Category: Boat Cruise

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Top 5 Caribbean Islands to Visit – Winter/Spring 2022

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Falmouth Harbour Antigua from Active Caribbean Travel

Looking for a warm and sunny vacation this winter? Here’s our top picks…

Now that another winter has begun in many parts of the world, folks might be in need of a Caribbean vacation. Nothing beats the winter blues like feeling the sand beneath your feet, snorkelling in clear warm Caribbean waters or hiking through lush rainforest. If you’re thinking of heading south for a warm-weather vacation right now, here are our thoughts on the best Caribbean destinations to visit in the first few months of 2022.

Unfortunately, it’s deja-vu all over again – with yet another Covid-19 wave that looks to peak sometime in January. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t travel. Based on readily available data, it might actually be safer to spend some time on certain Caribbean islands than it is to ‘go out’ in most American, Canadian, UK or European towns or cities. For this article, we looked at the Caribbean Islands that appear to be managing to keep the number of covid cases to a minimum. We also considered each island’s current covid related entry requirements to ensure a good balance of safety and convenience.

Below, you’ll find our rationale for choosing our top Caribbean destinations for winter 2022, along with a few ideas of what you can do on the island – Then you can decide what destination works best for you. We also listed a few other islands that just missed the cut, in case you need more options. Due to the timing of this most recent covid wave, it may be best to plan for a mid-February departure when covid cases should be on the decline again. Ideally, it may also be best to vacation in a small-to-medium-sized accommodation and to stay away from densely populated areas on the island of your choice. We hope you enjoy our review!

Antigua & Barbuda


Freeman Bay Antigua from Active Caribbean Travel

This latest covid wave doesn’t seem to have impacted Antigua & Barbuda much (yet?). As of the beginning of January, there are only a few active covid cases in Antigua & Barbuda.  It’s also encouraging to know that well over half the local population is fully vaccinated.  It’s reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the islands (Exception being children under 18 years old) as well.

Hike Antigua with Active Caribbean Travel


Antigua and Barbuda is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Upon arrival, travellers will need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test taken within 4 days of travel, complete a health declaration form, and undergo a brief health screening. If everything checks out ok, you’re good to go!

Once on the islands, you must stay in an official Antigua & Barbuda Certified accommodation and you’ll need to wear a mask in public places – This includes on hotel grounds as well as when touring around the island. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Antigua & Barbuda Entry Requirements page.

Active Caribbean Travel visits Antigua's Stingray City - Come swim with the Stingrays!

Now comes the fun part – What to do once you’re there… Antigua is known as the sailing capital of the English Caribbean and you can experience that first hand at English Harbour – Home to historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands are also famous for their excellent cuisine and amazing beaches, apparently one for each day of the year. Antigua and Barbuda also have wonderful mangroves and coral reefs, making the islands ideal for kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Of course there’s sailing and boating activities, as well as a variety of water sports. Unique experiences can be found at Antigua’s Stingray City as well as Barbuda’s caves. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to know that Antigua offers some pretty amazing hiking and golf as well!

For more ideas and details for things to do in Antigua and Barbuda, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you make the most of your vacation, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Vacation Ideas page.

Jamaica


Active Caribbean Travel Has a Blast River Tubing down the Yardy River in Jamaica

Although this latest covid wave is just starting to be seen in Jamaica, as of the beginning of January, there are relatively few active covid cases per capita relative to other Caribbean Islands. Although the island’s overall vaccination rate is fairly low, people working in the tourism industry are supposed to be vaccinated and following strict protocols to keep everyone safe.

Active Caribbean Travel explores Jamaica's YS Falls


Jamaica is open to all tourists, however, visitors who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 must quarantine at their accommodation for 14 days immediately after arriving on the island. Prior to travelling to Jamaica, visitors must obtain JTB Travel Authorization, which includes providing results of a negative Covid-19 molecular test or Antigen test taken within 3 days of the travel date (Exception being children under 12 years old). Upon arrival, visitors will also undergo a brief health screening / risk assessment before being allowed to stay at an approved “resilient corridor” or Covid-19 compliant JTB licensed accommodation. FYI… JTB = Jamaican Tourism Board. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Jamaica Cares page.

Golf Jamaica with Active Caribbean Travel


As for what to do once you’re on the island, you’re in for a treat! Historically known as the “land of wood and water”, Jamaica is probably best known for its Reggae music & culture, white sand beaches, as well as its amazing rum and coffee. That said, a Jamaican vacation offers one of the best opportunities to enjoy waterfalls, river rafting and golf in a tropical setting. The island is rich with a beautiful and diverse landscape that includes the iconic Blue Mountain range, home to Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site great for hiking and coffee excursions. Just offshore, the island offers good snorkelling and fishing, while further inland the adventurous can experience some serious MTB and caving.


For more ideas and details for things to do in Jamaica, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you make the most of your vacation, check out our Jamaica Vacation Ideas page.

Grenada


Grenada spices with Active Caribbean Travel

Throughout December the tri-island nation was our destination of choice for winter travel, however, impacts from this latest covid wave can already be seen in the early days of 2022. While covid cases are now on the rise in Grenada, they are still much lower per capita than most other islands in the Caribbean. While only a third of the local population is fully vaccinated, it’s reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the islands (Exception being children under 12 years old).

Hike Grenada with Active Caribbean Travel


Grenada is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Upon arrival, travellers will need to undergo a brief health screening and present a completed Health Declaration Form along with providing proof of a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test, taken within 3 days of travel. Once you’re on the islands, a curfew is in effect between midnight and 4am and you must wear a mask in public places on hotel grounds as well as when touring around the island. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit Grenada’s official Pure Safe Travels page.

Snorkel Grenada with Active Caribbean Travel


As for what to do once you’re there… here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy on the island affectionately known as the “Spice Island”, due to its abundance of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, ginger and vanilla. Grenada may be one of the Caribbean’s ‘best-kept secrets’, offering unspoiled natural beauty and a wide variety of attractions and activities sure to please everyone. The tropical paradise has dozens of uncrowded beaches and several accessible waterfalls and sulfur/hot springs. Grenada is home to Grand Etang National Park, a wilderness attraction complete with a crater lake. The islands also offer plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, water-sports, and more. While equally a ‘hiker’s paradise’ and a ‘diver’s wonderland’, a vacation on the tri-island nation is a great destination for travelers seeking action on both land and sea.

For more detailed ideas for things to do in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Grenada Vacation Ideas page.

Anguilla

Having opened to tourists later than many Caribbean islands, Anguilla never really experienced previous covid waves and throughout December has seen a gradual decrease of covid case counts. It’s encouraging to know that well over half the local population is fully vaccinated.  It’s also reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the island (Exception being children under 18 years old).

Anguilla beach from Active Caribbean Travel

Anguilla is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Prior to travelling to Anguilla, visitors must obtain Entry Permission, which includes providing results of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken two to five days prior to arrival, or a Rapid Antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival. You will also take a RT-PCR test upon arrival and need to quarantine for approximately 24 hours while waiting for your test results. Guests staying on the island for more than 8 days may be also tested on day 4 of their visit (at no additional cost). For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Anguilla Entry Requirements page.

Once you’re on the island, you can enjoy spending time at more than two dozen beautiful beaches, then savour the local cuisine and maybe even revel in the island’s live music scene. There’s a great golf course in Antigua, as well as plenty of opportunities for sea-faring cruises, including some dedicated to awesome fishing excursions. The more adventurous can challenge themselves with water-sports activities as well as hiking and cycling in some truly magnificent natural tropical settings.

For more information about fun and adventurous Caribbean destinations, check out our website, ActiveCaribbeanTravel

Saint Lucia


Saint Lucia Piton from Active Caribbean Travel

Unfortunately, covid cases are now on the rise again in St. Lucia, although relatively few per capita compared to most other islands. While just over a quarter of the local population is fully vaccinated, it’s reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors are free to explore the island.

Prior to departing for Saint Lucia, travellers will need to obtain Travel Authorization, providing proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 5 days of travel (Exception being children under 18 years old). St. Lucia is open to all tourists, however, visitors who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 must quarantine at their accommodation for 14 days after arriving on the island. That said, unvaccinated guests are permitted to participate in some certified activities, tours and excursions. Children aged 5-17 years accompanying fully vaccinated parents are exempt from quarantine once they test negative upon arrival. Once on the island, visitors are requested to wear a mask in public places – This includes on hotel grounds as well as when touring around the island. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Saint Lucia – Safe Harbour page.

Saint Lucia's Hot Springs from Active Caribbean Travel


As for what to do once you’re there, Saint Lucia offers vacationers a wide variety of relaxing and adventurous activities ranging from sampling (and making your own) chocolate to hiking one of the iconic Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lone distillery on the island may be a pleasant surprise to some, as it is home to some of the Caribbean’s best rums. The mountainous green island is home to beautiful gardens, waterfalls and hot springs. Saint Lucia is also a great adventure destination for snorkeling/diving, fishing, water-sports and golf.

For a more detailed view of things to do in Saint Lucia, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Saint Lucia Vacation Ideas page.




FYI – St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, and Dominica almost made our list, and they are quite likely to be near the top of our Top 5-10 list once we re-evaluate in February. St. Kitts & Nevis has a decent vaccination rate and have done a good job of containing covid cases, however they were slightly higher per capita at the beginning of January than the other islands that made our top 5 list. That said, this is where we are personally vacationing in January. Barbados has a decent vaccination rate but has had a slightly higher number of covid cases per capita than our top 5 for some time, although they don’t seem to be spiking in January (yet?). Dominica managed to contain covid cases to a minimum throughout December, however their early January numbers are just a bit to ‘spikey’ for comfort – perhaps they will get it quickly under control. All that said, these (and other) islands may be ideal for spring travel – Stay Tuned!

Now, for our disclaimer… Please note that this article was written on January 4th, 2022. Covid-19 information can change pretty quickly, so we recommend you check covid case counts on your island of choice, right before booking your trip.

FYI – Some information for this article was derived from the following sources: graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps; and worldometers.com.

We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to enjoy some time in the Caribbean!

Feel free to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ our facebook page for more articles/blogs like this…

ACT Staff

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It’s True – There are Crocodiles in the Caribbean

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Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River

Looking for Things to do in Jamaica? Discover the Black River Safari


It was an exciting day! We were headed to Jamaica’s south-west coast to enjoy three amazing excursions – The Black River ‘Boat Safari’, YS Falls and the Appleton Estate Rum tour. All great things to do in Jamaica! We booked this 3-in-1 smorgasbord of adventures through Jamaica’s Amstar DMC.

This is part one of three blog posts from the day’s adventures – This one Focuses on the Black River Safari.

I’ll start by saying that it’s a fair distance from Montego Bay down to the Black River, just over 42 miles (70km). Lucky for us the bus was comfortable and our guide from Tropical Tours kept us busy by providing insight into the points of interest we passed along the way.

We left the concrete and noise of Montego Bay behind us and ventured into the mountains of St. James Parish. We had some great views of Jamaica’s beautiful interior as we winded our way through the mountains. We passed the quaint villages of Mount Carey, Montpelier and Shettlewood, getting a first hand view of how the locals live. From New Market to Middle Quarters the road traveled through an impressive valley before spilling out into the flatter rural areas of St. Elizabeth Parish.

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River
A cluster of Egrets in the bush



When we finally reached the Riverside Dock, it was great to be able to stretch our legs. After checking out some souvenirs offered by local vendors, we boarded our pontoon boat and were ready for our Black River boat cruise – One of the many fun things to do in Jamaica. Just before we got under way, we noticed that it looked more like a green river than a black one, although that would change as we ventured further upstream. Although we had been listening to the enjoyable rhythms of Reggae music the last couple of days, I couldn’t help think about CCRs ‘Green River’ tune.

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River


We pushed off from the dock and our pontoon boat took us out into the murky waters. Our boat operator ‘slash’ guide, immediately started telling us about the various vegetation and birds in the area. It didn’t take long for the view from the boat to get much more wild looking, and we settled in for a nice nature tour. The guide was informative and friendly, pointing out and describing the various flora and fauna that we encountered. He first mentioned that large portions of the river bottom was peat moss, and that is what gave the water it’s dark greenish hue.


Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River


Our boat guide also explained how the clumps of long vine-like branches bring water from the river up to the higher parts of the tree – Pretty fascinating. He also showed us Indigo plants growing at the sides of the river and explained that in the past, blue dye was extracted from these plants by European settlers and used for making ‘blue jeans’.

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River



The banks of the river were mostly covered with a couple different species of mangroves along with various bushes and long shoots. There was really no ‘shore’ to speak of the entire boat trip. With the exception of the large ever-present mountains in the background, I again couldn’t help to think I was traveling through some southern bayou.

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River
Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River

At a broad bend in the river, we came across a large patch of green lily pads floating on the water. In the background a local fisherman canoed by with his crab traps – apparently they’re quite the delicacy in the area. It was amazing to see him paddling the river in a traditional dugout style canoe – a real blast from the past!

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River


As we journeyed up river, we saw plenty of birds near the water and in the trees along the river banks. There were a couple types of egret along with a variety of other birds, and we also saw a couple of ospreys! That’s all good, however we were really out there to see a Jamaican Crocodile…

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River
Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River


Eventually the river narrowed and the water got much darker, OK it was black… This was my favourite area for sure – Again reminiscent of a southern US swamp, although the water here always appeared to be fairly deep. Here’s where we saw a couple of crocodiles. I have to say I’m not a big fan of feeding wild animals, however it did get them out of their hiding spots along the river banks and bring them out onto the water for everyone to see. The American Crocodiles that live in Jamaica’s Black River are relatively small as compared to their African and Australian cousins. Apparently they are also quite mellow, perhaps a reflection of the local people themselves 🙂

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River

After spotting a few of the ancient reptiles, we turned around and moved considerably faster on the way downriver, back to the dock. Once there, we enjoyed a local lunch of beef stew, jerk chicken along with rice & peas (although I think they were beans) and fruit punch (sans rum). Tasty – That hit the spot.

Things to do in Jamaica include a fun journey down the Black River

In summary, this enjoyable boat cruise is just one of the many incredible things to do in Jamaica. The tour lasted just under an hour and a half. While there were a number of other boats on the river, I didn’t find it crowded or touristy. Admittedly, we had set out to see a crocodile, although we ended up really appreciating the boat cruise itself. It was a beautiful warm sunny day and there was lots of nature to see with plenty of opportunities for photos to capture and bring home memories.

Want to see more? Check out our Jamaica’s Black River & the Crocs of the Caribbean video on YouTube!


If this river cruise appeals to you, you can contact the friendly folks at Amstar by visiting the Amstar DMC website or their Facebook page .

For an overview of the land of wood and water, take a look at our Jamaica Vacations page

For other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Things to Do in Jamaica blog

If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Jamaica Adventures blog for some other great ideas!

Stay tuned for next week’s write-up on YS Falls – A gorgeous 7 tier waterfalls in the remote Jamaican bush

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Hiking St. Lucia’s Iconic Gros Piton

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St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea
The Petit Piton (left) and the Gros Piton (right)

Saint Lucia Hiking – A Natural “Stair Climber” of a Trail

Saint Lucia can be found in the southern Caribbean’s Windward Islands, just south of Martinique and west of Barbados. Exploring St. Lucia will reveal a green mountainous island with the distinctive and easily recognizable volcanic spires called the Pitons. A popular Caribbean destination, best known for romantic getaways, St. Lucia also has plenty to offer adventurous travelers looking to hike in the Caribbean. While the island has a variety of trails, including relaxing short nature walks, no Saint Lucia hiking trip is complete without climbing the iconic and majestic Gros Piton.

One year we decided to hike the Piton while we visited the island as part of a cruise. We had signed up for a boat, beach and hiking tour and our day started by boarding a speedboat at the Castries cruise ship terminal. We sped south along St. Lucia’s west coast towards the popular tourist area of Soufriere. We were motoring fast and had to hold on to our hats to keep from losing them overboard. What would have taken over an hour by car, we traveled in half the time, skipping over the waves. I was trying to check-out the coastline attractions along the way, however it was a constant strain, with the sun sitting so low in the background. Eventually, our tour guide took the boat right up onto the beach just south of the Pitons, near the town of Anse Ivrogne. Now that we were up close and in the shadow of the intimidating Piton, I have to admit I was a little nervous – It looked fairly steep and tall.

St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea


St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea


Our hiking guide was waiting for us on the beach and after a brief introduction we headed off, first along the shore, then inland towards the mountain. It wasn’t long before we reached the trailhead at the base of the Piton. The trail started out on a nice natural dirt path surrounded by low-growth trees and shrubs. We were walking on a steady and gradual incline, sort of winding around the mountain a bit instead of heading aggressively straight up the side of the Piton. After about half an hour or so I figured we were about a third of the way up the mountain. At this point, the path converged with a trail from the east, which I understand comes from an alternative starting point for the hike, in the village of Fond Gen Libre. OK, now the trail turned towards the piton and took a more direct assault of the mountain. It got much steeper and more challenging in a hurry. It was a pretty tough climb for the next half hour as we gained some serious elevation. We stopped for a short break, drinking some much-needed water and taking some awesome pictures. There was a viewing area where we could see the beautiful south-east coastline of St. Lucia, along with the island of St. Vincent faintly visible in the background. This was a sensational view that got me wondering what the views from the top of the piton would be like.

St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea


St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea

The next, and final 30 minutes or so of the hike was pretty steep… ok, really steep. It was like being on a stair-climber in a gym with no AC. There were some areas where we literally scrambled and crawled on our hands and feet, up-and-over large rocks and boulders. There were other portions of the path that skirted the eroded mountainside, making it a bit let’s say, interesting. There were rough man-made stairs along with rustic railings consisting of ropes and branches in order to keep us safe. There was no way I was going to put too much faith (or weight) on those hand supports. We stopped again at another look-out area, this time on the other side of the mountain. This spot provided us with an amazing up-close-and-personal view of the Petit Piton. While I heard that it is possible to hike the skinnier piton, it’s obvious from this vantage point that it would be fairly dangerous climbing the slopes of that massive outcrop, which is even steeper than the Gros Piton.

St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea

We left the wooded section of the piton and with one more short burst of energy, we made it to the top. While we were catching our breath one more time, we relaxed a while taking in the spectacular views of the south end of the island. There was a nice refreshing breeze at the top which cooled us down from all the physical exertion and sweating we had done to get here. At approximately 2,600 feet (785 meters) above sea level, we could see the outline of the little peninsula Vieux Fort to the south-east, along with a clear view of St. Vincent to the south. I could stay up here all day – This view just doesn’t get old.

St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea and St. Vincent!

The hike had been all up-hill and had tested our leg and cardio conditioning for sure… Our guide, knowing that we were on a schedule, had pushed us all to keep moving. While the path to get here was fairly challenging, the hike wasn’t over yet. The trail down is the same as the way up, this time scrambling down over the rocks and steep sections of the trail. I’ve always found it harder on the legs to go down a mountain than up it, although thankfully this trail really wasn’t very long, so it didn’t cause any problems.

St. Lucia’s Pitons are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is probably one of the most photographed landmarks in the southern Caribbean. As a result, the Gros Piton is by far the most popular hike in St. Lucia, and as an icon of the island, a must-do for the hiking enthusiast! No surprise that we encountered a few other groups on the trail. We eventually made our way back to the boat for the return voyage. This time we took a relaxing cruise northward along the coast. With plenty of time before the cruise ship left port, we stopped at Sugar Beach where we enjoyed some snorkeling and lunch. We also took a little tour of the luxurious Marigot Bay before heading back to port. WOW – What a great day!

St. Lucia Hiking on the iconic Gros Piton trail. This was a great hike featuring a short, but steep & challenging climb with rewards of amazing views of the island & Caribbean Sea

ACT Staff

For a more ‘technical’ Trail Report as well as much more information on hiking in Saint Lucia, please reference the following links (to pages on our website):

For an overview of this popular Caribbean Island destination, take a look at our Saint Lucia Vacations page

If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Saint Lucia Adventures blog for more great ideas!

For a more relaxed vacation itinerary, you can find great Tourist Attractions on the island, by checking out our Things to Do in Saint Lucia blog

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Why Grenada is our #1 Caribbean vacation destination right now

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Visit Grenada to escape a long COVID winter

If you’re thinking about escaping the cold and grey winter for a warm and sunny Caribbean vacation the next month or so, I’m sure you’re not alone.  But let’s be honest, we’re probably all just a bit hesitant to travel anywhere right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both from a personal health concern, as well as having to deal with the associated restrictions imposed on the travel industry right now.

Visit Grenada to escape a long COVID winter

For me, it’s a mental tug-of-war…  Should I travel or not?  I really want to spend time outdoors feeling the warmth of the Caribbean sun, but I don’t want to get sick and be a risk to others. Well, one thing is for sure – If I’m going to get on an airplane during this pandemic, the destination better be worth it 😉!

Things to do in Grenada

Thinking about the Caribbean, one island stands out to me right now – Grenada! The Spice Island has always attracted me with its uncrowded natural beauty and a long list of fun and exciting things to do.  Yes, Grenada has dozens of wonderful sandy beaches, however I’m looking to experience another tropical hike to one of the island’s many waterfalls, and snorkel the warm Caribbean sea where I can see a unique underwater sculpture park. I would also like to visit Grenada’s historical sites, chocolate factories and a rum distillery or two!

I’ve done my research of the Caribbean, and from a Covid-19 perspective, there are a number of things about Grenada which makes it very attractive right now.  First of all, the island has one of the lowest numbers of Covid-19 cases (*1) in the Caribbean and secondly, Grenada is doing a great job in outlining their travel guidelines in a clear and easy to understand way. They even have a cool Grenadian name for it – Pure Safe Travel.  I’m impressed with how professional everything appears to be managed. It’s also nice that there are direct flights to Grenada from Toronto (my home airport) right now. [UPDATE Feb. 5 2021 – Canada has essentially banned travel to the Caribbean for a while, however Grenada will be my first choice once we can travel again].

One of my favourite aspects about an early 2021 Grenada vacation is that tourists are allowed to enjoy what the island has to offer, once we successfully pass an on-island PCR test after an initial 4-day hotel quarantine.  I love to explore Caribbean islands, enjoying tourist attractions and experiencing local adventures – The last thing I want is to be stuck at the hotel for the whole vacation.  Staying safe in Grenada is made easy with the Ministry of Health’s approved “Pure Safe Accommodations” list – We’re talking over 50 places to stay on the island, including hotels, villas, cottages, resorts, lodges, and even apartments.

The Grenada Authorities has also provided a list of “Pure Safe Attractions” and another list of “Pure Safe Tourism Services”.  Visitors can experience everything from a chocolate factory/store, rum distillery, spice/flower gardens and estates as well as nature/forest reserves.  There are also national parks with waterfalls along with historic Fort Frederick.  For the more adventurous (like me), there’s snorkeling & diving, kayaking, stand-up-paddle-boarding, water-skiing, wakeboarding/tubing, sailing, and boating as well as golfing to be enjoyed.

Things to do in Grenada

Of course, just like the rules you probably have at home, every visitor to Grenada is expected to comply with local COVID-19 related regulations when in public places – This includes wearing a facemask, practicing physical distancing along with plenty of hand washing/sanitizing.  Here are some of the things visitors to Grenada can expect with the current COVID-19 regulations.

  • Obtain a Pure Safe Travel Certificate in order to visit Grenada
  • Provide results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test 3 days before travel to the island
  • Show proof of a 7-day (or more) reservation at an approved Pure Safe Accommodation
  • Download Grenada’s contact tracing app and register prior to travel (Currently only available for Samsung users / iPhone users are currently exempt from this requirement)
  • Undergo a health screening on arrival (symptom review, temperature checks, and testing if deemed necessary)
  • Undergo an on-island PCR test on day 4 of your visit. This allows you to enjoy more of what the island has to offer (Day 1 starts the day after your arrival in Grenada)

For more detailed information about Grenada’s COVID-19 requirements, please carefully review the instructions found at the Grenada Ministry of Health’s official website:

https://www.gov.gd/

This website also includes the links you’ll need to fulfill all travel requirements to enter Grenada.


For a more detailed look at ‘Pure Grenada’, along with fun ideas for things to do on the islands, take a look at our Grenada Vacations page

For more of what the Caribbean has to offer, check out our Caribbean Excursions page…

If you’re looking for the best Caribbean island to experience your favourite outdoor activity, check out our Caribbean Adventures page.

ACT Staff

(*1) Reference:  Worldometers’ COVID-19 data. As of January 9th 2021, Grenada is one of the 2 or 3 major Caribbean islands with the fewest number of COVID-19 cases and is one of the safest countries globally as well.

  • #197 of 220 countries worldwide – For quantity of active cases
  • #161 of 220 countries worldwide – For quantity of active cases relative to population