There is no swimming beach within easy walking distance of the cruise terminal in St George's, so a beach day means a short transfer, and Grand Anse is where most passengers go. It is close, sheltered and well served, and with a little planning you can spend four hours on the sand and still be back on board with time to spare.
The difference between a relaxed beach day and a stressful one usually comes down to three things: how you travel, when you arrive, and how much buffer you leave before all-aboard time. This plan covers all three, along with what to carry and where to settle once you get there.
Your three ways to reach Grand Anse
Water taxi. Small boats leave from the terminal area and the Carenage and land directly on Grand Anse, a short and scenic ride across the bay. This is the simplest option for most passengers. Fares are usually quoted per person in US dollars and have historically been a few dollars each way; confirm the price, whether it covers the return trip, and the exact pick-up time and place before you board.
Taxi. Licensed taxis wait outside the terminal. The trip by road takes roughly ten to fifteen minutes without traffic. Fares on standard routes are set by the government, quoted per vehicle for up to four passengers; ask to see or hear the official rate, and agree in advance whether you are paying in EC or US dollars.
Route bus. The main bus terminal on Melville Street is next to the cruise area, and minibuses for the south pass along the road behind Grand Anse. This is by far the cheapest option, a few EC dollars per person, but buses fill quickly, can be crowded and do not run to a timetable.
Tours. Many island tours end with an hour at Grand Anse. If your priority is the beach, a tour gives you less time in the water than going independently.
A realistic timeline for a typical port call
Ships often arrive early in the morning and sail in the late afternoon. Adjust this plan to your actual arrival and all-aboard times:
- Get off the ship as early as you can. The first hour after the gangway opens is the quietest at the water taxi and taxi ranks.
- Change a little money or carry small US notes. Vendors, water taxis and bars accept US dollars widely, but change usually comes back in Eastern Caribbean dollars, at roughly EC$2.70 to the US dollar.
- Reach Grand Anse by about 9am to 9:30am, before the main wave of passengers, and choose your spot while shade is still available under the trees.
- Swim and relax through the late morning. If the beach fills around you, walk south towards Quarantine Point, where it thins out.
- Eat lunch at a beachfront restaurant around noon, when the sun is harshest.
- Start heading back at least 90 minutes before all-aboard time. Water taxis get busy as everyone leaves at once, and traffic into St George's slows in the afternoon.
- Be at the terminal with a comfortable margin. Ships do not wait for independent travellers who are late.
What to bring off the ship
Grand Anse has food, drink and rentals, but a small bag of essentials saves money and hassle:
- Your ship card and a photo identification, kept in a waterproof pouch.
- Small US dollar notes, plus a card for restaurants that accept them.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses; the sun reflects strongly off the pale sand.
- A light towel if you prefer not to rent a lounger, or if the ship provides beach towels, one of those, remembering that ships usually charge for towels that are not returned.
- A refillable water bottle; staying hydrated in the heat matters more than people expect after a morning on deck.
- A small dry bag or plastic bag for wet swimwear on the way back.
- Water shoes if you plan to explore near the rocks.
- A cover-up for the water taxi or taxi ride and for walking into shops.
- A phone with the ship's local time noted; some islands and ships keep different clocks, so check the time the ship tells you to use.
Where to settle on the beach
Water taxis usually land towards the northern and central parts of Grand Anse, and taxi drivers tend to drop passengers near the main public access points. Those areas have the most bars, rentals and vendors, so they suit people who want everything within a few steps. They are also where the crowd concentrates by late morning.
If you prefer space, walk south along the waterline. The middle stretch in front of the hotels is quieter, and you are entitled to walk and swim along the shore there, although hotel loungers and facilities are for guests. Towards the southern end the beach is calmest of all.
Whichever spot you choose, agree the price of any lounger and umbrella before you sit down, and confirm whether it is for the pair or each, and in which currency. Rates vary along the beach and with how busy it is.
Getting back on time
Fix your return before you leave. Agree the return pick-up time and point with your water taxi or taxi driver, and get the boat's or driver's name. Do not rely on finding a ride at the last minute on a busy port day.
Build in a buffer. Aim to be back at the terminal 60 minutes before all-aboard. Late afternoon traffic on the road into St George's can be slow, particularly on weekdays when schools and offices finish, and security queues at the terminal can build when several ships are in.
Watch the weather. A passing squall can delay water taxis briefly. If the sea looks rough, a road taxi is the safer choice.
Keep your belongings together. Last-minute searches for a missing phone or card on the sand are a common cause of rushed returns. Pack up fifteen minutes before you need to leave and check the sand around your spot.
If the weather turns or the sea is rough
Most port days in Grenada are sunny with, at most, a short shower, but plans should allow for the exceptions. A tropical downpour can roll in from the hills, soak the beach for twenty minutes and move on. Shelter under a bar or restaurant awning, order a drink and wait; the sand dries remarkably quickly once the sun returns.
Rough sea is a bigger factor. During the winter ground-swell season, roughly November to March, waves sometimes reach Grand Anse and the water taxi crossing becomes bumpy. If the boats are not running, or the sea looks uncomfortable, take a road taxi instead and accept the slightly higher fare.
On those days, Morne Rouge, over the headland at the southern end of Grand Anse, is usually calmer for swimming. In the hurricane season, from June to November, ships occasionally change itineraries at short notice, and the ship's own guidance on shore conditions should always take priority.
Common mistakes on a cruise beach day
Most problems are avoidable with a little foresight:
- Paying for a water taxi without agreeing whether the price includes the return trip.
- Arriving at 11am alongside thousands of other passengers, then struggling to find shade.
- Leaving bags unattended on the sand while everyone swims.
- Swimming outside buoyed areas, near the boat landing points or across jet ski routes.
- Underestimating the sun: a cool breeze hides how quickly skin burns here.
- Cutting the return too fine and joining the queue of passengers all leaving the beach at once.
- Forgetting that the ship's clock, not your phone, is the one that counts if the two differ.
- Assuming the beach is private in front of hotels and squeezing onto the busiest stretch as a result.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk from the cruise terminal to Grand Anse?
Not practically. Grand Anse is a few miles away by road, and the route has steep sections and limited pavement. Use a water taxi, a taxi or a route bus; all three take well under half an hour.
How much is a water taxi to Grand Anse?
Water taxi fares are usually quoted per person in US dollars and have historically been a few dollars each way. Prices change and vary by operator, so confirm the fare, whether it includes the return, and the pick-up time before you board.
Do vendors at Grand Anse accept US dollars?
Yes, US dollars are widely accepted at Grand Anse, but change is usually given in Eastern Caribbean dollars at about EC$2.70 to US$1. Carry small notes. Cards work at many restaurants but not with small vendors.
How early should you head back to the ship?
Leave the beach at least 90 minutes before all-aboard time and aim to reach the terminal an hour before. Water taxis and roads get busy when many passengers leave at the same time in the afternoon.
Is Grand Anse crowded on cruise days?
The northern and central stretches get busy between late morning and early afternoon on days when several ships are in port. Arrive early or walk south towards the hotel-fronted middle and southern end, where there is more space.
