Exploring Grenada And Barbuda: Which Island Offers More Thrills?

Grenada and Barbuda are two attractive tourist destinations, but which one is more fun? Grenada is known for its picturesque beaches, spices, and chocolate, while Barbuda boasts luxurious resorts and a vibrant nightlife. Grenada offers a more diverse landscape with opportunities for jungle trekking, hiking, and exploring waterfalls and rainforests. It is also known as the Wreck-Diving Capital of the Caribbean. On the other hand, Barbuda offers a range of water activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and swimming with sea turtles. It also has a variety of accommodation options, from glamorous hotels to affordable hostels. So, which one is more fun? The answer may depend on your personal preferences and what you are looking for in a vacation spot.

Grenada's natural wonders

Grenada is an oval-shaped island in the Caribbean Sea, with a landscape that is mountainous in the north and south, and steep slopes in the west. The island is rich in natural wonders, from its beaches to its volcanic craters, waterfalls, and lakes.

Grand Anse Beach

Grand Anse Beach, on the west of the island, is protected by the high peaks of the country's western area. Its calm waters make it an ideal spot for those seeking a serene refuge. The beach boasts lovely white sand and blue waters, and is a great spot for water sports enthusiasts, offering diving, snorkelling, and boating.

Grand Etang Lake

Grand Etang is a volcanic crater, surrounded by legends and myths. It is famous for its hiking trails, where hikers can find a number of animal species, including armadillos, mona monkeys, Antillean tanagers, and broad-winged hawks. There are also diving sites here, but divers should be cautious of the chilly winds during cold climates.

Concord Falls

Concord Falls is a three-tiered waterfall, with the lowest part being a great spot for swimming and camping. The hike to the third and highest tier is moderately challenging and takes about two hours. The falls are surrounded by rich vegetation and interesting wildlife.

Levera National Park

Levera National Park is a popular coastal area, featuring several beaches, a lagoon, and marine areas. The lagoon is known for its mangrove swamps and bird species, including herons, waterfowl, black-necked stilts, and snipes. The marine park offers excellent snorkelling, with abundant aquatic life and beautiful coral reefs.

Lake Antoine National Landmark

Lake Antoine is a smaller volcanic lake than Grand Etang, but it still offers a remarkable hiking trail and abundant bird species, including snail kites, gray kingbirds, whistling ducks, and limpkin. It is a popular spot for birdwatchers.

Other Natural Wonders

Grenada has much more to offer, including the Seven Sisters Falls, the Palm Tree Gardens Botanical Garden, Laura's Herb & Spice Garden, and the Royal Mount Carmel Falls. The island's highest peak, Mount Catherine, features scenic villages and wide areas of forest. The rich plant and animal life make Grenada a famous tourist attraction.

Antigua's beaches

Antigua is known for its beaches—it has 365 of them! All of the beaches on the island are open to the public, so you can enjoy the pristine white sands and turquoise waters whenever you like.

Dickenson Bay Beach

Dickenson Bay is located in the northwestern part of Antigua, in the parish of St. John. It's one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches on the island, with calm waters that are great for swimming, and lots of water sports activities, including jet skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, tubing, kayaking, snorkelling, and scuba diving. The beach is about a mile long, so there's plenty of space to find a quiet spot, even when it's crowded. There are also luxury resorts, restaurants, and shops nearby.

Ffryes Beach

Ffryes Beach is located on the western shore of the island, towards the southern end. It's a great spot for couples who want a tranquil place to relax and enjoy the sunset. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, and there's parking and bathrooms nearby. The water here is a little deeper than at some other beaches, and the waves can be strong, so it's not ideal for young children or weak swimmers.

Carlisle Bay

Carlisle Bay is a quiet, crescent-shaped beach on the south coast of Antigua, surrounded by palm trees and with views of luxury yachts. The water is calm, and the beach is usually quiet, so it's a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There's a resort at one end of the beach, and the other end is quieter, with lots of palm trees.

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is an isolated beach on the Atlantic coast of Antigua, in Saint Philip Parish. The crescent-shaped beach gets its name from its shape, and the waves here can be strong due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. It's a great spot for bodysurfing and boogie boarding, and there are restaurants nearby. The left side of the bay is sheltered by rocks and is a good place to snorkel if you prefer calmer waters.

Jolly Beach

Jolly Beach is located on the western side of Antigua, in Jolly Harbour. It's about a mile long and quite spacious, making it a great place for a romantic walk. The beach is clean and has calm waters, and there are lots of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance.

Pigeon Point Beach

Pigeon Point Beach is located in English Harbour on the southern tip of Antigua. It's a popular spot for snorkelling, with calm, clear waters and plenty of trees for shade. There are also hiking trails nearby at Nelson's Dockyard, a marina and cultural site.

Turner's Beach

Turner's Beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand located along the west coast of Antigua, on the Caribbean Sea side. It's a spacious and clean beach with several restaurants and bars within walking distance. It's also a great spot for snorkelling, and you can often see tropical fish and stingrays.

Other notable mentions

Other beautiful beaches in Antigua include:

• Galleon Beach: A pristine and uncrowded beach, great for snorkelling and exploring the nearby Pillars of Hercules.
• Long Bay Beach: A protected beach with calm waters, great for swimming and snorkelling.
• Hawksbill Bay Beaches: A series of secluded beaches located within the Hawksbill Resort property, including the clothing-optional Eden Beach.
• Fort James Beach: A serene and unspoiled beach with calm waters, ideal for lounging and swimming.
• Valley Church Beach: A quiet and peaceful beach with calm, turquoise waters and great snorkelling.
• Darkwood Beach: An uncrowded beach with gentle surf and crystal blue water.
• Galley Bay Beach: A fantastic family-friendly beach with soft white sand and tremendous views.
• Runaway Beach: A beautiful beach with white sand and turquoise water, but limited facilities.
• Jabberwock Beach: A consistent spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding, located close to the airport.

Grenada's food scene

• Oil Down: Grenada's national dish is a hearty one-pot stew layered with plantain, breadfruit, salted meat, chicken or fish, spices, and coconut milk. It is often prepared and enjoyed during community gatherings or "beach limes."
• Saltfish Souse: A traditional Grenadian breakfast dish, featuring salted codfish mixed with chopped tomato, onion, pepper, and parsley, typically served with a "bake," a pouch-shaped bun similar to pita bread.
• Pigeon Peas Soup: A hearty and comforting soup, often containing meats like pigtail and various provisions, including sweet potatoes, cassava, and plantain. Grenadian soups also feature unique dumplings, adding a satisfyingly firm texture to the dish.
• Doubles and Roti: A popular street food originating from Trinidad and Tobago, doubles consist of two pieces of fried bara bread stuffed with curried chickpeas and topped with mango and hot pepper. Roti is a larger version, wrapped around a stewed protein like goat or chicken.
• Macaroni Pie, Coleslaw, and Sides: Grenadians excel in side dishes, including macaroni pie, coleslaw, scalloped potatoes, rice and peas, and lentils. These sides are typically served alongside grilled fish or meat for lunch.
• Chicken Pelau: A delicious one-pot dish where aromatic chicken and rice are cooked with thyme, peas, vegetables, and coconut milk, creating a Caribbean version of Spanish paella.
• Goat Dairy Artisanal Cheese: The Grenada Goat Dairy, a project born after Hurricane Ivan, produces organic goat cheese that is used in various dishes, such as a beetroot tart at the esteemed Rhodes restaurant.
• Grenada Crabback: A specialty made from fresh crabmeat from land crabs, mixed with herbs and cheese sauce, and baked inside a crab shell, often served as an appetizer.
• Grenada Spiny Lobster: While not always easy to find on menus, spiny lobster is a delicacy during the lobster season, which runs from September 1st to April 30th.
• Grenadian Chocolate: The Grenada Chocolate Company, a solar-powered cooperative, produces chocolate with intense and complex flavours from locally grown cacao beans. The Grenada Chocolate Festival, held each spring, is a must-visit for chocolate lovers.
• Callaloo: A staple Caribbean vegetable, callaloo is often cooked and added to soups, stuffed inside chicken breasts, or pureed and served as a side dish.
• Pigtail Souse: A traditional Caribbean dish featuring stewed pigtail and a variety of herbs and spices, often served with provisions or fry bake.
• Coo Coo or Cou Cou: A velvety, firm dish made by slowly simmering cornmeal and vegetables, usually served with stewed callaloo, okra, or fish.
• Lambi (Conch): A popular seafood delicacy, lambi (conch) is marinated, grilled, or stewed and added to dishes like oil down or made into fritters.
• Nutmeg: Grated nutmeg is a common ingredient in Grenadian cuisine, used in dishes like oil down and desserts like nutmeg ice cream. It is also grated on top of rum punches.
• Rum Punch: A Grenadian rum punch is a memorable cocktail, often made in large batches with white or dark rum and various fruit juices. Each bar has its own unique recipe, with Rocky's Bar on Morne Rouge Beach serving a particularly potent version.
• Grenada Rum Agricole: River Antoine Rum, produced at the oldest functioning water-powered rum distillery in the Caribbean, is made from pure organic sugarcane using traditional methods, resulting in a strong, raw spirit.
• Grenada Craft Beer: The West Indies Beer Co., the eastern Caribbean's first microbrewery, offers a range of natural beers brewed with traditional ingredients, including their flagship brew, Windward IPA.
• Blue Tea: Tower Estate, a historic great house, serves an elegant afternoon tea featuring blue tea crafted from blue butterfly pea flowers grown in their gardens.
• Cocoa Tea: A traditional Grenadian drink made with cocoa balls and boiling water, often enjoyed as a breakfast beverage or in the afternoon.
• Sweet Potato Pudding: A classic Grenadian dessert made with grated sweet potato, coconut, milk, and spices, baked until it reaches a gooey, sticky perfection and often served with ice cream.

Outdoor activities in Antigua

Antigua is a small island with plenty of outdoor activities to offer. Here are some ideas for outdoor activities in Antigua:

Beach and water activities

• Antigua is known for its beautiful beaches, so you could spend a day at Valley Church Beach, Fryes Beach, or one of the other beaches on the island.
• Go snorkelling at Turtle Beach, Cades Reef, or Stingray City.
• Take a boat tour, such as a catamaran cruise or a self-drive boat tour.
• Try scuba diving, sea scootering, or jet skiing.
• Go kayaking or paddleboarding.
• Take a swim at the natural sea pools in Green Island.

Adventure activities

• Go ziplining through the rainforest.
• Take an ATV tour through the Antiguan countryside.
• Go hiking to spots like the Pillars of Hercules, the only known Stonehenge in the Caribbean, or the Seven Sisters Waterfall.
• Try out the unique underwater jetskiing experience at Galleon Beach.

Sightseeing and history tours

• Take a scenic tour of the island, including historic sites like Devil's Bridge, Shirley Heights, and Nelson's Dockyard.
• Visit the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.
• Go on a guided tour of St. John's, including sights like the St. John's Anglican Cathedral.
• Take a buggy tour to historical and heritage sites.

Food and drink

• Sample the local seafood and traditional dishes like Ducana, a sweet potato dumpling.
• Try some of the local rum.
• Visit a local chocolate boutique and sample the award-winning chocolates.

Nightlife in Grenada

Grenada's nightlife is quieter than that of other islands, but there are still plenty of options for visitors looking for evening entertainment. The island's nightlife consists mainly of live music at resort hotels, a dinner theatre in the countryside, a very popular street party, and a handful of nightspots.

On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you can expect to hear disco, soca, reggae, and international pop music from 10 pm until late. There may be a cover charge of EC$10 to EC$30, but admission is often free.

Fantazia

Located at Morne Rouge Bay in St. George's, Fantazia offers dancing to the latest local, regional, and international hits. Soca, Reggae, and Cadance are also popular here. The most popular nights are Fridays and Saturdays, and it's exceptional (and crowded) during carnival time. Fantazia is open from 9:30 pm until the early hours of the morning. The venue is air-conditioned, with state-of-the-art equipment, good acoustics, and fantastic disco lights. There are also live shows on Fridays and Saturdays.

True Blue Bay Resort & Villas

Located in St. George's, this resort offers a range of evening entertainment. On Wednesdays, you can enjoy local tunes and street food, while Fridays feature live jazz at sunset. They also have a Margaritas Mexican Night and a daily happy hour from 5 pm to 6 pm. The venue is open until midnight.

Bananas Restaurant, Sports-Bar and Night Club

Also located in True Blue, St. George's, Bananas offers something for everyone. Open daily, this oasis is Grenada's premier location for food and nightlife. The restaurant and bar open at 4 pm every day, serving everything from quick meals like wood-fired pizza and burgers to more formal sit-down dinners featuring imported meats, local seafood, and international dishes. There's a daily happy hour from 5 pm to 7 pm, followed by live entertainment at 8 pm on Saturdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, Bananas' state-of-the-art club opens at 10:30 pm for dancing, continuing well into the morning hours. They also offer Latin dance classes and dancing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm. Sundays and Mondays are Sports Days, with major worldwide sporting events shown on various TVs.

Venus Restaurant and Sports Lounge

Catering to a wide range of entertainment needs, Venus is located on Wall Street in St. George's. It features a full restaurant, pool tables, big-screen TVs, slot machines, and rooms for private dining and events.

Fort Matthew

A unique bar built inside the catacombs of old Fort Matthew, overlooking St. George's. This spot is a must-visit when exploring Grenada's nightlife. They have live music every Thursday night.

The Junction Bar & Lounge

Located in L'ance aux Epines, St. George's, this bar and grill is open Wednesday to Saturday from 5 pm for dinner, dancing, live music, and "liming" until 1 am. From October, the cafe and lounge are open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm for breakfast and lunch. They offer espresso, cappuccino, wine, beer, crepes, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and desserts.

West Indies Brewery Co.

Specialising in real ales and beers brewed in the Caribbean, this brewery is located in L'ance aux Epines, St. George's. It's a favourite spot for students, locals, and visitors, offering pool tables, bar games, and music.

The Lightship

A unique bar located at Le Phare Bleu in Petite Calivigny Bay, The Lightship offers a range of rum cocktails and beers from around the West Indies. Enjoy happy hour as you watch the sunset, or listen to a variety of nightly entertainment. The Lightship is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 pm to midnight.

Frequently asked questions