Best Time To Visit Grenada: Seasonality, Weather & Events

If you were to ever watch any of the Pure Grenada promotions and hear their sugary sweet melodies, paired with the deliberate selection of video slides depicting Grenada at its most alluring, you’d waste no time booking a holiday to the tri-island state, which includes the nearby Petite Martinique and Carriacou.

Even without having seen these promotions portraying the geo-tourism destination at its best, you’d have likely heard enough about the Spice Isle to warrant further investigation into whether or not it is the ideal place to bring your Caribbean holiday to life. If so, your next obvious question is likely: when would be the best time to go?

Grenada is one of the smaller islands of the Caribbean, with an area of only 133 square miles. Despite its small size, you won’t find a short supply of things to do and explore on the island, regardless of the time of year.

The best time to visit Grenada is during peak season, between mid-December and mid-April, because these are the months with the least rainfall, meaning your chances of a picture-perfect holiday are that much higher. For better availability and slightly smaller crowds, travel in the shoulder season in the months of November or May. During these months you can expect a slight increase of brief, tropical showers. Often those showers give way to sunshine for the rest of the day. Daytime temperatures are between 86 and 88 °F year-round.

Many visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe travel to Grenada to get away from colder winter temperatures. Most visitors from these areas travel between mid-December and mid-April, so you can expect a high level of activity on the island once you arrive. The surge in tourist arrivals at the end of the year is welcomed by the island’s tourism authority, as tourism is a huge income generator for Grenada. This is also the best time to visit the island if you're looking for a party.

From June to November it’s officially wet season in Grenada. These months see a decline in tourist arrivals due to the increase in rainfall. This means fewer crowds and a more tranquil experience on Grenada's amazing beaches and all-inclusive resorts. On top of this, you can expect to secure top luxury suites at a lower rate. Exceptions are the months of July and August, when tourists flock to the island to join Grenada’s carnival celebrations.

In this article on the Sandals Blog:
• Climate
• Rainfall in Grenada
• Peak Season in Grenada
• Low season in Grenada
• Shoulder season in Grenada
• Events in Grenada
• Basic packing list

What’s the weather like in Grenada?

Like most Caribbean islands, you can expect a relatively humid atmosphere in Grenada. Temperatures are, on average, about 30 °C during the early months of January and February, which are also reported to be the coolest compared to other months. During July and August, the temperature rises to about 31 °C. At this time, the wet season has begun and rainfall increases slightly.

Rainfall in Grenada

Unlike other parts of the world which use four seasons to predict what the weather will be like at any given time, the Caribbean uses only two: wet and dry. The wet season in Grenada is from June to November every year. The dry season in Grenada can start from December, and usually ends around May.

St. George’s, the capital of Grenada, experiences about 78 inches of rainfall annually, where about a monthly average of 8 and 10 inches falls in the months of June to November. You'll find 3 to 4 inches rainfall a month during the months of January and May. The months of February, March, and April are the driest, and therefore the best time to enjoy a well-deserved beach holiday.

Peak Season in Grenada

High season in Grenada begins from mid-December and continues until mid-April the following year. The warm Grenadian sun makes it an ideal escape from colder UK temperatures at this time, though it isn’t only people trying to escape from winter who make their way to these shores during high season. Adventure seekers also come during this time as it is the most active period for activities and events. This busy and exciting time can come with a higher price tag for your holiday, but the experiences you'll enjoy will out-weigh the slight extra expense.

Temperatures range from mid 20s to 30s in the high season. When travelling during the peak season, it is always a good idea to book your hotel or resort in advance, as well as any excursions you’d like to do. Some restaurants have bookings for weeks or even months in advance during the high season, so it’s a good idea to book these also before you go.

Insider tip: With 10 world-class restaurants and six themed bars, Sandals Grenada may be the perfect choice for your Caribbean holiday. This all-inclusive adults-only resort is perfect for high season travel with lots of amenities located on site.

Low season in Grenada

Low season in Grenada runs from June to November. During this time, the island has more of a relaxed atmosphere and visitors can easily settle into island life. The hotels, restaurants, and the various shops are all yours to peruse and you won’t have to worry about bumping into everyone. This season is great for a low key holiday, and is the perfect opportunity to relax and rejuvenate before getting back to reality. Travelling during the low season is a great way to enjoy a more economical holiday, as most resorts offer spectacular promotions during this time.

An exception to this rule is the end of July until August, when visitors come to Grenada to celebrate Grenada’s ultimate carnival celebration: the Spicemas Festival. During low season, expect slightly more rainfall, but note that this usually consists of relatively short showers.

Shoulder season in Grenada

In between the low season and the peak season, you’ll find the shoulder season, which consists of a little bit of both. During the shoulder season you’ll find a mixture of the best of both seasons. The island will be less crowded than it is during high season, and there is less rainfall than in the low season. Either way, it’s a win win!

Events in Grenada

From beach hopping and fishing tournaments, to festivals and patriotic events, you’ll find a full calendar of activities that you can be part of during your holiday in Grenada. Here are a few of the most popular:

Spice Island Billfish Tournament (January)
Calling all bill fishing lovers, Grenada is a prime spot for bill fishing, so don’t miss out!

Grenada Sailing Festival (January)
This international yacht racing competition takes place every year and attracts yachters as well as people looking to experience something out of the norm.

Carriacou Carnival (February)
A carnival celebration on a smaller scale as compared to Spice Mas, but just as fun!

Independence Day (February)
Grenada’s independence is celebrated on February 7th annually with lots of festivals, parades, and competitions.

Spicemas Festival (July-August)
Grenada’s ultimate carnival celebration features soca and dance competitions, renditions of steel pan and a grand Parade of the Bands. The Parade of the Bands is hosted on the second Monday and Tuesday in August.

Grenada Music Festival (Summer)
Expect live performances from internationally renowned artists at a well-attended festival.

Carriacou Parang Festival (December)
Generally Christmas in the Caribbean is very festive and offers a great experience for visitors. The islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique have their own celebrations, similar to that of the bigger island of Grenada.

Grenada Hash House Harriers
‘Drinkers with a running problem’, who meet every Saturday for a cross-country walk. Get in on the fun!

Explore the beaches

Embrace the chance to lounge at any of Grenada’s beaches, such as Grand Anse, Magazine, Morne Rouge, or Pink Gin Beach during your island holiday.

Basic packing list

• Swimsuits or swim shorts (two each for a five day holiday).
• Beach wrap, sarong or cover up of your choice
• Snorkelling/scuba diving equipment (you can also rent some when you get there)
• Underwear
• One outfit per day, plus change of clothes for the evening. Two daytime outfits per day for days where you plan on visiting beaches, or going on tours. Go for airy and loose fitting.
• A coat or sweater for the evening breeze (December-March).
• Flip-flops, sandals, dinner shoes, hiking shoes or trainers for excursions
• Mosquito repellent
• Long trousers (gents) for formal occasions, jeans (both) which you can use for travelling, and repeat wear.
• Raincoat or umbrella
• Sunscreen & lip balm
• Camera, electronic devices, memory cards, and chargers

Tip: Leave any excessive jewellery behind, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time on the beach or in the pool. If you must carry these items, opt for resorts like Sandals which offer in room safes.

Best time to visit Grenada: the final word

The island of Grenada enjoys a peak season from the months of mid-December to mid-April, with many tourists coming in during the early months. The low season is during June - November, where you can have some more of the island to yourself and also enjoy more competitive rates. Knowing what you want out of your holiday is key to deciding the best time to go. Some of the interesting events on the island like Spicemas (Carnival) and Independence Day happen in August and February, respectively. If you’re looking to have a fun time, filled with lots of ‘fetes’, this is the perfect time to go. Otherwise, choose the dates that work best with your schedule, and plan your own activities to ensure your time spent in Grenada will be super memorable.

All in all, Grenada is a beautiful nation with “not a thing out of place”, and you’re unlikely to be disappointed.