Discovering Grenada: Top Highlights from Our Weekend Getaway

If you're considering a quick Caribbean getaway, a weekend trip to Grenada should be at the top of your list! I recently returned from an unforgettable weekend in this tropical paradise, and I can honestly say that I’ve fallen in love with Grenada, the Spice Isle. What started as a business trip for my boyfriend, turned into an amazing opportunity to celebrate his birthday while exploring the island’s beauty. We ended up extending our stay and soaking in the best Grenada had to offer.

Although Grenada is just a 30-minute flight and about 160 miles away from Barbados, I realized I didn't know much about our island neighbor. Despite my boyfriend’s previous visits for business, we had never fully experienced Grenada as visitors. So, we were both excited to explore and learn more about this island gem.

Here’s a recap of our amazing Grenada weekend, filled with relaxation, local culture, and unforgettable experiences.

Grand Anse Beach in Grenada – with its stunning turquoise waters, it's the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun.

The Magic of Grenada: Living Like a Local

Grenada is one of those places where the true essence of the island can only be felt when you live like a local. While we didn’t have an itinerary packed with the “top” tourist spots, we were lucky to spend time with J's friend, Anand, who gave us an authentic Grenadian experience. From sipping local brews to relaxing at quiet beaches, we took our time to truly absorb the laid-back atmosphere of the island.

Although we didn’t check everything off a list, the experience was far richer for it. Grenada has a unique charm that can only be appreciated when you take your time to unwind and explore. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to discover the island beyond the typical tourist spots.

Vicissitudes – one of the most iconic underwater sculptures in Grenada’s marine park, showcasing a ring of 26 children holding hands.

Highlights from Our Weekend Trip to Grenada

1. Relaxing Vibes Everywhere You Go

If you're a fan of laid-back Caribbean vibes, Grenada has plenty of spots to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of the island. We spent an afternoon at West Indies Beer Company, sipping on refreshing brews and ciders. Another highlight was Grand Anse Beach, where we swam in crystal-clear waters and caught a breathtaking sunset.

For an evening of fun and flavor, we had sundowners at La Plywood, a chilled beach bar, followed by a delightful dinner at Le Papillion, a French Creole café. I highly recommend this café for breakfast—it's the perfect start to your day in Grenada!

Attendees enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, where music meets the Caribbean sea.

Large crowd gathered at the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, sitting on boats and enjoying live music performed on a floating barge in the clear waters.

Vibrant crowd gathered for the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, enjoying live music and soaking up the Caribbean atmosphere.

Large crowd of people attending the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, with attendees on boats and the stage set up on a barge in the water, surrounded by blue skies and calm waters.

Exciting live performance at the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, with a local band energizing the crowd from a floating stage.

Local musicians performing on a barge at the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, with a crowd enjoying the live music along the shore and scenic hills in the background.

A lively crowd gathered around for the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, enjoying music and good vibes in the beautiful Caribbean waters.

Large group of people in boats and on the dock at the Dinghy Concert in Grenada, with the stunning scenery of the island and boats in the background.

2. The Dinghy Concert: A Unique Grenadian Event

One of the coolest things we experienced was the Dinghy Concert, a floating music event hosted on a barge. This event, organized by Dieter Burkhalter, the owner of Le Phare Bleu, combines two of his passions—music and sailing. The concert is held a few times a year and features a different band at each event.

We were treated to a live performance by local reggae artist Thamara "Songbird" St Bernard, who kept us dancing for over two hours. The Dinghy Concert is open to the public, and you can attend by boat, barge, or dinghy. Fun fact: Every concert includes at least one song about Grenada!

A serene underwater scene of a sculpture depicting a figure in prayer, part of the captivating art installation at the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park.

Underwater sculpture of a praying figure at Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park, with fish swimming around the artwork on the ocean floor.

The iconic 'Vicissitudes' sculpture, featuring 26 children holding hands, in the clear waters of Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park.

Underwater view of the Vicissitudes sculpture in Grenada, depicting 26 children holding hands, surrounded by marine life.

An underwater view of sculptures at the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, featuring coral-covered statues amid vibrant marine life.

Close-up of underwater sculptures at the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, with coral-covered statues and fish swimming in clear waters.

A striking underwater sculpture of a woman holding coral, part of the impressive art collection in Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park.

Underwater sculpture of a woman holding coral in the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, with vibrant blue waters and marine life surrounding the artwork.

An underwater sculpture of a woman wearing glasses, sitting on a bench in the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, surrounded by marine life.

Underwater sculpture of a woman with glasses sitting on a bench at the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, with fish swimming around her and clear blue waters.

3. Exploring the Underwater Sculpture Park

A highlight of our trip was visiting the world-famous Underwater Sculpture Park. Created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, this incredible park features sculptures submerged in the waters of the Molinere Beauséjour Marine Park. We snorkeled around iconic pieces like Vicissitudes, a sculpture of 26 children holding hands, which was a truly breathtaking sight.

While the experience was magical, we did face a downside: the site became crowded towards the end of our visit, as multiple boats arrived at once, leading to overtourism. It’s something I’ll be addressing in a future blog post, as it’s an important issue to consider in popular Caribbean destinations.

A lively music performance at Hog Island, where locals and visitors come together for good vibes and reggae tunes.

Live band performing on Hog Island in Grenada, with the audience enjoying the music against the backdrop of the ocean.

Respect for nature – a sign reminding visitors to keep Hog Island clean and beautiful for everyone.

Sign posted at Hog Island in Grenada, urging visitors to take their trash away and keep the island clean.

Enjoying the scene at Hog Island in Grenada – a perfect moment of relaxation by the water.

A couple standing in the shallow waters of Hog Island, surrounded by boats and the lush hills of Grenada in the background.

4. A Visit to Hog Island: Ultimate Caribbean Chill

For a taste of authentic, laid-back Grenadian life, we made our way to Hog Island, a small, uninhabited island off Grenada’s south coast. Popular among sailors, Hog Island is a peaceful retreat with stunning views and a relaxed atmosphere. We spent the afternoon chatting with friends, enjoying the live reggae band, and watching the dogs play. It was the perfect end to our Grenadian adventure.

Conclusion: Grenada – An Island of Surprises

Our weekend trip to Grenada was everything we hoped for and more. The island’s beauty, combined with its welcoming locals and unique experiences, made it a destination we can’t wait to return to. Whether you're into adventure, history, or simply relaxing on pristine beaches, Grenada offers something for everyone.

If you’re a business owner or tour operator in Grenada, feel free to connect with me—I’d love to collaborate and explore how we can showcase all that this island has to offer.

Have you been to Grenada? Share your favorite highlights and tips for visiting in the comments below!