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Beaches in Barbados

Barbados has plenty of beautiful white sandy beaches. The best beaches can be found along the west coast and south coast, the Caribbean side of the island coast. Here you can find long stretches of white sand and calm waters. Most of the beach resorts are located on this side of the island. The east coast or Atlantic side produces dangerous waters and swimming conditions, more suitable for picnics and surfing. All beaches are in Barbados are public, they are quite a few however that has a nice private setting.

River Bay - St. Lucy
Located in the north of the island, River Bay is a popular picnic spot with a unique swimming "hole" that is probably only safe place to bathe on the North Coast. The bay is completely protected from the pounding surf and there is easy parking as well as snack bar and toilet facilities. It is a particularly relaxing spot to spend the afternoon.

Accra/Rockley Beach - Christ Church
Accra Beach, also known as Rockley Beach, is one of the most known and popular beaches on the island. It is packed daily with locals and tourists and provides a combination of calm waters, and big waves. Sometimes the waves are moderate and there is a small undertow. There are Restaurants, bars, a hotels close by as well as public changing facilities. They are lots of vendor stalls located directly on the beach and also Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. There are a wide variety of water sports offered.

Sandy Beach - Christ Church
Sandy Beach is one beach with constant shallow waters. It is enclosed by a large reef which blocks the powerful waves coming in. It is a popular picnic location for families, with parking,shade and very safe waters. The Carib Beach Bar is located next on the beach for your drinks and food. Beach cricket is played religiously on Saturday afternoons.

Dover Beach - Christ Church
Dover Beach is located in the middle of the St Lawrence Gap. It is popular with the windsurfers and there are a good variety of water sports activities offered. Parking is provided and they are numerous restaurants available close by. The waves are usually medium. but there is a strong current. They are reefs at the opposite end provides good swimming and wading.

Miami Beach - Christ Church
Miami Beach is located right next to the Oistins Fishing Village. It is very popular with local Bajans on the weekends. It is quite sheltered and the waves are usually small to medium. It is recommended to take caution when bathing. Parking is provided as well as food and changing facilities.

St Lawrence Bay - Christ Church
St Lawrence Bay is located at the entrance of the St Lawrence Gap. It is protected by a large reef, and the water is so shallow, it barely comes to your knees. A great place to snorkel or just wade in the crystal waters.

Long Beach - Christ Church
Long Beach is a very quiet and secluded beach located on the southern side of the island. It's surrounded by natural flora and stretches for over a mile. It's peaceful atmosphere makes for a good relaxing get away or picnic. They are no facilities available but parking is available near the beach. They are dangerous currents so swimming is not recommended.

Foul Bay - St. Philip
Foul Bay is located on the southeast coast of Barbados. It is a spectacular beach that is usually quiet. There are no facilities, so it is best to take your own food and drink. It makes a great place for a day picnic with tables in the shade.

Crane Beach - St. Philip
This famous beach located in St.Philip is a sheltered cove with a long stretch of white sand lined with palms and the Crane Beach Hotel overlooking it. Considered by many to be one of the island's most beautiful beaches, and it truly is. It was rated by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous as One of the ten best beaches in the world. The Crane Beach is popular for body surfing as well as swimming close to shore.

Bottom Bay - St. Philip
Bottom Bay is located just to the north of Sam Lord's Castle. It is surrounded by rugged cliffs lined with coconut palms. There is even a cave you can explore. You can park on the top of a cliff and walk down steps on to the long stretch of white sand. There are medium to large waves and also slight undertow. Bottom Bar makes for a great picnic, moonlight lime and also a photo opportunity because it is so picturesque.

Cattlewash - St. Joseph
Located on the East Coast of Barbados, this often deserted beach is by far the longest beach in Barbados. Its rough, rugged scenery makes it a popular sightseeing, picnic or relaxing spot. Cattlewash stretches several miles long with strong undertow currents and large waves. It is said the name "Cattlewash" was given because the beach used to be a bathing spot for herds of cattle which brought down the hills from the neighboring villages. It is not recommended for swimming but at low tide the shoreline reef is exposed revealing pools of water that you can bathe in. There is also a lifeguard on duty for assistance.

Bath Beach - St. John
Bath Beach makes popular picnic location. It is located in the parish of St. John and surrounded by thick vegetation and hills. It is considered on of the safe swimming beaches on the Atlantic side of Barbados. To access the beach you must drive down a bending hill till you reach the bottom. Bath provides a the perfect swimming beach, with plenty of shady trees and picnic tables to relax under. There is a lifeguard and also parking, changing, and eating facilities.

Bathsheba - St. Joseph
Bathsheba, located on the eastern side of the Atlantic coastline is a fishing village located in the parish of St Joseph. This beach boasts one of the best and most challenging surfing venues in the Caribbean. Due to high waves and dangerous undertows, swimming is not recommended, only experts should test these waters. Spectators come from around the island to watch international surfing competitions. Held every November when the Atlantic is raging. If you don't surf, there are pools in the reefs in which you can relax and waddle in. There are also several restaurants and hotels are in the area.

Brighton/Brandons Beach - St. Michael
Brighton Beach is a really long beach that stretches almost one and a half kilometers. It runs perpendicular to the Spring Garden Highway and is very popular and used by the locals. This beach features gorgeous sands and usually calm waters. Parking and changing facilities are provide there as well as a beach bar called Weisers Beach Bar. Brighton Beach, often called Brandons Beach by the locals, is walking or running paradise persons looking to excersise. Paddle Tennis is popular as well and they Beach Volleyball tournaments often held. A good chance to meet new people.

Paradise Beach - St. Michael
This secluded, quiet, calm beach is located between Batts Rock and Brighton Beach. It used to be surrounded by the old Paradise Hotel years ago, but now it is just a beautiful stretch of white sand and crystal clear water. There is no direct access to the beach and you will have to use the facilities located on Batts Rock to handle your parking, bathing and changing.

Carlisle Bay - St. Michael
Located just outside Bridgetown, this crescent shaped beach is home to many yachts and boats which are tied to buoys. It is often referred to by the locals as "Browns Beach", and is a popular spot. There are several ship wrecks in the bay for diving and snorkeling as well as water sport activities. Charted cruses often come and drop anchor in the bay to let tourists enjoy the clear water. The waves are medium to small and they are lots of beach bars and shops close by.

Paynes Bay - St. James
Located in the fashionable west coast parish of St James’s, this popular beach lies within a small bay and in front the recently opened Blue Monkey Bar (formerly Bombas). There are water sports, beach chairs and umbrellas provided on this almost always calm beach.

Sandy Lane Bay - St. James
Sandy Lane Bay is home to one of the grandest hotels in the Caribbean, Sandy Lane. This long, wide beach is well maintained and always in pristine condition. The beach is a popular boat and chartered cruise picnic spot, always with calm, clear waters.

Folkestone Marine Park - St. James
Located just north of Holetown, this popular beach is home to the Folkestone Marine Park. You can do diving, go on the glass bottom boats or even snorkel and swim with the sea turtles, just like in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie. There are batches coral just offshore with a large abundance of marine fish life. The water is quite calm and the waves are normally small. In addition to the marine park and beach, they are Hard Courts for basketball and tennis as well as a play park for the children. This makes Folkestone makes a great picnic location. There is ample parking handy.

Mullins Bay - St. Peter
Mullins Bay is one of the most popular beaches on the island. The water is calm and clear with water sport activities like water-skiing, jet-skiing or snorkeling. Mullins Beach Bar provides food and drinks and there is ample parking across the road.