Grenada

Why go

Grenada smells of nutmeg. The spice is drying on racks in Gouyave, grated over your rum punch and even printed on the national flag, which is why everyone calls it the Spice Island. It's a green, mountainous island in the far south of the Caribbean, with rainforest in the middle, a long white beach at Grand Anse and one of the prettiest harbour towns in the region, St George's. It feels less built-up than many of its neighbours: no high-rises, small resorts and locals who are happy to tell you which beach or rum shop to try.

When to go

It's warm all year, around 27°C. January to April is the driest stretch and the classic time for winter sun from the UK. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Grenada lies further south than most islands, but storms do reach it, so check your travel insurance. In August the island throws its biggest party, Spicemas, the carnival.

Getting there from the UK

Virgin Atlantic flies from London Heathrow and British Airways from London Gatwick to Maurice Bishop International Airport on the southwest tip of the island. Allow around ten to eleven hours, as some services call at another island on the way. The airport is close to the main resort areas, so most transfers take 5 to 20 minutes.

Where to stay

• Grand Anse: two miles of sand on a calm bay, with hotels, beach bars, restaurants and dive shops, about ten minutes from St George's.
• Point Salines and Magazine Beach: right by the airport on the southwest tip, with quiet beaches and some of the island's larger all-inclusive resorts.
• True Blue and Lance aux Épines: sheltered bays and marinas on the south coast, popular with sailors and divers.
• St George's: the capital, wrapped around the horseshoe-shaped Carenage harbour, with Fort George on the hill above.
• Carriacou: Grenada's sister island, about 90 minutes north by ferry, for very slow days and empty beaches.

What to do

Snorkel over the Underwater Sculpture Park in Molinere Bay, where the life-size figures by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor have been turning into reef since 2006. Drive up into the Grand Etang Forest Reserve to its crater lake, swim under Annandale Falls or hike to the Seven Sisters waterfalls. Head north for the nutmeg station at Gouyave, cocoa and lunch at Belmont Estate and the water-wheel-powered River Antoine rum distillery. Float down the Balthazar River on a tube, take the ferry to Carriacou and Sandy Island, or, from March to July, watch leatherback turtles nest at Levera.

Food

The national dish is oil down: breadfruit, salted meat or fish, dumplings and callaloo slow-cooked in coconut milk and turmeric until the liquid is absorbed. Look out for fresh fish, pelau (a one-pot rice dish), nutmeg ice cream and local bean-to-bar chocolate. Finish with a rum punch dusted with nutmeg.

Good to know

• Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). US dollars are widely accepted.
• Time: four hours behind the UK in winter and five in summer.
• Plugs: UK-style three-pin sockets at 230V, so you won't need an adapter.
• Language: English.
• Driving: on the left. Most visitors use taxis or a driver-guide for day trips.
• Entry: British passport holders don't normally need a visa for a holiday. Check the current rules before you travel.

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