Grenada fact file

Grenada has remained one of the least built-up of the Caribbean islands and therefore retains a certain rustic charm. Having said there are ample marinas dotted around the island and many anchoring opportunities too.

Grenada’s coastal areas are simply spectacular with a variety of picture perfect beaches, from the three-kilometre long Grand Anse Beach to the more secluded beaches of the east coast, which are only accessible by four-wheel drive – or boat, plus mangroves to kayak and bays to snorkel.

Grenada enjoys a tropical climate with characteristically heavy rainfall between July and December. Heavy rainfall can be expected in November, although rain will fall throughout the year. Temperatures are vaguely affected by northern trade winds, and will stay between 25°C to 28°C on average all year.

Winter, outside the hurricane season, although Grenada maintains balmy tropical temperatures almost all year long, with an average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Grenada’s rainy season lasts from June to November, when rain falls an average of about 22 days per month.

For dry clear weather: December to May
For avoiding hurricane season: November – May

GMT -4

East Caribbean Dollar

English

St. George’s

Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%

Grenada frowns on nude bathing, or the wearing of bikinis either in town or at the local supermarkets. It is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.

There’s a good range of shops on Grenada, from the big shopping malls in Grand Anse, to markets and vendors selling local goods. You should make the most of ‘the Spice Island’ by picking up some nutmeg, mace and other spices, as well as local specialities such as guava jam, soaps, perfumes and of course, rum.

Carnival is celebrated in the second week of August. Several exciting activities take place during this time including steel drum contests and parades.

Grenada Round The Island Regatta: The regatta takes place every March, organised by the Grenada South Coast Yacht Club.
www.aroundgrenada.com

Virgin, British Airways, Air Jamaica, American, Delta, Air Canada, Condor (Germany) and several smaller regional airlines all fly into Maurice Bishop International Airport (formerly Point Salines International Airport). The airport has a newly built FBO to cater for private aircraft. For St Vincent and the Grenadines, transfers are available via Grenada, Barbados, Martinique, St Lucia, or Trinidad and Tobago. Carriacou is linked twice weekly by air to Union Island.

Maurice Bishop International Airport (formerly Point Salines International Airport). ‘GND’

Pearls Airport, Grenville, Grenada (not in daily operation, construction underway.)

Several ferries make the run from St George’s to Carriacou (and beyond to Petite Martinique).

CBL / Horimex Bunkering Services Ltd
Church St Hillsborough (Carriacou)

There are no visa requirements for US or EU citizens, although passports must presented when required and evidence of an ongoing or return travel plan must be shown.
www.grenadaconsulate.com

Grenada has a EC$50 per person (EC$25 if under age 12) departure fee at the airport. VAT is usually 15%, but only 10% on hotel accommodation and diving activities.

Visitors can import reasonable amounts of the usual goods for personal use without incurring duty.

Police, Coast Guard & Fire Dial 911
Ambulance Grenada Dial 434
Ambulance Carriacou Dial 774
Coastguard VHF Channel 16

Dengue fever occurs across the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. It is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause a feverish illness associated with headache, muscle aches and pains, and rash. Some cases of dengue are severe. Dengue can be prevented by avoiding being bitten by the disease-carrying mosquitoes that feed predominately during daylight hours.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas.

Food and Drink

Mains water is normally chlorinated and relatively safe, but it pays to be wary particularly in rural areas. Bottled water is available. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other Risks

Immunization against hepatitis A, B and diphtheria is sometimes recommended.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Health care

There is a general hospital in St. Georges and small hospitals in Mirabeau and Carriacou. Health insurance is advised.

There is a 1.5km no-sailing zone around the active underwater volcano Kick Em’ Jenny located between Grenada and Carriacou, west of Isle de Ronde off Grenada’s northwest coast (12.18°N 61.38°W). During an eruption an exclusion zone of 5km is enforced. Vessels should stay at least 10km west of Isle de Ronde.

Motorists drive on the left in Grenada with a more relaxed attitude to the rules of the road. In some areas, there are open drains at the side of roads; extra care is needed to negotiate potential hazards to tyres and bodywork. Many roads are steep, with hairpin bends and potholes in places; drive slowly and vigilantly.

Most visits to Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are trouble-free. Grenada is a friendly and welcoming country and overall crime rates are relatively low. The main types of incident include: replacing lost and stolen passports and dealing with arrests and detentions, mostly for drugs offenses. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, however, there have been incidents of violent crime including murder. There is a low threat from terrorism.

Avoid walking alone in isolated areas, including beaches, after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes or safes. Incidents tend to occur within the local community but can sometimes affect tourists. Severe penalties exist for all drug offences.

Dinghy stealing is endemic throughout much of the Caribbean, but marinas are usually pretty safe if the normal precautions are taken.

Fishing is restricted in the protected marine areas in Grenada (Moliniere Point) and Carriacou (Sandy Island, Saline Island, White Island). Anchoring at Grand Anse and the Carenage in Grenada and at Harvey Vale in Carriacou is restricted. Lobster and spear fishing is prohibited without a licence, which is issued only to Grenadians. Lobster should only be bought in season (31 October to 30 April).

Yachts must stay at least 200 meters offshore from all beaches and should never pump bilge or waste into local waters.

Port Louis Marina

The newish Port Louis Marina is now owned and operated by Camper & Nicholsons Marinas. Port Louis Marina currently operates 170 berths – fully serviced marina slips for yachts of all sizes, including superyachts up to 90m (300ft) in length and 6m (20ft) draught.

Martin’s Marina

Martins’ marina is located on the south of Grenada sheltered by Mount Hartman and lies just outside of the hurricane belt.

Prickly Bay Marina

The marina lies in the scenic Prickly Bay, within a upscale residential resort area. Shopping in the capital St George’s is not far away, as is the airport. Prickly Bay has customs and immigration, and is home to Spice Island Marine, with fuelling, a chandlery, a restaurant, and a bar. Spice Island Marine also contains a working boatyard, with a 70-ton TraveLift, electrical and wood shops, a sail loft and rigging shop, plus other services.