Grand Anse: Grenada's beach and resort coast

Why go

Grand Anse is the easiest and most comfortable base in Grenada. You can swim every morning, reach St. George's in minutes and still be close to the quieter coves of the south. Because all beaches in Grenada are public, the sand never feels private or closed off, and you share it with local families at weekends.

Beaches

**Grand Anse Beach** is three kilometres long, with resorts set back behind trees and a craft and spice market near the middle. Next door, **Morne Rouge Bay**, known locally as BBC Beach, is a sheltered cove with very calm water. Near the airport, **Magazine Beach** has good snorkelling off the rocks, and **Pink Gin Beach** sits where planes come in over the sea. Further east, **True Blue Bay** and **Lance aux Epines** have marinas, yachts and a more residential feel.

Things to do

Dive and snorkel shops along the beach run daily trips to the **Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park**, the reefs of the southwest and the wreck of the **Bianca C**, a large cruise liner that sank in 1961 and is one of the Caribbean's best known wreck dives for experienced divers. On land, you can take a short ride to **Clarke's Court Rum Distillery** in Woburn, or join the weekly **Hash House Harriers** run or walk somewhere on the island.

The **Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market** is the easiest place to buy spice baskets, nutmeg syrup and cocoa balls. **Spiceland Mall** has a supermarket for snacks, local rum and hot sauce.

Food and drink

There is a wide choice: beach bars for fish sandwiches and rum punch, French Creole cooking on the sand, Italian and seafood restaurants on the peninsulas, and busy local places for roti and oil down. Sunday beach barbecues at Magazine Beach and music nights at True Blue are popular with residents. For a local evening, look for the food and drink stalls where Grenadians lime, or relax with friends, at weekends.

Where to stay

Grand Anse has the island's widest range of stays, from family run apartments up the hill to large beachfront resorts and small luxury hotels. Morne Rouge suits couples who want quiet, True Blue and Lance aux Epines suit sailors and those who like a marina scene, and the main beach suits families who want everything on the doorstep.

Getting around

Minibuses run regularly along the main road between Grand Anse and the St. George's bus terminal from early morning to evening. They are cheap and lively, with music playing. At night use a licensed taxi, which you can ask your hotel to call. Agree the fare before you get in, since taxis are not metered.

Good to know

Vendors on the beach are usually friendly but persistent. A polite no thank you is enough. Do not leave bags unattended on the sand, and keep to lit areas after dark. Swim between the buoys where jet skis and boats operate.