The Island of Grenada – From the moment you set foot from the aircraft you can smell the nutmeg and other spices on the warm breezes – there is nowhere else quite like this …
welcome to Grenada.
World famous beaches, history, invasion, coral reefs, rain forests and an abundance of very exotic flora, rare fruits and fresh spices make this island a very special and unspoilt place. Add in the warmth of its people and you have a recipe for some fantastic island Magic!
In March 2012, Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park was recognized as one of the “Wonders of the World – Earth’s Most Awesome Places” by National Geographic.
Grenada is actually a three-island nation, and from St. George’s you can catch the daily ferry to Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada’s two inhabited outposts in the Grenadine Islands.
More than 20 sites around Carriacou attract scuba divers and snorkelers, and deserted islets nearby can easily be accessed by water taxi. Known as the Land of Reefs, 13-square-mile Carriacou has a small community whose residents might invite you to observe customs handed down from African and European ancestors.
Traditional boat launchings, drum dances, candle-lighting “Pass Plays” and cemetery cleanings are held periodically. The village of Windward is known for building sailboats using the old-time methods passed down by Scottish settlers. The annual Carriacou Regatta held every summer encourages children to appreciate this art.
On Petite Martinique, French surnames remind visitors of the 900 residents’ heritage. Many inhabitants build boats or make their livings by fishing.
Visitors to Grenada can hire charter companies to provide a flavor of life on the ocean wave with day excursions, or weekly charters with crew or bareboat. Grenada’s position at 12 degrees north of the equator has given it an advantage as a Caribbean sailing destination. Annual Sailing festivals and regattas have become permanent attributes of the Calendar of events.
You can tour the island comfortably in a day, and at Gouyave visit one of the nutmeg-processing stations where the seeds are sorted, sacked and stamped for export.
A hand-woven basket of spices makes a memorable souvenir for the folks at home not lucky enough to have joined you. Also worth a stop is the Grenada Chocolate Company, a tiny solar-powered cottage factory that entices both chocoholics and antique-machinery buffs with its sweet, organic treats.
A historic factory nearby, River Antoine Rum Distillery, will fascinate rum connoisseurs – it’s the Caribbean’s only water-powered mill still operating.
Annual celebrations bring out Grenada’s endearing traditions. Cheerful parades filled with military groups as well as Boy and Girl Scouts mark Grenada’s independence day in February.
Foods from around the world and steel-band musicians make March’s Grensave International Food and Drink Extravaganza worth savoring. Local arts and craft, agricultural produce and cultural extravaganzas are part of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival held in the northern parish of St Patrick.
In April, big-drum nation dance, string-band music and quadrille dancing take center stage at the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival, where local “maroon” foods are featured. Moonlight City Park in La Poterie turns into a cultural village during the May Grenada Drum Festival. In August, the carnival Spicemas takes place.
And in December, delve into three days of open-air carol singing, cultural presentations and parang string bands in the streets of Hillsborough, followed by house to house “paranging” all night during the Carriacou Parang Festival.
• Valid passports
• Birth Certificates
• Sworn Affidavit, or letter from a Clergy Man, Lawyer or Registry if one or both parties are single, attesting to the fact that the parties involved have not been married previously (one each if both are single)
• Decree Absolute if divorced (one each is both are divorced)
• If widowed, a death certificate
• If under the age of 18, evidence of parental consent by way of an Affidavit from a Lawyer or Notary Public
• Legal proof if name is changed by Deed Poll
• All documents must be in English and certified
• No Blood Tests are required
State Requirement
• Visitors must be resident on island for a minimum of three days (including weekends and public holidays) before applying for a Marriage License.
• Application for a Marriage License is then made at the Prime Minister’s Office and the necessary stamp duty and license fees paid. This process takes about two days but slightly longer if either party is divorced as documents must be sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Fees: EC$100.00. Please note that these fees are subject to change.
