Things to Do in St. George's in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in St. George's
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season timing - you'll find significantly smaller crowds at Fort George and the Carenage compared to December through March peak season, meaning shorter waits and better photo opportunities without tour groups blocking your shots
- Ideal conditions for hiking and exploring - November sits in that sweet spot where daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F) make the 30-45 minute climb to Fort Frederick actually pleasant rather than exhausting, and the variable weather keeps things interesting without being oppressive
- Festival season energy - November brings the island alive with cultural events and the build-up to the holiday season, so you'll experience St. George's when locals are out celebrating rather than the quieter summer months when many businesses operate on reduced schedules
- Excellent visibility for underwater activities - the transitional weather in November typically means clearer water conditions around Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park and Grand Anse Beach, with visibility often reaching 18-24 m (60-80 ft) for snorkeling and diving
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability can disrupt plans - those 10 rainy days are genuinely random in November, and while showers typically last 20-40 minutes, they can occasionally settle in for a few hours, which means your beach day or boat trip might need rescheduling with little warning
- Not the cheapest time to book - November falls into early high season pricing as North American and European travelers start arriving, so accommodation rates are climbing from their September-October lows but haven't quite hit December-February peaks, expect to pay 20-30% more than summer months
- Some businesses still transitioning - a handful of smaller restaurants and tour operators use October for maintenance and might not be fully operational until mid-November, so your options are slightly more limited than peak season, particularly for specialized activities
Best Activities in November
Grand Anse Beach water activities
November offers genuinely excellent conditions for the 3 km (1.9 mile) stretch of Grand Anse Beach - the water temperature sits comfortably around 28°C (82°F), and the variable weather actually works in your favor here because morning sessions typically get brilliant sunshine while afternoon clouds provide natural UV relief. The medium crowd levels mean you can still find quiet stretches of sand, unlike the packed conditions in January and February. The 70% humidity feels less oppressive with the ocean breeze, and that UV index of 8 means you get proper Caribbean sun without the brutal intensity of summer months.
Fort George and historic walking routes
The 11°C (52°F) highs make November ideal for the uphill walks that define St. George's historic core - you won't be drenched in sweat halfway up the incline to Fort George like you would be in July. Start early around 7:30-8am when the air is coolest at 6°C (43°F) and the morning light hits the Carenage beautifully. The variable weather means you might catch dramatic cloud formations over the harbor, which actually makes for better photos than flat blue skies. The fort itself, sitting at about 120 m (394 ft) elevation, catches lovely breezes that make lingering worthwhile. Those 10 rainy days mean you should carry a light jacket, but the showers rarely last long enough to ruin a walking tour.
Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park snorkeling
November hits a sweet spot for underwater visibility at Molinere Bay - you're past the summer plankton blooms but haven't hit the winter surge of boat traffic that stirs up sediment. Water temps around 28°C (82°F) mean you'll be comfortable in just a rashguard rather than a full wetsuit. The sculptures sit in 3-8 m (10-26 ft) of water, shallow enough for confident swimmers but deep enough to feel like proper snorkeling. That UV index of 8 means you absolutely need reef-safe sunscreen on your back and legs - the sun reflects off the water and you'll burn faster than you think. Morning trips between 8-11am typically offer the clearest conditions before afternoon weather variability kicks in.
St. George's Market Square food exploration
Saturday mornings at Market Square are genuinely special in November - you'll find seasonal produce like golden apples and soursop that aren't available year-round, plus the build-up to holiday season means vendors are stocking spices and local chocolate for gift-buying. The 70% humidity actually intensifies the aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves in a way that's overwhelming in a good way. Arrive between 7-9am when it's coolest and vendors are most energetic - by 11am the heat builds and selection diminishes. The variable weather means some Saturdays might see brief showers, but the covered sections keep most stalls dry. This is where locals actually shop, so prices are genuine rather than tourist-inflated.
Grand Etang National Park rainforest hiking
November weather makes the 20-30 minute drive up to Grand Etang at 530 m (1,739 ft) elevation genuinely pleasant - you'll notice the temperature drop as you climb, and the variable conditions often mean the crater lake is dramatically framed by moving clouds. The trails are usually in good condition after the rainy season but before heavy December rains, and that 70% humidity feels less oppressive under the forest canopy. The Morne LaBaye trail takes about 45 minutes one-way and offers proper Caribbean rainforest experience without requiring serious fitness. Those 10 rainy days mean trails can be muddy, so proper footwear matters here. Morning hikes between 8-10am typically avoid the heaviest afternoon humidity.
Carenage waterfront evening dining and culture
November evenings along the Carenage offer that perfect combination of comfortable temperatures around 8-9°C (46-48°F) and lively atmosphere as locals and early-season visitors mix. The waterfront comes alive around 6pm when the day's heat dissipates and the variable weather typically settles into clear evenings - though you'll want a light layer as the breeze picks up after sunset. This is when you'll see locals actually hanging out rather than tourists exclusively, particularly mid-week. The restaurants and bars along the harbor offer genuine Caribbean ambiance without the manufactured feel of resort areas. Street food vendors set up around Sendall Tunnel serving local favorites for EC$10-25 (US$3.70-9.25) per item.
November Events & Festivals
Grenada Sailing Festival
This multi-day regatta typically runs in late January through early February, NOT November - worth noting because many visitors confuse the timing. November actually sits in a quieter period between the summer carnival season and winter festivals. That said, you might catch smaller local regattas or fishing tournaments that pop up with minimal advance notice, particularly around Thanksgiving weekend when expat communities organize informal events.