Grenada
Known since the time of Columbus as the Spice Island, Grenada boasts numerous world-class beaches, breathtaking dive sites, and exotic marine life. Divers can explore sunken wrecks, admire the treasures of the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, and come face-to-face with a variety of sharks.Geography of Grenada
The capital, St. George, can be found on the southwest coast. It functions as the main port and is set apart by its pastel-colored houses that rise up from the hillside and the natural harbor. St. George is also the yacht and charter-boat center of the East Carribean.
Geography of Grenada
Bianca C
Recognized locally as the “Titanic of the Carribean,” the Bianca C shipwreck is the biggest dive wreck in the Carribean. Back in 1961, the 600 ft. cruise ship mysteriously caught fire in St. George’s harbor and sank. After half a century, the shipwreck is now adorned with corals. Barracuda, spotted eagle rays, and schools of jacks frequently take shelter in the ruins. The normal dive profile is around 90 ft, which means it’s only suitable for experienced divers.
Flamingo Bay Reef
The Flamingo Bay Reef is found at the Grenada Marine Park. It is home to abundant fish life, including big-eyed squirrelfish, blue clouds of chromis, and timid jackknife fish. Toward the bottom of the wall, divers will spot jacks and rays hiding in crevices encrusted with whip coral and colourful sponges. Flamingo Bay also has protected, shallow reefs, making it a great place to snorkel.
Molinere Bay Reef
Molinere Bay is home to the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park. The Park is the by-product of Hurricane Ivan after 75 art pieces sank to the seafloor and formed the world’s first underwater sculpture park. In fact, the site is recognized by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World. Along Molinere Bay’s shallow reef patches are colorful mosaics of sea rods, sea plumes, and corals.
Buccaneer
Outside Molinere Bay lies the Buccaneer shipwreck, once a 42 ft.steel schooner. Entering the site is possible through its stripped hull, festooned with black coral trees. The dive spot is home to schools of graceful angelfish and is recommended for experienced divers.
Veronica L
Divers looking for a fun and easy wreck dive can try exploring Veronica L, a 120 ft. cargo barge. Veronica L’s vast hold attracts small fry and squirrelfish and its deck is encrusted with a beautiful tapestry of corals. After exploring the wreckage, the dive spot continues into a shallow section of the Northern Exposure Reef.
Boss Reef
Boss Reef extends for up to six miles from St. George harbor to Point Saline. Its gentle slopes are covered in patches of pillar and finger corals, sea rods, and coral trees. Carribean lobsters can also be seen in canyons and crevices, while stingrays and octopus lurk in sand patches.
Happy Valley
True to its name, Happy Valley is one of the prettiest dive sites in Grenada. It starts in a shallow forest of brown corals and continues into a slope covered with soft corals. Tropical fish swarm the area, looking more like colorful confetti than marine life. In the center of the flora and fauna lies the ancient Admiralty anchor, a token of the island’s maritime history.
Shark Reef
Shark Reef is an advanced diver’s hub just off the south shore of Grenada. Exposure to the Atlantic makes the area more prone to strong currents, which in turn, attracts pelagic life. Adult sharks, spotted eagle rays, and turtles ride the currents or settle on the seafloor.
Shake’M
Shake’M has a dive profile of 55-100 ft, making it an advanced diving spot. Found in the calm waters of the Quarantine Point, the shipwreck happened as a result of a freighter capsizing during a heavy storm. The accident caused the ship’s equipment, cargo, and instruments to sink, creating a fascinating spectacle underwater. Divers are free to explore the ship’s spiral staircase, huge deck, and open cargo hold.
Purple Rain
At Purple Rain Reef, divers get to drift dive through a two-knot current where they get to witness a school of purple Creole wrasse resembling a rainshower. Other creatures that swirl through the magnificent purple kaleidoscope include trunkfish, angelfish, queen triggerfish, and grunts. Other reef visitors include turtles and rays.
Marine Life
- Sharks - Sharks are abundant in the Carribean seas and are often found in coastal waters surrounded by saltwater. All-year round, divers will spot whitetip reef sharks and hammerhead sharks in Grenada. As its name suggests, the whitetip shark has white-tipped dorsal and tail fins. Meanwhile, hammerhead sharks are aggressive hunters with uniquely shaped heads.
- Common bottlenose dolphins - The common bottlenose dolphin can be seen in Grenada any time of the year. The charisma and friendly disposition make these sleek swimmers popular among divers.
- Turtles - Get a glimpse of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle in the tropical waters of Grenada between March and August. The turtle is a migratory animal hunted for its striking shell design. Loggerhead sea turtles are also a common sight in the island, which are set apart by their exceptionally large heads.
- Humpback whales - The mournful songs of humpback whales can be heard over great distances underwater. Sightings of these whales are more likely from January to March. Scientists are still struggling to decipher the meaning behind their moans, howls, and cries, but some experts believe the songs help whales communicate with each other and attract potential mates.
Other Attractions
- Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve - The Grand Etang occupies a large fraction of Grenada Island. Exploring areas such as Mount Qua Qua and the Etang Lake will lead one to encounter magnificent creatures like tropical mockingbirds, armadillos, and mona monkeys.
- River Antoine Rum Distillery - River Antoine has been producing rum since 1785, making it the oldest water-powered distillery in the Caribbean. Tour guides lead visitors through the rum-making process, then treat them to a free taste of rum. It isn’t the average type of liquor, though; the rum is produced in strengths of 138- and 150-proof and is not available for purchase.
- Belmont Estate - The Belmont Estate is a 400-acre plantation that dates back to the late 1600s and specializes in spices such as turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, and pimento. Visitors will see firsthand how the spices are processed. Those with a sweet tooth might want to include the Grenada Chocolate Company in their itinerary for a tour of the chocolate factory. It also gives away free chocolate samples!
How to Get There
International flights to Grenada originate from North America, South America, and Europe. They arrive and depart from Maurice Bishop International airport on the island. Regional flights also use the same airport.
By Sea
St. George, Grenada is the port for several cruise lines. Over half of tourists that arrive at Grenada are cruise-ship passengers. A daily shuttle boat service is available at Carriacou and Petite Martinique, but visitors may also opt to hire a boat for access to Isle de Ronde. You should double-check schedules and fares at a local tourist office.
Best Time to Visit
Required Trainings & Certifications
Miscellaneous Information
The official legal tender in Grenada is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$).
Language
English is the official language on the island, but two other languages are recognized: Grenadian English Creole and Grenadian French Creole.
Time Zone
Grenada observes Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). There are no Daylight Saving Time clock changes.
Driving Side
Since Grenada is an independent commonwealth of the UK, drivers stay on the left side of the road. Visitors from North America or mainland Europe need to exercise caution if they are new to the island.
Calling Code
People from other countries can reach a number in Grenada by dialling 1-473 after the IDD.
ISO 3166 code
ISO 3166-2:GD is the listed code in the ISO 3166-2 standard.
Internet TLD
.gd is the internet top level domain for Grenada.
