Since all of the island's beaches are open to the public, visitors are faced with a plethora of choices. Although the texture is nearly the same, some beaches have white sand; others have black. White sand usually consists of broken and pulverized coral, while black sand is primarily ground up rock and is usually found at the outflow of rivers.
Grand Anse Beach, just outside of St. George's, is known as one of the loveliest beaches in the Caribbean. There are two miles of soft white sand edging the crystal clear water. Since the beach is on the western side of the island, it is usually well sheltered and calm. Grand Anse has much to offer, from water sports and scuba diving shops, to the vendors market and several good restaurants. .
Morne Rouge Bay, located just south of the Grand Anse, is smaller and more secluded. There are no water sports shops located there, and only one hotel and restaurant on the beach. This makes it an ideal place to sit back, relax and soak up the sunshine. The water is fairly shallow, so it's always a little warmer than the other beaches. This is an ideal beach if you're vacationing with children, since it's usually very calm. Lots of trees which will provide shade, or you can rent a beach chair.
Bathway Beach in the north-eastern part of the island is very popular, especially on weekends. It's mainly frequented by people who live in this part of the island, and is particularly popular because of a sheltered area where non-swimmers can bathe in relative safety. Taking the western main road will also enable you to visit the many beaches along that coast. Bear in mind that these beaches face the Atlantic, so waters can be choppy.
Levera Beach is slightly farther north than Bathway beach, but is accessible via the same road. With a great view of Sugarloaf island, situated a couple of hundred yards offshore, this beach is usually deserted because the road to it is very rough. If you are considering visiting it, also consider a four wheel drive vehicle.