Great Point Bay (Pointe des Pirogues Bay)

Overview

Great Point Bay, also known historically as Pointe des Pirogues, is a coastal wetland and marine complex situated along the L’Anse aux Épines peninsula. The bay encompasses mangrove wetlands, expansive seagrass beds, and fringing coral reefs, forming an interconnected ecosystem that sustains marine life, bird populations, and shoreline protection.

The site was first assessed in 2022 following consultations with local residents concerned about wetland health and community impacts. Since then, vegetation surveys and periodic bird monitoring have been conducted, providing baseline ecological data and confirming the site’s importance for long-term conservation.

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Ecological Monitoring

Initial surveys documented the extent of mangroves and associated marine habitats. The mangroves here are primarily black mangroves, interspersed with red and white mangroves along the shoreline. Historical records and maps suggest the wetland was once larger, likely containing salt marsh and mudflat areas. Vegetation surveys in 2025 confirmed the structure and zonation of the mangroves, while repeated bird surveys, submitted to eBird, continue to record resident and migratory species that use the site as a stopover and feeding ground.

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The marine environment includes three seagrass species, a diversity of reef-building corals, and numerous invertebrates such as lobsters and sea urchins. Over 20 species of fish were documented during the initial BioBlitz, confirming the bay’s role as a nursery habitat.

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Archaeological and Cultural Context

Great Point Bay holds significant cultural and historical value. Local archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Hanna has traced the naming of the site back through early French and British maps. The earliest recorded name, Pointe des Pirogues, refers to the small boats or canoes (pirogues) historically used to navigate Grenada’s coast. Some interpretations suggest the name also alludes to the distinctive rock formations, known as “Grampuses” or “Porpoises,” extending from Prickly Point. Later maps called the area Pointe de L’Anse L’Épine, meaning “thorny beach” or “thorny cove,” which evolved into the modern name “Prickly Bay” and “Prickly Point.”

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Hanna’s research also reveals evidence of a much larger wetland system in historic times. Maps from as recently as 1959 show extensive wetland coverage where today only smaller mangrove patches remain. These shifts reflect broader patterns of coastal change and human influence on Grenada’s wetlands.

For more on Dr. Hanna’s archaeological work, visit: grenadaarchaeology.com.

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Conservation Significance

Great Point Bay exemplifies the ecological and cultural importance of Grenada’s coastal systems. Its combination of mangroves, seagrass, and reefs provides essential ecosystem services — shoreline protection, fish nurseries, and habitat for birds. At the same time, the site’s layered cultural history connects present-day conservation to centuries of human interaction with this landscape.

Protecting Great Point Bay not only safeguards biodiversity but also preserves an enduring cultural and ecological heritage.