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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.

Dive Grenada Shop at Grand Anse
Dive Grenada shop.

How to get to Grand Anse Artificial Reef snorkeling spot?

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.

Grand Anse Artificial Reef snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling Grand Anse Artificial Reef

Water entrance is from the gently-slopping sandy beach.

Grand Anse Artificial Reef snorkeling exploration tips

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

School of French grunt at the artificial reef
Shoal of French Grunt.

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.

Squirrelfish near reef structure
Solitary Squirrelfish.

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.

Artificial reef at Grand Anse, Grenada
Open structure of the reef units, with barnacles, Fire Coral, urchins and lurking French Grunt.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

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.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth16 ft/5 m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

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.