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Visitor
Activities and Attractions
With its lush and mountainous interior, Grenada, "The
Spice of the Caribbean", is being steadily discovered
by nature lovers of all  types
including hikers, mountain bikers, birdwatchers and waterfall
buffs. Recreational sports enthusiasts will find the island
offers an abundance of activities and facilities to keep
them entertained - scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing,
kayaking, sailing and cruising. And for those looking
to experience the true essence and character of Grenada,
sightseeing and historical sites abound as well as unique
shops and outstanding cuisine.
Golf
The Grenada Golf & Country Club is a nine-hole course
located near Grand Anse. Facilities include club rental,
instruction, a clubhouse offering snacks and a bar, and
caddy service. For more information, call 473-444-4128.
Tennis
Visitors interested in a few sets of tennis needn't look
far, as many hotels have tennis facilities. Even if your
hotel doesn't, it is quite easy to make arrangements for
a court with another that does. There are also public
courts in the Grand Anse area which are easily accessible.
 Shopping
From exotic spices to duty-free bargains, shopping in
Grenada offers something of interest for everyone. Offering
a wide assortment of fresh produce, spices and handicrafts,
St. George’s market is the center of island life. Souvenir,
gift and handicraft shops are also prevalent in the St.
George’s district, especially on Young Street and the
Carenage. The best buys in Grenada are batik and screen
printed textiles, locally made handicraft, leather craft,
and wood carvings.
If you like the larger shopping centers, the Grand Anse
Shopping Centre and LeMarquis Complex offer shops, clothing
stores, restaurants and art galleries. The new Spiceland
Mall also has a wide variety of shops and boutiques.
Restaurants
As for cuisine, visitors can indulge in some of the most
exciting in the region, from native Grenadian fare, made
from the fresh bountiful produce that is found in the
bustling markets to some of the finest creations in international
cuisine. West Indian cuisine is of course popular, with
restaurants featuring creative local cuisine such as callaloo
soup, a melange of fresh local seafood, and meats prepared
with a true West Indian flare.
Beaches
Due to its mountainous interior, Grenada possesses an
irregular coastline, marked by many small bays and inlets.
As a result, it offers several secluded and private beaches,
many of which seem to have been untouched since the island
rose from the sea. The white sand beaches are formed from
pulversied coral "rock" and tiny fragments of
mollusk shells. There are a number of black sand beaches
as well, where the sand is of a finer, softer quality.
Most of the better-known beaches are in the southwestern
part of Grenada.This is also the location of Grenada’s
most famous stretch of sand, the two-mile long Grand Anse.
Located just south of St. George’s, this stunning soft
white sand beach has attracted many of the island’s hotels
and resorts. Unlike other islands, however, Grenada has
made sure that the development is unobtrusive. By law,
no hotel on the island can exceed three stories or the
height of the palm trees.
Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Birdwatching
The last decade and a half has been a period of considerable
development in Grenada. While the expansion of the tourist
industry has proceeded rapidly, the island nation has
taken great care to protect its magnificent natural environment.
A number of national parks have been developed, and the
protection of both the rain forest and the coral reefs
continues to be a high priority. One-ninth of Grenada's
land mass is preserved in the way of parks, natural sanctuaries
and wildlife preserves. Ranging from the magnificent Grand
 Etang
Forest Reserve to the tranquil intimacy of the La Sagesse
estuary, these areas hold considerable attraction for
nature enthusiasts as well as those who want to simply
become better acquainted with the peerless natural beauty
of the island. This, combined with Grenada's lush and
mountainous interior and abundant wildlife, makes the
island a haven for outdoor lovers of all types.
Fishing
There are plenty of charter companies that offer half-day
and full-day deep-sea fishing packages. Billfish, blue
marlin, white marlin, sailfish and wahoo are all found
in Grenadian waters, along with yellowfin tuna and dolphin
(also known as dorado or mahi-mahi). Don't miss the Annual
Spice Island Billfish Tournament held in mid January each
year. The tournament attracts pros from all over the world.
Sailing
Grenada's surrounding waters offer some of the best sailing
in the Caribbean, and the island is, as a result, one
of the premier yachting centers in the region. You can
have your pick of pre-arranged tours or crewed yacht and
bare boat rentals. Even if you're not a sailor, you shouldn't
miss an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of a day or
evening cruise.
Local tour companies offer day cruises with various itineraries:
Watch the whales or cruise up the islands. If you feel
adventurous you can hire a crewed yacht or bare boat and
sail around at your leisure.
Diving
The underwater scenery in Grenada is every bit as breathtaking
as it is above the waves, and just as accessable. Most
of the diving facilities
in Grenada are located in the south of the island, and
most of the dives sites are within 15 minutes of the Grand
Anse Beach.
The diving in Grenada is some of the best in the Caribbean,
and boasts the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean as well
as an underwater volcano!
From lazy drift dives over coral gardens to an eerie and
challenging exploration of the wrecks of the Bianca C,
these waters are captivating more and more visitors each
year.
Grenada has at least 30 dive sites including, reefs, wrecks
and walls most within 15-20 minutes from the dive shops.
Sites vary from 20 feet/ 8 meters to 120 feet/ 40 meters.
Grenada Carnival
Carnival in Grenada is held in the second week of August.
It's a great time to be on the island, but if you intend
to come, book early! There are lots of exciting shows
- Calypso Monarch, Carnival Queen, Steelband Competition,
etc, culminating on Carnival Sunday with Dimanche Gras.
The following morning is J'ouvert, when tens of thousands
of people take to the streets of St George's from around
4 am. Later in the day is Monday Night Mas, with steelbands
and masqueraders parading through the streets to the latest
Calypso hits. Tuesday afternoon features steelbands and
mas bands, their colourful costumes adding to the natural
beauty of St George's. It's a fantastic atmosphere, if
you've never danced behind a steelband you just don't
know what you're missing!
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