Beaches and wildlife
 

I have been looking for a perfect place to go for our 30th wedding anniversary in July 2001. Grenada seems to have everything we like. I was just wondering if Grand Anse Beach is a fairly calm beach & whether you can snorkel there or someplace nearby. I have been looking at posts on here & I haven't seen any mention of any birds or any kind of wildlife, which is what we really love. Any comments would really be appreciated.

Belize, or Dominica (the nature island) have snorkelling & lots of nature. Dominica is not, however, known for beaches. Belize has lots of wildlife, beaches & great water.

I haven't seen alot of wildlife in Grenada. You can hear birds in the rainforest, but you need patience to stand there and try to spot them in all the greenery. Tobago seems to have alot more in the way of birds. Bird-watching tours are available there. Tobago also has many nice beaches.

Look into Costa Rica. We stayed at the Tulemar bugalows near Quepos. Monkeys,iguanas, birds,coatimundis, etc. came right down to the beach there where the rainforst extends right to the beach. Beach was calm and swimmable.

Grand Anse Beach is fairly calm,and you can snorkel there, but we didn't find anything to look at while snorkeling there! There's also too much recreational boating there for calm, peaceful snorkeling!

If you really love wildlife and beches, I agree that Costa Rica would be a great fit for you. <BR> <BR>I would suggest staying first in the rain forest area up in the mountains. Arenal (an active volcano that puts on a breathtaking night show) and the monteverde cloud forest are very well know for animal spotting. We took a day tour down a remote river and saw crocodiles, sloths, snakes, iguanas, caymans, marguay (small leopard) and several types of monkeys and birds. There is so much to do in the rain forest...hike to waterfalls (some are LONG, TIRING HIKES), canopy tours (highly recommend for spotting wild life up high), hot springs (great and relaxing)...and then wind down the trip with a few days at one of the peaceful seaside beaches. <BR> <BR>The people in Costa Rica really made it special for us! We loved it and plan to return someday. It may be a bit hot in July with lots of rain but everything will be very green and blooming. Several people prefer going in that season for the wildlife and scenery!

I had to laugh re wildlife. You see, we went to Grenada a couple years ago, stayed on Grande Anse Beach, and there were DOGS everywhere, stray dogs. They didn't really bother the people, but I saw them fighting each other and they were so mangy and wild looking, they made our daughters nervous. so that's why when you say wildlife + Grenada, I think of dogs... <BR>

Dogs on Grand Anse Beach...LOL Maybe it was the time of year that you went. I spent 9 days in Grenada in May '99. I stayed on Grand Anse beach at the Coyaba hotel. I never saw any dogs on or near the beach. The surf is quite calm on Grand Anse beach and the beach is quite lovely with a view north to the pretty port of St Georges. Just over the hill from Grand Anse beach is the lovely and even more calm Mourne Rouge beach. It is lovely as well and quieter. I went hiking in the rainforest from Grand Etang lake to Mt Qua Qua. Lovely hike with incredible views. I heard but didn't see a lot of wildlife. I would highly recommend Grenada and look forward to returning myself.

No doubt about it - Costa Rica has great beaches & wildlife, but it is not a good place to snorkel or dive.

Carlton: <BR> <BR>Ahh...that's great. You were there after me. They must have "eliminated" the dog problem. There were at least a dozen within a half mile at all times. (We stayed at the Coyaba also) I am glad, and I agree, Grenada is wonderful. <BR>Joan