A Seven-Day Grenada Itinerary for Families with Young Children

A week in Grenada with young children works best when each day has one main thing and plenty of beach time around it. Distances are short, but roads are slow and winding, and children tire in the heat. This itinerary assumes you are staying in the south, around Grand Anse, Morne Rouge, True Blue or Lance aux Epines, where most family accommodation is, and that you have either a hire car or a trusted taxi driver for outings.

Each day lists an outing, how long it takes and a fallback if the weather or the children do not cooperate. It suits children from about three to ten; adjust the pace for babies or teenagers. Check opening times and tour schedules before you go, as they change.

Days one and two: settle in on the south coast

Start slowly. The first two days are for adjusting to heat, time zones and sea water, not for ticking off sights.

1. Day one, morning: Breakfast early, then Grand Anse Beach, the long sandy beach on the Caribbean side with generally calm water. Find shade under sea grape trees and stay near the water's edge.
2. Day one, afternoon: Nap or pool time. Late afternoon, walk along the beach and buy fresh coconut water from a vendor.
3. Day two, morning: Morne Rouge Beach (often called BBC Beach), a sheltered bay next to Grand Anse that is usually calm and good for small children.
4. Day two, afternoon: Stock up on supplies at a supermarket in the Grand Anse area, then an early dinner. Many families find that eating before sunset avoids both tired children and evening mosquitoes.
5. Fallback: If it rains, spend an hour at the Spiceland Mall area or relax at the accommodation and keep the beach for later.

Day three: St George's, the Carenage and the market

Head into St George's in the morning, about 15 minutes from Grand Anse by car or route bus. The Carenage, the horseshoe-shaped harbour lined with old stone warehouses and colourful houses, is a pleasant place to watch boats, and children like the water taxis buzzing across the harbour. The Market Square is livelier on Saturdays, when fruit, vegetables and spices are piled high. Let children choose a fruit to try.

Walk, or take a short taxi ride, up to Fort George for views over the harbour, holding small hands near the walls. The Sendall Tunnel, built in the 1890s, links the Carenage with the market side of town; it is narrow and shared with traffic, so walk through carefully or drive. The House of Chocolate on Young Street is a good final stop, with a small museum and cocoa tea.

Plan to be back at the beach or pool by early afternoon, when the town is hottest. If a cruise ship is in port, St George's will be busier; you might swap this day with another.

Day four: rainforest, monkeys and a waterfall

Grand Etang. Drive up into the mountains to Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve, about 30 to 40 minutes from the south. The air is cooler, and there is a good chance of seeing Mona monkeys near the visitor centre. The short trails near the crater lake suit children. Bring a light jacket and insect repellent.

Annandale Falls. On the way back, stop at Annandale Falls, a short walk from the road through gardens. There is a small entrance fee, and children can paddle in the pool when the water is calm and clear. Do not swim after heavy rain.

Lunch. Look out for small local restaurants on the way back to the south, or pack a picnic.

Fallback. If the mountains are covered in cloud and rain, swap this day for the chocolate and nutmeg trip described below.

Day five: chocolate and spice on the west coast

Drive up the west coast road, which hugs the sea with fishing villages, bays and steep green hills. With young children, keep it to two stops and a beach.

• Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station: a short guided visit through the working station where nutmeg and mace are sorted and dried. School-age children get the most from it.
• Dougaldston Estate: an old spice estate near Gouyave where cocoa and spices have traditionally been dried and displayed; check whether it is open before you go.
• Beach stop: on the way back, stop at a calm west coast beach for a swim. Ask locally which are safe for children that day.
• Option: if your children can handle a later night, Fish Friday in Gouyave offers fresh seafood street food on Friday evenings.
• Fallback: replace the drive with a shorter trip to Belmont Estate in the north-east if the west coast road is affected by weather.

Day six: a boat trip over the reef

Book a family-friendly boat trip from the Grand Anse or St George's area. Many operators offer glass-bottom boat tours or snorkel trips over the reefs and to the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, where sculptures stand in shallow water. Glass-bottom boats suit children who cannot yet swim well, as they can see fish and sculptures without getting wet.

Check that the boat carries life jackets in your children's sizes, has shade on board and is run by a licensed operator. Mornings usually have the calmest sea. Bring snacks, water, sunscreen and a towel per child, and expect to be back by lunchtime.

Spend the afternoon at a quiet beach such as Morne Rouge or at your accommodation. If anyone is prone to seasickness, keep the boat trip short and the afternoon easy.

Day seven: Carriacou, or a slow last day

Carriacou by ferry. The Osprey Lines fast ferry runs between St George's and Carriacou, docking at Tyrrel Bay rather than Hillsborough since Beryl (confirm when booking), taking roughly two hours each way. A day trip is possible but long with young children; consider an overnight stay instead. Check the current timetable, as it changes, and keep a seasickness remedy handy.

In Carriacou. Paradise Beach at L'Esterre is calm and shallow, and Sandy Island, a short water taxi ride away, is a classic for snorkelling. Carriacou is quiet and slower paced, which suits families. The island is still recovering from Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, so check what is open.

Or stay local. For families with very young children, a slow last day of beach and pool may be the better choice. Revisit the favourite beach from earlier in the week and pack in the afternoon.

Before you fly. The airport is close to the south coast hotels, so you can enjoy a final morning swim before an afternoon flight.

Practical notes for the week

A few details make this itinerary run more smoothly. They are easy to overlook when planning from abroad.

• Many shops, supermarkets and some restaurants close or keep short hours on Sundays, so do a supermarket run on Saturday.
• If you are driving, sort out your local driving permit when you collect the car, and remember that Grenada drives on the left. Allow longer than the distance suggests for every journey.
• Carry Eastern Caribbean dollars in small notes for beach vendors, entrance fees and route buses. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets, but not everywhere.
• Keep a cool bag in the car with water and snacks; on the mountain and coastal roads, shops can be few and far between.
• Use the hottest part of the day, roughly late morning to mid-afternoon, for lunch, naps and the pool rather than outings.
• Build in at least one completely unplanned day. Children often want to return to a favourite beach rather than see something new.

Frequently asked questions