Five fabulous beaches on Grenada, from snorkelling to sunbathing
Grenada is blessed with some of the loveliest sandy beaches in the Caribbean. Below, you'll find five of the best. These include the most popular strands in the south-west corner of the island, and idyllic beaches elsewhere on Grenada that are worth heading for on day trips, whether you're looking to snorkel, swim or stroll. Note that following an incident in 2016, tourists are advised to be wary of exploring isolated beaches on Grenada, though generally the island is safe.
Grand Anse Beach
Grenada's most famous, and justifiably most popular, beach is a fabulous mile-and-a-half curve of soft, white sand, shaded by sea grapes, almond trees and palms, and backed by low-rise hotels. From the middle and southern end, sensational views unfurl up the coast, taking in the island's capital, St George's.
Who goes?
Everyone, but the beach is big enough to find an uncrowded spot. The middle section and the northern end are livelier and more popular with locals, and cruise-ship passengers are dropped off towards the northern end, by the Craft & Spice Market. At the southern part, around the posh Spice Island Beach Resort, it's quieter.
What is there to do?
Swim. The sea is usually calm here and perfect for a dip, and the beach shelves gently and is sandy under the water. There are also various watersports outlets. Strolling along the beach early in the morning, while it's still cool and before the vendors have started to tout their wares, is one of Grenada's great pleasures. End to end takes around 30 minutes.
Bars and bites
The most appealing spot is Umbrellas Beach Bar, by the Coyaba Beach Resort, a well-run, lively and fairly sophisticated set-up, with indoor and outdoor seating, and good food as well as drinks. The Craft & Spice Market has a clutch of hole-in-the-wall beach bars.
Getting there
There are various public access points to the beach between the hotels, including by Umbrellas, where there's ample parking.
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Morne Rouge Beach
Also known as BBC Beach (after a nightclub that was once here), this stunning 400-yard plot of white sand arcs around the rear of horseshoe-shaped Morne Rouge Bay, one of the more sheltered spots on Grenada's coastline. There are a couple of small-scale hotels behind the beach, and a few villas on the green hillsides encompassing the bay, while sea grapes and almond trees provide some shade on the sand.
Who goes?
Locals at weekends – when it can get quite busy – and in-the-know tourists. The tranquillity of the bay is also disturbed sometimes by visiting day-trip boats from cruise ships anchored up at St George's.
What is there to do?
Chill, paddle and swim. As the beach is so sheltered, the sea is usually millpond calm, and ideal for families with young children.
Bars and bites
Sur La Mer, a laid-back, few-frills beach bar near the northern end of the beach, offers drinks and food (sandwiches, burgers, roti, catch of the day). Or get a beer or cocktail at the Kalinago hotel's poolside bar.
Getting there
Head south-west from Grand Anse Beach, past Mount Cinnamon hotel and over the headland; Morne Rouge Beach is on the next bay.
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Magazine Beach
This beautiful 500-yard-long sweep of soft sand lies in the south-west corner of the island. The beach is bookended by the very nice Aquarium restaurant and the Grenadian by Rex Resorts, but in the middle it is pristine, undeveloped and often empty. As such, it feels wilder than the nearby alternative beaches of Grand Anse and Morne Rouge. If you want a swim, note that it's less sheltered than those beaches – there can be a bit of a swell and surf, and steeper shelving.
Who goes?
Weekdays it's usually pretty quiet. At weekends, locals have barbecues in the park behind the middle of the beach, and Sunday lunchtime is busy at the Aquarium, when it has a popular barbecue.
What is there to do?
Snooze, stroll, swim, and snorkel – there's good snorkelling around 50 yards out from the western (Aquarium) end of the beach. You can rent beach loungers and kayaks from the Aquarium.
Bars and bites
Nestled into the cliff at the western end of the beach, and peeking out at the sea through a screen of palms, The Aquarium restaurant is one of the loveliest spots to eat on Grenada. As well as full meals, for lunch you can have just a fish sandwich or seafood salad, and the place is very informal during the day, with visitors in swimming trunks hanging out in the decked beach bar area.
Getting there
Magazine Beach is the other side of the ridge above Grenada's airport. If arriving by car, you can park above the Aquarium (ideally you should be using its facilities). Otherwise, you can reach the beach by taking a short, steep paved track down from the first bend in the lane above the airport.
La Sagesse
Magical is an accurate description of this long crescent of soft golden sand, set at the back of a deep bay on Grenada's south coast. The only development of any note in sight is the unobtrusive little La Sagesse hotel at the eastern end, with a strip of lofty palms perfectly shading the sand in front of the property. Wander away from the hotel, across the stream that debouches into the sea, and you may well have the beach all to yourself.
Who goes?
Guests at the hotel (but it only has 12 rooms, so there won't be that many), day-trippers from other hotels, and locals.
What is there to do?
Swim: the water is usually calm and the beach is gently shelving. Have a stroll. Chill: sun loungers on the beach can be rented from the hotel. Go kayaking: again, kayaks are rentable from the hotel. Surf if there are waves: boogie boards can be rented.
Bars and bites
The hotel has a simple but inviting open-air restaurant and bar behind the beach, serving good, uncomplicated, inexpensive food, such as salads, fish sandwiches and catch of the day.
Getting there
It's around 30 minutes' drive from the Grand Anse area to La Sagesse. The hotel is at the end of a no-through lane, 3/4 mile from the main road along the south coast.
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Bathway Beach
Part of Levera National Park in the far north-east of the island, Bathway is a mile of windswept sands pummelled by the Atlantic Ocean. It's an invigorating spot, with frigate birds flying over the waves, and the perfect place for a break if you're exploring this part of the island.
Who goes?
Mostly locals, especially at weekends, when the shaded tables on the grassy areas behind the central section of the beach are busy with picnickers.
What is there to do?
Off the central section of beach, you can bathe safely in a large natural pool protected by an in-shore reef. Swimming beyond the reef is dangerous. The national park includes Levera Pond, a large pond that is rich in birdlife, and Levera Beach, a beautiful tract of golden sand that is an important nesting spot for turtles: visit the information centre behind Bathway Beach for more details.
Bars and bites
Aggie's, set around a beautiful garden across the lane behind Bathway Beach, does good, inexpensive, fishy lunches, and you can just pop in for a drink too.
Getting there
Head for the north-east corner of Grenada and keep going, and you can't miss the beach.
