Just the word “Barbados” triggers images of coconut trees, azure waters, white-sand beaches, tropical drinks, and bright sunshine – all in all, a paradise. The island is home to tranquil stretches of sand and beautiful scenery. It’s the perfect destination for a fun family vacation, romantic getaways, water sports adventures, and out-of-town events. Don’t forget beach essentials, including things that will help you take care of your skin no matter what your plan is.
If you’re planning to go to Barbados for a beach vacation, here are some ideas on what to do on the beautiful island country in the Caribbean:
Relax at the beaches of Carlisle Bay.
Barbados is one of the unique places in the world where you can go to a beach five minutes from the downtown area of the capital city. Here, you can find three popular public beaches by Carlisle Bay: Bayshore Beach, Pebble Beach, and Brownes Beach.
Carlisle Bay is known for its calm waters, powder-soft sand, and small to non-existent waves – making it a perfect spot for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, standup paddleboarding, or simply lounging. The water is shallow, and it stays that way for a long way out into the ocean. Because of this, it’s family-friendly, and you won’t have to worry a lot about your children dipping in the bathwater-warm ocean. When you want to slow down, rent out an umbrella and a lounge chair at the beach, and sip on an icy concoction available from any of the bars along the beach.
Take a romantic getaway to Crane Beach.
Waves crashing on the powdery white sand is one of the most fascinating things about Crane Beach. Here, you can find towering cliffs with elegant hotels perched on top of a wide crescent of beach. It’s the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon. Adding to its organic beauty, the shores of Crane Beach are well-maintained, keeping you assured that you’re comfortable while enjoying your beach day.
Depending on the time of year, the waves can be quite huge, but the offshore reef protects the beach from getting the worst of it. Since the waves are of manageable size, it makes a good spot for surfing or boogie boarding, which you can try out with your partner.
Have a picnic at Bottom Bay.
Not far from Crane Beach lies the Bottom Bay Beach. This secluded beach is reached by walking down a set of stairs through a cut in the cliffs. The place is marked by tall palm trees, rugged coral cliffs, and a spectacular view of the south of the island. Though it’s a wondrous place, visitors are advised not to go swimming due to strong currents and large waves.
Chances are you can have this piece of paradise to yourself, and even if there are other people around, the beach is huge, so you can still find your place where you can have a fun picnic with family or loved ones. After you’ve had your fill of food, sun, and sand, check out the large cave that extends to the rock face at the north end of Bottom Bay.
Try kiteboarding at Silver Sands Beach.
Not all beaches are about just lazing around under the sun and frolicking the waves. If you like more action and adrenaline, Silver Sands Beach is the place to be. It’s one of the best places to go kiteboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and surfing – thanks to its steady and strong winds that come side onshore. If the wind is up, you will see adrenaline junkies racing along or launching themselves into the air.
This beach offers lovely, powdery white sand located on the island’s south coast. The waves and swells are pretty impressive, making it a great spot for a wide variety of watersports. It’s also a recognized world-class location for these exciting sports. The best time to visit for the best waves would be from December to February.
Walk along the Barbados Boardwalk at the end of Accra Beach.
Accra Beach is almost postcard perfect. It’s a small crescent of white sand backed by sea grape and casuarina trees. Its warm shallow waters are suitable for all kinds of swimmers. Here, you can rent boogie boards, surfboards, and sailboats if you want to have fun in the water.
The famous Barbados Boardwalk starts at one end of the beach, and it will take you along the waterfront, passing a variety of upscale waterfront restaurants. This boardwalk is usually frequented by families and people looking for a peaceful place to unwind, jog, or work out.
Enjoy the sands of Dover Beach.
If you prefer a lively beach, you can enjoy Dover Beach in the popular St. Lawrence Gap area. This beach is quite large, so you won’t have issues finding a spot to spread your beach towel and soak up the sun. You can also see a noticeable difference in some parts which are calmer and others where the ocean is wavier. Jet skiing, windsurfing, and sailing are some of the popular activities at this sandy beach.
The sand here is sugar-soft, making it pleasing to walk into. Lifeguards are always on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. And you’ll find a wide variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels nearby.
Go hiking to Bath Beach.
Bath Beach is a rare beach on the east coast because, unlike the other bays in the area, there are rarely strong currents at this beach. Instead of big waves, you’ll find calm waters and lifeguard towers. Back from the beach are picnic tables ideally situated in the shade under large casuarina trees.
You can go hiking to Bath Beach and Culpepper Island to see a variety of plant species, native animals, and historical sites. Once you reach the beach, you can relax in there. For a bit of fun, you can visit the small waterfall and stream at the north end of the beach.
Go surfing at Bathsheba Bay.
Located on the Atlantic side of the island, Bathsheba Bay beach is a sight to behold. Here, you can admire the striking coral rock formations and natural pools. Big waves are frequent here, and as a result, it has become the island’s top surfing destination.
Bathsheba Bay is perfect for adventurers, and skilled surfers can test their skills at the Soup Bowl. Even if you’re not a surfer, this beach is worth a visit. You can get amused watching surfers to do their tricks, have a perfect picnic on the beach, or take lots of pictures of the stunning rock formations just offshore. At times, the waters can be a little rough, so swimming isn’t always advisable.