15 Best Things to Do in Grenada: The Ultimate Guide
Are you looking for things to do in Grenada in the Caribbean? Known as the “Island of Spice”, Grenada offers adventures as flavorful as its famous nutmeg.
Whether you are spending the hurricane season here on your sailboat, or visiting with family and friends, you are going to love what we discovered.
During our 6 months here this past hurricane season, we explored several waterfalls, snorkeled reefs full of tropical fish right off the beach, and tasted the best chocolate the Caribbean has to offer, straight from Grenada’s cocoa beans.
From the crystal clear waters at Grand Anse Beach, to the cascading waterfalls at Seven Sisters, one of my personal favorites, this list has it all.
Ready to dive into the best of Grenada? Let’s explore the top 15 things to do in Grenada that you can’t miss!
1. Soak Up the Sun on Grenada’s Beautiful Beaches
Grenada is home to one of the most breathtaking beaches in the Caribbean: Grand Anse Beach! The soft white sand on Grand Anse Beach extends for 2 long miles. After you are done clearing in with Customs, dinghy over and swim in the crystal clear waters at Grand Anse Beach and enjoy the beautiful views.
Our dog Mangaux loves getting off the boat and running on the expansive beaches and meeting the friendly local dogs.
In addition to Grand Anse Beach, check out these equally amazing beaches:
- Magazine Beach
- Morne Rouge Beach (aka BBC Beach)
- Bathway Beach on the north end of the island
- Paradise Beach on Carriacou
2. Splash in the Refreshing Waterfalls
Grenada’s several waterfalls in the lush rainforest are amongst the top places to go in Grenada.
We visited several of them, often more than once, while staying in Grenada for hurricane season.
Top on my list of favorite waterfalls include Seven Sisters and Mt. Carmel for their lush landscape, fresh water swimming pools and natural water slide!
Mt. Carmel is dog-friendly too, if you plan to sail with your dog to Grenada.
Hike through the lush rainforest and cool off at the refreshing 7 sisters waterfalls!
3. Set Sail in the Caribbean
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention sailing down here! The Caribbean has some of the most beautiful sailing.
You can sail between Grenada and Carriacou (an island of Grenada) catching the trade winds in your sails, or hop to different anchorages here on Grenada, such as Grand Anse, Prickly Bay and Woburn Bay, to name a few.
If you don’t have a sailboat down here, that’s ok too. Cast off on one of these wonderful sailing tours and choose your activities! Snorkel, watch the sunset, or just take in the fresh breezes.
Enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Caribbean Sea on this classic schooner. Sip champagne as the breeze gently blows.
4. Snorkel / Dive the Underwater Sculpture Park and Reefs
Did you know that Grenada now has 2 underwater sculpture parks? They are the best snorkel spots in Grenada!
The Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park is located just north of St. George’s near off the shores of Grenada and the new Carriacou Underwater Sculpture Park, installed in October 2024, is located just off of Jack-A-Dan island off of Carriacou.
We got to see the sculptures for the Carricaou Underwater Sculpture Park before they went into the water, and I can’t wait to check them out now that they have been submerged.
We also snorkeled right off of Magazine Beach along the magnificent reefs right in front of the Aquarium restaurant. It’s so fun to walk right into the water and see so many colorful fish and expansive reefs.
Swim with the colorful tropical fish on this fully guided snorkel tour that includes a lunch buffet and beverages!
5. Go River Tubing Through the Rainforest
If you are looking to cool off from the heat, and don’t know what to do in Grenada besides beaches and snorkeling, then go river tubing down Balthazar River.
This is a great family-friendly Grenada activity that we did with our friends and their family and we all had a blast! The fresh, clear river water kept us cool during the hot summer’s day. The guides were very fun and helped direct us through the river!
We also stopped along the way for swimming and jumping off the banks of the river! I highly recommend this tour with their amazing and attentive guides.
Cool off in the refreshing river water with this fun river tubing adventure! Jump from cliffs, then go explore Annandale Falls and swim in the natural swimming pool below!
6. Soak in the Hot Springs
Grenada has two popular hot springs on the island, Clabony Hot Springs, and River Sallee Sulfur Springs. We made it to the Clabony Sulfur Hot Springs, in St. Andrews, Grenada.
After a short, but muddy, hike, we soaked in these iron oxide springs. The water temperature was warm, not hot, and felt soft and smooth on your skin.
I recommend getting a tour if you are thinking about visiting this spring, as it is tucked away off the main roads, and can be a little hard to find.
7. Tour the Chocolate Factory at Belmont Estates
Want to taste some of the best, organic chocolate in the world?!?! Then don’t miss the chocolate factory tour at Belmont Estates.
At just $16 XCD ($6 USD) per person, this approximately hour-long tour offers an immersive glimpse into Grenada’s chocolate-making tradition..
You get a local guide with in-depth knowledge of the production from cocoa bean to chocolate bar and best of all, you get a tasting at the end of the tour!
We enjoyed this tour so much that when Scott’s dad and friend came to visit us, we took the tour again with them.
If you are hungry after the tour, Belmont Estates also offers a delicious buffet lunch with locally grown foods right from the estate.
Go to the north end of the island and learn how chocolate is made right here on Grenada! Then, taste the most delicious organic chocolate at the end of the tour. It's a must do!
8. Break Out your Inner Pirate and Visit River Antoine Rum Distillery
If you are curious how the delicious Caribbean rum is made, then be sure to check out River Antoine Estate, the oldest rum distillery on the island.
Established in 1785, Rivers Antoine still operates using a water mill for energy, the oldest functioning watermill in all of the Caribbean.
This tour brings you back in time, as they still operate much of the distillery how their ancestors ran it. The only couple of modern enhancements they have made include a couple of pumps to move the rum, and some addition of pvc piping.
I really enjoyed watching the sugarcane getting crushed and the bottling process, all done manually.
This tour takes just under an hour and costs $15 XCD ($6 USD) per person. And of course, at the end of the tour is a rum tasting!
Take a visit to Rivers Antoine Rum Distillery, Belmont Estates Chocolate Factory, and a stop by Grand Etang: 3 of the top things to do in Grenada in this full-day tour!
9. Take a Hike through Grand Etang National Park
Grand Etang National Park is home to Grand Etang Lake, a natural lake located in the crater of an extinct volcano. This is a freshwater lake, approximately 36 acres in size and 1,738 feet (530 meters) above sea level.
Scott and I went hiking on the “trail” around Grand Etang Lake. I use the term “trail” loosely because it was covered with downed trees from Hurricane Beryl (July 1, 2024) and thus quite challenging. There was yellow caution tape at the trail heads, that I recommend you not cross.
Other than the challenge of the downed trees, and lack of finding the trail in several locations, it is a scenic area and lake.
There are also several other Grenada hiking trails in the Grand Etang National Park to check out.
Visit the Grand Etang Lake in the crater of an extinct volcano, see monkeys at Annandale Waterfalls & learn about Fort Frederick on this spectacular half-day tour.
10. Enjoy Fabulous Food in Beautiful Settings
Having spent 6 months here in the summer, we ate at several of the restaurants here in Grenada. There is nothing like an enjoyable meal while watching the sun set over the Caribbean sea.
Check out our favorite 20 restaurants in Grenada; there is something on this list for everyone!
11. Go for a Run or Walk with the Grenada Hash House Harriers
The Grenada Hash House Harriers are self-proclaimed drinkers with a running problem! Really, they are an awesome group that get together every Saturday afternoon for a run or walk (whichever you choose), then beers, music and food afterwards.
Each week, they pick a different location and route on the island, allowing us to see so many different places.
We enjoyed several Saturday afternoons with the hashers, and explored many different parts of the island that we normally wouldn’t get to see.
The cost to run/walk is a voluntary $3 XCD (~$1 USD) per person, with $5 XCD ($1.85 USD) beers afterwards.
12. Shop at the Local Markets for Spices, Freshies and More
If you want fresh spices like nutmeg, turmeric and cinnamon, you are on the right island!
All of these spices are grown right on the island, and can be found at several of Grenada’s open air markets. I like to grocery shop for local produce and spices here before heading to the supermarkets.
You can also find fresh local fruit like mangos, starfruit and bananas, and fresh caught fish at very reasonable prices.
The best markets to shop are:
- St. Georges Market – downtown St. Georges
- Grenada Fish Market – downtown St. Georges
- Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market – Grand Anse Beach
13. Tour the Island of Spice
While we were in Grenada for hurricane season, we mainly stayed in St. Georges, and the southern end of the island near Prickly Bay and Woburn Bay.
We wanted to check out what the north end of the island was like, and it is definitely worth the trip up there to see the dramatic coastline and meet the friendliest of people.
We checked out charming Bathway Beach on the northeast end of the island, and Leaper’s Hill, where the local Caribs jumped to their death instead of surrendering to the French.
Grenville is a nice town on the east side of the island, second in size to St. Georges.
If you would like to tour the island, I would recommend renting a car (that’s what we did), or taking a tour, if you aren’t a fan of driving the windy narrow and often steep roads through the mountains.
Taking a bus is another way to get around Grenada. You can go to the central bus station in St. George’s to get on the correct bus for where you want to go.
After touring the north end of the island, I would definitely include this on any Grenada itinerary.
Cool off in the natural swimming pool beneath Concord Falls, then enjoy chocolate from the chocolate factory and the pristine views of Grand Etang Lake!
14. Take in the Wonderful Aroma of Nutmeg at the Nutmeg Factory Tour
The Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station offers tours for only $1 USD and it is one of the largest processing stations in Grenada.
Learn each step of the process from the locals still collecting nutmeg today. And don’t forget to take some nutmeg home with you!
Combine some of the best sights on Grenada's west coast, including the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station, the Belvedere Estate, and Grand Etang National Park on this single, half-day tour.
15. Celebrate Grenada with Carnival!
If you haven’t experienced the Grenada Carnival, also known as Spicemas, then this is a must do!
Carnival in Grenada takes place in August each year, and is full of parades, music, costumes and dancing! This is Grenada’s way of celebrating their culture and heritage.
I recommend checking out Jab Jab, a parade that starts in the middle of the night, and involves oiling down with oil (or charcoal).
Don’t worry, we were fuddy duddies and didn’t “oil down” and still had a great time. Just wear clothes that you don’t mind getting oily in case someone wants to give you a hug!
After Jab Jab, be sure to stick around the next day for Pretty Mas. This is the parade with elaborate costumes and dancing, and celebrations!
Getting Around in Grenada: Buses, Boats and More
Grenada is a very easy island to get around, with their fun and functional bus system, taxis, car rentals, and even walking! Here is a whole article dedicated to ways to get around Grenada.
FAQs about Things to Do in Grenada
What is Grenada best known for?
Grenada is known for several things, such as their beaches, waterfalls, spices (they are also known as the Spice Isle), their two Underwater Sculpture Parks, and Oil Down, their national dish.
How to get to Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Parks?
Grenada has two underwater sculpture parks that are accessible by boat. You can check out local dive shops and boat tours, or anchor nearby and dinghy to the sculpture parks.
Does Grenada accept US Dollars?
Yes, while their currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) they accept US Dollars in most places.
Is it safe to walk around Grenada?
Grenada is very safe to walk around and is one of the friendliest islands in the Caribbean. Their crime rate is very low as well. I was by myself on the island for weeks and felt completely safe.
Is Grenada friendly to Americans?
As an American here for 6 months, I find the Grenadians to be very friendly to Americans. We have not had any issues during our stay in Grenada.
Visit Grenada and Enjoy this Incredible Island
During our 6 months here for hurricane season, we didn’t even come close to running out of fun things to do in Grenada.
Between the alluring beaches, waterfalls, and snorkeling, we found so many ways to enjoy this island, and keep cool in the summer months!
I hope you take time to explore the unique things to do in Grenada such as their amazing waterfalls. Get around Grenada and splash with your dogs on the beaches, and enjoy some of the amazing restaurants. See for yourself why we love this island so much!
Read More Posts about Grenada
- Sailing to Grenada: Helpful Information for Cruisers
- Spending Hurricane Season In Grenada
- 20 Best Restaurants in Grenada for Sailors
- 7 Best Waterfalls in Grenada: Rated Easiest to Hardest
- Bringing a Dog to Grenada: Steps for Stress Free Travel
- 10 Tips for Successful Grocery Shopping in Grenada
- How to Get Around in Grenada: 7 Best Methods of Transport
- 15 Best Things to Do in Grenada: The Ultimate Guide
- Grenada Hash House Harriers: On On to Fun Adventures!
- Clearing into Grenada: Best Tips for Sailors
