Pink Gin Beach is a small bay on the Point Salines peninsula, close to the runway of Maurice Bishop International Airport. It is short, sheltered and largely fronted by a single all-inclusive resort, Sandals LaSource, which shapes almost everything about how a visit works. The name is said to come from the faint pinkish tint of the sand, which is coarser and shellier than the fine white sand of Grand Anse.
For some visitors it is the ideal final swim before a flight; for others the aircraft noise and resort frontage make it a place to look at rather than linger. This page explains what the beach is like, how public access works, and how to decide whether it suits you.
The sand, the colour and the water
Look closely at a handful of Pink Gin sand and you see why it feels different underfoot: it is made up of broken shell and coral fragments as well as fine grains, with tiny pink and red pieces mixed in. In bright sun the overall effect is a warm, pale beige with a blush of pink at the waterline, more noticeable when the sand is wet. Do not expect the bubblegum colour of some marketing photographs; it is subtle.
The coarser grain also means the beach drains quickly and does not stick to you the way fine sand does, which parents with sandy toddlers tend to appreciate. Sea shells wash up in good numbers.
The bay faces the Caribbean side and is protected by the headlands of Point Salines, so the water is usually calm and clear, shelving moderately rather than very gently. It is a good swimming beach for confident adults and older children; toddlers do better at shallower bays such as Morne Rouge.
Living with the airport next door
Aircraft are part of the experience. Jets on approach or departure pass low over the area, depending on wind direction. Grenada is not a busy airport by international standards, so it is a few movements an hour at peak times rather than a constant stream, with long quiet spells in between.
Busy times. Activity tends to cluster around the arrival and departure banks of the larger North American and European flights, typically in the middle of the day. Early mornings and late afternoons are quieter.
Plane spotting. For children and aviation enthusiasts, watching a wide-bodied jet line up over the sea is a highlight rather than a nuisance.
Convenience. The terminal is only a short drive away, so Pink Gin, along with neighbouring Magazine Beach, is a natural place for a last swim before an evening flight, as long as you have somewhere to shower and change.
Public access and the resort frontage
As with every beach in Grenada, the sand itself is open to the public; a resort cannot stop you walking or swimming along the shore. What the resort controls is its land behind the beach: the loungers, pools, bars, toilets and showers are for its guests, and staff will politely move non-guests off resort furniture.
The practical challenge is reaching the sand without crossing private property. There is no large public car park dedicated to Pink Gin, and the obvious entrances belong to the resort. Ask a taxi driver who knows the area to take you to the public access, or approach from neighbouring Magazine Beach when sea conditions allow an easy walk along the shore. Do not walk through the resort gate or grounds unless you have a day pass or a reservation.
All-inclusive resorts on the island sometimes sell day passes, which include food, drinks and the use of facilities. Availability and prices change and are set by the resort, so check directly before planning a day around one.
What to bring, since little is provided for non-guests
Treat Pink Gin as a beach with no public facilities. A short kit list makes the visit far more comfortable:
- A beach umbrella or sun shelter: there are few trees on the public part of the shore and resort umbrellas are not available to non-guests.
- Drinking water and snacks; there are no public vendors on this beach most days.
- Water shoes, useful on the shell and coral fragments near the rocks.
- A towel and a cover-up for the walk back, plus a bag for your rubbish.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat, because the light reflecting off the water and sand is strong.
- A plan for toilets: the nearest options are restaurants at Magazine Beach or back towards the airport road, used as a paying customer.
The best time of day at Pink Gin
Early morning is quietest on every count. Before about 9am there are few flights, resort guests are still at breakfast, and the low sun from behind the island lights the water without the glare of midday. The sea is usually at its flattest before the trade wind builds, which is also the best time to look at the rocks at either end with a mask.
From late morning to early afternoon the sun is fierce and shade on the public shore is minimal, and this is when most scheduled long-haul flights come and go. If you are not a resort guest, this is the least comfortable window to be here.
Late afternoon brings softer light, a warm sea and, because the bay faces west across the Caribbean, a clear view of the sun setting over the water. Plan to leave promptly after sunset: the access paths and roads around Point Salines are poorly lit and darkness falls quickly.
A pre-flight swim at Pink Gin, done properly
Many travellers try to fit in a final swim on departure day. A little planning stops it turning into a rush to the check-in desk with wet hair and sandy bags:
- Check out of your accommodation and store luggage with the hotel or keep it locked in the boot of a hire car or pre-booked taxi, out of sight.
- Pack a separate small bag with swimwear, a towel, a dry change of clothes and a plastic bag for wet items.
- Arrange a taxi pick-up time that leaves you at the terminal at least three hours before an international departure, or follow your airline's advice.
- Swim for an hour or two at Pink Gin or Magazine, depending on whether you want quiet or facilities nearby.
- Shower and change at a restaurant where you have eaten, as a paying customer, rather than at resort facilities.
- Allow for slow traffic on the airport road at the end of the working day, especially on Fridays.
Who it suits, and better alternatives
Good for. Resort guests, couples wanting a short, calm swim, plane-spotting families and travellers with a few hours before a flight and transport of their own. It also works for anyone staying in the Point Salines and True Blue area who wants a change from the busier beaches further north.
Less good for. Anyone who wants shade, food and toilets without a resort pass, or a lively public beach atmosphere. Visitors without a car may also find the logistics more trouble than the beach repays, since route buses do not run down to the shore.
If you want facilities nearby. Magazine Beach next door has a beachfront restaurant and a longer stretch of public sand.
If you want calm and shallow water. Morne Rouge, a few minutes north, is gentler and has beach bars at the access point.
If you want a quiet small bay with a restaurant. Dr Groom's Beach, a little further towards Grand Anse, is close to the main road with parking near the sand.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pink Gin Beach public?
Yes. Beaches in Grenada are open to the public, including the shore in front of Sandals LaSource. The resort's loungers, bars, pools and toilets are for its guests only, so bring your own shade and supplies and reach the sand by public access rather than through the grounds.
Is the sand at Pink Gin really pink?
Only slightly. The sand contains fragments of shell and coral, some of them pink or red, which give the beach a warm blush, especially where the sand is wet. It is coarser than Grand Anse sand and noticeably shellier.
How far is Pink Gin Beach from the airport?
It sits close to the runway at Maurice Bishop International Airport, only a few minutes by car from the terminal, which makes it popular for a final swim before a late flight.
Is Pink Gin Beach noisy because of planes?
Aircraft pass overhead when they take off and land, and the noise is loud but brief. Grenada handles relatively few flights, so there are long quiet periods, especially early in the morning and later in the afternoon.
Can non-guests buy a day pass at Sandals LaSource?
All-inclusive resorts in Grenada sometimes offer day passes covering food, drinks and facilities, but availability, rules and prices are set by the resort and change over time. Contact the resort directly in advance rather than turning up at the gate.
