Oildown + Water: The LargeUp Guide to Grenada

September 17, 2015


GET TO CARRIACOU and PETIT MARTINIQUE
Hillsborough-Carriacou

If you have enough time during your visit, a day trip to Grenada’s sister isles, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, is definitely recommended. Both are easily reachable from St. George’s by the Osprey ferry.

Carriacou, the larger of the two, is also known as the “Land of Reefs” and is perfect for snorkeling. Depending on when you visit, you can experience various cultural fare from a traditional wedding to boat-launching events. There’s also the Big Drum (or Nation) Dance, a traditional musical ritual centered around a boula drum and chantwell singer (and performed at various festivals and at public and family events), and Shakespeare Mas (also known as Pierot), the annual Carnival held yearly on Fat Tuesday.

Just one mile and diameter and with only about 1,000 residents, Petit Martinique is much smaller. In fact, one can make it around the island by foot in just about an hour. But why take it fast, when you can take it slow? Recommended pursuits include hiking up up the 750-foot mountain that stands at the center of the island, and swimming at Palm Beach, the island’s only swimming beach. Should you wish to stay overnight or for a longer period, the island is home to two smal guest houses, Millenium Connection and Palm Beach Guest House.