Grenada Days: A Family's Guide to Sailing and Living in the Spice Isle

Grenada, the "Island of Spice," is an island country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. During hurricane season, which spans from June to November and peaks in activity around August and September, many boaters and cruisers head there, mainly because of insurance limitations but also for the community.

If you're one of them, this Grenada sailing guide is for you!

Woburn bay, Grenada

During the summer of 2023, we spent five months in Grenada, using this opportunity to build a routine, make friends, get to know the locals, and explore the island's beauty.

Beyond the white sand beaches and azure waters, the rainforest hikes, and the friendly locals, it is not the easiest Island to spend such a long time on.

My top recommendation is to stay on the move—alternate anchorages and consider spending a few weeks at Sandy Island. It's challenging for sailing families to remain stationary for long in one place.

Key Tips for Your Stay:

• Visa: Automatically granted for three months upon arrival, but extensions can be costly. Check visa requirements based on your nationality.

• Cruising Permit: Issued upon check-in, valid for a month, and renewable retroactively.

• Provisioning: Grenada is relatively expensive. Stock up on provisions, including boat parts, before heading south.

• Safety Tips: Avoid hiking right after a flood, and always carry mosquito repellent. Stay clear of the poisonous manchineel tree, and teach yourself and your kids how to recognize them.

• Cruisers net: Tune into the cruisers' net daily at 7:30 AM on VHF channel 68 for updates on market trips and gas refills.

• Food delivery: Real Value IGA offers a delivery service through its app or website, saving you time and effort. Note that you will only know what is not available on the day of the delivery, as availability may vary.

• Transportation: Local buses and the Hayloup app (local Uber) are excellent options for getting around.

• Fresh Produce: While Jenny’s Farmers Market at Clark's Court offers a lot of fresh produce and additional offers, it runs out pretty fast, so unless you're one of the first in line, you might prefer heading to the main city market in Saint George. From our experience, the side streets had the best produce and best prices. You can take bus number 2. On your way back, make sure to catch the one that stops in Woburn from the main bus station

• Local Bread and Propane: Complete your Wednesday errands by picking up fresh local bread and refilling propane tanks at Clark's Court.

• Thursday Night Live: Enjoy live music and an open mic night every Thursday, a fantastic way to experience Grenada’s lively culture.
  

• Wednesday is the perfect day to get things done in Clarcks Court - Jenny’s Farmers Market for fresh produce, Local Fresh bread, and propane fill-up.

• Updated information: For the latest local service updates and bus schedules, consider joining the Grenada Cruisers Facebook group

Family-Friendly Places to Explore:

Annadale falls, Grenada

Concord Waterfall Trail:

Although we only got to the first waterfall, we enjoyed hours of jumping and splashing around. We heard there's a second waterfall if you are willing to hike a bit, but we enjoyed the first one so much that we never got to it.

Annandale Waterfalls:

With lush surroundings, the sight of the falls and the designed jumping pad are refreshing. This is a perfect spot for families to hang out.

Carmel Waterfalls:

The hidden path that starts between the buildings is an easy hike to get to with bus #2. As you reach the bottom of the 15-minute muddy walk, explore the waterfall on your left, but remember to try out the natural slides a bit further on the right.

Magazine Beach:

Head to Magazine Beach for some seaside relaxation. Let the kids play in the sand while you soak in the coastal breeze and enjoy the crystal-clear waters. This beach is a true Caribbean beach with nice fish in the water, so remember your goggles!

Seven Sisters Falls:

This was the only long hike we did on the island, and we loved it! Discovering the Seven Sisters Falls is a real jungle adventure. The trail winds through lush foliage, and the reward is a cascading waterfall that will captivate the imagination of little nature enthusiasts.

Grand Etang National Park:

This national park is at the heart of Grenada and offers family-friendly hikes. The trails cater to all ages and skill levels, making them ideal, wholesome family adventure destinations. Note that most trails are not marked, so you must find your way through them or take a guide.

Belmont Estate:

Have you ever wondered how chocolate is made? A tour of the Belmont estate will answer all of your questions. You will walk every step of the chocolate journey - from the cocoa fruit to the chocolate bar in the store, and you can even participate in the cocoa walk.

Before or after your visit, you can relax in the Belmont Restaurant or buy some non-melting chocolate, even in the hot Grenadian summer.

Find more details on the estate's webpage.

Laura’s Herb and Spice Garden:

Discover why Grenada is called the "island of spices" during a walk through Laura's herb and spice garden. For a small entrance fee, a knowledgeable guide will show you all the different herbs and spices grown on the island. The shady route through the garden allows you to try most produce directly from the trees and bushes, including cocoa, pimiento, and nutmeg, and learn how they are processed, used as flavorings, and for medical purposes.

River Antoine Distillery:

It sounds like an adult-only experience, but kids are also fascinated by the old-school way rum is made.

This is the only distillery still using machinery and procedures identical to those used when it was founded in 1785. The big river-powered wheel-crushing sugar cane and the big ovens are very impressive. Further, it hosts the only railway train on the island to transport the crushed sugar cane.

Tasting of their two sorts of rum should be done with care...

Nimrods music night:

Nimrods bar by itself is worth a visit, even if only to wait for the bus to town or get some bread or eggs. On Thursday nights, however, cruisers with a musical heart can participate in a jam session or listen to the musicians, often making a good show while refreshing drinks. For details, check out their Facebook page

North Beaches for Sea Turtle Hatches (May-June): 

Explore the north beaches of Grenada from May to June to witness the magical moments of sea turtle hatches. If you're anchored on the south side of the island, you can easily find a driver to take you there and help you organize the trip (a guide is required)

Happy and tired kids post Carnival. Saint George, Grenada

The Carnival: 

If you plan your visit in August, don't miss Grenada's vibrant Carnival celebration. Experience the lively parades, colorful costumes, and cultural performances that add extra excitement to your family vacation.

Tubes:

This is a unique freshwater experience! It may seem priced, but it's worth it. Make sure to call in advance to check water conditions.

Bowling:

Refresh from the beach, hikes, and waterfalls, and have a fun afternoon with the family. Check for a discount if you arrive at the opening. 

Egmont Bay, Grenada

Recommended Anchorages (in the main island):

Egmont Bay: 

In addition to being a tranquil anchorage, Egmont Bay is also a hurricane hole, providing added security during storm seasons.

True Blue Resort: 

Ideal for families arriving by sailboat, True Blue Resort offers secure mooring balls and unrestricted access to all facilities for just $10 a day. It's a convenient base for exploring the area.

BBC Beach: 

Anchor near BBC Beach for a family-friendly day by the shore. The calm waters make it an excellent spot for swimming and water activities.

Le Phare Bleu

This is not only a marina. It has the best boutique supermarket and a great venue restaurant with pizza and wing nights. Check the pool before letting your kids go wild, and make sure it's appropriate time for them to run around the big grassy area.

Saint George Mooring Balls

Easy access mooring field in a great location with an online payment option. However, pre-ordering a spot does not guarantee availability.

When the weather picks up in Woburn Bay, especially in the cut, it can get wild. Make sure you have enough anchor chain out.

Additional Activities

Sailing Club: LaPhare Blue offers a reasonably priced yearly family membership. Ask in the bar for more details.

Animal Shelter: Volunteer weekly to help care for abandoned dogs at the local animal shelter in Saint George. Details are available on their Facebook page.

Swimming Lessons: Assist the sailing community in teaching local children how to swim. Check their website for more details.

Weekly Hash: Enjoy exploring the island by joining the weekly hash every Saturday. Organized by locals, each event is held in a different location and concludes BBQ. Details are available on their website.

Football (Soccer): Enroll your kids in local football (soccer) training at the Woburn playing field. Classes are offered several times a week at a reasonable cost.

And if you have time, say hi to the Chabad family from us!

BBC Beach, Grenada