Underwater Sculptures: Not To Be Missed When Staying At The Calabash Hotel

As far as fly-and-flop Caribbean holidays go, Grenada is a middle-of-the-road destination. Nowhere near as well marketed or explored as St Lucia or the Bahamas, this island nonetheless offers its fair share of attractive characteristics to interest tourists looking for a slightly less ‘mainstream’ Caribbean destination.

In that regard, one of Grenada’s main claims to fame is its unique underwater sculpture park, a truly original and unforgettable location that earns its status as a must see for tourists staying in luxury establishments such as the Calabash Hotel. Fans of snorkelling and scuba diving will not want to miss the opportunity to visit this stunning, ethereal location off the coast of Grenada.

A Park With Many Purposes

The Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, as this location is officially called, opened its doors to the public in 2006. It is the brainchild of a British sculptor, Jason DeCaires Taylor, who used it as a means to connect the locals to the oceanic environment with which they co-exist. For this purpose, Taylor installed a number of cement figures on the ocean floor, at depths of up to 12 metres. All in all, the park boasts a total of 65 statues, ranging from single figures to more attention-catching and intricate sculptures, such as the one depicting a ring of children holding hands. The detail, beauty and unusual location of these statues resulted in an attraction that rivets not only the locals, but also a large number of tourists staying in locations such as the renowned Calabash Hotel.

However, raising awareness to the underwater world of the Caribbean Sea is not the sculpture park’s only goal. By attracting snorkelers and scuba divers to the location, this attraction is also relieving some of the pressure Caribbean coral reefs are being subjected to, thereby contributing to the protection of these exceedingly delicate eco-systems.

A View From Above

The Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park is best viewed up close, with the help of snorkelling or scuba-diving equipment; however, guests staying at resorts like the Calabash Hotel who want to see this attraction but are not quite as fond of diving can also enjoy the unique array of statues from above, by viewing them through the glass bottom of dedicated tourist boats. Offered by a number of companies along St George’s Port or Grande Anse Bay (the two locations from which the park is most easily reached), these boats are an excellent alternative to underwater sports, and will allow any visitor to appreciate Taylor’s masterpieces from an entirely new perspective.

Anyone staying at one of Grenada’s luxury accommodation options, such as the Calabash Hotel, should add the unique experience that is the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park to their itinerary.

Helen C. Edwards works for the Essential Hotel Collection. If you’re looking for superb accommodation, like the world famous Calabash Hotel on Grenada, we offer a handpicked portfolio of privately owned hotels. We have an intimate knowledge of every property and can provide the perfect accommodation to make your island dreams a reality.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.