Between Morne Rouge and Magazine Beach, the road to the airport passes two small bays that rarely make the headlines: Dr Groom's Beach, also known as Parc a Boeuf, and Portici Beach, a short walk away. Both are compact coves of golden sand framed by low cliffs and trees, and both are used mainly by residents, students from the nearby True Blue area and guests of the small hotels and villas around them.
Neither is a destination in the Grand Anse sense; there is no strip of bars and no water-sports stalls. What they offer instead is space, clear water and the feeling of having a bay largely to yourself, ten minutes from the busiest beach on the island. Here is what to expect at each, and how to choose between them.
Dr Groom's Beach: the easy small bay
Dr Groom's is the more accessible of the pair. It sits very close to the main road near the airport, and you can park right by the sand, which makes it one of the few beaches in the south where you can unload a cool box, a beach umbrella and small children without a walk. That alone makes it popular with local families at weekends.
The bay is short, a few hundred metres at most, with golden sand, clear turquoise water and cliffs at each end that give a sense of enclosure. Trees at the back provide partial shade, better in the morning. A beach restaurant has operated here with changing rooms and toilets for customers; as with any small beach business, check it is open before relying on it for lunch.
The water is usually calm and good for swimming, with some snorkelling around the rocks at the edges. It is rarely crowded on weekdays, and cruise passengers almost never find it.
Portici Beach: quieter still
Portici lies a short walk from Dr Groom's, tucked between two rocky headlands and backed by thick vegetation and coconut palms. It is a little under half a mile long and has a more secluded atmosphere, partly because there is less roadside parking and no strip of businesses directly on the sand. LaLuna, a small boutique resort, sits on the hillside nearby, and villas look down over the bay.
The sand is golden and the water clear, with gentle conditions on most days. Like other south-west coves, it is sheltered from the Atlantic trade-wind swell, though a winter ground swell can push some surf onto the beach for a day or two at a time.
Portici suits people who want to read, swim and not be disturbed. Mornings are quietest; on weekend afternoons a few local groups and villa guests may come down, but it rarely feels busy. Bring everything you need, including water, shade and food, because you should not expect to find a vendor or a bar open on the sand.
Getting there
By car. Both beaches are off the road that runs from the Grand Anse and Morne Rouge area towards Point Salines and the airport. Dr Groom's is the one you can practically drive up to; for Portici, park considerately where the road allows and walk down. The local roads are narrow and twisty, so drive slowly.
By taxi. Any south-coast taxi driver will know Dr Groom's, and most will recognise Parc a Boeuf. Agree the fare and a pick-up time, because cabs do not wait on spec at these beaches.
By bus. Route buses serve the south of St George parish but do not run down to the sand. You can ask to be dropped at the nearest junction and walk, but the roads have little pavement and can be busy.
From the airport. Both bays are only a few minutes from the terminal, so they work well for a quick swim on arrival day or before an evening departure.
Pitfalls at small, quiet bays
The very things that make these beaches pleasant also bring a few risks. Keep these in mind:
- No lifeguards. Swim within your ability and do not swim alone, especially at Portici on a weekday when there may be nobody else around.
- Sea urchins live on the rocks at both ends. Wear water shoes if you snorkel or clamber near the cliffs.
- Falling rocks and loose soil can come off the low cliffs after heavy rain. Do not settle directly below them.
- Some trees at the back of Caribbean beaches are manchineel, whose sap and small green apples blister skin. Do not shelter under an unfamiliar tree in rain and never eat fallen fruit.
- Cars parked at quiet beaches are targets for opportunistic theft. Leave nothing visible inside.
- Steps and paths can be slippery after rain. Carry less and wear proper sandals.
Water conditions through the year
Both bays sit on the leeward, south-western corner of Grenada, so the dominant north-easterly trade winds blow from behind the land and the sea in front of the beach stays calm for most of the year. From about February to May, the driest months, the water is usually at its clearest, with visibility over the sand good enough to watch small fish from the surface.
Between roughly November and March, swells generated by distant storms in the North Atlantic occasionally wrap around the island and arrive on west-facing shores. On those days small coves can see short, dumping waves at the waterline, which knock people over in the shallows and stir up the sand. Look at the sea for a few minutes before going in and watch where other swimmers are getting in and out.
In the rainy season, broadly June to December, runoff after heavy showers can make the water murky near shore for a day. A calm, clear spell usually returns quickly.
Planning a half day at the two bays
Because they are close together and close to most south-coast accommodation, Dr Groom's and Portici make an easy half-day outing. A simple plan that works:
- Go in the morning, ideally arriving by 9am, when there is shade at the back of the beach and parking is easy.
- Start at Dr Groom's, where you can park by the sand, check whether the beach restaurant is open, and swim while it is still quiet.
- Walk across to Portici with only what you need: water, a towel, a mask and snorkel and a hat. Leave nothing visible in the car.
- Spend an hour or so at Portici, then return to Dr Groom's for lunch if the restaurant is serving, or drive back towards Morne Rouge and Grand Anse for more choice.
- If you have a flight later, you are only minutes from the terminal; keep a change of clothes in a separate bag.
Which one, and what they are best for
Choose Dr Groom's if. You have small children or heavy gear, want parking next to the sand, or would like a restaurant and toilets within reach.
Choose Portici if. You want the quietest possible swim close to the hotel areas and are happy to carry in water, shade and snacks.
Combine them. Because they are so close together, many people swim at one and walk over to look at the other, then finish the day with dinner at Morne Rouge or Grand Anse.
For snorkelling. Both have modest life around the rocks; for coral reefs and bigger fish, book a boat trip.
For sunsets. Both face roughly west and south-west, so evening light is lovely, but bring a torch for the walk back up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dr Groom's Beach the same as Parc a Boeuf?
Yes. Dr Groom's Beach, sometimes written Grooms Beach, and Parc a Boeuf are names used for the same small bay near the airport road in the Point Salines area of St George parish.
Where is Portici Beach in Grenada?
Portici Beach is on the south-west tip of Grenada, a short walk from Dr Groom's Beach and a few minutes by car from Maurice Bishop International Airport. It lies between Morne Rouge and Magazine Beach, enclosed by two rocky headlands.
Is there parking at Dr Groom's Beach?
Yes, you can park very close to the sand, which is one reason families like it. Space is limited at weekends, so arrive early, park without blocking access and keep valuables out of sight in the car.
Are there facilities at Portici Beach?
Very few. Expect no regular vendors, toilets or chair rental on the sand. Bring water, food, shade and a rubbish bag. The nearest food and toilets are at Dr Groom's or at Morne Rouge.
Are these beaches good for swimming?
Both usually have calm, clear water suitable for swimming, sheltered from the Atlantic swell. Take more care in winter ground-swell spells, stay away from the rocks at the ends and never swim alone, as there are no lifeguards.
