No matter how you define it, Grenada is a small country that's big on selling points, offering everything vacationers seek in a tropical island getaway – and more. It is both an excellent introduction to the Caribbean for the first-time visitor and an ideal place for been-there-done-that island-hoppers looking for a unique island experience.
Grenada combines the comfortably familiar with the pleasantly exotic. The official language is English, which puts visitors immediately at ease, as does Grenada's long-standing reputation as a safe destination. At the same time, Grenadians have a lively, exotic culture rich in folklore (mostly reflecting the country's African roots), which manifests itself in the annual Carnival and numerous other festivals and celebrations held throughout the year.
Grenada's unspoiled beaches and serene, relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for tourists who truly want to "get away from it all." There are more than 40 pristine white-sand beaches in Grenada, including two-mile-long Grand Anse Beach, cited in a recent London Telegraph report as being one of the world's best and "probably the most suitable in the world for families." There are also nine black-sand beaches such as Black Bay, with its silky volcanic sand. Sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique also have several fine beaches.
Carriacou
The town of Hillsborough offers shops, restaurants, banks and a post office. In the village of Windward, visitors may catch a glimpse of sailing boats being built using traditional methods passed down by Scottish settlers.
Petite Martinique
Boat building and fishing are still the main occupations on Petite Martinique, accessible by a 20-minute boat ride from Carriacou. This 486-acre island showcases the Caribbean at its most unspoiled, with fine beaches on its western, leeward side.
Grenada's balmy ocean waters provide thrills for the expert divers and awe-inspiring fun for less experienced ones as well – including families with children. Grenada has "some of the Caribbean's most dramatic and unspoiled underwater scenery," according to Sport Diver magazine, and Yachting magazine cites Grand Anse beach among the 10 best snorkeling sites in the region.
The dramatic submarine landscape includes live coral gardens that sway with the currents and a rich marine life. Divers will discover nearly every kind of coral imaginable, along with sea fans, urchins, gorgonians, sea horses, rays, barracuda, dolphin fish (dorado) and colorful reef fish.
There are also 10 shipwrecks, which can be easily explored by experienced divers. Not to be missed is the Bianca C., a 600-foot-long Italian liner – known as the "Titanic of the Caribbean" – that sank near the coast in 1961. It is the only Caribbean site on the UnderwaterPhotography.com list of "Top 20 Wreck Dive Sites." Other noteworthy wrecks are Shakem, Buccaneer, San Juan and Hema 1. Carriacou's newest wreck, the West Sider, is about 100 feet long and is accessible to all levels of certified divers.
A unique submarine spectacle can be found at the Sculpture Park in Moliniere, two miles north of St. George's on Grenada's west coast. Here, within the boundaries of the National Marine Park, divers can view sculptures resting at the bottom of the bay in different poses, creating an eerie illusion of human beings glowing in the bluish sunlight that breaks through the surface.
For details on Grenada's and Carriacou's dive sites, operators and dive shops, log on to www.grenadagrenadines.com/scuba.html
Yachting 
Grenada is considered one of the best yachting centers in the Caribbean. From chartering a fully staffed yacht to a simple boat rental, visitors have a wide choice of vessels to choose from. Regattas are held throughout the year with the biggest being the Carriacou Regatta Festival held the first weekend in August. Other highlights include the Grenada Round-the-Island Easter Regatta and, each January, the LaSource Grenada Sailing Festival. Local tour companies offer day cruises with diverse itineraries such as whale watching or cruising up through the scenic Grenadine Islands. Yachts entering Grenada can clear customs and immigration at the Grenada Yacht Club and Prickly Bay in St. George's, Grenada Marine in St. David's and at Hillsborough on Carriacou
Fishing
Grenada also offers great game fishing. A number of charter companies offer fishing excursions for your clients to try their luck at reeling in a billfish, marlin, sailfish, wahoo, yellowfin tuna or dolphin fish (dorado).
The Annual Spice Island Billfish Tournament, held in mid-January each year, attracts anglers from all over the world. Besides fishing, the tournament features lots of evening entertainment at the Grenada Yacht Club (http://www.grenadayachtclub.com/), including cocktail receptions, parties and the Awards Dinner.
Ecotourism
With one-ninth of its land mass protected by the government as national parks, natural sanctuaries and wildlife preserves, Grenada is well positioned to help you take advantage of the growing ecotourism market.
Grenada's astounding natural beauty is a magnet for hikers, bird-watchers and other ecotourists, and a good place for them to start is the 30-acre Grand Etang National Park. Here, visitors can trek through the verdant rainforest to reach crystal clear pristine waterfalls and enjoy the bountiful growth of lush plants and flowers that thrive in the humid mist.
The Grand Etang Lake (the crater of an extinct volcano) is home to some of Grenada's rare bird species, such as the Grenada dove (the country's national bird), the gree-gree (broad-winged hawk), Lesser Antillean swift and tanager, Antillean euphonia, purple-throated Carib, and Antillean crested hummingbird. It is also the habitat of the only mona monkey population outside of West Africa.
Grenada's most scenic and spectacular coastal area is Levera National Park. Bird-watchers who flock to the lagoon inside this 450-acre wildlife habitat will find many species of nesting waterfowl as well as rare tropical parrots. Bird life is also abundant at La Sagesse Nature Center, a mangrove estuary that is excellent for hikers of all abilities.
Take a Hike
Hikers can also avail themselves of several scenic hiking trails such as the Morne LaBaye Trail, a short, easy trail (ideal for less experienced hikers) that features several points of interest to acquaint visitors with the area's ecology. A bit more challenging is the Mt. Qua Qua Trail, which rises to a height of more than 2,370 feet. The trail to and along its ridge offers an excellent introduction to the varied flora and fauna of Grand Etang's rainforest and mountain ecosystems.
High North Peak – the highest elevation (955 feet) on Carriacou – features several miles of nature trails, including one that climbs to the top, where hikers are rewarded with spectacular views.
It is recommended that visitors hire an experienced guide for Grenada's lengthy and sometimes difficult – but ultimately rewarding – Seven Sisters Trail. This mountain trek abounds with rainforest vistas and passes seven of Grand Etang's beautiful waterfalls. Among the island's many other spectacular waterfalls are Annandale Falls, easily accessible from St. George's; Royal Mt. Carmel Falls (also called Marquis Falls), the highest on the island, cascading over 70 feet into the pools below; and, on the western side of the island, Concord Falls, comprising three scenic waterfalls ranging up to 65 feet high.
More adventurous souls can choose to explore Grenada by mountain bike or kayak. For a special thrill, may we suggest trying river tubing at Balthazar Estate, turning and swirling in the currents as the river passes through this scenic plantation and its award-winning flower gardens.
Hotels can also make the necessary legal arrangements for the wedding once the couple has arrived, and most wedding packages include legal fees in their rate. Independent wedding planners on the island are also on hand to make wedding arrangements if the couple desires. For a list of wedding planners, packages and legal requirements, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com/weddings/.
Legal Requirements
In Grenada the law requires that visitors be resident on the island for a minimum of three days (including weekends and public holidays) before applying for a license. On the third day, the necessary stamp duty and license fees are paid, and an application for a Marriage License is made in person, at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Generally the license is ready within two working days. This maybe slightly longer if either partner is divorced, as documents must then be sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Documentation Required
- Valid Passports
- Birth Certificates
- Sworn Affidavit (or letter from a Clergy Man, Lawyer or Registry), attesting that neither party has not been married previously
- Decree Absolute, for each divorced party
- If widowed, the deceased's Death Certificate
- Legal proof if a name was changed by Deed Poll
- If under the age of 21, written parental consent by way of an Affidavit from a Lawyer or Notary Public.
- All documents must be in English. If the originals are in another language, they must be translated into English and certified.
Fees
- Marriage License, EC$10 (payable at the Treasury, Ministry of Finance)
- Stamp, EC$15 (provided along with the marriage license application and license fee, to the Prime Minister's Office)
- Registration Search Fee, EC$2 (payable at the Registry General's Office)
- Stamp, EC$5 (provided to the Registry General's Office, for placement on the Certified Marriage Certificate)
History & Culture
A number of centuries-old distilleries also welcome visitors. These include River Antoine Rum Distillery, Grenada's oldest functioning distillery that still uses water-propelled energy and processing methods that have changed little since the 1800s; Westerhall Rum Distillery on Westerhall Estate, which maintains old artifacts and equipment left by the original owners; Dunfermline Rum Distillery, which was built in 1797 and still uses many of the original methods of production; and the Grenada Sugar Factory in Woodlands, St. George, where visitors can purchase rum and enjoy a guided tour.
History buffs and families will be particularly interested in visiting Grenada's historic forts. Fort George is located high above the island's harbor, which gave it strategic importance when the French built it in the early 1700s, and today it affords panoramic views to sightseers. Much of its elaborate colonial structure remains intact, and visitors enjoy exploring the passageways and stairs of the stone fortifications. Fort George maintains a battery of old cannons, which are still fired for "salutes" on special occasions. Fort Frederick, high atop Richmond Hill at the center of St. George's, was built by the British and was completed in 1791.
Official Language: English.
Airline Service: Point Salines International Airport within minutes of the hotel belt accommodates commercial jets. American Eagle offers daily service to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Air Jamaica presently offers direct flights to Grenada from New York, JFK via Barbados on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The airline also offers further connections to Grenada via its Montego Bay Hub from its major US gateways, including Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore/ Washington, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale. Inter-island service is offered by LIAT the Star of the Caribbean. From Canada, Air Canada offers daily flights via Barbados with connections on LIAT the Star of the Caribbean. Air Canada Vacations offers direct flights from Toronto during the winter months. GG Tours & Titan Tours offer seasonal charters (summer and Christmas).
Cruising: The newly built Melville Street Terminal together with the St. George's Harbour on the Carenage welcome cruise ships from around the world. Passengers disembarking on the Melville Street dock exit directly into downtown St. George's, while those disembarking at the St. George's harbour exit onto the Carenage waterfront. Organized tours are available from Ground Tour Operators and taxi drivers.
Getting Around: Taxis and rental cars are readily available. Mini buses are a good way to get around Grenada if you want to experience the rhythms of daily life; most play calypso and reggae music. To obtain a local permit, a bona fide driving license must be purchased at the local traffic department at the Central Police Station on the Carenage; the cost is EC$30. Most car rental firms issue local permits. Please note that driving is on the left. There are daily flights between Grenada and Carriacou. The power catamaran Osprey Express offers daily service between Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique, which takes approximately 90 minutes.
Electricity: 220 volts - 50 cycles. Most hotels have standard British three-pronged plugs, so bring an adapter.
Clothing: Pack cool, casual clothing for daytime, and expect to dress up more at night. Many hotel restaurants expect men to wear long pants in the evening. Bathing suits and other revealing clothes should never be worn in the streets, stores or restaurants.
Grenada Board of Tourism, U.S.
P.O. Box 1668, Lake Worth, FL 33460
Phone: 561-588-8176 / Fax: 561-588-7267
Toll-free number: 877-708-9554
E-mail: cnoel@grenadagrenadines.com
439 University Avenue, Suite 920,
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Y8, Canada
Phone: 416-595-1339 / Fax: 416-595-8278
E-mail: tourism@grenadaconsulate.com
Shopping & Dining
Shopping
The best buys in Grenada include attractive spice baskets filled with locally made items, including such "musts" as nutmeg jams, jellies and syrup. Other good buys are batik and screen-printed textiles and handcrafted jewelry, leather crafts and wood carvings.
The St. George's market is the center of island life. Bustling with activity, it offers a wide assortment of fresh produce, spices and handicrafts. Souvenir, gift and handicraft shops are also prevalent in the St. George's district, especially on Young Street and the Carenage.After a long day of diving, hiking, sightseeing or shopping, travellers can unwind at one of the many fine restaurants on Grenada and Carriacou. Diners can enjoy a variety of West Indian- and Creole-influenced cuisine, or find a restaurant that serves French, Italian and Continental dishes.
Grenada's more exotic dishes include oildown, the national dish, made with salted meat, breadfruit, callaloo (a leafy green vegetable) and dumplings, all slowly steamed in coconut milk. Seafood of all kinds is popular and plentiful, including Grenadian caviar (roe of white sea urchin) and conch.
Festivals & Events
Fun and festivities fill the calendar in Grenada; following is just a sampling. The annual Spice Island Bill Fish Tournament in January provides exciting competition and parties galore. La Source Grenada Sailing Festival, also in January, is the first of many events for fans of yachting.
Almost every Parish has a festival of its own during the year, and visitors are welcome to party with the local celebrants. Among the most notable are Carriacou Carnival (February), Carriacou Maroon Music Festival (April), Grenada Drum Festival in Tivoli, St. Andrew's (May), and the Fisherman's Birthday in Gouyave, "The Fishing Capital of Grenada" (June 29). Gouyave also hosts the weekly Fish Friday, a culinary and cultural delight with open-air dining on fresh fish cooked to perfection, including real Grenadian delicacies, lobster, fish kebabs, pizzas and other treats.
Events in early August include the Carriacou Regatta, one of many such events staged during the year, and the Rainbow City Festival in Grenville.
Carnival – the country's most extravagant celebration – is always held the second weekend in August. It includes calypso and steelband competitions, all sorts of costumed revelry, a pageant and a grand finale "jump up" on the Tuesday.
Carriacou's popular Parang Festival, held in mid-December, uses sharp humor, highlighting local rumors provocatively fashioned into a song.
Accomodation
Grenada has some of the most scenic and beautiful accomodations in the Carribbean. From full resorts to smaller inns and villas there are lodging options available for everyone. Please contact me at darren.hunter@vacationsofdistinction.ca to arrange your trip or visit http://www.vacationsofdistinction.ca/ to see other destinations of distinction.
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