Three Best Beaches

Levera Beach - Grenada

A beautiful leatherback turtle returns to the sea right here from Levera Beach in Grenada. So peaceful is this beach that this critter goes about the normal business of life at the Grenadian National Park. It's little wonder that this beach is dear to the hearts of environmentalists everywhere. A perfect spot with perfect conditions. And when you come you'll see Mother Nature at work.

The best of Grenada's 45 beaches are on the southwestern part of the island - with the exception of Levera Beach. It's part of the Levera National Park, and is at the northeastern tip of the island.

But be prepared. We visited some of the calmest beaches in the Caribbean on Grenada, yet this isn't one of them. Because Levera Beach fronts the Atlantic ocean, we found there was some pretty rough surf at times.

Because of this, the shoreline tends to drop more swiftly. But then, it's more dramatic here and makes for some of nature's best shows. In fact, we found one beach that was a dark red color, probably from the pigments in the cliff right above it.

Like Bathway, Levera Beach is popular with the locals who come here in great numbers during their holidays and the weekends. Don't plan on spending a weekend here. It's packed. But during the week - stroll along the beach - be brave and jump in, or just take in the beauty of Levera. The rocky road leading to Levera will leave many to venture the easier reached beaches.

Just offshore here is pretty little Sugar Loaf Island. Covered with green it adds to the spectacular scenery. Nearby you'll find a mangrove swamp with white mangroves. Grenada recently added Levera Beach to the national park system because it's an important waterfowl habitat and sea turtle nesting area.

Levera Beach - Beach Index:

Sand - medium grain but a dark clay mix. Water can be turbulent.
Facilities - none, but a restaurant named Morne Fendue is couple of miles from here. It's an old (1912) plantation house chiseled out of river rocks. You need to call ahead and they only accept cash. This is ancestral home of the late Betty Mascoll.
Shade - many tropical almond trees and adult palms.
Sports - some swimming when surf is calm.
Notes - a must see.

It's called Pink Gin - don't laugh - want to venture how this next beach got its name? Next! >>

Labels: Betty Mascoll, grenada, grenada beaches, Levera Beach, Levera National Park, Morne Fendue, Sugar Loaf Island, tropical almond trees

Bathway Beach

Some claim Bathway Beach in Grenada a dangerous beach. But seriously, you must observe the conditions of the sea. As this video shows, the surf can be heavy on the outside of the rock outcropping that protects the inside of Bathway Beach. When tide is flowing out, you must watch for rip currents between the rock and the shore. Use caution, but have a great time at Bathway.

When you decide to travel to the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada, you have more to do than choose your hotel. You have to choose between 45 awesome beaches, some with even that interesting black sand!

Now all the beaches on the island are public, so no matter where you are - if you're on the beach, you're on public property.

One tip before we start: there are no legal clothing optional beaches in Grenada.

Bathway Beach

Pronounced "bat way", this beautiful beach is located in Bathway (who would have thought?), in the northeastern part of Grenada. Bathway Beach is popular on the weekends with the locals from this town, a favorite because of the natural shelter from the ocean. Even so, because of its location on the open Atlantic coastline, during the US winter season, waves can get pretty choppy.

But don't be surprised if you're the only one there on a weekday.

Windswept and framed in jungle green palm trees, Bathway Beach on Grenada is worth the effort to see. Make sure you take time to watch nature and listen to the surf as you sit back and take in Sugar Loaf and Levera Island. These strands of sand are the nesting place for sea turtles. You'll only catch them at night or see the hatchings at daybreak.

And here's a great tip while you're in the area. Don't miss Levera National Park. It is awesome with it's 23 acre pond surrounded by picturesque white and red mangroves. This is the largest mangrove garden on the island! Take your camera, as the scarlet ibis makes its home right in the mangrove. You'll have a good chance seeing them early in the morning, or late afternoon as they come home to roost.