St George’s Grenada Cruise Port is the gateway to Grenada, the “Spice Isle”! With a rich history, influenced by its indigenous peoples, French & British colonial past, Grenada isn’t just about pristine beaches! So in this guide, I’ll share with the top things to see near St George’s Grenada Cruise Port. From the historic Fort George, the original Underwater Sculpture Park and Concord Waterfall, known for its cascading waterfalls hidden within lush rainforests. For foodies, Grenada isn’t just known for its rum distilleries! It’s also known for its cocoa plantations (yes, this means chocolate!) and its spices including nutmeg and cinnamon.
Note: Don’t confuse St George’s Grenada Cruise Port with St George’s Cruise Port in Bermuda! If your cruise itinerary only says St George’s, be sure to check where you’re heading! So in this blog post, I use “St George’s Grenada Cruise Port” or “Grenada Cruise Port” for clarity.
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On This Page
- St George's Grenada Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward
- St George's Grenada Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
- St George's Grenada Cruise Port Map
- St George's Grenada Cruise Port: Your Transport Options
- St George's Grenada Cruise Port: Top Things to Do
- St George's Grenada Cruise Port: Nearby Beaches
- St George's Grenada Cruise Port: DIY Walking Tour
St George’s Grenada Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward
Thinking of doing “your own thing” at St George’s Grenada Cruise Port? Turns out that a DIY excursion at Grenada Cruise Port is easier than many other Caribbean ports. Here’s why I rated it 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward:
- Walk to Historic Centre: Grenada Cruise Port is right in the heart of St George’s Town Centre. There’s certainly enough to see to occupy you for an hour or two, including Grenada’s famous spices in the local market. I’ve got a DIY walking tour suggestions below 👇
- Water Taxi to Grand Anse Beach: You can hop straight onto a water taxi and be at the famous Grand Anse Beach with over a mile of powdery white sand in under 15 minutes! Just purchase a ticket for the water taxi and off you go! And Grand Anse Beach will have all the facilities you’ll need for a beach day.
- Taxis with regulated rates: If you’d like to venture further afield on your own (and don’t want to rent a car), then the local taxis are regulated with set rates. I always find this easier than having to negotiate prices!
As with almost all Caribbean Islands, there’s a lot to see at Grenada which are not easily accessible on a DIY excursion. But I think there’s enough for to fill a full DIY port day, if you don’t want to join a tour. But if you do, there’s lots of local operator tours if you don’t see something you like on your cruise line excursions!
St George’s Grenada Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
- Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (EC$), fixed at US$1 = EC$2.7 since 1976
- EC$ is official currency to six other countries besides Grenada: Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla and Montserrat. Bear this in mind if you’re going to take any EC$ out of ATMs.
- Use of USD$: Most establishments frequented by tourists will also accept USD$ cash. However, if you want change back, you may be given East Caribbean Dollars back. So check before hand!
- Language: Official language is English
- Official Website: Pure Grenada is the official website of Grenada Tourism Authority
- eSim for roaming in Grenada: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout – if you’re on a Caribbean cruise, then buy the Island Hopper, valid in 27 Caribbean Islands!
St George’s Grenada Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
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- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
St George’s Grenada Cruise Port: Your Transport Options
As with many Caribbean Islands, locals travel on privately operated minivans running along the main roads on the island – see the local “bus” station near the cruise port above. Unfortunately, the stops are not clearly marked and even if you ask a local, it’s rather difficult to get on the right mini-van and elbow with the locals. So here’s a quick summary of your options:
- Water Taxis: Water taxis run between Grenada Cruise Port and Grand Anse Beach and returns are US$10-$15 per person. Water taxis will get you to Grand Anse Beach quicker and cheaper than a taxi on land, because of how the road winds along the coast. You’ll see signs as you disembark from your ship. You can pay in US$.
- Taxis: The Grenada Taxi Association licenses local taxis and rates are regulated. If you’d like to venture further afield and need a taxi, then check out the rates first. Make sure you negotiate the price in the right currency!
- Tours: Tours, both with your cruise line or booked with local third party operators, are easier to some of the attractions below. If you know what you’d like to do and simply need a local private driver for a few hours, pre-book online here.
St George’s Grenada Cruise Port: Top Things to Do
1. Explore St George’s Historic Centre
St George’s Historic Centre blends its colonial heritage with Caribbean charm. Pastel coloured buildings line its narrow streets, with Georgian architecture standing alongside traditional wooden houses. If you’re interested, then I have suggestions for a DIY walking tour in St George’s Grenada Cruise Port for you below.
2. Snorkel in Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park
The Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park is an underwater gallery located in the Molinere Beauséjour Marine Protected Area, just off the west coast of Grenada. Created by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, it was the world’s first underwater sculpture park when it opened in 2006. (Taylor has since created others, including the underwater sculpture park off the coast of Cannes.)
The sculptures have become artificial reefs over time, so you’ll see coral, sponges and a variety of fish and other marine creatures attached to them. The sculptures are located in shallow water (5-8 metres deep). Because the water is incredibly clear, you’ll see able to see the sculptures and marine life while remaining very close to the surface.
Confident snorkeler & got your own gear? You can walk there in about 45 minutes from Grenada Cruise Port. Otherwise, your best bet is to join a tour starting from Grand Anse Beach. You can get to Grand Anse Beach easily via water taxi from outside Grenada Cruise Port.
3. Swim in Concord Waterfall
Concord Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall easily accessible on a sheer rock face fringed by tropical greenery, with steps to a pool. It’s about 10 miles (~16 km) away from St George’s Grenada Cruise Port, or about 40 minutes drive away. The waterfall is around 130 feet tall and cascades down a series of rock faces, with a series of pools. The pools are surrounded by lush rainforest, so it’s a great place to swim.
It is very popular because you can drive almost directly to the falls! From the parking area, or drop off point, it’s just a short easy walk down to a set of steps to reach the base of the falls and the swimming pools. So no hiking to enjoy Concord Falls! (If you prefer to hike, then Seven Sisters Waterfall is more for you!)
Other than renting a car for the day, the easiest way to get there is to join a tour, either through your cruise line or a local operator. Tours typically till take you to nearby Grand Etang Forest Reserve as well. The centrepiece of the reserve is Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake formed within an extinct volcano. With diverse flora and fauna, you can see mona monkeys, armadillos, opossums, and numerous bird species, including the Grenada Dove, the national bird. (Note there’s no swimming in Grand Etang Lake.)
Annandale Waterfall is another spot with easy access, without much walking needed. The waterfall is less steep (30 feet tall) but it does mean that you can dive into the water if you’d like. Another way to enjoy is to go tubing where you can just relax and float. (Helmets and life vests are provided. Note the current is rather tranquil, so don’t expect the equivalent of white water rafting!)
4. Hike the Seven Sisters Waterfall
The Seven Sisters Waterfall is a series of seven cascading falls that tumble down a lush forested hillside. The falls create inviting pools at their base. The water is relatively shallow in each, so it’s perfect for a refreshing dip after the hike.
The hike is classified as moderate, with some uphill sections. It’s a 2km walk (~1.2 miles) each way, with an elevation of 183m (~600 feet) and takes about 30-45 minutes each way. Tours will pickup from Grenada Cruise Port, with return transfers.
5. Indulge in Rum & Chocolate Tasting
For foodies, Grenada has lots of options! Grenada is famous for its spices, its chocolate and rum distilleries! The House of Chocolate Museum (see below) close to Grenada Cruise Port is an obvious spot to drop by. There’s a few rum distilleries in Grenada open for visits:
- River Antoine Rum Distillery: Established in 1785, it’s the oldest functioning water-powered distillery in the Caribbean! Traditional methods are still being used – first by crushing the sugarcane using a water-powered wheel and distilling the rum in copper pot stills. The rum is potent at around 75% alcohol! River Antoine is on the other side of the island, so you’ll need to rent a car or join a tour to get there.
- Clarke’s Court Rum Distillery: Founded in 1937, Clarke’s Court is the largest rum distillery in Grenada. If you normally drink rum, then there’s a wide range from light to dark rums as well as spiced rums to taste! Clarke’s Court is the more popular tour spot, as it’s a short drive from Grand Anse Beach. (Cruise line excursions typically go here, because it’s much closer to Grenada Cruise Port.)
St George’s Grenada Cruise Port: Nearby Beaches
1. Grenada Cruise Port to Grand Anse Beach
The closest beach to Grenada Cruise Port is the Grand Anse Beach. It’s two miles of pristine powdery white sand! It’s the quintessential Caribbean beach, perfect for strolling, sunbathing and building sandcastles 🏖️🩴! The bay is protected by a natural reef, so the waters are clear and calm.
Grand Anse is quite developed, so you’ll easily find everything you need for a beach day out. Beach bars, restaurants and hotels line the shore. You’ll also find local operators for kayaking and paddle boarding rental. Or just rent some snorkelling great and explore the underwater world yourself.
DIY day out to Grand Anse Beach is easy! Use the water taxis directly from Grenada Cruise Port as above. The Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market is open daily.
2. Morne Rouge Beach (aka BBC Beach)
Located just south of Grand Anse, Morne Rouge Beach is known for a more laid-back vibe than Grand Anse Beach and usually gets fewer visitors. From Grenada Cruise Port, take the water taxi to Grand Anse and walk along the beach. At the end of Grand Anse Beach, Morne Rouge is a further 5 minutes walk away.
3. Magazine Beach
Magazine Beach is affectionately nicknamed as “department lounge” because it’s the closest beach to the Maurice Bishop International Airport. So you’ll get quite a lot of passengers waiting for their departure flights getting their final dose of sun, sand and sea before leaving Grenada. It’s more difficult to get from Grenada Cruise Port but if you’d rented a car for the day, then you can definitely drive to Magazine Beach easily.
St George’s Grenada Cruise Port: DIY Walking Tour
1. Fort George
Originally named Fort Royal, construction began in 1705 by the French to defend the harbour. In 1763, the British captured Granada as part of the Seven Years’ War and renamed the fort in honour of King George III. (King George’s wife, Queen Charlotte, “re-discovered” in the recent Bridgetown series on Netflix, had another fort named after her in 🇻🇨 St Vincent and the Grenadines.) Today, Fort George houses the Royal Grenada Police Force headquarters.
Note: Fort George is currently closed but the terrace or observation deck is open. It’s still the police HQ, so if in doubt, just ask someone who’s on duty!
2. Grenada National Museum
The Grenada National Museum is housed in one of Grenada’s oldest buildings. Once part of the French military barracks, it was later used as a prison until mid-1800s. It’s a small museum but you can see artefacts from the island’s first inhabitants, the indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples, through their tools and pottery.
There’s also exhibits on the colonial era, slavery, the plantation economy and the Grenada Revolution (1979-1983). Grenada’s lesser known history in whaling is also covered. American whaling ships frequented Grenadian waters as early as the mid-1800s. But it wasn’t until a Norwegian company established a whaling station on Glover island, off the coast of Grenada, in 1920s that humpback whale numbers rapidly declined. So whaling stopped.
- Opening Hours: Closed weekends. Generally open on weekdays when ships are at port (9am – 4:30pm). The museum is free to enter.
3. House of Chocolate Grenada Museum
While cacao trees are native to South America, they were first brought to Grenada in 1714 by French settlers who recognised the island’s fertile volcanic soil and ideal climate for cocoa cultivation. Large estates were established, and cocoa quickly became a major agricultural product.
So the museum not only tells Grenada’s history as a cocoa bean exporter but also goes into the art of chocolate making! There’s of course some delicious treats to taste, including freshly made chocolates, with a cafe for other sweet treats, including ice cream. The “museum” is small and I would head there more for the chocolate, than about the history!
- Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.
4. The Carenage
The Carenage is the picturesque waterfront district in St. George’s. It dates back to the 17th century, when it served as a port for ships carrying goods to and from the island. You’ll see a mix of architectural styles and influences, reflecting Grenada’s history of French and British colonisation. The Carenage was known as “The Town of Carriages” as it was home to many wealthy merchants who owned horse-drawn carriages.
You can continue your walk on Wharf Road, which wraps around the harbour, until you want to turn back. You’ll pass the Christ of the Deep statue, dedicated to those who lost their lives in a tragic shipwreck in St George’s harbour in 1961. A new version is in the Underwater Sculpture Park. The street behind, Blaze Street, will lead you back to the Main Street, Market Hill, for the Cathedral below.
5. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was built over 80 years! After the British allowed Catholicism again on the island, a small chapel dedicated to St. James was built, followed by the bell tower in 1818. The Cathedral was finally completed in 1884. Hurricane Ivan severely damaged the Cathedral in 2004 (along with 90% of the island) but it’s been painstakingly restored.
The Cathedral is in Gothic revival style, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults and stained glass windows. The interior is simple, but the 100-foot bell tower dominates the St George’s skyline.
6. St George’s Market
If you fancy browsing a local market, then St George’s Market is on Market Hill, on the way back to the Cruise Port. It’s closed on Sundays but it’s open during the week in business hours. If you’re interested to take home some souvenir spices, then there’s going to be plenty to choose from here!
Grenada is nicknamed “Spice Island” for a reason! It’s famous for producing high quality nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice (pimento), bay leaves and turmeric. If you intend to head to Grand Anse Beach during your port day, there’s also a spice market there.
Featured Photo by Hugh Whyte on Unsplash
Off to a Caribbean cruise that includes Grenada? Then I hope that this guide has given you all the info you need to plan your DIY excursion at Grenada. Please drop me a line below if you have any questions or top tips to share!
