Barbados is a Caribbean island well known for its spectacular beaches.
You’ll find something for everyone, with the Atlantic Ocean on the East Coast of the island, and the Caribbean Sea on the West Coast.
No matter what side of the island you choose, you’ll see bright blue waters that are crystal clear and white sands.
Some of the best diving and surfing in the world can be found on this tiny island.
You’ll also find a thriving culture that is friendly and welcoming.
Contents
- 10 Best Beaches in Barbados
- 1. Pebble Beach, Carlisle Bay
- 2. Crane Beach, St. Philip
- 3. Bottom Bay Beach, St. Philips
- 4. Mullins Beach, St. Peter
- 5. Rockley Beach, Bridgetown
- 6. Bathsheba Beach, East Barbados
- 7. Silver Sands Beach, Christ Church
- 8. Paynes Bay Beach, St. James
- 9. Needham’s Point Beach, St. Michael
- 10. Bath Beach, St. Johns
- Barbados Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
10 Best Beaches in Barbados
1. Pebble Beach, Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is just minutes from downtown Bridgetown and features 3 beaches.
Brownes Beach and Bayshore Beach have green spaces and picnic tables, but you’ll find more amenities at Pebble Beach.
The Carribean waters are gentle and comfortably warm.
There are lifeguards on duty, which makes the beach ideal for families and inexperienced swimmers.
You’ll also find washrooms and a playground for little ones.
The beach is a site for the Barbados Sea Turtle Project as well.
Sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach.
If you are lucky, you may see baby turtles emerging from the sand and making their first steps toward the water.
2. Crane Beach, St. Philip
Crane Beach is consistently named one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
It’s located on the southern end of the island, in St. Philip.
The sand has a pink tint, which is rare for a Caribbean beach, making it a popular feature.
The beach, which was originally a harbor, is surrounded by cliffs and palm trees, which makes it feel like a remote location.
Above the beach is the Crane Resort, which was the first resort to open on the island.
Like all beaches in Barbados, anyone can access Crane Beach.
However, there are some perks to staying at the Crane Resort as well.
You can swim at Crane Beach, but you should be cautious.
The water can get rough at times, so it’s not ideal for unconfident swimmers.
While surfers forgo this spot, it is popular with bodyboarders and boogie boarders.
3. Bottom Bay Beach, St. Philips
Bottom Bay Beach is in St. Philips parish, not far from Crane Beach.
You can reach the beach by descending the stairs carved from a cut in the cliffs.
You’ll see palm trees as a backdrop, and cliffs surrounding the beach on three sides.
The beach is large and visitors are rare, so it offers peace and seclusion.
If you need a break from the strong sunshine, you should check out the cave at the north end of the beach.
The Atlantic can be rough.
The offshore reefs prevent very large waves from reaching the shore.
However, when swimming, be careful of rip currents or rogue waves, which can slip through the reef.
You should also check out the cliffs before leaving Bottom Bay.
You’ll find a walking path to the right of the car park.
The cliffs offer great views of the entire coast, as well as Bottom Bay Beach.
4. Mullins Beach, St. Peter
Mullins Beach is one of the best beaches in West Barbados.
Enjoy the Carribean beach in the parish of St. Peter.
You’ll find white sands, bright azure waters that turn to deep blue out to sea, and lots of palm trees.
Lounge chairs are available for rent. You can also sample the local rum at the beach bar.
You won’t find yourself the only guest at this beach, but the atmosphere is laid back and it’s usually uncrowded.
You can safely swim in the roped-off areas.
If you are feeling adventurous, rent a jet ski and explore the sea.
You can also snorkel, scuba dive, or go for an outing on a clear-bottomed boat for a unique way to experience the beach.
5. Rockley Beach, Bridgetown
Rockley Beach is also known as Accra Beach.
You’ll find white sand and light blue waters.
The water is warm, shallow, and calm, making it a perfect spot for families and swimmers of all abilities to spend a day.
The beach is bordered by sea grape and Australian Pine trees which add to its natural beauty.
You can enjoy swimming, lounging on the beach, or renting a surfboard, boogie board, or sailboat.
You can’t miss the Barbados Boardwalk.
It begins at the end of the beach, where you’ll also find plenty of kiosks for food and drinks.
Stroll down the boardwalk to enjoy the view of the beach.
You’ll soon see upscale seafood restaurants.
If you keep going, you’ll find less expensive establishments, including an assortment of fast-food restaurants.
6. Bathsheba Beach, East Barbados
On the Atlantic coast, you’ll find Bathsheba Beach.
The beach is named for the biblical figure Bathsheba, who was believed to bathe in tubs of milk.
The waters of Bathsheba seem topped with milky foam, thanks to the waves, hence the name.
Unlike the tropical palm trees of the Caribbean, Bathsheba beach features white sand that mingles with the whitecapped waves.
Where the sand ends, you’ll find lush green vegetation.
One of the most notable features of Bathsheba is the large rock formations seen on the beach and in the water.
These are actually pieces of the ancient coral reef.
You can swim in the Bathsheba pools, which are near the beach.
However, you should be very cautious if you swim in the open water.
The currents can be very strong.
7. Silver Sands Beach, Christ Church
You’ll find Silver Sands Beach at the southern tip of the island.
You’ll find soft golden sands and plenty of sunshine.
If you enjoy watersports, you should visit this beach.
The reefs and wind create great conditions for surfing.
It’s also extremely popular for kiteboarding.
Windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding are also common activities at Silver Sands.
Silver Sands features sweeping hills in the background.
Dunes are created by the wind blowing the sand and held in place by the few plants hardy enough to withstand the high salt sandy soil.
While it’s a perfect destination for watersports, the water here isn’t for the faint of heart.
It’s not recommended for recreational swimming.
You should be an experienced swimmer, and preferably a surfer before you enter these waters.
There can be strong waves, undercurrents, and riptides.
There’s also no lifeguard at this beach.
8. Paynes Bay Beach, St. James
Paynes Bay Beach is located on the Western side of the island, so you’ll enjoy warm Caribbean waters.
You’ll find golden sand and calm waters perfect for swimming.
You’ll find coconut palm trees providing shade, refreshment stalls, and gear rentals on the beach.
You can expect plenty of other beachgoers, but the beach isn’t typically crowded.
It’s a great place for families, thanks to the shallow calm waters and plenty of facilities.
However, keep an eye out for the manchineel apples that fall from local trees.
These are poisonous and can pose a danger to curious little ones.
Activities include snorkeling, kayaking, and jet skiing.
9. Needham’s Point Beach, St. Michael
Needham’s Point Beach is near Carlisle Beach.
There are actually three beaches in this area
Two of them are located near the Needham Point Lighthouse and the Hilton Resort.
The breakwater provides calm swimming in these areas.
If you want rougher waters or more privacy, you can stroll beyond the lighthouse to Drill Hall Beach.
This area is a good spot to surf, and you can expect some large waves.
The Hilton offers a small beachside restaurant, which is open to nonguests.
Prices are what you would expect from an upscale hotel, but the atmosphere makes it worthwhile.
10. Bath Beach, St. Johns
Bath Beach is near Bathsheba.
Unlike most beaches on the East Coast, Bath Beach offers calm Atlantic waters.
Take shade under the casuarina trees, enjoy the golden sands, and the calm blue waters.
There are picnic areas, changing rooms, and a concession stand.
If you want a calm place to relax, you can’t go wrong with Bath Beach.
Stroll to the north end of the beach, and you’ll find a stream and a small waterfall.
You can also stroll down the old railway, which once connected Bridgetown to Bellepaine.
Barbados Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Barbados Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of Barbados has the best beaches?
It depends on what you are looking for.
Beaches on the West have calm Caribbean waters, which are ideal for swimming.
On the East side of the island, the rougher Atlantic waters are ideal for surfing and kitesurfing.
How many beaches are in Barbados?
There are more than 80 beautiful beaches on the island of Barbados that you can enjoy.
Are there a lot of people at the beaches in Barbados?
Beaches in Barbados are extremely popular.
However, because the beaches are plentiful, crowding isn’t much of a concern.
There’s always plenty of room to relax on the beach.
When is the most popular time to visit Barbados?
The summer season in Barbados begins in Mid-December and ends in Mid-April.
This is also ideal because it allows travelers to escape the winter temps in America and Europe.
Barbados is a Caribbean island with spectacular beaches, offering something for everyone from crystal clear waters and white sands to the best diving and surfing spots in the world, all while experiencing a friendly and welcoming culture.