Destination Guide
Grenada
The first thing you notice in Grenada is the smell. Not sunscreen or jet fuel, but nutmeg, cinnamon, and cocoa carried on a warm breeze rolling off the volcanic hills. I’m Jim, a Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite member who has personally reviewed every Sandals property, and Grenada stopped me in my tracks the moment I stepped off the plane at Maurice Bishop International Airport.
Grenada is the Caribbean’s Spice Isle, and it earns that name honestly. The island produces roughly 20% of the world’s nutmeg supply, and you can smell it in the air, taste it in the rum punch, and see it on the flag. It is also one of the most naturally dramatic islands I have visited, with rainforest-covered peaks, volcanic crater lakes, and a coastline that alternates between soft white sand and rugged Atlantic surf.
If you are considering a Sandals Grenada vacation in 2026, this guide covers everything you need to know. I will walk you through the beaches, the best things to do on the island, and what makes the resort itself worth your time and money.
About Grenada
Grenada is the southernmost island in the Windward Islands chain, sitting just 90 miles north of Venezuela. It spans 21 miles long and 12 miles wide, with a lush, mountainous interior created by ancient volcanic activity. The capital, St. George’s, wraps around a horseshoe-shaped harbor lined with colorful French colonial buildings and red-tiled rooftops.
English is the official language, though you will hear French Creole in markets and neighborhoods outside the tourist areas. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the local currency, but US dollars are accepted everywhere on the island. Credit cards work at the resort and most restaurants in St. George’s.
Getting here is straightforward. Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) receives nonstop flights from Miami, New York (JFK), Toronto, and Charlotte. The transfer from GND to Sandals Grenada takes about 10 minutes, making it one of the shortest airport-to-resort rides in the entire Sandals portfolio.
Grenada sits south of the main hurricane belt, which means it rarely takes a direct hit. That makes it one of the safer Caribbean picks for late-summer travel when prices drop and crowds thin out. Dry season runs December through April, and the best value months are May, June, and November.
Best Beaches in Grenada
Grand Anse Beach is the headline act. It stretches for two miles along Grenada’s southwest coast with soft white sand, calm turquoise water, and a gentle slope that makes it comfortable for swimming at almost any skill level. Hotels, restaurants, and beach bars line the road behind it, but the beach itself never feels crowded.
Pink Gin Beach, where Sandals Grenada sits, is a quieter stretch south of Grand Anse. The sand has a faint pinkish tint from crushed coral, and the water is shallow enough to wade out a good distance before it deepens. It is one of the most swimmable resort beaches I have used in any Sandals property.
Morne Rouge Bay (also called BBC Beach) is a sheltered cove just south of Grand Anse. The water here is exceptionally calm, almost like a lake, and the beach is smaller and more private. Magazine Bay and La Sagesse Beach on the southeast coast are worth the drive if you want a less-visited shoreline with good snorkeling right off the sand.
Things to Do in Grenada
Grenada’s underwater sculpture park near St. George’s was the first of its kind in the world. Artist Jason deCaires Taylor placed dozens of concrete figures on the sea floor in Moliniere Bay, and coral has been growing over them for nearly two decades. You can snorkel or scuba dive to see them, and the experience is unlike anything else in the Caribbean.
The island’s interior is just as compelling. Annandale Falls is a 30-foot waterfall about 15 minutes from St. George’s, surrounded by tropical vegetation and easy to reach on a short hike. Seven Sisters Falls requires a longer trek through the rainforest with a guide, but you can swim in the pool at the base. Both are half-day trips that pair well with a morning at the resort.
Grenada’s cocoa and chocolate heritage is growing into a legitimate food tourism draw. Belmont Estate and the Diamond Chocolate Factory offer bean-to-bar tours where you watch the entire process from fermented cocoa pods to finished bars. The chocolate is rich and earthy, nothing like what you find on supermarket shelves back home.
Rum fans should visit the River Antoine Rum Distillery in the northeast. It has been producing rum the same way for over 200 years, using a waterwheel to crush the cane. The overproof rum they make is strong enough to strip paint, but the tour is fascinating and the tasting is generous. For something more refined, Clarke’s Court Rum Distillery near the airport offers a polished visitor experience with blending classes.
St. George’s itself is worth a morning of wandering. Fort George offers panoramic views of the harbor and the Carenage waterfront. The spice market near the cruise ship terminal sells fresh nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and cocoa balls at local prices. If your visit falls in early August, the Spicemas carnival fills the streets with calypso, soca music, and Jab Jab masqueraders covered in oil and paint.
Where to Stay: Sandals Resorts in Grenada
Sandals Grenada
Sandals Grenada is a 257-room adults-only, all-inclusive resort on Pink Gin Beach. It was the first Sandals property to introduce SkyPool Suites with private infinity-edge plunge pools, and it remains one of the most architecturally striking resorts in the chain. Ten restaurants, six bars (including a swim-up bar), and 24-hour butler service in top-tier suites are all included in one price.
Watersports are a major strength here. Scuba diving with full PADI certification, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are all included. The resort also has a tennis court, a full-service Red Lane Spa, and three pools, including a main infinity pool that appears to spill into the Caribbean. For couples who want an intimate Sandals experience on a quieter island, Grenada is one of my top recommendations for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grenada
What is the best resort in Grenada?
Sandals Grenada on Pink Gin Beach is my top pick. It has 257 rooms, 10 restaurants, included scuba diving, and some of the most innovative suite categories in the Sandals portfolio, including the SkyPool Suites and Over-the-Water Honeymoon Suites. You can read my full comparison in the best Sandals resorts ranking.
When is the best time to visit Grenada?
December through April is dry season with the most reliable weather. May, June, and November offer the best rates at Sandals Grenada. The island sits south of the main hurricane belt and almost never gets hit directly, making it one of the safer Caribbean destinations for late-summer travel.
How do I get to Sandals Grenada?
Fly into Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND). Nonstop service runs from Miami, New York (JFK), Toronto, and Charlotte. Flight time from Miami is about four hours. The transfer from the airport to Sandals Grenada takes roughly 10 minutes, one of the shortest in the Sandals chain.
Why is Grenada called the Spice Isle?
Grenada produces about 20% of the world’s nutmeg, along with significant quantities of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Spice plantations are a popular off-resort excursion, and Belmont Estate is the most-visited. Even at the resort, you will notice nutmeg turning up in dishes, desserts, and rum punches.
Is Grenada safe for tourists?
Grenada is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Violent crime against tourists is rare, and the island has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Standard precautions apply: do not leave valuables unattended on the beach, and stick to well-lit areas at night in St. George’s. Inside Sandals Grenada, security is 24/7.
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Grenada rewards the kind of traveler who wants more than a pool chair and a buffet. Between the spice plantations, the underwater sculpture park, the waterfalls, and one of the most well-designed Sandals resorts in the Caribbean, there is plenty to fill a week here. If you have questions about booking Sandals Grenada or planning your trip, feel free to reach out. I am happy to help.
