Tourists have been drawn to these islands for years, thanks to the promise of pristine white-sand beaches. And that’s a promise on which Grenada certainly delivers. All along the coastline, stretches of sand lead out into turquoise waters, which are perfect for either a refreshing dip or an exhilarating scuba dive. In fact, diving and snorkelling are both understandably popular activities on a Grenada holiday. These islands have some exquisite coral reefs, teeming with fascinating marine life like barracuda and eagle rays, and chances are, in these waters, you’ll manage to see sea turtles in their natural habitat.

Plus, there are also a whole heap of wrecks to explore, like the famed Bianca C wreck – consistently ranked amongst the top 10 wreck dives in the world. And, furthermore, the waters of Molinere Bay even have an underwater gallery where statutes and corals come together to form fantastically novel works of art.

It can be tempting to spend your entire Grenada holiday at the beach – but things here aren’t all about sun, sea and sand. There’s also the capital of St George’s to visit. Set on a horseshoe-shaped harbour and surrounded by serene Caribbean hillside, it’s a great place to learn more about the islands’ history and culture. Its old buildings are painted in pretty pastoral colours and the streets are lined with loads of interesting shops and cafes.

Towering 175 feet above Carenage Harbour, Fort George stands ever watchful over the city. First established in 1705 by the French, it’s a reminder of Grenada’s colonial past. Today it’s the HQ of the Royal Grenada Police Force, but certain sections are open to the public.

If you’re looking to fully escape on your Grenada holiday, hop on over to the island of Carriacou. As it’s off the beaten tourist track, it’ll provide you with a true taste of laidback, easygoing Caribbean life. Its largest town, Hillsborough, has a centre consisting of just a few streets, where more modern buildings stand alongside classically Caribbean wooden structures. And to the north of the town is beautiful countryside dotted with sleepy villages that are a delight to explore.

There’s also Petite Martinique – the smallest of the three main Grenadian islands. With a population of just 900, and covering an area of only 586 acres, it’s the perfect place to temporarily cut yourself off from the outside world and live in simple tranquillity. Its beaches are secluded, its waters are sublime and it’s a place that every explorer should find time to visit.

Grenada lies 160 kilometres north of Venezuela at the southeast edge of the Caribbean Sea. Like many places in this region, it enjoys a tropical climate and two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season runs from June to December. Although it’s still hot during these months, heavy downpours are common and things can get extremely humid.

However, there are benefits to booking your Grenada holiday during the wet season. Beaches are generally less crowded and hotels often lower their rates. And while rain falls most days, it’s not constant – there are plenty of sunshine hours, too. Plus, being on the southern edge of the hurricane belt, Grenada is rarely affected by the powerful storms that impact much of the Caribbean at this time of year.

The dry season, meanwhile, runs from December to May. While drier and less humid than the rainy season, the temperate isn’t much different. Things average around 28°C throughout the year, with water temperatures usually about 26°C.

Visa: British citizens do not need a visa to visit Grenada
Language: English
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$)
Time difference: GMT – 5 hours
Flight duration from London: 11 hours with one stop
Capital city: St George’s