Grenada isn't an
island as many people presuppose, but in fact it is a three island state consisting of
Grenada, Carriacou, and petite Martinique. It is an ideal destination for a Caribbean
Vacation with Grenada itself being the largest of the three islands by some margin.
Grenada is twenty one miles long and twelve miles wide, with a total area of 133 square
miles, so it isn't so big as you can get lost, nor too small to discover all its secrets
too quickly.
The three islands of Grenada are to be found in the Eastern Caribbean right at the
bottom end of the Windward Islands, and only 100 miles from Venezuela on the mainland.
North is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and to the south Trinidad and Tobago.
The climate of Grenada is neither too hot or too cold, varying from 75 degrees F to 87
degrees F, with the lower end being between November and February. The rainy season is
between June and December but it hardly ever rains for more than an hour, and then not
even every day, so the climate is eminently suitable for a Caribbean Vacation.
Grenada has about 45 beautiful beaches, and this is the big draw for tourists. The
beaches are public property which means that the public has the right of access at all
times.
On the westward or leeward side of Grenada is one of the most beautiful beaches in the
Caribbean called Grand Anse Beach. It is two miles of white sand in a sheltered bay, and
has a number of hotels situated along its shore. It is sheltered and safe for swimming.
There is a lot to do here, it is quite busy, but you will find everything from
restaurants, hotels, water sports centres, even deck chair rentals.
If however you want to be in a less touristy spot there are six other beaches on the
west coast between Grand Anse and Point Salines, which are more private, and particularly
you might enjoy Morne Rouge Beach. It is just south of Grand Anse, is smaller, and calm
with lots of shallow water making it very good for families. In addition there are no
water sports shops, and only one hotel and restaurant on the beach.
The best snorkelling beaches are near to the
Aquarium Restaurant or Rex Grenadine Hotel.
The most secluded beaches are at Lance Aux Epines and St David's. It isn't as easy to
get to them, and you will need a 4x4 vehicle but the effort is well worth while. Some of
the beaches are black sand but La Sagesse Beach is ideal for the family and is the
traditional white sand, and is much favoured at the weekends.
To complete the list there is Bathway beach in the north east of Grenada is probably
the second most popular of the beaches and has an area where non swimmers bathe safely but
as it is on the Atlantic side the water can be quite rough for parts of the year.
Levera Beach north of Bathway and is close to Sugarloaf Island and needs a four wheel
drive vehicle , and finally Sauteurs beach on the north coast is usually deserted and a
lovely beach with great views of the islands of the Grenadines.
BBC Beach in Grenada is an arc of blue on crystalline white sand; it is like
a large salt water swimming pool with shimmering hues of blues and green
while the tinniest of waves roll ever so gently on to the shore. The hills
surrounding the beach are dotted with houses in pastel shades of white, pink
and orange. While Grand Anse Beach may be called by some, the best beach in
the Caribbean, BBC Beach is a visual beauty that invites you to relax and
let your cares fall away. Located just after Grand Anse (go up the hill and
come down on the other side) BBC Beach is also known as Morne Rouge Beach.
There is some doubt as to how this beach came to be known as BBC Beach
however the most plausible reason is that many years ago there was a radio
station and satellite dishes in that location through which the BBC
broadcasts were heard.
BBC Beach has a back ring of almond trees providing
shade for the lounging beach goer and for those who do not want to walk with
their chairs there are beach chairs for rental. Every morning you can see
this middle aged man walking to the beach with these long lounging chairs
balanced on his head. He carefully sets out his chairs and then goes back
for more. In the evenings he makes a return trip with the chairs balanced
again on his head as he carries them to a house behind the beach where he
stacks them in the yard for overnight storage.
While BBC Beach has a slight drop as you enter the
water, it is a sheltered beach with such calm water, having just a gentle
ripple as the ocean rolls onto the shore, that it is great for children to
swim. There is good snorkeling along the cliffs and the coral growths in the
center of the bay and the water is clear most of the time but occasionally
after it rains the water, to use a Grenadian term, "turns white". Most of
the time BBC Beach only has a few persons on the beach, however when there
are multiple cruise ships visiting Grenada, the beach can get crowded but by
late afternoon it returns to its natural peaceful state. On a night with a
full moon this calm bay is a glorious location for a moonlit swim with the
moon light reflecting off the water.
If while you are at the beach the desire for a snack overcomes you there are
two restaurants on the beach. This beach has some of the most gorgeous
sunsets to be seen in the Caribbean and if after visiting BBC Beach you fall
in love with the scene and want to remain, there are two hotels located
directly behind the sand and a third on the hill overlooking the beach.
To learn more about Grenada see our other Grenada Pages;
Send mail to webmaster@caribbeanoutdoorlife.com with questions or comments about
this web site.
Copyright � 2008 Outdoor Business Group Limited
Last modified: February 22, 2009
