Amid Bewitching Blue Waters, Grenada Has Blossomed into a Place of Peace and Quiet

April 30, 2025 By Cheryl Maguire

When I suggested a trip to Grenada, my husband looked at me suspiciously, even though both of us love the Caribbean.

“The only time I ever heard of Grenada was in the ’80s when Reagan sent in the troops,” he said. Given my love of a bargain, he was convinced I’d found a deal that included some kind of mandatory military service.

After assuring him that Grenada was now more about sandy beaches than conflicts, he reluctantly agreed, although I did catch him Googling “Grenada safe for tourists?” Even after 25 years of marriage, he’s still wary of my bargain-hunting skills.

Lesser Antilles political map. The Caribbees with Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. With capitals and national borders. English labeling. Illustration. Vector.

Grenada, one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere, made international headlines in 1983 when a military coup overthrew Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, who had ties to Cuba. In response, the United States and six other Caribbean nations intervened. Democracy was restored the next year.

Grenada, a recent “Travel + Leisure” article says, is set to become the next big destination. Silversea offers 26 cruises that dock at the island’s port. Here are some ideas for exploring.

The wondrous waters

A view of Seven Sisters Waterfalls on Grenada. One recounting of the origin of the falls claims this: The sisters, pursued by a suitor, outwitted him by changing themselves into water./Getty Images

I was a little nervous about the 45-minute trek down the steep, narrow St. Margaret’s Trail to Seven Sisters Waterfall in the Grand Etang Rainforest of Grenada. Fortunately, our guide took my hand as I navigated the muddy, rocky terrain as he also pointed out the vegetation.

Red Button Ginger is a perennial herb that blooms year-round./Getty Images

The red button ginger plant looked like a bird with a red nose. The green plant was almost waist-high. Our tour guide gave it a squeeze, and out squirted what he said could be used as shampoo. I did not stop to try it. The falls beckoned.

Our excursion included only two of the seven waterfalls (a hike farther down the path reveals the rest), but these two were stars, standing about 40 feet tall and thundering down the cliffs. Despite the ice-cold water, I took the plunge into the blue-green pool and found a rock to sit on, letting the water rush over me.

The water was cold, but the tropical air kept me from getting chilly. I lingered, soaking in the view, before toweling off and slipping my tank top and shorts over my wet bathing suit. They dried quickly as we got ready for the hike back from this Top 10 moment

Where did they come from?

A Mona monkey in Grand Etang National Park, Grenada. The primates became accidental inhabitants in Grenada in the 18th century./Getty Images

I had never seen a wild monkey, so I was excited when I spotted three adorable Mona monkeys in Grand Etang National Park, a post-waterfalls stop a five-minute drive from where we parked for the hike.

The Mona monkey, a West African primate, isn’t native; it was introduced to Grenada during the 18th-century slave trade. Two of the critters sat in a Tree Fern, munching on its leaves. The monkeys didn’t seem to notice us – or any of the other visitors – as they quietly ate. I marveled at their white fur-covered faces and chests and their black eyes and noses that resembled little masks framed by soft pink mouths. Their backs were coated in brown fur that tapered into long gray tails.

Grenada’s underwater show

Snorkeling in Grenada is like being in your own personal aquarium./Getty Images

We love to snorkel in the Caribbean, so we booked a guided trip to the Grand Mal Reef, about two miles north of St. George’s harbor, home to the cruise port.

Our guide warned us about the strong current. He then joked (sort of) that if we didn’t pay attention, we would end up in Venezuela about 100 miles north of Grenada. I kept him in sight, deciding to save Venezuela for my next adventure.

We saw angelfish, pufferfish, sea fans and coral reefs but alas missed a string ray sighting. It was a typical snorkeling experience, and although I was disappointed I didn’t see more unusual fish, I still had a great time.

Grand Anse Bay at night seen from the hilltop of Jean Anglais. The bay is sheltered from high waves, strong currents and winds, so it is a favorite among tourists and locals./Getty Images

Cruising along Grand Anse Bay gave me a new perspective on the island, especially after seeing it by car.

Our guide shared local history and fun facts. For instance, Grenada’s population is a little more than 100,000, about the size of such U.S. cities as Burbank, Calif., or Erie, Pa., but, of course, the population in Grenada has 133 square miles to stretch out. The island was formed by volcanic activity.

Be on the lookout for rainbows in Grenada. A fisherman is hauling in his net early on a showery morning when a rainbow breaks through on the horizon./Getty Images

During our boat ride, we saw a rainbow that seemed to be a daily occurrence on this island. Every afternoon, a rainbow appeared. No matter how many times we saw one, it never lost its magic, especially against the backdrop of the mountains and the sea.

If kicking back and relaxing in one spot is more your speed, think about a Sandals Resort day pass for $240 a person. The resort is about six miles from the cruise ship terminal, about a 20-minute drive. The pass does not include transportation.

Our favorite part of this day trip? Floating on the provided tethered rafts, swaying in the turquoise Caribbean water while soaking in the stunning views of Mt. Saint Catherine. We felt like castaways but with Wi-Fi and cocktails. And no military service was required.