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Stand: 06. November 2006.

Grenada's Beaches

There are about 45 beautiful beaches in Grenada, one of the islands most attractive features, and which most visitors come just to enjoy. All beaches on the island are officially public property, which means that the public must have access to it, regardless of where it is situated. Before property can be developed, especially areas which are located near a beach, the developer must show how he is providing access in case someone wishes to go there. There are no legal 'clothing optional' beaches in Grenada.

Grand Anse Beach

Grand Anse Beach is 2 miles of white sand in a sheltered bay, and is a favourite of many visitors. It is heavily featured in advertisements about the island, and several major hotels are located next to it. It is considered to be one of the loveliest beaches in the Caribbean. As the beach is on the western (leeward) side of the island, it is usually well sheltered and calm, and is a favourite with both locals and visitors alike. Grand Anse beach has a lot to offer, from water sports and scuba diving shops, to the vendors market and several good restaurants. So, if you are looking for a beach with attractions, then this is the one for you.

Of course, it is not the only beach on the west coast of Grenada. In fact, between Grand Anse and Point Salines, there are a total of 6 white sand beaches (not including one or two small stretches of sand), all of which are easily accessible and usually a little more private than Grand Anse.

Morne Rouge Beach

Morne Rouge Bay, which is located just south of the Grand Anse beach, is smaller, calmer and more secluded. There are no water sports shops located there, and only one hotel directly on the beach (Gem Resort), so it is an ideal place to just sit back, relax and soak up the sunshine. The water is fairly shallow, and consequently it is always a little warmer here than on other beaches. This is the ideal beach if you happen to be vacationing with children, as it is usually very calm.

Best Snorkelling Beach

If you are looking for good snorkelling sites close to the shore, then the best place to visit would be the beach by the Aquarium Restaurant. To get there, you will need to take the main road past the airport terminal until you see the sign for the restaurant on your right. This beach offers sheltered areas, gorgeous white sand and snorkelling along its southern end. If you forgot your snorkelling gear, it is possible to rent some by the Aquarium Restaurant. The Aquarium Restaurant & Beach Club is a good place to make the day more enjoyable, and makes a comfortable snorkeling base for the afternoon. Refreshments are available on the beach.

Secluded Beach

There are also other nice, more secluded beaches around Lance Aux Epines and St. David's. Most of them are a little way off the beaten path and are only accessible with a four wheel drive vehicle. Also If you take a drive up the east coast, in just about every bay, you will find several more isolated secluded beaches you can visit, even a few black sand beaches. The only difference between this type of beach and the normal white sand variety is the colour. White sand usually consists of broken and pulverised coral, while black sand primarily consists of ground up rock. The texture is almost the same, with the black sand beaches being found usually at the outflow of rivers.

Bathway Beach

The next most popular beach, especially on weekends, is located at Bathway in the north-eastern part of the island. Bathway Beach is mainly frequented by people who live in this part of the island, and is particularly popular because of a sheltered area where non-swimmers can bathe in relative safety. Taking the western main road will also enable you to visit the many beaches along that coast, and those tend to be a lot more accessible. This beach is on the Atlantic coastline, and therefore for some months of the year, the water is fairly choppy.