There are over 80 lovely beaches in Barbados, encompassing the full gamut of geography, conditions, activities and facilities. Searching them out and experiencing the variety can be great fun. While we’re not attempting to list them all, here is some guidance – moving clockwise starting in Carlisle Bay – with our top picks for snorkeling, surfing, picnics, liming at a beach bar or just exploring.
Starting in Bridgetown
From settlement in 1627 until the deep-water harbour was constructed in Bridgetown, Carlisle Bay was a busy port supporting a vibrant global maritime community.
Today it is arguably the best beach on the island with impressive snorkeling thanks to more than seven wrecks in close proximity. Harbour Lights Beach Club, Lobster Alive and Bali Beach Club all serve delicious food and have beach chairs and umbrellas, but there are a host of others. Although still somewhat industrial, the other side of Bridgetown has another beauty – Spring Garden Beach. The Stade's West Indies Rum Distillery has created a lovely beachside rum experience facility here.
Heading West
The west coast is famous for its calm turquoise waters and idyllic swimming spots dotted with beach restaurants and bars along the series of heavenly inlets and bays of varying sizes. All the beach access points are signposted by the National Conservation Commission (NCC). The beaches with good parking and refreshments are Batts Rock, Holetown, Thunder Bay, Speightstown and Heywoods.
Up North
The north coast is wild and ferocious with a few wonderful gems; Archers Bay has a large grassy area with breezy picnic tables. River Bay has a calm inlet for swimming but if there's sargassum seaweed around, it tends to congregate there.
Little Bay is secluded and spectacular gem on the northeast coast, and the rock pools are delightful at low tide. Children will enjoy exploring the warm shallow pools, and the small area of sand shaded by the cliff is perfect for a picnic.
In the East
The longest stretch of beach in Barbados starts at Morgan Lewis and runs to Bathsheba. Beautiful and windswept it has the full brunt of the Atlantic Ocean and is not safe for swimming.
The Cattlewash segment – along the Ermy Bourne Highway – is the best for walking, especially at daybreak. The only safe swimming spots here are the rock pools at low tide. Refreshments are available at either end, Sand Dunes in Belleplaine or the eateries in Bathsheba which are all charming – Round House, Zemi and Atlantis Hotel.
Bathsheba is a pretty stretch of beach but also only offers rock pools to amateurs. The pros surf here year-round, at Soup Bowl, a world-famous surf break. Tent Bay is for sightseeing only. The same applies to Martins Bay, the next stop on our round the island beach tour.
There are a couple of places selling refreshments but nowhere to swim. Bath, shallow and mossy, is quite different to any other beach in Barbados. It’s a popular picnic spot because the swimming is ideal for children and there's plenty of shade.
Going South East
The picturesque south-east coast introduces you to some stunning beach scenery: Bottom Bay, Harrismith, Sam Lord’s, Crane Beach and Foul Bay. The swimming, however, is not easy and there can be an undertow, but chairs and umbrellas are available at the Crane and Bottom Bay for lingering while enjoying some fresh coconut water from vendors – freshly picked that day.
Clifftop walks along this coast are very rewarding and easy to navigate. Sam Lord’s beach has some lovely pools at the eastern end that children love at low tide. Popular stops for refreshments in this area include Dis Ole House, Cutters and Le Shack.
Another glorious stretch is Long Beach, but it tends to be a bit lonely. It’s best to stick to the Silver Sands and Surfers Point areas, spectacular spots to watch the windsurfing, kitesurfing and wave running. Surfers Bay is a cool new spot for dropping into.
Down South
Miami Beach, just before Oistins, is the start of the south coast stretch.
The swimming along this coast is a little choppy but generally good. Maxwell, Dover, Sandy Beach and Accra are the main beaches but there are smaller ones in between, all signposted by the NCC.
The Richard Haynes boardwalk is a joy, running from Accra all the way to Hastings, with restaurants and bars dotted along the way. At Hastings you can continue walking along the beach until you come to the Hilton Barbados Resort and where we started, the stunning crescent of Carlisle Bay.
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