Things to Do in St. George's in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in St. George's
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season weather with daytime temps around 16°C (61°F) - warm enough for outdoor exploration without the summer heat that makes climbing hills exhausting. The mornings start crisp at 10°C (50°F), ideal for early market visits before the day warms up.
- Minimal rainfall with only 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) across 10 days means brief, manageable showers rather than day-ruining downpours. You'll typically see 15-20 minute sprinkles that clear quickly, and locals actually welcome these for cooling things down mid-afternoon.
- Cruise ship season is winding down by mid-October, so you'll find the Carenage waterfront and Fort George significantly less crowded than the peak January-March period. Accommodation prices drop 20-30% compared to high season while weather remains excellent.
- Spice harvest season is in full swing - nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove processing happens at estates island-wide. You'll see drying racks everywhere, and the whole island smells incredible. Local spice vendors at Market Square have the freshest products at lowest prices of the year.
Considerations
- October sits at the tail end of hurricane season (officially June 1-November 30), and while Grenada is south of the typical hurricane belt, you're still booking during a period where weather can shift. Worth noting that Grenada hasn't had a direct hit since Ivan in 2004, but travel insurance with weather coverage is actually worth it this month.
- That 70% humidity combined with variable conditions means you'll experience what locals call 'close' weather - the air feels thick, especially mid-afternoon. If you're sensitive to humidity or have respiratory issues, the 10°C-16°C (50°F-61°F) range with high moisture can feel more uncomfortable than the numbers suggest.
- Some dive operators reduce trips to outer sites like the Bianca C wreck during October due to occasionally choppy conditions. You'll still dive, but visibility can drop to 15-20 m (49-66 ft) versus the 25-30 m (82-98 ft) you'd see in February or March.
Best Activities in October
Grand Etang National Park Hiking
October's variable weather actually works in your favor for rainforest hiking - the brief showers keep trails manageable rather than dusty, and the humidity means waterfalls are running strong. The Seven Sisters Falls trail (about 2 hours round trip, moderate difficulty) is spectacular right now. Morning hikes starting by 7am let you finish before the typical 2pm-3pm afternoon sprinkle, and that UV index of 8 is less brutal under the forest canopy. The cooler 10°C (50°F) morning starts mean you're not drenched in sweat within 10 minutes like you would be in July.
Underwater Sculpture Park Snorkeling
Water temperature hovers around 28°C (82°F) in October - no wetsuit needed, just a rash guard for that UV index 8 sun. The Molinere Bay sculptures are in shallow water 3-5 m (10-16 ft) deep, so even if visibility drops slightly during variable weather, you'll still see everything clearly. October's lower tourist numbers mean you might have entire sculptures to yourself, especially if you go early morning around 8am-9am. The brief afternoon showers don't affect underwater visibility much since they're so light.
St. George's Market Square and Spice Shopping
Saturday morning market (6am-11am) is when you'll see the real spice harvest action. October is peak processing season, so vendors have just-dried nutmeg, mace, cinnamon bark, and bay leaves at their freshest and cheapest - typically 30-40% less than you'd pay in tourist shops. The market building provides shelter during those brief October showers, and the 10°C (50°F) early morning temperature makes the walk from the Carenage waterfront actually pleasant. Get there by 7am for best selection before cruise ship passengers arrive (though far fewer ships dock in October anyway).
River Antoine Rum Distillery and Northeast Coast Tours
The drive up the windward coast to River Antoine is stunning in October - the brief rains keep everything lush and green, and you'll see local farmers harvesting provisions (dasheen, yams, breadfruit). The distillery itself runs on water wheel power, and October's rainfall keeps the river flowing strong. The tour takes about 45 minutes, and you'll taste rum straight from 180-year-old copper stills. That 70% humidity actually helps you appreciate why locals drink rum with coconut water. Combine this with stops at Belmont Estate (cocoa processing, also harvest season) and Lake Antoine for a full northeast circuit.
Grand Anse Beach Evening Walks and Local Food Stalls
October evenings cool down nicely to around 12-14°C (54-57°F) by 6pm-7pm, perfect for the 3 km (1.9 mile) Grand Anse beach walk from one end to the other. That humidity drops slightly after sunset, and you'll catch locals playing football, families having beach barbecues, and vendors setting up food stalls near the public access points. Thursday through Sunday evenings see the most activity. The brief afternoon showers (if they happened) leave the sand packed and easy to walk on. Stop at beach shacks for grilled lobster (typically EC$60-80 for a good-sized tail), corn soup (EC$10-15), or fresh coconut water (EC$5).
Carenage Waterfront Sunset and Fort George History Walk
October sunsets happen around 5:45pm-6pm, and the variable cloud cover actually creates dramatic sky colors - purples, oranges, deep reds reflecting off the harbor. Start at the Carenage around 4:30pm, walk up to Fort George (20-minute uphill walk, about 100 m or 328 ft elevation gain), explore the fort and get the harbor overview, then watch sunset from the ramparts. The cooler October temperatures make this climb much more pleasant than doing it in March when it's 30°C (86°F). After dark, walk back down for dinner at waterfront restaurants - October's lower crowds mean you can actually get harbor-view tables without reservations.
October Events & Festivals
Grenada Sailing Festival
Typically held late January or early February, NOT in October - so you'll miss this one. Worth noting because many visitors confuse the timing. October is actually quiet for major festivals, which is part of why it's low season. You get authentic local life without event crowds.