Within Grenada’s spectacular palm-fringed coastlines and rainforest-laden mountains lies its greatest treasure – the locals who breathe life into the island’s culture and shape its story. The rise in popularity of journeys that give back draws eager visitors to Spice Isle, thanks to an abundance of community-driven experiences and the chance to discover cultural heritage through local voices.
Grenada creatives, conservationists, and culinary pioneers are part of this movement, blending tradition with innovation to redefine Caribbean luxury as connection, craftsmanship, and care for place. From cocoa growers and seafaring storytellers to pioneering chefs and next-generation hoteliers, each local represents a different facet of Grenada’s living culture.
Preserving Tradition Through Sustainability
Bobbie Garbutt
Growing up at the family-owned Calabash Hotel, Bobbie Garbutt now runs the award-winning boutique property alongside her two sisters. A passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, Bobbie has transformed her family’s organic cocoa and nutmeg farm, L’Esterre, into a model of eco-conscious innovation. She founded The Sustenance Collective, an initiative that reconnects people with the journey of food from soil to plate. Through this work, she not onlypreserves Grenada’s farming traditions but also sparks meaningful dialogue about sustainable supply chains across the Caribbean and beyond.
HOW: To book a visit, please reach out via instagram to https://www.instagram.com/lesterreorganics/. For more information on the farm, please visit https://lesterrechocolate.com
A Culinary Celebration of the Island’s Bounty
Chef Dexter
Piquant, aromatic, and full of heart, Grenadian cuisine shines at Dexter’s, the intimate restaurant run by renowned local chef Dexter Washington, former chef at Calabash Hotel. Known for his refined yet relaxed approach, Dexter invites guests into his own home, creating the warm feeling of dining with friends, Caribbean-style. His daily changing 5-course menu celebrates the island’s freshest ingredients, from lobster, conch, and snapper caught that morning to homegrown vegetables and tropical fruits. Every dish is infused with Grenada’s world-famous spices, offering a culinary experience that captures the essence of the island’s flavour and hospitality.
HOW: To make a reservation, please call +1 473-444-2581. For more information please visithttps://www.facebook.com/Bestexperience7/about
Sailing the Island’s Legacy
Danny Donelan and Monique Mills
Monique Mills and Danny Donelan, through their ventures Jambalaya Sailing Charters and Savvy Sailing Adventures, are actively preserving Grenada’s rich maritime heritage. By providing day trips along Grenada’s coast aboard traditional hand-built sloops and schooners, they give guests an authentic Grenadian sailing experience. Their commitment extends beyond tourism as they employ local fishermen and shipbuilders as captains and crew, ensuring that generations of nautical knowledge and boat-building traditions are passed down. Inviting visitors to experience Grenadian maritime culture firsthand, from the rhythm of the waves to the flavours of Creole-Caribbean cuisine prepared on board. Both Monique and Danny exemplify a deep commitment to preserving and promoting Grenada’s cultural heritage, offering visitors immersive experiences that celebrate the island’s traditions while fostering sustainable economic growth.
HOW: For more information and to book a sailing experience, please visit https://savvygrenada.com/ or https://sailjambalaya.com/ where tours start from $85 USD
Champion of Caribbean Art
Susan Mains
Renowned artist and curator Susan Mains has played a pivotal role in elevating Caribbean art onto the international stage, serving as Grenada’s representative at prestigious events such as the Venice Biennale. Mains is celebrated for her bold, expressive works that capture the interplay of Caribbean light, landscape, and ritual — from the wooden workboats that embody the passing down of knowledge between generations to vivid depictions of Grenada’s authentic natural beauty. Through the Susan Mains Gallery, which she founded in 2002, and her dynamic creative hub, Art House 473 in Calliste – a space that seamlessly combines exhibition, studio, and educational initiatives – Mains has nurtured a thriving community of emerging Grenadian artists. Her work has been exhibited widely across the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and Asia, underscoring her enduring commitment to amplifying Grenada’s vibrant artistic voice on the global stage. Above all, her art and advocacy reflect a profound sense of community and cultural continuity that lies at the heart of her practice.
HOW: For more information and to plan a visit to the gallery, please visit https://arthouse473.com/
A Taste of History and Tradition
Shadel Nyack Compton
Owned by local entrepreneur Shadel Nyack Compton, who proudly views herself as a legacy bearer, dedicated to preserving heritage and farming traditions, Belmont Estate is a historic farm that employs more than 80 staff. With a strong commitment to maintaining the island’s rich legacy, the estate operates as a working organic farm, where visitors can actively participate in practices such as harvesting cacao and crafting artisanal chocolate. Through these hands-on experiences, the estate not only connects guests to the island’s agricultural heritage but also honours the traditions that have been passed down through generations, ensuring they thrive for years to come. Beyond its famed chocolate-making, the farm showcases the island’s farm-to-table traditions, featuring Grenadian cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
HOW: For more information and to book a visit, please visit https://belmontestategrenada.com/ where tours start from $6 USD.
ABOUT GRENADA
Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique are the hidden gems of the Caribbean, boasting a wealth of unspoiled beauty, breathtaking waterfalls, and 30 white sandy beaches, including the world-famous Grand Anse Beach. Renowned for their aromatic spices, organic chocolate, and unforgettable dive sites—featuring the world’s first underwater sculpture park and the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean—this tri-island destination offers the perfect haven for foodies, sunseekers, and diving enthusiasts.
For more information about Grenada, please visit www.puregrenada.com
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