Things to Do in St. George's in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in St. George's
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 30-40% compared to peak summer months - you'll find waterfront guesthouses for EC$150-200 (US$55-75) that would cost EC$300+ in high season
- Cruise ship arrivals are minimal in September (typically 2-3 ships per week versus 15+ in winter), which means the Carenage waterfront and Grand Anse Beach feel genuinely local rather than overwhelmed by day-trippers
- The Grenada Chocolate Festival usually runs early September, giving you access to estate tours, tasting sessions, and workshops that showcase why Grenadian cocoa is considered some of the Caribbean's finest - worth planning your dates around if you're a chocolate enthusiast
- Water visibility for diving and snorkeling actually improves in September as the plankton blooms settle down, with visibility reaching 20-30 m (65-100 ft) at sites like the Bianca C wreck and Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park
Considerations
- September sits squarely in hurricane season (peak is mid-September), and while direct hits are relatively rare, you need travel insurance with hurricane coverage and should monitor forecasts starting 5 days before departure - flights get cancelled, not just delayed
- Afternoon humidity combined with 70% average moisture levels means you'll be changing shirts twice daily if you're doing any walking around town - the kind of sticky warmth that makes air conditioning feel essential rather than optional
- Some smaller restaurants and tour operators take their annual closure in September, particularly in the second half of the month, so you'll have fewer dining options in residential areas outside the tourist zones
Best Activities in September
Grand Etang National Park Rainforest Hiking
September rainfall keeps the rainforest trails lush without turning them into mud pits - those 10 rainy days typically mean brief afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours. The Seven Sisters Falls trail is particularly rewarding now, with strong water flow making the cascades dramatic. Mornings from 6:30am-10am offer the best conditions before clouds roll in, and you'll spot more wildlife (mona monkeys, armadillos) when tourist numbers are low. The cooler 12°C (54°F) morning temperatures at elevation make the 3-4 hour hikes genuinely comfortable rather than sweltering.
Underwater Sculpture Park Snorkeling
The improved water clarity in September makes this the ideal month to visit the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park without the winter cruise ship crowds. You'll actually have space to photograph the 75+ sculptures without bumping into other snorkelers. The 70% humidity feels irrelevant once you're in the water, and the 20°C (68°F) highs mean you won't overheat in your wetsuit. Morning sessions (8am-11am) offer the calmest conditions before afternoon breezes pick up - though honestly, the variable September weather means you should be flexible with timing.
Spice Estate Tours and Chocolate Workshops
September marks the beginning of nutmeg harvest season, so estate tours show actual processing rather than just walking past dormant facilities. You'll see workers drying nutmeg and mace in traditional boucan houses, and the chocolate workshops make particular sense now if you're timing your visit with the Chocolate Festival. The indoor nature of these activities provides perfect backup options for those 10 rainy days. Tours typically run 2-3 hours and the covered processing areas mean humidity is manageable even at 70%.
St. George's Market Square and Carenage Waterfront Walking
The Saturday morning market (6am-11am) is authentically local in September without the cruise ship tourist influx. You'll find seasonal fruits like golden apples and governor plums that aren't available year-round, and vendors actually have time to explain how to prepare local ingredients. The 12°C (54°F) early morning temperatures make the 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mile) waterfront walk genuinely pleasant before humidity builds. Fort George offers 360-degree harbor views and the UV index of 8 means serious sun protection, but the historical context of the 1983 invasion site adds depth beyond typical fortress tours.
Carriacou Day Trips and Island Hopping
The Osprey ferry runs daily to Carriacou (90 minutes each way), and September's lower tourist numbers mean you'll actually get deck seating with breeze rather than being packed inside. Carriacou's beaches like Paradise Beach and Anse La Roche are nearly empty mid-week. The variable September weather means some days have perfect conditions while others see brief squalls - locals check morning forecasts and adjust plans accordingly. Water temperatures stay warm at 27-28°C (81-82°F) for swimming and the smaller island feels genuinely undeveloped compared to mainland Grenada.
Bianca C Wreck Diving
September offers some of the year's best diving conditions on the Bianca C, the Caribbean's largest accessible wreck at 180 m (590 ft) long sitting at 30-50 m (100-165 ft) depth. The improved water clarity means you'll actually see the ship's structure rather than diving through murky water, and fewer divers on site means less disturbed sediment. The wreck requires advanced certification, but the low season means dive operators have more flexibility with scheduling and smaller group sizes. Surface conditions in September can be variable, so experienced divers appreciate having backup dates built into their itinerary.
September Events & Festivals
Grenada Chocolate Festival
This multi-day festival celebrates Grenadian cocoa with estate tours, chocolate-making workshops, tasting sessions, and dinners featuring chocolate-infused Caribbean cuisine. You'll get behind-the-scenes access to organic cocoa estates and processing facilities that aren't typically open to casual visitors. The festival attracts serious chocolate enthusiasts and culinary professionals, so workshops sell out months ahead. Events happen across the island but many are concentrated around St. George's and the interior cocoa-growing regions.