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It could be called the Fruit Island for the luscious bounty growing profusely in the green hills. Then again it could be called the Beach Island for the plethora of idyllic sandy strands. We could go on…

Its beaches are indeed white but the sand is so pure it seems to have an inner radiance; and diving in the requisite turquoise waters is appropriately sublime, although here you'll likely have only your partner and some sea turtles for company. 

Grenada as a whole is a decent size - it's nearly as big as the Isle of Wight - offering lots to see and do. A hike in the rainforest is a must. Other prime activities include sailing, particularly around the protected bays of Grenada's deeply indented south coast, and diving: as well as reefs and wrecks, there is a unique underwater sculpture park to explore.

​History

Grenada is also an endearing, proud little nation. Driving around, you see kerbs and flower pots everywhere painted in the red, gold and green colours of the national flag, and billboards celebrating the achievements of the 400-metre runner Kirani James, who won Grenada's first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.

The towns are like visions from Gauguin, with their bright tropical colours accenting lush, green hillsides. There’s St George's to explore: Grenada's capital is one of the prettiest ports in the Caribbean. Then there's the island's mountainous and incredibly lush interior, with trails through the rainforest to walk and impressive waterfalls to discover. You can also learn more about the island's heritage, by visiting a cocoa estate, rum factory and a nutmeg processing station.

Explore

Visit the Seven sister falls where the path to these falls is signed off, a short drive north east of the Grand Etang Forest Reserve. The path initially leads through a pretty, cultivated landscape of nutmeg trees and dasheen, then descends in to the jungle to the falls. The largest waterfall is some 10 metres high, and has a big, inviting pool in which to swim at the bottom. 

Try the Dodgy-dock. This informal bar and restaurant - focal point of the colourful True Blue Bay Resort - is a lovely spot, on a canvas-covered deck protruding out over the waters of the bay. It's worth coming for a drink (and bite to eat) any night of the week: happy hour, with cut-price drinks, runs from 5-6pm. Wednesday nights is far and away the liveliest, with a DJ and a big, young crowd of locals. There's usually live music on Tuesdays (Grenadian Night) and Saturdays (Romantic Night).

Pound the crystalline sands at Grand Anse beach, Grenada's trademark beauty. Dive into the underwater art gallery at Moliniere Bay, where coral and statues combine to create masterpieces. Join the sea turtles at Anse La Roche, a hidden beach on isolated Carriacou. Hike amid mahogany trees and dew-dropping ferns in the Grand Etang rainforest and build the best sandcastle ever on unvisited Bathways Beach.