The Caribbean island of Grenada is bordered by stunning beaches and dotted with picturesque towns; this
verdant island has long been a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger,
cinnamon, and cocoa. It is a favored pick-up or drop-off destination for both bareboat and crewed yacht charters and an ideal location to start your Grenadines charter adventure vacation.
Grenada is a rolling, mountainous island, covered with
fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers. The seductive aroma
of spices drifts through the colourful Saturday markets and Grenada's dense
forests. In the interior of this volcanic island are cascading rivers and
waterfalls, lush rainforests, and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful
mountain lakes imaginable. The capital, St. George's, is widely held to be
the loveliest city in the Caribbean. Its horseshoe-shaped harbour is
surrounded by a pastel rainbow of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled
roofs of traditional shops and homes.
Grenada, and it's two sister islands, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, is
an independent nation that is part of the British Commonwealth. The
currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar that is linked to the US$.
Grenada's physical beauty is complemented by its rich history and
vibrant, living cultural heritage. Local festivals, fairs, and markets
remain an integral part of life on Grenada. Its centuries-old spice
plantations and rum distilleries still use traditional methods, emphasizing
quality rather than quantity. Although the tourist industry has become more
substantial in recent years, the island's easy rhythms and the friendly
openness of its residents evoke an atmosphere that has long since vanished
elsewhere.
For many visitors, of course, the measure of any island is taken by its
beaches and coral reefs, and Grenada offers plenty of both. The island is
ringed with miles of picture-perfect strands, including both entrancing
black and sugar-fine white sand beaches. Grand Anse Beach, a smooth expanse
stretching for two miles around the curve of a gentle bay, is world famous.
Grenada has plenty to offer those interested in offshore pleasure as well,
with easily accessible and pristine reefs off the coast of both Grenada and
its sister island, Carriacou.
This small nation consists of three islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and
Petit Martinique. Grenada is by far the largest of the three, with a width
of twelve miles (18 km) and a length of twenty-one miles (34 km). Its 133
sq. miles (440 sq. km.) are mountainous, volcanic terrain, reaching heights
of over 2,750 feet atop Mount St. Catherine. This topography provides
Grenada with one of the loveliest and most varied environments in the
Caribbean, including crater lakes as well as a startling variety of plant
and animal life. Dwarf forests high atop Mount St. Catherine descend to the
montane rainforests of middle altitudes, which give way in turn to the dry
forests of the lowlands. Those forests shift to mangrove at the coast,
giving way to stunning white sand beaches, brilliant blue water, and
exquisite coral reefs.
Grenada's smaller sister island, Carriacou, is hilly but not
mountainous. With smoother terrain, Carriacou is an ideal destination for
walking. It possesses fine sand beaches and natural harbours, as well as
offering excellent views out over the northern Grenadine islands. Petite
Martinique, the third and by far the smallest island in the state, consists
of little more than the tip of a volcanic cone poking through the water. It
is only now being developed for visitors.