This Under-the-radar Caribbean Island Has Stunning Beaches, Volcanic Craters, and the Region’s Longest Infinity Pool

With its sugar-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, Grenada seems to tick every box for a dreamy warm-weather escape, yet the majority of travelers have been slow to catch on to the island’s appeal.

“Still relatively undiscovered, Grenada has been a well-kept secret of the discerning Caribbean traveler for decades,” says Sheldon Keens-Douglas, the manager of Grenada’s Spice Island Beach Resort. Insiders fell in love with the island’s more distinct features, like its rugged, rain forest-covered center, enviable reefs, and untouched feel. Dubbed the Spice Island for its bumper crops such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, Grenada also has a growing culinary scene that has quietly been drawing in-the-know foodies for years.

The island was named one of Travel + Leisure‘s 50 best places to travel in 2025, and a number of resorts, like Six Senses La Sagesse and Silversands Beach House, have arrived in recent years, welcoming more visitors to this unexpectedly rich destination now having its moment in the sun.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Six Senses La Sagesse

The luxury Six Senses brand set a high bar with its 2024 debut of Six Senses La Sagesse. Even the most modest rooms at this 56-suite, 15-villa property feel supremely special, offering plenty of private outdoor space and individual plunge pools. Tucked away along a tranquil, sandy bay on the island’s southern coast, the 38-acre resort feels perfectly secluded, further enhancing its air of exclusivity.

Spice Island Beach Resort

Renowned for its warm hospitality and thoughtful amenities, locally owned and operated Spice Island Beach Resort has graced the sands of Grand Anse Beach since the 1960s. Years of excellence have made this 64-suite boutique property among the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Its dining concepts, like the Creole-Caribbean-inspired Oliver Restaurant, have also earned it praise as one of the region’s best foodie destinations.

Calabash Hotel

Tranquil Prickly Bay on the south side of the island hides one of Grenada’s best-kept secrets: the family-owned and operated Calabash Hotel. A stay at this Relais & Châteaux property feels like coming home, with 30 suites, three elegant restaurants, and a spa nestled along an enviable stretch of beachfront. The property is set to add new luxury suites to its collection in 2026.

Silversands Grand Anse

Modern design and luxe amenities define Silversands Grand Anse, an intimate, upscale collection of rooms and villas, complete with a spacious spa and spectacular dining. An oversized infinity pool—the longest in the Caribbean—stretches across the property to Grand Anse Beach. Just down the coast is the brand’s sleek Silversands Beach House, which opened in 2024. With just 28 beachfront and cliffside rooms, this hotel feels like the cooler younger sibling to the original, affording guests access to all the amenities at the larger property.

Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort

A spray of white villas and suites climb the lush hillsides overlooking Grand Anse Beach, making the views from the 36-room Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort arguably the best on the island. Here, understated luxury meets island charm, with 2024 renovations adding The Flying Fish restaurant that focuses on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients in its classic Caribbean dishes.

Best Things to Do

Hit the beach.

Two miles of turquoise waters and white sand send Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach soaring to the top of the list of the best beaches in the Caribbean. It’s an obligatory first stop on any beach-hopping excursion, though it’s far from the only option in Grenada. “For those seeking a quieter escape, La Sagesse Beach is a hidden paradise,” says Adele Garbutt, company director of Calabash Hotel. Other popular stretches include Morne Rouge Beach and Magazine Beach, while the island’s rugged northwestern coast is home to Black Bay Beach, with its inky-black volcanic sand.

Swim to Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park.

With 75 unique sculptures spread across 8,500 square feet of protected ocean, Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park is more than just an underwater spectacle. The brainchild of Jason deCaires Taylor, it also powerfully depicts the island’s most important traditions and legends. Access the park by snorkeling or diving, or via a glass-bottom boat, before heading to the offshoot site in neighboring Carriacou, hidden among the reefs of an island renowned for its treasures beneath the surface.

Explore Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve.

At the heart of Grenada, the vast Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve hides rain forest and volcanic peaks, making it a must-visit for thrill-seekers and nature lovers wanting a break from the beach. Crisscrossed by hiking trails, it includes everything from soaring waterfalls to an expansive crater lake nestled in an extinct volcano.

Visit Belmont Estate.

Savor the Spice Island with a visit to Belmont Estate, where cocoa tours and hands-on chocolate-making experiences are perfumed by acres of gardens planted with nutmeg and cinnamon. The property’s local-led experiences support organic farms and culminate with farm-to-table dining. Stop at the nearby River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery before returning to your hotel; founded in 1785, Grenada’s oldest rum distillery offers a deep dive into the region’s favorite spirit, tasting included.

Hike to Seven Sisters Falls.

Rivers running from Grenada’s volcanic interior down to the coast carve waterfalls into the island’s lush jungles. A 40-minute hike takes the intrepid to the first of the Seven Sisters Falls, also known as St. Margaret’s Falls. Spot striking tropical flowers, colorful birds, and perhaps even a monkey in the forest canopy around the cascades.

Best Restaurants

Dexter’s Restaurant

Enjoy water views and dishes crafted by talented local chef Dexter Burris from his expansive terrace. Using sustainably sourced ingredients and traditional island flavors, chef Burris crafts a five-course meal that feels innovative yet deeply familiar. The experience is by reservation only, and it’s a good idea to book well in advance.

Rhodes Restaurant

A candlelit terrace covered in flowering vines embraces guests at Rhodes Restaurant at Calabash Hotel. It’s one of the island’s most exquisite fine-dining experiences. The chefs’ commitment to farm-fresh cuisine runs deep, with many ingredients coming from the property’s own certified organic family estate, L’Esterre.

BB’s Crabback

“For something a little more authentically Grenadian, BB’s Crabback, located in St. George’s, is known for its seafood dishes, including its famous crabback, a dish made from crab meat, spices, and vegetables,” says Garbutt. The views of the harbor from this cozy and colorful local haunt, particularly at sunset, make the experience one worth savoring.

Oliver Restaurant

Set against Grand Anse Beach, Oliver Restaurant at Spice Island Beach Resort is Caribbean-inspired dining at its best. The head chef uses the owner’s family cookbook as inspiration for his farm-to-table dishes. Expect everything from à la carte breakfast options to pan-roasted frog legs for dinner.

Armadillo Restaurant

Perched at the northern tip of the island, the family-owned Armadillo Restaurant feels like a hidden culinary gem. A husband-and-wife team diligently tends to the kitchen, crafting seasonal menus that weave Caribbean flavors into international dishes. Note: this restaurant takes cash only and requires reservations.

Areas to Visit

St. George’s

Grenada’s charming capital city is known for having the most beautiful harbor in the Caribbean. Verdant hillsides dotted with colorful cottages and colonial-era fortresses reveal a vibrant city life. Stop by bustling St. George’s Market Square, where vendors sell tropical fruits and sacks of nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, among other items native to the Spice Island.

Southwest Coast

Though the wild, untamed north and forested center of Grenada are well worth a visit, most travelers stick almost exclusively to the sandy southwest coast. Lined with the island’s nicest resorts and peppered with laid-back beach bars and restaurants, Grand Anse Beach is the center of all the action. Yet, despite its popularity, even Grand Anse doesn’t feel as busy as some of the more built-up beaches on neighboring islands.

Carriacou

The island of Carriacou gets its name from the indigenous Kalinago word kayryouacou, meaning land surrounded by reefs. Snorkeling and diving are the biggest draws of Carriacou, the larger of the two islands of the Grenadines that belong to the country of Grenada. Carriacou also has an impressive lineup of events throughout the year, including its own Carnival celebration every February and a famed regatta, giving travelers plenty of reasons to hop on the ferry or flight from Grenada.

Petite Martinique

The island of Petite Martinique is indeed petite, at less than 600 acres and with about 900 residents. You’re unlikely to rub shoulders with many visitors. Climb to the top of the highest peak, Piton, for stunning views across the Grenadines, or visit Sanchez Beach for water sports, basking in the tranquility of an island that feels about as off the beaten path as it gets.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Grenada is between December and April, when clear skies and warm temperatures make for ideal beach days, snorkeling excursions, and treks through Grand Etang National Park. Keep in mind that nice weather corresponds with the high season, and prices for everything, from resorts to excursions, will reflect that. May and June bring lower prices and mostly pleasant weather, with many travelers heading home before the rainy season begins.

“Don’t be put off by the rainy season, which isn’t that rainy in reality,” says Garbutt. “In the rainy season, you’re more likely to get a quick 10-minute shower in the afternoon or early evening. In the dry season, it’s less likely.” Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June through November, with tropical activity generally peaking from late August through October.

Consider planning your trip around the island’s cultural and culinary events. Held at the beginning of August, Spicemas is among the best Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean. It features soca-fueled parties and age-old traditions like Jab Jab, a resistance-rooted celebration of the abolishment of slavery. Chocolate lovers should visit in May for the Grenada Chocolate Fest, which includes cocoa farm tours, chocolate-making events, and special cocoa-infused cuisine.

How to Get There

Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) isn’t as well-served as some other international airports in the Caribbean, but as more people visit, it continues to welcome new flight routes. Located less than a 10-minute drive from Grand Anse Beach, the airport receives daily flights from New York and Miami, with less frequent flights from cities like Charlotte. Travelers can also find flight connections through nearby islands like St. Lucia and Barbados.

How to Get Around

With most of Grenada’s hotels and resorts clustered around areas like Grand Anse Beach and St. George’s, many visitors won’t need to worry about transportation for most of their trip. Taxis, which operate with fixed (if somewhat elevated) rates, are readily available and convenient for short jaunts across the island.

Those daring enough to brave twisting mountain roads at the center of the island can also rent a car, available from the island’s airport. However, operating a vehicle in Grenada requires both a valid driver’s license and a local permit. Some rental agencies offer local permits, though many visitors must get theirs from the Central Police Station in St. George’s.

Travel to Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Ferries depart from St. George’s every morning at 9 a.m. to make the two-hour journey to Carriacou, returning at 5 p.m. Carriacou is also accessible via almost daily 20-minute flights from Grenada. Petite Martinique can be reached via boat from Carriacou—the 30-minute ferry ride is offered once or twice a day on weekdays.