Grand Anse Beach

Measuring only 19km (12 miles) by 34km (21 miles), the Caribbean island of Grenada has long been known as the ‘Spice Basket of the Caribbean,' an apt name since Grenada supplies about a third of the world's nutmeg. Grenada claims as many as 45 different beaches, but none compares to 3km (2-mile) long Grand Anse Beach, ideally situated on the sheltered leeward southwest coast. Only a short distance from the capital city of St George's, Grand Anse is Grenada's most popular beach and main resort area with accommodations ranging from guest houses and small luxury hotels to 240-room mega-resorts. All the properties are richly landscaped, a preview to what you'll see in Grenada's lush mountainous interior, especially the rainforest.

The lack of direct flights from North America or Europe makes Grenada one of the more challenging islands to reach. Americans and Canadians make up most summer visitors, followed by British holidaymakers who flock there to enjoy the sunny weather when average temperatures range from 24ºC to 30ºC (75ºF to 85ºF), always moderated by the cooling trade winds. The high season also marks the start of the driest period, from January to May.

Grenada, with its sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique, are located at the southern end of the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. Its nearest neighbours include Barbados and Venezuela. Point Salines International Airport (GND) is located just outside the capital city of St George's, close to the resorts on Grand Anse Beach. The transfer takes between 10 to 15 minutes.

Most resorts are near St George's on the southwest coast, many less than 8km (5 miles) from the airport. The finest lodging is along Grand Anse Beach, followed by L'Anse aux Epines.

Lined with large hotels containing more than 200 rooms as well as small locally-owned inns, 3km- (2 mile-) long Grand Anse Beach is Grenada's waterfront showcase. Located on Grenada's calm leeward south coast and packed with activities, at Grand Anse you can go water-skiing, parasailing or kayaking, join a snorkel or dive boat tour for fish-filled waters nearby or simply sunbathe. In the evening, Grand Anse is one of the main nightlife centres with its excellent array of hotels bars and restaurants. In the past, beach peddlers were sometimes an annoyance but no longer since a vendors market was built near the Grand Beach Resort. It's now one of the best places for local souvenirs.

The main port city of St George's and its horseshoe-shaped harbour called the Carenage are quite photogenic. The city's Saturday morning market is always a lively open-air affair with mounds of papayas, yams, oranges, bananas, plantains, exotic roots and vegetables piled atop display tables. The system of hiking trails in the Grand Etang Forest Reserve includes both casual walks and strenuous day-long hikes.

Grenada markets itself largely to couples and honeymooners, so the best place for families to stay is on Grand Anse Beach at a larger hotel with organised programmes for children. Many of the shorter hiking trails in the Grand Etang Forest Reserve are perfect as an introduction to the Caribbean's rainforest. In summer, join a nighttime excursion to watch nesting sea turtles.

Most of the duty-free shops are located along St George's waterfront Carenage or at Point Salines International Airport. The Saturday produce market in St George's is the perfect place to purchase small souvenir baskets of nutmeg and other local spices. You may also find hand-made dolls and other one-of-a-kind handicrafts. In St George's retail stores, the best buys are batik and screen-printed textiles, locally made handicrafts, leather craft and wood carvings.

Once the sun sets, experience the wide variety of flavourful dining unless you're a truly experienced scuba diver feeling especially adventurous. If so, make a deep dive on the wreck of the Italian luxury liner the Bianca-C, one of the Caribbean's largest ship wrecks, where you could see unforgettable nightlife, such as sleeping fish and sea turtles.

With so many savoury spices readily at hand, even basic dishes in the smallest restaurants tend to be ultra-flavourful. Grenada's specialities include pumpkin and callaloo soups, spicy stuffed crab backs, curried or stewed shrimp and conch, fresh fish and Creole cuisine. The national dish is called Oildown, a stew of salted meat, breadfruit, onion, carrot, celery, dasheen (a root vegetable grown locally) and dumplings, all slowly steamed in coconut milk. Nutmeg is included in everything from ice cream to mashed potatoes.

The winding roads with unexpectedly sharp turns through mountainous terrain create more stress than most visitors care for in a hire car. Guided minibus tours are the most popular option for visiting attractions away from St George's. Buses and taxis also link all parts of the island. Ferry service is another way to visit the sister island of Carriacou and return the same day.

The neighbouring island of Carriacou, only a 30-minute flight from Port Salines, is an interesting daytrip that offers a glimpse of how slow-paced Grenada used to be. Carriacou is the most populated island in the Grenadines, and its main attractions are sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving. The island's finest beach is scenic Anse La Roche.

Grenada's Nutmeg Restaurant (The Carenage, St George's), a long-time favourite watering hole with locals and visiting yachtsmen, boasts a superb second-storey view over St George's colourful harbour both day and night. You don't need to order a full meal; just dessert and a drink will earn you a scenic table. More upscale is the newer Water's Edge restaurant and bar, located just up the street for a different harbour view.

Grenada, Point Salines International Airport (GND)