Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on April 19, 2023
The Grand Anse Artificial Reef project was created in 2015, through the actions of Dive Grenada in collaboration with the Grenadian Tourist Authority. The artificial reef is made up of numerous underwater structures, shaped like elongated pyramids, using hollow brick. Currently, there are over 40 units in place.
The spot is situated in the southern half of Grand Anse Bay, directly in front of the Dive Grenada shop. The spot can be accessed via the track that branches to the right, off the end of the road leading to Spice Island Beach Resort.
Water entrance is from the gently-slopping sandy beach.
The units lie about 100m from a gently shelving sand beach. The initial structures are marked by a surface buoy. As the structures have been laid over a period of time, some are more colonized than others. The units that have been there the longest have considerable overgrowth by corals, sponges and barnacles. One of the more obvious species is the yellow/orange Fire Coral
The structures have also encouraged large groups of shoaling species, particularly French Grunts, as well as more solitary species such as Squirrelfish and Cowfish.
Most of the shoaling fish can be seen from the surface but diving down to the same level of the structures (approx. 16 ft/5 m) will allow you to see the range of species sheltering inside.
Some of the surrounding rock also supports interesting sponge species and large sea plumes, although much of this area is suffering from the effects of fine sediment smothering. With time the artificial reef should help to stabilize the overall habitat and allow the consolidation of more complex coral species, which are already colonizing the pyramids.
The Beach Cabana just to the left (facing the sea) of Dive Grenada does a good barbeque. This is part of the Mount Cinnamon Resort. Spice Island Beach Resort can be found immediately to the right of Dive Grenada. It is worth popping in to see Phil in Dive Grenada as he will enthusiastically tell you all about the reef project.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
