Things to Do
Rainforest & Falls
Into the cool green interior.
Rainforest & Falls
Inland, the island turns green and cool
Leave the coast behind and Grenada changes. The air cools, the light softens and the road climbs into rainforest. There are waterfalls you can swim beneath, a crater lake ringed by forest, trails through nutmeg and cocoa, and the island’s cheeky Mona monkeys watching from the branches.
The mountain roads are narrow and the finest falls need a guide, so this is a day I suggest you let me take care of. Tell me how far off the beaten path you would like to go and I will arrange the route, the guide and the timing.
Grenada’s waterfalls, one by one
Annandale Falls, the easy one
Annandale is the waterfall to choose when time is short. It sits in St George, about a 20-minute drive from the capital, and it is a two-minute walk from the visitor centre to the falls. The water drops 30 feet into a pool suited to a light, relaxed swim, and there are changing facilities on site. Local divers sometimes leap from the rocks and will ask for a tip. It is busiest when cruise ships are in port, so I time a visit for a quieter hour.
Concord Falls, three falls in one valley
Concord is in St John, on the west side of the island. The first fall sits beside the road. Beyond it, a country track climbs through nutmeg, cocoa and banana farmland to the upper falls, Au Coin and Fontainbleu; Au Coin is around an hour’s walk from the road. A guide is recommended for the upper falls, and the pools are for confident swimmers only.
Seven Sisters, a rainforest hike
The Seven Sisters falls lie in the Grand Etang National Park, a string of cascades reached on foot through the rainforest. The walk to the first cascade takes from 40 minutes to about an hour, depending on the pace and the mud. A guide is advised, and I arrange one with every Seven Sisters day.
Royal Mt Carmel Falls, on the east coast
Near Grenville in St Andrew, the water at Royal Mt Carmel falls 70 feet down a rocky cliff face. It is a gentle 30-minute walk through a private plantation, and the owners charge a small entrance fee. The trailhead is easy to miss, which is one more reason to go with a driver who knows it.
Tufton Hall, for experienced hikers
In St Mark, Tufton Hall is a strenuous river hike: walking in the stream bed and climbing with ropes. It is only for confident, experienced hikers, always with a guide, and never in the rainy season, when the river can rise quickly.
Grand Etang: the crater lake and the forest
At the heart of the island, the Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve surrounds a crater lake of around 36 acres, 530 metres above sea level. There is a visitor centre with viewpoints, picnic shelters and washrooms, and a small entry fee. Walks range from a 15-minute stroll to expeditions of several hours.
Shoreline trail. A 2 km loop around the lake and the best chance of seeing the Mona monkeys, which live in groups of up to thirty-five. Allow about an hour; it is often muddy.
Mt Qua Qua. 3 km each way along a narrow ridge to the summit, around 90 minutes up. You need a good head for heights.
Seven Sisters. 5 km along the stream to the falls.
When to go
The dry season runs from about January to May, and it is the most comfortable time for the longer hikes. From June to December the rain brings the falls to full strength, but trails turn muddy and rivers can rise quickly after a downpour, so I keep the plan flexible and choose the falls on the day.
What to bring
Shoes with good grip that you do not mind getting wet, swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes, water, and some cash for the small entrance fees charged at several of the falls. Your guide will tell you where it is safe to swim on the day.
How I arrange it
A waterfall day works best with a driver and, for the longer walks, a guide who knows the trail. I arrange both, and the timing, so you reach the falls at a quiet hour. You can also see the waterfall, hiking, river tubing and jeep tours from Grenada’s local operators in my app, This is Grenada, and book them there.
Frequently asked questions
Which waterfall in Grenada is easiest to reach?
Annandale Falls. It is about 20 minutes’ drive from St George’s and a two-minute walk from the visitor centre.
Can you swim at Grenada’s waterfalls?
Yes, at several. Annandale’s pool suits a light, relaxed swim. At Concord, the pools are for confident swimmers only. Your guide will tell you where it is safe on the day.
Do I need a guide?
For Annandale, no. For the upper Concord falls and Seven Sisters, a guide is recommended, and for Tufton Hall one is essential. I arrange guides with every hiking day.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes. Several of the falls, and the Grand Etang National Park, charge a small entry fee, usually paid in cash on arrival. Fees change, so I confirm them when I plan your day.
When is the best time to visit the waterfalls?
The dry season, from about January to May, is the most comfortable for hiking. In the rainy months the falls are fuller, but trails are muddier and rivers can rise quickly after rain.
Will we see the Mona monkeys?
They live around Grand Etang, in groups of up to thirty-five, and the Shoreline trail around the lake is the best place to look. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Into the green
When would you like to experience Grenada? Tell me how deep into the rainforest you would like to go. I will check availability and take care of every detail, from touchdown to departure.