Grenada

Grenada: The Underwater Sculpture Park and Carriacou

The world's first underwater sculpture park, then a sister island that has stayed off all tourist development

Grenada

Grenada: The Underwater Sculpture Park and Carriacou

A journey between two little-known sides of Grenada, far from St George's and Grand Anse: the Molinere Bay underwater sculpture park, the world's first underwater museum created in 2006 by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor to offer new coral substrate while diverting tourist pressure from natural reefs, then Carriacou, Grenada's sister island that has stayed largely off the mass-tourism trail and is known for its centuries-old tradition of wooden schooner building.

When

Dec to April

Price

From 2 100€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

5 nights

Ideal length

The Underwater Sculpture Park

Days 1-2

The first chapter unfolds at the Molinere Bay underwater sculpture park, the world's first underwater museum installed in 2006 by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, who submerged dozens of statues made of concrete specially designed to encourage coral colonisation. This artistic and ecological project, now numbering over sixty-five works spread across several sites, pursued a dual aim: diverting diver pressure from natural reefs weakened by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, while offering a new living substrate to marine life.

Day 1

Snorkelling among the submerged statues

Snorkelling above the Molinere Bay underwater sculpture park, discovering statues progressively covered in corals and sponges since their installation in 2006.

Day 2

A dive at the heart of the underwater museum

A guided dive at the heart of the sculpture park, with a specialised guide commenting on the coral colonisation's progress on the works since their installation.

1 / 3

Carriacou, the Preserved Sister Island

Days 1-2

A boat crossing to Carriacou, the largest of Grenada's dependent islands but one that has stayed largely spared mass tourism, whose small capital Hillsborough retains a centuries-old tradition of artisanal shipbuilding inherited from 18th-century Scottish shipyards. Wooden schooners, still built by hand on the island's beaches using methods passed down through generations, take part every summer in a traditional regatta that brings together the whole local community.

Day 1

The traditional Windward shipyard

A visit to the traditional shipyard of Windward village, where wooden schooners are still built entirely by hand using methods inherited from Scottish settlers.

Day 2

The deserted beaches of Carriacou

A day on one of Carriacou's deserted beaches, an island that has stayed largely off the mass-tourism trail, between swimming and a grilled fish lunch at a family beach shack.