Grand Anse

Grand Anse is the tourist centre of the island of Grenada, with a classic Caribbean vista of palm-lined beach stretching for two miles along the southwest coast. It sits just south of the capital St George's and extends towards the airport at Point Salines. Originally a collection of separate communities — Belmont, The Lime, and Morne Rouge — the area coalesced into a single sprawl after the new international airport opened at Point Salines in 1984, transforming Grenada into a mass tourist destination.

The area is part of the parish of St George but has its own distinct character as the island's resort strip. Hotels, restaurants, dive shops, and souvenir vendors line the road behind the beach, while the interior hills offer quieter residential areas and guesthouses. Despite the tourist infrastructure, Grand Anse retains a relaxed, uncrowded feel compared to resort strips on larger Caribbean islands.

The climate is tropical with steady trade winds providing relief from the heat. The dry season runs January to May, with the rainy season from June to December. Hurricane season officially runs June to November, though Grenada sits below the main hurricane belt and direct hits are relatively rare.

By Plane

Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) is located on the Point Salines peninsula just 2 miles (3 km) west of Grand Anse. The drive takes approximately 5-10 minutes. Taxis from the airport to Grand Anse hotels cost around EC$30-50 (US$11-18). Minibuses also serve the route but are impractical with luggage.

By Car / Road

Grand Anse sits along the main coastal road between the airport and St George's. From the capital, it's a 10-minute drive south (3 km). From the airport, head north along the coast road. Minibuses run frequently along this corridor, the busiest transport route on the island. Fares from St George's are EC$2.50, from the airport EC$3. Rental cars are available from companies at the airport and in the Grand Anse area — see Grenada for licence rules.

Taxis and minibuses provide constant service along the main road between the airport, Grand Anse beach, and St George's. Taxi ranks are located at the airport and at Spiceland Mall. Firms include Sweet Grenada Tours (+1 473 533 5001), Ace Ventura (+1 473 459 4941), Grenada Taxi and Tours (+1 473 417 5854), and Fresh Rides (+1 473 418 6043). For out-of-the-way sights like Grand Etang and the distilleries, hiring a taxi for a half-day tour is practical — drivers know the poorly signposted roads.

Rental cars are useful mainly if you have out-of-the-way accommodation, heavy sports gear, or a large group. The beach strip itself is walkable, with most hotels, restaurants, and shops within a 20-minute stroll.

• Grand Anse Beach — The iconic two-mile sweep of white sand backed by palm trees and hotels. It's the image on every Grenada tourism brochure. The beach is narrow in places due to erosion, and at high tide waves may wash across it.

• Morne Rouge Beach (BBC Beach) — West of Quarantine Point, smaller and usually quieter than Grand Anse. Locally called BBC Beach after the long-gone Blanco's Beach Club.

• Magazine Beach — West of Morne Rouge, mostly sandy with rocky outcrops. The eastern end near LaLuna Hotel is known as Groom's Beach; the western end near Sandals is Pink Gin Beach, where the sand is tinged pink from iron oxide.

• Quarantine Point — A breezy peninsula at the west end of Grand Anse. The quarantine station operated from the mid-19th to early 20th century; little remains of it today.

• Memorial to the Cuban Internationalist Martyrs — A monument installed in 2017 commemorating 24 Cuban workers killed during the 1983 US invasion while building the airport. A politically charged site reflecting Grenada's complex history.

• Laura Herb and Spice Garden, Laura Rd, Epping Forest, St David, +1 473 443 2604. Monday-Friday 8AM-3:30PM. Across the boundary into St David but easily accessed from Grand Anse. Displays the culinary and medicinal uses of island spices.

• Scuba diving — The island's main dive operators are concentrated here. Native Spirit Scuba, Eco Dive, Aquanauts, Dive Grenada, and Scuba Tech all operate from shacks along Grand Anse beach. They offer training, equipment hire, and trips to sites including the underwater sculpture park off Moliniere Point.

• Snorkelling — Good snorkelling directly from the beach, particularly around the rocky ends. Equipment hire available from beach vendors.

• Water sports — Kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing available from operators along the beach.

• Spice tours — Visit the Laura Herb and Spice Garden or De La Grenade Nutmeg Garden to learn about Grenada's spice production.

• Half-island tours — Taxi drivers offer day trips to Grand Etang National Park, Concord Falls, the River Antoine rum distillery, and the Belmont estate cocoa plantation.

• Umbrellas Beach Bar, Grand Anse Beach. Casual beachfront dining with seafood, burgers, and rum punch. Live music some evenings.
• Aquarium Restaurant, Point Salines. Seafood and international cuisine in a waterfront setting near the beach's southern end.
• Deyna's Tasty Food, Grand Anse. Local Grenadian cuisine at budget prices — oil-down, roti, and fresh fish.
• Oliver's Restaurant, Spice Island Beach Resort. Fine dining with Caribbean-fusion cuisine. Reservations recommended.
• Patrick's Local, Grand Anse area. Home-style Grenadian cooking, generous portions at moderate prices.

Local specialities to try include oil-down (the national dish — breadfruit, callaloo, dumplings, and salted meat in coconut milk), lambi (conch), and freshly grilled fish from beach vendors.

• Umbrellas Beach Bar — The most popular beach bar, with rum punch, local beers (Carib and Stag), and cocktails. Sunset views.
• Bananas Bar — Casual bar near the beach with live music on weekends.
• Local rum shops — Scattered along the main road; try Clarke's Court rum or the overproof River Antoine (handle with care at 75% ABV).
• Craft beer — West Indies Beer Company offers locally brewed options.
• Tap water is generally safe but bottled water is widely available.

• Budget: Guesthouses and small inns in the hills behind the beach from US$40-70/night. Look for options in the Morne Rouge and Belmont areas.
• Mid-range: Coyaba Beach Resort from US$120-180/night, beachfront with pool. Allamanda Beach Resort from US$100-150/night, directly on Grand Anse beach.
• Upscale: Spice Island Beach Resort from US$500+/night — Grenada's premier luxury all-suite property directly on the beach. Silversands Grenada from US$400+/night — ultra-modern design hotel with the longest pool in the Caribbean.

• Spiceland Mall — The main shopping centre in Grand Anse, with a supermarket, clothing stores, and local crafts.
• Beach vendors — Local artisans sell jewellery, sarongs, and crafts along the beach.
• Spices — Nutmeg, cinnamon, cocoa, and bay leaf products are available from local shops and the spice gardens. Check import regulations for your home country before purchasing foodstuffs.
• Local rum — Clarke's Court and River Antoine distillery products make good souvenirs.

• St George's (3 km / 10 min by bus) — The capital with its colourful Carenage waterfront, historic forts, and vibrant market.
• Point Salines & True Blue (5 km / 10 min south) — Home to the airport, St George's University, and the southern peninsula beaches.
• La Sagesse (15 km / 25 min southeast) — A secluded bay with a nature centre and excellent birdwatching.
• Moliniere Underwater Sculpture Park (5 km by boat) — The world's first underwater sculpture gallery, accessible by snorkel or scuba.
• Grand Etang National Park (15 km / 35 min northeast) — Crater lake, forest trails, and Mona monkeys in the island's mountainous interior.