Your Guide to Grenada's Aquatic Paradise

Beaches

There are MANY good beaches to choose from in Grenada. For our purposes, we will mention the most popular, along with a couple of hidden gems, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Grand Anse Beach is the most popular (and busy), with many hotels and businesses located here. With about 2 miles (3.2 km) of expansive sand to explore, you can stop at a beach bar for a drink or plunge into the water to cool off. While the beach lacks a good coral reef, the extensive seagrass beds act as a nursery. Sea robins, neonate fish, and octopuses are commonly seen here. With a few dive shops located directly on the beach, it's easy to walk in and rent snorkel equipment. The waters are mostly calm and have very high visibility. You can also find excellent tours in the area that ends with relaxation on the beach.

La Sagesse Beach is located on the Atlantic side of the island and offers a mix of volcanic and traditional beach sands. Beautiful palm trees and the sweeping beach are set in a secluded area perfect for a quiet day at the water's edge. Being on the island's windward side, the water is not as clear, and the waves often are a bit larger than the calmer Caribbean but still offer comfortable swimming. This beach is visited more by locals with the potential to have the whole thing to yourself. A hotel and restaurant are located on the beach with lounge chairs for rent.

Overlooking Sugar Loaf and Green Islands, Levera Beach is located in the north. As a large nesting beach for leatherback sea turtles, you may get lucky and spot hatchlings or a mother turtle depositing her eggs during nesting season. The beach is closed at night from May to August for nesting. The ocean may have more current and waves here, so it may be more suitable for sunbathing or a picnic. As an isolated beach, there is no food or other facilities available. A food cart is sometimes present at Bathway Beach close by, but it's best to plan ahead. The home on Sugar Loaf island can be rented if you want solitude. Check out the Ocean Spirits website for more information on the leatherback sea turtle nesting and volunteering.

Magazine Beach and Morne Rouge Beach (also known as BBC beach) are two beautiful and often empty beaches south of Grande Anse. Mourne Rouge Beach offers quiet, shallow waters sheltered in a cove. Magazine Beach is more expansive but with similar crystal blue waters. The Aquarium restaurant is located on Magazine Beach and is a perfect place for a leisurely meal and frosty beverage. There are pockets of seagrass and coral reef located here. In particular, there is a large shallow reef located in front of the Royalton Grenada hotel that is fun to explore.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Grenada has many healthy reefs and a few shipwrecks. This is a great place to learn with high visibility and calmer waters if you aren't already certified. The local dive shops all know and work closely with each other. Dive shops and popular dive/snorkel sites are listed below.

Dive shops
Dive Grenada
Aquanauts (two locations)
Eco Dive
Native Spirit
Scuba Tech
Devotion 2 Ocean

Snorkel Spots

Flamingo Bay, Dragon Bay, and the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park are all located next to each other on the Caribbean side of the island. Flamingo Bay boasts lush, vibrant coral, deep clear waters, and a dense fish population. Make sure to check out just below the surface as you swim, as barracudas like to linger at the top, searching the reef below for prey. Dragon Bay is smaller but still beautiful. The underwater sculpture park has 75 pieces along the sea bed and has been listed among National Geographic's 25 wonders of the world. While many sculptures are easily visible while snorkeling, we suggest diving here instead to get the full impact of the art.

Most snorkel trips will be accompanied by scuba divers and often stick to these three sites. Full day around the island snorkel trips may be chartered with stops here and often at the uninhabited Sandy Island just off the North Coast. They may include lunch and circle the entire way around the island.

Dive Spots

With 12 different shipwrecks to explore, a few stand out. The Bianca C is the most famous shipwreck located off Grande Anse Beach and has been called the "Titanic of the Caribbean." After catching fire and being evacuated, it was towed away from shipping channels and sunk in 1961. You can even descend into the ship's swimming pool! In shallower waters of around 45 feet (14 meters), the MV Veronica has beautiful coral and rich aquatic life, making it accessible to less experienced divers. The Quarter Wreck is also located in shallower waters for those not seeking deep dives. Finally, the deepwater wrecks, King Mitch and Hema, offer a chance to see sharks, turtles, and rays for advanced divers.

For drift dive lovers, don't miss Purple Rain. As you glide along with the current, you will pass over a vast pristine reef littered with purple sponges and coral. Turtles, stingrays, and barracuda are commonly seen. Japanese Gardens, Kahonee, the Valleys, and Southern Comfort reefs are shallower, gentler dives that allow you the time to explore nooks and crannies. Shark Reef is a popular dive to see nurse sharks but may have heavier currents during certain times of the year. For more in-depth descriptions, click on the link below.

Other Aquatic Activities

Windsurfing and Hobie Cat rentals are available through some dive shops in Grand Anse. Those interested in kite surfing should check out 5 Elements Pro Kitesurfing Center. Based mainly in Carriacou and offering Charter Kite Surfing sailing trips, this is a way to see some of the smaller islands in the area. Kayaking tours are also available through Conservation Kayak.

Renting Sailboats

There are options to charter a sailboat or catamaran around Grenada and the Grenadines. You can even hire a captain and crew if needed. The Tobago Cays, located north of the island, boasts a marine park where you have the chance to swim with some resident green sea turtles. In addition, the smaller Grenadine Islands allow you to experience a simpler Caribbean life and enjoy empty beaches. So if it's in your budget, a sailing trip is an excellent addition to your vacation. Alternatively, you can go on an evening cruise with appetizers and drinks on a sailboat in the Grand Anse Bay.

River Tubing

Another activity for adventure seekers is river tubing. A helmet and inner tube will be provided for you. You still start at the Balthazar Estate, and it lasts about 1-2 hours. A guide will accompany you on your journey and end with a refreshing drink. This may not be possible in the dry season if the water levels are low, so make sure to ask before booking. Also for this particular activity, you will need to arrange your own transportation to Balthazar River Tubing and Water Sports.

Good to Know

Fire coral is common in Grenada, and if you accidentally touch it, it will live up to its name. When in the water, a good rule of thumb is: if it's pretty, ugly, or will let you touch it…DON'T touch it. Basically, don't touch anything. It's best for you and the aquatic life. If you are mindful while snorkeling or diving, you should be fine in most situations. Shark encounters are not common near the shore, but sea turtle sightings are in many varieties. You may see souvenirs made from coral or sea turtle shells. If so, avoid buying them as they are often illegal to import home and are bad for the local aquatic population.

Conclusion

Whether you want to find your zen floating above a coral reef or read a book with your toes in the sand, the beautiful beaches and sea life of Grenada are a must-see. If you don't have your own snorkel or dive equipment, renting some from a local shop is accessible. Calm waters will help keep even the most anxious of swimmers at ease. If you are fantasizing about a tropical vacation, consider Grenada and its surrounding islands for your encounter.