If you are visiting the island or a local and spending your holiday at home, we thought we would share with you our top 7 Barbados beaches. One for every day of the week! 🙂
Here they are in no particular order:
Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is a small crescent shaped bay and natural harbour on the South-West coast of Barbados. As the main harbour adjoining the capital city Bridgetown, Carlisle Bay was once full of merchant vessels, particularly those of the British. Today you’ll find catamarans and luxury yachts anchored here.
Carlisle Bay is a favourite spot for scuba diving and snorkelling as there are 6 shipwrecks in the bay, which attract an abundance of marine life such as tropical fish, sea horses, rays, octopus, turtles and eels. Wrecks range in depth from 12ft to 55ft.
The calm waters and soft sandy beaches of Carlisle Bay make this the perfect place for sunbathing and swimming. The bay is also great for paddle boarding, jet skis and other watersports.
Cattlewash/ Bathsheba
On the East Coast of Barbados huge Atlantic waves crash along the shore making these beaches better suited for walking and sunning than for swimming. However there are a few good places to splash along this coast. As the waves break over rocks and reefs, small pools are formed close to shore creating natural swimming pools!
Cattlewash offers a breath taking landscape. With the constant washing from the Atlantic. You’ll typically find beautiful seashells, sea-fans and driftwood along the beach. Here you can find the “Barbados pool” which is a natural rock pool in the shape of Barbados.
The “Soup Bowl” located at Bathsheba is the surfer’s choice while the East Coast Road is a popular picnic spot.
Accra
Accra Beach or Rockley Beach is a very popular hang-out for locals and tourist on the South coast of Barbados. It attracts all ages, while offering activities and services to accommodate almost everyone.
This lovely beach has small to moderate waves, clear waters, not too much undertow and is ideal for Body Surfing, Boogie Boarding and snorkelling. The many facilities at Accra include a Play-park, beach bars, umbrella & chair rentals and a food court. It is also an excellent spot for shopping for beach accessories and art & craft souvenirs, as well as providing Hair Braiding services.
Snorkelling is best at the southern end of the beach while other watersports are provided near the northern end.
Crane Beach
Crane Beach, originally a harbour, is considered by many to be one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. In fact, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous rated it as “one of the ten best beaches in the world”!
There are powerful waves in this area, making the Crane beach a great spot for boogie boarding.
The name “Crane” was derived from the large crane situated at the top of the cliff which was used for loading and unloading ships.
Miami Beach
On the south coast of Barbados, in Enterprise, you will find Miami Beach, also known as Enterprise Beach.
This wide expanse of beach is rarely crowded during the week, but is a popular spot among Barbadians on the week-ends and public holidays.
The western side of Miami Beach offers calm waters and is the ideal place for children to wade and swim. On the eastern side occasional swells add a little excitement to the sea-bathing. (You should avoid bathing near the cliffs, especially at high tide). For your safety there is a lifeguard on duty.
At Miami Beach you can rent beach chairs, large umbrellas and boogie boards from local vendors and enjoy snacks and drinks from vendors. There are several picnic benches where you can enjoy your meal and cool off in the shade.
Paynes Bay
Located along the West coast, in the parish of St. James, is Paynes Bay beach. There are beach chairs available for rental and there are several shaded areas on the beach where you can retreat when the sun gets a bit too hot. The waters at Paynes Bay are very calm and the area is safe for swimming.
Watersports activities, including jet skiing and catamaran sailing, are available from the beach.
Beaches of the South coast boardwalk
The South Coast Boardwalk which was built approximately four years ago and stretches 1.6 km between Camelot and Accra beach. The boardwalk has since created many places for people to swim especially by the Camelot end where there is a shallow lagoon perfect for children to swim. Also a nice place for recreational fishing.
