When it’s hot, hot, hot, cruise passengers often want to just head for the beach to cool off in the sea. Lesley Bellew makes her recommendations for visitors calling in at St George’s, on the Caribbean island of Grenada

MORNE ROUGE

Pretty and secluded. What more could a beach-lover want? There’s natural shade from palms and the water is shallow and warm. From here, snorkellers will find Boss Reef, an intriguing dive site that’s home to lobster, spotted moray eels and green or hawksbill turtles. Hog Island (main picture) can be reached from Morne Rouge and it offers some of the easiest snorkelling – even in a few feet of water close to the shore, there is coral and plenty of colourful fish.

GRAND ANSE BEACH

This long, long curve of powder-white sand, shaded by palms and almond trees, is a showstopper and it’s only a 15-minute cab or boat ride from the cruise port. Better still, the beachfront Umbrellas Bar serves rum cocktails that pack a serious punch.

MOLINIERE BAY

From the Moliniere Bay, take a kayak to snorkel over artist James deCaries Taylor’s underwater sculptures. Explore 65 fascinating pieces of art on the seabed in this marine-protected area, which is all the more memorable for the company – shoals of tropical fish which prove a delightful distraction.

Who goes there? 

Thomson Discovery 7 nights from £1,174 departing London Gatwick on November 20, 2016 with cruise/stay options

P&O Aurora 24 nights from £2,669 departing Southampton (round-trip) on December 16, 2016