Do you fancy chocolate, cinnamon and rum? Trip to the Island of Spice

For a beach destination, Grenada (Gree-Nay-Dah), an island country in the Caribbean Sea, has it all. Of course, you’ll find wide sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and plenty of waterfalls, but you’ll also have the chance to see the island’s main exports: nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and ginger spices, bananas, and cocoa.

Explore the main port, located in the capital city of St. George’s on the southwest coast, and you’ll be rewarded with views of pastel-colored houses dotting the hillsides. Drive around the island, through San Marcos, San Patricio, San Andrés, San David, San Jorge and San Juan. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as the mona monkey, manicou, agouti, iguana, mongoose, turtles, and land crabs. This year-round tropical getaway is also your gateway to the nearby islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Read on for the best things to do during your visit.

Swim, sunbathe and snorkel

The islands of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique offer visitors more than 40 sandy beaches to explore, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. Wreck dives and the Underwater Sculpture Park are great ways to explore the sea if you are a diver.

Grand Anse Beach: This two-mile-long white-sand beach is one of the most popular on the island. You’ll find plenty of swaying palm trees for shade, water sports, and craft markets and beach bars.

The most beautiful hotels on the island are also located in this area. Calabash Grenada, a Relais & Chateaux property; Spice Island Beach Resort, winner of the AAA Five-Diamond Award; Mount Cinnamon Grenada, filled with flora-dotted trails and a rum-tasting experience; and Silversands Grenada, home to the longest swimming pool in the Caribbean.

La Sagesse beach: Visit here, on Grenada’s east coast, for a more secluded experience where you’ll find sunshine and tropical gardens.

Levera Beach: On the northeast tip of Grenada, this beach offers stunning views of the northern islands, where Carriacou can be seen on a clear day.

Morne Rouge Bay: The shallow and clear waters are the great attraction of this beach. Visit to paddle surf or dive into the calm waters.

Anse La Roche Beach: Located in Carriacou, the highlight of this beach, aside from the coral reefs off the coast, is its featured spot in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Paradise Beach: Aptly named, this beach on Carriacou Island is ideal for swimming and relaxing. You’ll have views of Sandy Island and the rolling green hills from the shoreline.

Explore the main ecological attractions

From wildlife sanctuaries to rainforests to dormant volcanoes, there’s plenty to explore on this spice-packed island.

Levera National Park: A picturesque coastal area with a lagoon, mangrove swamp, and vital wildlife habitat, this national park is also home to Levera Beach, where leatherback turtles make their home.

Grand Etang Lake: See the crater of an extinct volcano at this 30-acre lake, located within the Grand Etang Forest Reserve. Take a hike through the rainforest, filled with mahoganies and giant Gommier trees.

waterfalls: Spend time swimming and exploring Concord Falls, located on the western side of the island. The first waterfall, Concord, is easily accessible. The second, Au Coin, and the third, Fontainbleu, require a bumpy walk to reach.

Celebrate chocolate culture

Grenada is known as the Spice Island, but it could also be known as the Chocolate Island due to The Grenada Chocolate Company, Diamond Chocolate Factory, Belmont Estate and Crayfish Bay Estate, which produce high-quality, premium chocolate.

Learn more at the House of Chocolate Grenada, a museum, café, and boutique that educates visitors about the cocoa industry. One of the most popular events on the island is the Grenada Chocolate Festival, where you can sample high-quality dark chocolate, learn about growing techniques, and celebrate with the locals.

Enjoy a candle at sunset

For a relaxing adventure at sea, use the services of Jambalaya Sailing Charters. Climb aboard the 73-foot handcrafted schooner and watch the sun set below the horizon with a delicious rum punch in hand. The calm waters of Granada are ideal for sailing trips and there are numerous bays and inlets for sheltered anchorage. And, if you’d like more information on boating or ocean conservation, you can ask Monique Mills, the skipper and skipper, or any member of the crew.