE ARE TOUR GUIDES. Cutty is so passionate about his island and wants to share every aspect with his guests. He will stop in the middle of the road to pick one of what seems like dozens of different fruits just so you can try it. Then he explains the importance and history of that fruit. This is just a little extra he does as he shows you around the island with some of my favorite stops being the old airport, the Belmont Estate Chocolate Factory and the Gouyave Nutmeg Factory, of which Grenada is the second largest producer of nutmeg in the world.

3. Sculpture Garden

North of St George, in the Molinère Marine Park, Jason deCaires Taylor created the world’s first underwater sculpture park in 2006. He installed 65 concrete sculptures to help relieve snorkeling and scuba diving pressure damaging the natural reefs. Some of my favorite sculptures were the reporter at his desk, Christ of the Abyss, the lady on a bench, and the ring of children. I have snorkeled this site many times and it never fails to entertain and inspire me. It is so easy to spend an hour or two in the water with these sculptures.

2. Grande Etang & Waterfalls

In the middle of the island is a crater lake and nature reserve where you can find monkeys, birds and tropical flowers. Mount Qua Qua overlooks the lake and you will find waterfalls in the area…actually all over the island. My favorite waterfalls were Annandale, Concord, Seven Sisters, and Mt Carmel, but there are so many that it is hard to see them all.

1. Leatherback Turtle

During June and July leatherback turtles come ashore at the beaches on the northeast corner of the island to lay their eggs. These behemoths are 7-9 feet long, weigh over a thousand pounds, and have a leathery type of skin (thus the name). They dig a nest and then enter a trance as they lay around 100 eggs. About two months later tiny turtles emerge and fight to get to the sea. When I went to experience this event, I was lucky enough to see two females nesting and, on the way back to the van we saw hatchings emerging and heading to the sea. To say it was a magical experience is an understatement!

Show some Island Love! What is your favorite spot in Grenada? We know you have one so fess up… Comment below…

Captain Shane is in Mexico this hurricane season after his 13th year of captaining a charter boat in the Caribbean. Big changes are happening in his life. Check out svGuidingLight on Instagram and Facebook to keep up.

Shane McClellan has written for ALL AT SEA since 2016.