Beautiful white-sand beaches dominate this Caribbean island

Few beaches in the Caribbean paint a more complete picture of the region than Grenada’s Grand Anse. Stroll down this two-milelong stretch of white sand and, alongside tanning tourists from the adjoining hotels, you’ll find fishermen hauling in the day’s catch, local boys playing soccer, vendors selling herbal tonics and spiced rum concoctions, and American students from the nearby St. George’s University medical school, all blended together in a seamless tapestry.

Grenada insists its beaches all remain open to the public, even those flanked by resorts — one reason why the social gulf between tourists and residents that’s so palpable on other Caribbean islands is little felt here.

Tearing yourself away from Grand Anse, with its crystalblue waters, or any of the other 45 beaches on Grenada — an island country in the southeastern Caribbean Sea — can be a challenge. But exploring the back roads of this compact yet mountainous island is more rewarding than idling away on its shores. And, at just 21 miles long and 12 miles wide, virtually everything in Grenada is reachable within an hour.

With its horseshoe-shaped harbor, Grenada’s capital, St. George’s, is among the most picturesque Caribbean towns. Climb Richmond Hill to Fort Frederick, one of the best-preserved relics of the island’s colonial past, and take in the sweeping views, then walk along the Carenage, the waterfront promenade. Stop for lunch at BB’s Crabback (bbscrabbackrestaurant.com) and try the namesake dish, a crab shell stuffed with a tasty souffle made from the meat of 10 crabs. Or order Baracuda la

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Below is a view of gorgeous St. George’s. Above right is the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, the first of its kind when it opened in 2006. For refreshment, try rums (r.) at River Antoine Rum Distillery.