St. George's - Things to Do in St. George's in March

Things to Do in St. George's in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in St. George's

11°C (52°F) High Temp
4°C (39°F) Low Temp
2.5 mm (0.1 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

  • Early dry season conditions mean you get warm days around 11°C (52°F) with minimal rainfall - just 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) for the month - making it ideal for outdoor activities without the oppressive heat that comes later in spring
  • Tourist crowds are still manageable in March as it sits between the winter peak and spring break rush, meaning shorter lines at Fort George and the Carenage waterfront, plus better availability at guesthouses without the inflated high-season rates
  • The island's spice harvests are in full swing during March - nutmeg, cinnamon, and cocoa processing happens at this time, so factory tours at places like the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station actually show real production rather than empty facilities
  • Water visibility for snorkeling and diving around Moliniere Underwater Sculpture Park peaks in March before April rains stir up sediment, with visibility typically reaching 18-24 m (60-80 ft) compared to 12-15 m (40-50 ft) later in the year

Considerations

  • The 70% humidity combined with those 11°C (52°F) temperatures creates a sticky warmth that feels hotter than the thermometer suggests - you'll be changing shirts twice a day and your camera lens will fog up constantly when moving between air-conditioned spaces and outdoors
  • March sits in an awkward transition period where some businesses are still operating on reduced winter hours while others haven't yet switched to high-season schedules, meaning restaurant hours can be unpredictable and some tour operators only run trips when they hit minimum passenger numbers
  • While rainfall is low overall at 2.5 mm (0.1 inches), those 10 rainy days tend to bring brief but intense afternoon downpours around 2-4pm that can temporarily shut down beach activities and make the island's unpaved roads temporarily impassable for standard rental cars

Best Activities in March

Grand Etang National Park Rainforest Hiking

March offers the sweet spot for rainforest trails - paths are still relatively dry from the dry season but vegetation is lush and waterfalls like Seven Sisters and Annandale are flowing well without being dangerously swollen. The moderate 11°C (52°F) highs make the steep climbs to Grand Etang Lake at 530 m (1,740 ft) elevation much more comfortable than the brutal heat of May-June. Morning hikes between 7-10am avoid both the afternoon rain pattern and the peak humidity. You'll actually see the endemic Mona monkeys more actively foraging in March compared to hotter months when they conserve energy.

Booking Tip: Book guided hikes 5-7 days ahead through licensed operators - trails like Mt. Qua Qua require guides by law and cost typically EC$80-120 per person for half-day treks. Look for guides certified by the Grenada Board of Tourism. Start times before 8am are worth requesting to maximize dry trail conditions. See current hiking tour options in the booking section below.

Moliniere Underwater Sculpture Park Snorkeling

The 18-24 m (60-80 ft) water visibility in March makes this the premium month for seeing the 75 underwater sculptures clearly - you'll actually make out facial features and details that get obscured in murkier conditions. The 70% humidity translates to calm seas on most days, with swells typically under 0.6 m (2 ft). Water temperature hovers around 27°C (81°F), comfortable enough for 45-60 minute snorkel sessions without a wetsuit. March also sees increased fish activity around the sculptures as spawning season begins for several reef species.

Booking Tip: Book snorkel trips 3-5 days ahead, typically EC$100-150 per person including equipment and boat transport from Grand Anse Beach. Morning departures between 9-11am offer the best light angles for photography and calmer conditions before afternoon wind picks up. Operators should provide life jackets and have marine park permits. Check current snorkeling tours in the booking section below.

St. George's Market Square and Spice Plantation Tours

March coincides with nutmeg and cocoa processing season, meaning plantation tours show actual workers sorting, drying, and grading spices rather than just walking past dormant facilities. The Saturday market at Market Square runs 6am-2pm and is particularly vibrant in March with fresh nutmeg, cinnamon bark, and bay leaves at peak availability. The 11°C (52°F) temperatures make the non-air-conditioned spice processing buildings tolerable, unlike the sweltering conditions of summer months. You'll see the traditional hand-sorting methods still used at facilities in Gouyave and Grenville.

Booking Tip: Plantation tours typically cost EC$60-100 per person for 2-3 hour visits. Book 2-3 days ahead, requesting morning slots between 8-11am when processing activity is highest and before afternoon heat builds. Tours should include nutmeg station visits plus cocoa fermentation demonstrations. Independent visits to Market Square need no booking - arrive before 9am for best selection and cooler browsing conditions. See current plantation tour options in the booking section below.

Grand Anse Beach and Morne Rouge Bay Swimming

March offers the calmest ocean conditions of the year along Grenada's southwest coast - the protected bays see minimal wave action with swells typically 0.3-0.6 m (1-2 ft), perfect for weak swimmers and families. The 27°C (81°F) water temperature needs no wetsuit, and the UV index of 8 means you'll get excellent swimming light without the scorching intensity of May-August. Afternoons between 1-4pm see the warmest water but also the highest chance of brief showers - morning sessions 9am-noon offer the most reliable conditions. The humidity makes beach time feel warmer than the actual 11°C (52°F) air temperature suggests.

Booking Tip: Beach access is free and public - no bookings needed. Beach chair and umbrella rentals run EC$10-15 per day from vendors who set up by 9am. Avoid the 2-4pm period when afternoon showers are most likely. Weekdays see fewer local crowds than weekends. Bring reef-safe sunscreen as regular sunscreen damages the nearshore coral fragments.

Concord Falls Three-Tier Waterfall Trek

The March rainfall pattern creates ideal waterfall conditions - enough recent rain to keep all three tiers flowing strongly, but trails are dry enough for safe hiking without the mudslides that plague the August-November wet season. The lower falls require just a 10-minute walk on paved paths, while the upper falls demand a 45-minute scramble through river crossings at 0.3-0.6 m (1-2 ft) depth. March temperatures make the cool waterfall pools refreshing rather than uncomfortably cold. The moderate flow allows for safe swimming at the base of the second tier, which becomes too dangerous during heavy rain months.

Booking Tip: Lower falls access is free and self-guided. Upper falls require a guide by local regulation - arrange through guesthouses or licensed operators 1-2 days ahead for EC$50-80 per person. Trips typically run 3-4 hours total. Morning starts between 8-9am avoid afternoon rain and give you better light for photography in the forest canopy. Operators should provide water-resistant bags for phones and cameras during river crossings. See current waterfall tour options in the booking section below.

River Antoine Rum Distillery and Belmont Estate Cocoa Tours

March is cocoa harvest season at Belmont Estate, meaning you'll see workers opening pods, fermenting beans in wooden boxes, and sun-drying the harvest on large trays - the full production cycle that doesn't happen during off-season months. River Antoine, the Caribbean's oldest functioning water-powered distillery, processes sugarcane year-round but March sees fresh cane deliveries that make the crushing demonstrations more dynamic. The 70% humidity actually helps during cocoa fermentation tours as guides can explain how moisture affects the process you're witnessing in real-time. The 11°C (52°F) temperatures make the non-air-conditioned facilities comfortable for the 90-minute tours.

Booking Tip: Combined estate tours typically cost EC$70-110 per person including lunch at Belmont's organic restaurant. Book 3-5 days ahead, especially for weekend visits when local tour groups fill slots. Morning tours starting 9-10am show the most active production. River Antoine charges EC$10 entrance for self-guided visits or EC$25 with guided tour - no advance booking needed but arrive before 3pm as they close early. See current estate tour options in the booking section below.

March Events & Festivals

Variable throughout March

Independence Day Celebrations

Grenada's Independence Day falls on February 7th, but March typically sees lingering cultural programming including delayed community festivals, particularly in rural parishes. You might catch village-level events with traditional drumming, local food stalls serving oil down and callaloo, and cultural performances, though these aren't centrally advertised. Worth asking your accommodation about any scheduled community events during your specific March dates.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight quick-dry clothing in breathable fabrics - the 70% humidity means cotton stays damp all day, while synthetic athletic fabrics dry within 30-45 minutes after those afternoon showers or waterfall swims
SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every 90 minutes - the UV index of 8 combined with reflection off white sand beaches and water creates serious burn risk even on cloudy days
Compact rain jacket or packable poncho - those 10 rainy days bring sudden 20-30 minute downpours usually between 2-4pm, and you'll want something that stuffs into a daypack rather than carrying an umbrella on hikes
Water shoes or sturdy sandals with grip - you'll encounter wet rocks at waterfalls, potentially slippery boat decks, and occasional sea urchins near shore that standard flip-flops won't protect against
Small dry bag 10-20 L capacity - essential for waterfall hikes and boat trips to protect phones, cameras, and cash from river crossings and sea spray
Anti-chafing balm or powder - the humidity creates friction issues during hikes, especially on the steep Grand Etang trails where you'll cover 300-500 m (980-1,640 ft) elevation gain
Insect repellent with 25-30% DEET - mosquitoes are moderate in March but still active in rainforest areas and around Grand Etang Lake, particularly during dawn and dusk hours
Lightweight long sleeves and pants for evening - useful for the 4°C (39°F) nighttime lows in elevated areas like Grand Etang, plus protection from insects during sunset beach walks
Reef-safe mineral sunscreen for water activities - chemical sunscreens are increasingly discouraged around Moliniere Sculpture Park and marine protected areas to prevent coral damage
Portable phone charger - the humidity can drain batteries faster than normal, and you'll want backup power for full-day excursions to remote areas where charging isn't available

Insider Knowledge

The afternoon rain pattern between 2-4pm is so predictable in March that locals plan their day around it - schedule beach time, outdoor markets, and hiking for mornings, then use the 2-4pm window for lunch, museum visits, or returning to accommodation. You'll have attractions like Fort George practically to yourself during the rain while tourists huddle in cafes.
Rental cars with 4WD are marketed as necessary but actually optional in March - the 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) monthly rainfall means even unpaved roads to places like River Antoine and Belmont Estate are passable in standard vehicles, saving you EC$20-30 per day in rental fees. That said, roads get temporarily slick during those brief afternoon showers.
The EC dollar is pegged at EC$2.70 to US$1, and most businesses accept US cash but give change in EC dollars at unfavorable rates - you'll save 5-8% by exchanging money at Republic Bank or Grenada Co-operative Bank branches in St. George's rather than paying in US dollars at restaurants and shops.
Water taxis between Grand Anse Beach and St. George's Carenage run EC$10 per person and take 15 minutes compared to EC$25-30 for the same trip by road taxi - locals use them constantly but tourists somehow miss them. Boats run roughly every 30-45 minutes from 9am-5pm, more frequently on weekends.

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking accommodations in Grand Anse Beach area assuming it's walkable to St. George's - it's actually 5 km (3.1 miles) along a road with no sidewalks and heavy traffic. You'll need taxis at EC$25-30 each way or the water taxi, which tourists don't budget for and end up spending EC$100-150 extra per day on transport.
Wearing heavy hiking boots for rainforest trails when lightweight trail runners or approach shoes work better - the 70% humidity makes boots unbearably hot, and March's relatively dry conditions mean you don't need the ankle support for mud that you would in October-November.
Assuming afternoon showers will cancel boat trips and pre-emptively rescheduling - those 20-30 minute downpours rarely stop operators who simply wait them out or navigate around the squalls. You'll lose your deposit or preferred time slot by canceling unnecessarily when locals know the rain passes quickly.

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