Grenada Catamaran Snorkel Trip to the Underwater Sculpture Park

Grand Anse Beach, where the trip begins

Grand Anse Beach is Grenada's best-known beach, a curve of soft white sand about three kilometres long on the south-west coast, a short drive from St. George's. The sea here is usually calm and clear, sea grape trees and palms give shade along the back of the beach, and the green hills of the capital rise at its northern end. Many visitors say it is the one place to see if you only have a day on the island.

Your trip starts at the Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market in the middle of the beach, where stalls sell nutmeg, cocoa and local crafts. Walk through the market onto the sand and the catamaran comes right up to the beach and lowers its steps, so there is no jetty and no tender. It is a simple, fun way to board, and the same spot is where you are dropped back at the end of the morning.

The west coast and St. George's from the sea

Once on board, the catamaran heads north past the headland of St. George's. From the water you see the capital as sailors have for centuries: pastel houses stacked on the hills, Fort George guarding the entrance to the harbour, the church towers above the Carenage and, on many days, a cruise ship at the quay. It is one of the finest views of the town and well worth having your camera ready.

Beyond the capital the coast turns wild and green, with steep wooded slopes, small coves and dark volcanic rocks meeting turquoise water. The ride to the first stop takes about an hour, time to settle on the deck nets at the front or sit in the shade at the back while the crew prepares the snorkelling gear and explains how the guided swim works. Light snacks, soft drinks and juices are served along the way.

Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park

The Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park opened in 2006 in a sheltered bay north of St. George's and quickly became Grenada's most famous underwater sight. Life-size figures cast in a special marine cement stand on the sandy seabed, among them a circle of figures holding hands facing the open sea. Over the years corals, sponges and algae have grown over them, and fish now shelter among the statues, so the art has become part of a living reef inside a marine protected area.

Many of the sculptures lie in shallow, clear water, which is why the underwater sculpture park in Grenada is so good for snorkelling and not only for divers. A crew member guides you for about 45 minutes, pointing out each piece and the marine life around it. Is the underwater sculpture park worth visiting? For most travellers it is the most memorable swim of their stay, strange, beautiful and peaceful all at once. The snorkelling entrance fee is included in this trip.

Flamingo Bay snorkelling stop

After a short ride of about fifteen minutes, the catamaran anchors at Flamingo Bay, a neighbouring cove inside the same protected marine area. The reef here starts close to the rocks and drops away along the slope, covered in purple sea fans, brain coral and sponges. Shoals of small fish pass overhead, parrotfish graze on the coral, and sharp eyes may spot a moray in a crack or a turtle passing by.

At this stop you snorkel freely for about 45 minutes, using the ladder at the bow to get in and out of the water. It is a good place to practise if you are a beginner, as you can stay near the boat. Afterwards the catamaran turns south for the relaxed ride of more than an hour back to Grand Anse, with music on board, time to dry off on the nets and views of the coast in the afternoon light.