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Pearls Airport is a decommissioned airfield on Grenada's north-east Atlantic coast, in the parish of St Andrew. It served as the island's main international gateway from the 1940s until the opening of Maurice Bishop International Airport (then Point Salines International) in 1984. The site takes its name from the nearby village of Pearls.
What makes the location unusual among Caribbean ruins is the presence of two Soviet-built aircraft — a Cubana de Aviación Ilyushin Il-14 and an Antonov An-26 — left on the old runway since the 1983 US-led intervention that ended the short-lived People's Revolutionary Government. The aircraft have been exposed to the tropical elements for decades and are heavily corroded, but they remain largely intact in outline and are the principal draw for visitors.
The surrounding landscape adds quiet appeal: the airstrip runs parallel to a stretch of Atlantic coastline backed by low hills and coconut palms. Because it receives few structured tourist visits, the site has a genuinely off-the-beaten-path atmosphere. Locals from the Pearls and Tivoli villages pass through on foot or by bicycle, and the area sees far less traffic than Grenada's better-known southern beaches.
Before You Go
Entry and Visas
Grenada has a relatively open entry policy for many nationalities, but requirements vary. Do not rely on any single source for visa rules. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Grenada Immigration Authority for current requirements before booking.
Health
No site-specific health risks apply, but the standard Caribbean precautions are sensible: use insect repellent (mosquitoes can be active in the scrub around the airstrip, especially after rain), apply sunscreen, and carry water — there are no facilities at the ruins. Grenada does not currently require proof of yellow fever vaccination unless you are arriving from an endemic country; verify current requirements with your airline and Grenada's health authority before travel.
What to Bring
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes — the runway surface is cracked and uneven and there is debris around the aircraft
- Sufficient water for your visit; no vendors are reliably present at the site
- Camera or smartphone — the aircraft and the coastal backdrop photograph well
- Cash in small denominations if you plan to stop at local roadside stalls en route
Getting There
Flying In
International flights arrive at Maurice Bishop International Airport in the south of Grenada, approximately 40 to 50 kilometres from Pearls by road. No commercial flights use Pearls; it is a ground-level attraction only.
Road Access
From St George's, the capital, the most common route heads north-east through Grand Etang or along the western coast, then across to the St Andrew parish interior and down toward the Pearls–Tivoli area. Journey times vary depending on the route chosen and road conditions; allow roughly 45 minutes to one hour from St George's. Road signage on the island can be inconsistent, so downloading an offline map or confirming directions locally before setting out is advisable.
Getting to the Site
There is no dedicated parking area or formal entrance. Minibus taxis operate on routes between St George's and the north-east, with Grenville (the main town of St Andrew) a practical staging point. From Grenville you can take a local taxi or arrange a guided transfer to Pearls. Verify current transport options and fares locally or through your accommodation.
Getting Around
The airstrip itself is accessible on foot once you arrive. The old runway is long — roughly 1,500 metres — and walking the full length in the midday heat takes more energy than it appears. The two aircraft are positioned toward the northern end of the strip; confirm their exact location locally, as there is no on-site map.
Beyond the ruins, the surrounding St Andrew parish is best explored by hired car or taxi. The parish is Grenada's largest and includes the town of Grenville, river valleys, and a long Atlantic coastline. Public minibuses connect the main settlements but schedules are informal — verify current routes in Grenville or St George's.
Things to See & Do
The Aircraft
The two Soviet-era planes are the centrepiece of any visit. The Ilyushin Il-14, a twin-piston transport dating from the 1950s design era, and the turboprop Antonov An-26 both carry visible markings and retain their basic fuselage shapes despite decades of corrosion. Photography is the primary activity; the planes offer unusual compositions against the tropical sky and surrounding vegetation. Exercise caution around the aircraft — they are structurally compromised and should not be climbed upon or entered.
Coastal and Rural Setting
The Atlantic-facing coastline adjacent to the airstrip has a rugged, windswept character distinct from Grenada's calmer Caribbean beaches. The area around Pearls and Tivoli villages gives a sense of everyday parish life away from the tourist south. Walking along the perimeter of the old airfield, you are likely to see egrets and other coastal birds using the open grassland.
Combining with Nearby Attractions
Most visitors pair Pearls with a stop in Grenville for local provisions, and often continue to Bathway Beach (one of the north-east coast's most accessible beaches) or the River Antoine Rum Distillery, which is among the oldest operational water-wheel-driven distilleries in the Caribbean.
Food & Drink
There are no food or drink vendors reliably operating at the ruins themselves. Carry your own water and snacks for the visit.
Grenville, the nearest town of substance, has local restaurants and snackettes (small eateries) serving Grenadian staples such as oil-down (the national dish of breadfruit, callaloo, and meat or fish cooked in coconut milk), fish broth, and rotis. Explore the central market area for fresh fruit and cooked food, particularly on market days. Specific establishments and hours should be verified locally, as smaller eateries operate on informal schedules.
Practical Information
Admission and Access
As of the time of writing, the site is not formally enclosed or ticketed, but land ownership and access protocols can change. Ask locally before visiting to confirm access is still open to the public and to identify the correct approach track.
Connectivity
Mobile coverage in rural St Andrew can be patchy compared with the south of the island. Download maps offline before leaving your accommodation.
Emergency Contacts
Grenada's general emergency number is 911. For non-emergency medical queries, the main public hospital is General Hospital in St George's. Verify current emergency contacts through your accommodation or the Grenada Tourism Authority before your trip.
Currency and Payments
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is the official currency. Cash is the practical choice for anything outside St George's; do not assume card machines will be available in rural areas or at roadside stalls.
Safety
Pearls Airport ruins present no unusual personal safety concerns relative to other rural Grenadian locations. The island has a generally low-key atmosphere and incidents involving tourists are uncommon, though standard precautions apply anywhere: do not leave valuables visible in a parked vehicle and stay aware of your surroundings.
The physical site itself carries the more relevant risks. The old runway surface is broken in places, and the aircraft fuselages are in advanced states of decay. Treat the planes as unstable structures — stay on the exterior, do not climb on top of them, and keep children away from any areas where metal sheeting has fallen or is loose. The area can become slippery after rain.
