There are no two ways about it: Grand Anse Beach in Grenada is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. This two-mile stretch of fine white sand is so alluring that visitors can’t wait to stop here once they arrive. Fortunately for everyone, Grand Anse Beach is just a few minutes from the Maurice Bishop Airport in Grenada!
Before we get into the intricate details of what makes this beach so amazing, let’s talk a little about Grenada - the Island of Spice. This gem is located in the southern Caribbean near St. Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada is known for many things such as its spice production, which means you’ll likely feel compelled to purchase some nutmeg or cinnamon while there!
Three main islands make up the territory of Grenada: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique. Interestingly, Carriacou and Petit Martinique are the only islands in the Grenadines, a nearby chain of islands, that fall under the boundaries of Grenada. The other islands fall under the boundaries of St. Vincent.
Grenada is also known for its amazing beaches, and Grand Anse Beach is one of its most beautiful. Grand Anse Beach is located in Saint George Parish, a highly-rated area to stay in Grenada. There is so much to love about this place! Here’s everything you need to know before you go:
Good to know: You’ll never have a hard time finding accommodation options around Grand Anse Beach. Some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Grenada can be found close by!
Grand Anse Beach is located on Grenada's southwestern coast, about six miles from the capital city, St. George. Crescent moon-shaped and simply irresistible, the beach overlooks the Grand Anse Bay which makes for amazing views while lounging beachside. Since it’s open 24/7, there’s never a bad time to visit. Here are a few more reasons you should go to Grand Anse Beach:
Even the best beach experiences can be dulled by a crowd. Grand Anse is quite the popular beach spot, as evidenced by the sheer number of beach hotels, resorts, restaurants, beach clubs, and shops in the vicinity, yet it never seems to feel too crowded thanks to the length of this beautiful stretch. Even when there are multiple cruise ships docked at St. George’s port bringing new visitors to the island, you won’t have a hard time finding a spot to relax on the sand.
When the topic of gorgeous Caribbean beaches comes up, Grand Anse Beach in Grenada is often mentioned. Known and loved for its turquoise waters framed by white, powdery sand, swimmers and sunbathers can spend hours on this beach and still not be ready to leave. There’s plenty of room to explore and settle into your own space amid the pure natural beauty. The cherry on top? Grand Anse Beach is home to almond and palm trees that provide the perfect amount of shade, and sea grapes trees that will add just the right dose of color to any vacation photo.
Expert tip: Come for the beach, stay for the views! From Grand Anse Beach, you’ll have great views of St. George, the capital of Grenada, as well as Fort George (the Carenage), which is located just across St. George’s Harbor.
What’s a beach without great amenities? Still beautiful, maybe, but much less convenient. Facilities like bathrooms, changing rooms, and ample parking are important when selecting the best beach to spend time on during your vacation. If you know these amenities will make or break your beach day, choose Grand Anse Beach! It will not disappoint you. It is absolutely free to access Grand Anse Beach any time of day, and parking is also free! You’ll find bathrooms and changing rooms near the entrance to the beach, allowing you to easily get in and out of your swim gear. There’s even free Wi-Fi, a feature you’re unlikely to find at other beaches on the island. Paid features are completely optional at Grand Anse Beach, but you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas ($15 USD) if you want to get extra comfortable, or purchase drinks, snacks, and food if you haven’t brought your own.
Expert tip: The lovely beaches in Grenada are one of the top reasons to visit this incredible Caribbean island, but they are certainly not the only ones. Learn about the top 55 things to do in Grenada if you want the most memorable vacation imaginable!
Grand Anse Beach is loved by many because there is so much to do on and around the beach. While in Grenada, be sure to take part in some of these fun activities at Grand Anse Beach:
You’ll have more than enough room to roam, sunbathe, and enjoy the ambiance of the picture-perfect Grand Anse Beach while in Grenada. This beach is so lengthy, it takes about 30 minutes to walk from one end of the beach to the other. This makes it a perfect place for the sunset promenade you’ve always fantasized about. You can expect a scenic, breezy, and romantic walk, especially if you’re strolling hand in hand with the one you love. Don’t be afraid to detour to the nearby Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market where you’ll be able to pick up some authentic Grenadian souvenirs and surprise your loved ones with something special. There are usually lots of vendors selling food, spices, and handmade goodies. The fact that Grand Anse Beach is free to access and always open makes it easy to plan a stroll here whenever you’d like.
There is no better place in Grenada for water sports than Grand Anse Beach. This beach has markedly calm water that is unbelievably clear and ideal for diving. Whether you want to go snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, parasailing, or kayaking, at this beautiful beach, you are likely to find what you are in the mood for. Vendors on the beach offer paid water sports excursions, but, if you want the best value, you should try an all-inclusive resort like Sandals where water sports are offered for free. A wide range of water and land sports are offered to guests of Sandals Grenada, including free scuba diving (max. two tanks a day) and professional equipment for certified divers. You can even become a certified diver while on vacation!
Good to know: You can’t miss seeing the Bianca-C, a sunken 600 ft Italian luxury liner. As one of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean and one of the best wreck diving sites on the globe, every diver should cross her off their list at least once. The same goes for Grenada’s underwater sculpture park which offers a unique opportunity to dive amidst eco-conscious art.
The chance to enjoy a truly delicious meal can increase your enjoyment of any beach day. After soaking in some sun and dipping into the refreshingly cool water of Grand Anse Beach, vacationers can make their way to the Umbrella Beach Bar at the midpoint of the beach. This beach bar is so popular that service can be slower than usual when it’s busy, but you’ll hardly notice the wait with such beautiful surroundings, great company, and a few refreshing cocktails to focus on! Plus, the amazing food (try the Carib Sushi!), vibe-worthy music, and tasty drinks keep customers coming back.
Coconut Beach Restaurant is another great dining option where visitors can enjoy mesmerizing ocean views while being cooled off by the sea breeze. If you’re looking for new food and drinks to try in Grenada, Coconut Beach is a great spot that is known and loved for its French Creole-style food. You can enjoy incredible dishes here that feature curried lamb, lobster, steak, and chicken. Besides those two options, there are lots of bars near Grand Anse Beach where you can stop by for a drink.
It’s not hard to get to Grand Anse Beach while in Grenada. Visitors can get there by taxi, water taxi, public transportation, or even by walking from a nearby resort. Here are some more details on how to get there:
Grand Anse Beach is located about 6 miles from St. George (central), the capital of Grenada. From there, there are lots of public transportation options you can use to get to various points in Grenada, including Grand Anse Beach. It costs about $2 USD each way to get to Grand Anse Beach from St. George and back via public transportation.
If you’d prefer a more scenic route, try taking a water taxi from the St. George cruise port to Grand Anse Beach. This usually costs around $10 USD round trip and is the preferred means of transportation for cruise ship visitors to Grenada. The water taxi will drop you off at the dock that sits right on Grand Anse Beach.
If you decide to take a taxi from St. George, the cost will be around $10 USD to get to Grand Anse Beach. It’s a short 10-minute drive, and you can arrange for the taxi to pick you up within an agreed-upon timeframe. That will give you more than enough time to enjoy this awesome beach!
Those traveling to Grenada by air will touch down at the Maurice Bishop Airport (GND) in Point Saline. Previously known as the Point Saline Airport, this is the only airport in Grenada. While it’s only a 10-minute drive away, it usually costs around $10USD to get to Grand Anse Beach by taxi from the airport.
In addition to luxury hotels, top-rated restaurants, cultural and historic attractions, and endless watersports like snorkeling, there are tons of other things to do and see around Grand Anse Beach. Some of the best attractions in Grenada are located in this area and here are some of our top picks:
At many of the attractions in Grenada, you’ll have the option of a half or full-day tour. A Fort George exploration can easily be covered in a half-day tour. This small fort was built in the early 1700s by the British. Before that, the location was home to a battery built by the French in the 1600s. The Royal Grenada Police Force is now housed at Fort George, but some sections of the historic fort are still open for tours. Make your way up the stairs to the top of the fort for a breathtaking view. It will be well worth the effort!
While you’re in the mood for a beach day, why not make your way over to Magazine Beach in Grenada? As the name suggests, this beach definitely belongs on glossy pages of a magazine, no photoshop needed. This idyllic beach is located about 3.5 miles from Grand Anse Beach, so it’s easy to visit them both on the same day. The rugged, secluded, and untouched feel of this 1,500-foot strand of glistening white sand makes it a must-see while vacationing in Grenada!
There are many small islands around Grenada and Carriacou is one of these. This little island is considered part of the Southern Grenadines, along with Petit Martinique, and is very close to both Grenada and the island of Saint Vincent. Carriacou is just north of Grenada and is one of the country’s territories. It’s a short 30-minute plane ride to get to Carriacou from Grenada. What the island lacks in a population (only around 8,000 people call Carriacou home), it makes up for with a host of rum shops. The most recent count indicates there are over 100 rum shops on Carriacou! The tiny island has also built a great reputation for being one of the friendliest and safest islands in all of the Caribbean. With all these benefits, why wouldn’t you want to take a quick hop to Carriacou from Grenada and explore this beautiful place?
Good to know: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique have some of the best diving in the Caribbean thanks to the healthy coral reefs found in the area. Dive sites around Carriacou range from 39ft to 98ft, catering to every experience level. While scuba diving in Grenada, don’t miss the opportunity to see the Westsider and Boris tugboats. These two shipwrecks were intentionally sunk, and have now become a part of the beautiful underwater ecosystem in this area.
Feeling adventurous? A scenic hike on the island of Grenada may be just what you need! Waterfalls and charming trails can be found by meandering through national parks. Here are some of the best parks in the same area as Grand Anse Beach:
Anyone who appreciates nature will love the Grand Etang National Park experience. This park is one of the most popular in Grenada and it is about 30 minutes from Grand Anse Beach. Grand Etang National Park is in the central part of Grenada and offers several hiking trails. The shortest hikes are about 15 minutes long, while the longer, more challenging ones can take a few hours to complete.
Grand Etang National Park has thick vegetation and the surrounding forest is great for bird watching. Some of the bird species you may encounter include the Purple Throated Carib, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Broad Winged Hawk, Lesser Antillean Swift, and others. While taking in the amazing views and scoping for birds, you’ll also likely see lizards of all varieties, frogs, armadillos, and mona monkeys.
The pristine natural environment is one of the top five reasons to visit Grenada. The Mt Carmel Falls gives you an excellent opportunity to enjoy the splendor of Grenada. Nothing compares to the feeling of standing under a refreshing waterfall on a hot day. You can allow those beautiful cascades to wash all your worries away. Mt. Carmel Falls in Grenada is about one hour from Grand Anse Beach and is the tallest waterfall on the island. You’ll pay around $2 USD to access the waterfall zone, and once there, you’ll hike a short trail to get to the falls. The hike isn’t too strenuous and takes about 10-15 minutes. Once you’ve set eyes on the glorious falls, feel free to take a dip. Be careful though; the water may be a little colder than you expect!
Grand Anse Beach stands out as one of the most impressive beaches in the Caribbean. Frolick in the sunshine on this sandy shore and take the opportunity to explore the submarine beauty of the Grenadian reefs. There are so many water sports for you to experience that you might have a hard time choosing. Once you’re done with your beach day, there are loads of attractions in the vicinity for you to enjoy, including a bustling craft market and mesmerizing waterfall. If there’s one place you must include on your Grenada vacation agenda, it’s Grand Anse Beach!
Picture: Sandals Grenada features surreal views from pools in the sky, cascading waterfalls and meandering river pools that seem to have been plucked from an artist's fantasy. With unlimited gourmet dining at 10 on-property restaurants, 6 bars, including swim-up bars, and proximity to Grenada's most popular attractions, like Grand Anse Beach, this truly exotic paradise is as luxurious as it is convenient.
Speaking of vacation … the best vacations in Grenada are spent in a carefree, easy-going style. With an all-inclusive resort in Grenada, you won’t have to worry about finer details like the cost of that delectable cocktail or stress yourself over surprise vacation costs when you could be poolside. Sandals Grenada can be the perfect choice for couples who want an unforgettable experience where they can indulge in gourmet dining, a selection of bars including swim-up pool bars, stylish accommodations, day and night entertainment, and so much more all included! We can tell you exactly what guests love about Sandals Grenada, but you really must see it for yourself.
Now, what are you waiting for? Grenada is calling!
Expert tip: While planning your once-in-a-lifetime tropical vacation to Grenada, you should consider the timing of any events you might like to take part in. There’s so much to experience year-round, so consider the best time to visit Grenada!