The Caribbean island nation of Grenada consists of three islands—Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique—collectively featuring some 40 beaches. Choose from grand strands in the heart of town, off-the-beaten-path hideaways, sugar-soft Caribbean sands, and wild Atlantic shores.
Whatever you choose, Grenada’s beaches are ripe for “liming”, the Caribbean art of enjoying yourself by hanging out with friends and otherwise doing very little.
Enjoy these 10 beautiful beaches in Grenada.
Grand Anse Beach
Grand Anse Beach on the southwest coast dazzles; this is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful Grenada beaches.
Seagrape and almond trees and coconut palms dot the two-mile cove of white sands. Sunlight dances on the calm turquoise bay, and St. George’s, the capital of this Southern Caribbean island, rises on a nearby hillside.
Arrive early at the popular lifeguard-patrolled beach to obtain a prime spot in the shade. You can rent kayaks, Hobie Cats (sailing catamarans), stand-up paddleboards, paddleboats, hydro bikes and snorkel gear.
One of the best things to do in Grenada is to explore the reef at the beach’s north end, where you could see coral, sponges, sea urchins, and squid among the tropical fish.
Off-the-sand cafés serve pizza and sandwiches. Shoppers might want to browse for crafts, clothes, spices and art at the nearby Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market for a taste of Caribbean culture.
Morne Rouge Beach
Morne Rouge Beach, also known as BBC Beach after a nightclub that was once here (but isn’t anymore), is arguably one of Grenada’s loveliest beaches.
You’ll usually find fewer people and a more relaxing atmosphere here than the buzz of Grand Anse Beach, the island’s number one strand.
South of Grand Anse, Morne Rouge Beach nestles in a horseshoe-shaped bay protected by hills. The calm, clear azure sea is the stuff of dreams, especially for snorkelers and kayakers.
Cayaks Grenada rents transparent, two-person kayaks, perfect for spotting starfish and schools of rainbow-colored beauties as you paddle. You can also rent a beach chair and settle down for the day in the shade of a stand of trees.
Locals recommend the breakfasts at Sur La Plage, and the fish tacos at La Plywood Beach Bar Café, two of several beachside eateries. Before you leave the tranquil setting, climb up Quarantine Point for panoramic views.
Magazine Beach
Magazine Beach is a find. This Grenada beach exudes a tranquil atmosphere, except on Sundays when the Aquarium Restaurant fires up its weekly BBQ lunch with live local music.
Located at the southern end of the beach, this is the place to come for fresh fish, spicy jerk chicken, ribs, and burgers.
You’ll also want to visit Magazine Beach, also known as Aquarium Beach, for the white sands and the snorkeling. You’re likely to spot blue tangs, angelfish, and sergeant majors weaving through the sea fans and sea rods at the reef, close to the southern end of the shore.
Bring your own gear and beach blanket and consider water shoes as there are some rocks close to the surface. Find natural shade under the palm and sea grape trees that edge the beach.
Bathway Beach
Because Grenada’s northeastern coast fronts the Atlantic Ocean, rough waves crash along the sands. On a stroll of Bathway (pronounced “Bat-way”) Beach, the pounding surf punctuates your beach strolls, while frigatebirds wheel overhead.
You can swim at Bathway, which is part of Levera National Park, but only within an area protected by the barrier reef that breaks the power of the Atlantic’s waves and mitigates the force of the currents.
Stay within the clearly designated section behind the natural rock ledge at this Grenada beach.
From March to June, leatherback turtles arrive on the sand and shuffle up the gentle slope to lay their eggs. In season, be careful not to disturb the turtle nests.
You’ll share your Bathway beach idyll with just a few others most of the time. On Grenada holidays, though, locals picnic and party on the sandy areas behind the beach at Bathway.
The beach has public restrooms, but few other amenities. Food trucks sometimes stop by but bring snacks and plenty of water, just in case.
Levera Beach
Before departing Grenada’s northeastern coast, visit 450-acre Levera National Park, situated on the island’s northeastern tip, not far from Bathway Beach.
Waves crash onto the shore but unlike Bathway, Levera’s strong currents make the beach too dangerous for swimming.
Instead, at Levera, one of the wildest and most beautiful Grenada beaches, walk the sands, listen to the surf, smell the salty air, and admire the views of the green, conical offshore islands, Sugar Loaf, Green Island, and Sandy Island. Leatherback turtles nest at Levera Beach, so be careful to avoid their nests.
Birders shouldn’t miss Levera Pond, part of Levera National Park. The mangrove swamp surrounding the pond attracts herons, black-necked stilts, and scarlet ibis. Be sure to bring binoculars.
La Sagesse Beach
Lapping waves, a long cove of both white and black sand beaches, and a natural setting of lush vegetation distinguish Grenada’s La Sagesse Beach, set in La Sagesse Bay in St. David.
As you relax on the sand, it’s easy to imagine the long-ago Caribbean, as there’s little development on the palm and sea grape tree-lined beach, part of La Sagesse Nature Center.
The off-the-beaten-path spot has calm waters and relatively few beachgoers.
As La Sagesse is one of Grenada’s best birding sites, consider bringing binoculars to get close-up views of green-back herons, the Caribbean coot, and other birds. Allow time to explore La Sagesse Nature Center’s tropical gardens, too.
You can rent beach chairs and kayaks from the boutique La Sagesse Hotel, Restaurant and Beach Bar, a good place for lunch in the pretty restaurant overlooking the beach. You’ll find a mix of local and Mediterranean cuisine here, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients.
Black Bay
Black Bay Beach, on Grenada’s western side in St. John Parish, is a sweet island surprise. On the 20-minute hike from the Concord main road, the trees form a canopy of shade overhead, and banana plants grow wild.
Then you see it: a swath of silky, black sand, one of Grenada’s rare black sand beaches. The volcanic eruptions of Mount Saint Catherine and four other island volcanoes formed the dark sands.
Edged by lush vegetation, small Black Bay Beach is striking, especially to those who’ve never seen a black shore. The calm water is swimmable, and it’s always fun to walk along the beach, leaving deep, dark footprints in the sand.
Be sure to bring water, snacks, beach towels, and beach shoes, as the black sand can get very hot in the Caribbean sunshine.
The scramble to Black Bay Cave is recommended only for agile hikers who can follow an indistinct path in the woods. In the cave are centuries-old Amerindian petroglyphs, as well as a colony of bats.
Cap your day with a visit to nearby Concord Waterfall, also in St. John Parish. At Concord’s first falls, easily reached without a hike, you can cool off in the clear, refreshingly cold water.
Lance Aux Epines Beach
You can gaze at azure waters and rows of moored yachts from your beach blanket at Lance Aux Epines Beach, a relatively narrow white sand beach sheltered in Prickly Bay on Grenada’s southern tip. The typically calm turquoise water is blissful for swimming.
Beachfront ScubaTech Dive Center offers dive trips to some of Grenada’s 30 dive sites as well as twice-weekly snorkeling trips to Glover Island, a 15-minute boat ride from Lance Aux Epines Beach.
Sand Bar Beach Bar & Grill serves snacks and lunch. Near the beach, also consider stopping at the West Indies Beer Company, a.k.a “the Brewery” for handcrafted ales accompanied by smoked brisket, ribs, or burgers.
Duquesne Bay Beach
Duquesne Bay Beach lies on the northwest side of Grenada in St. Mark’s parish, Grenada’s smallest parish. Lush trees and bushes line the café au lait sands, and the sea is swimmable when the water’s calm.
At this Grenada beach, depending on the time of day, you’re likely to see colorful fishing boats tucked under palm trees or local fishermen untangling their nets as their boats bob in the water.
Another big draw is the Amerindian petroglyphs etched into the faces of large boulders at one end of the beach.
Off-the-beach restaurants in nearby Sauteurs include Armadillo for seafood, Helena’s for Caribbean and vegetarian dishes, and Going North Restaurant for pizza, burgers, and rotis.
Petit Bacaye Beach
Pair a visit to Petit Bacaye Beach, a Grenada Beach in the parish of St. David, with a tour of nearby Westerhall Estate, the site of Caribbean rum production since the 18th century.
Petit Bacaye, situated on Grenada’s southeastern coast on the Atlantic, just a five-minute walk from the main road, is a narrow, coconut palm-fringed stretch of gray sand that’s part of a fishing village. Watch the anglers, take in the local scene, and cool off in the water.
On a tour of nearby Westerhall Estate, walk among ruins of the old distillery including stills, copper pots, and waterwheels as you learn the history of Westerhall and rum production in Grenada. The tour ends with a rum tasting.
Read: Best Places to Go Fishing in the Caribbean
Longing for a dip in the warm waters off Grenada? Find your island beach idyll by browsing our cruises to Grenada.