My Quest to Find the “Best” Beach in Barbados
I am a beach person. Whether it’s the shoreline of the frigid waters in Atlantic Canada, where I live, or a white sandy beach in the Caribbean, I will always choose to go to the beach over any other plans or travel excursions.
— By Kylee Ross
— Photography Kenneth Theysen
I don’t need very much to be content at the beach. I need a towel exclusively used to dry off, something to sit on, a book, a bottle of water, a packed lunch, and sunscreen. With that, I’m set for a full day of lounging and dipping in and out of the ocean as I please.
So naturally (and largely because of my inquisitive personality), I decided to ask as many people as possible during my week in Barbados, “What is your favourite beach?” That’s how I like to find out about hidden gems: I ask. This time, however, I was a bit naive in thinking that one beach would rise to the top in the results of my casual survey. Instead, the answers came in a wide range.
Some of the people I spoke with had worked in beach bars and restaurants for most of their careers and weren’t interested in going to the beach in their own time. Others swore off certain shorelines and highly recommended the opposite coast instead. Seclusion was important to some, being able to order a craft cocktail was crucial to others. The only common theme was that everyone had a list of criteria that needed to be met before calling any old beach their favourite on the island.
I soon realised my search for the best beach in Barbados was futile. And even though I didn’t get to see every beach around the island, there’s no doubt in my mind that all of them have something unique to offer—it all depends on your list of beach criteria.
Carlisle Bay
Located near the middle point of Carlisle Bay, Pebbles Beach is one of the well-known beaches with public facilities in Bridgetown. The big three beaches in the bay are just a short drive from the city centre: Brownes Beach, Bayshore Beach, and Pebbles Beach. Executive Chef Andrew Jean at The Sandpiper recommends Brownes Beach—but he is admittedly biased. He grew up in Bridgetown and has fond memories of learning to swim there. “That beach, for sure, is just beautiful”, Jean says. “The long stretch is almost three miles, which is excellent.” Like most beaches on the West Coast, the bay boasts white sand and clear, shallow water. It does, however, tend to have the busy bustle of other beach-goers since it’s so close to the island’s capital city and cruise port.
Crane Beach
Heywoods Beach
Shark Hole
Smitons Bay
Crane Beach
Most of the beaches I visited were on the West Coast purely because I’m more drawn to a relaxing beach experience than an action-packed day. The East Coast, where you can find Crane Beach, has stronger winds and rumbling Atlantic Ocean waves. (I’m sure that caught your attention if you’re into surfing.) Granted, the East Coast has stunning views. Sandy beaches and white caps contrast rugged cliffs and rocky vegetation. Harold Shepherd of Harold's located at The Sandpiper includes Crane Beach as a must-see beach. Shepherd recommends skipping the long flight of winding stairs from the top of the cliff to the shoreline and opting for the elevator at The Crane instead.
Shark Hole
One morning while walking up the shoreline on the West Coast to Heron Bay, I stopped a few times to chat with people working on the beach. Naturally, I had to ask about the beaches in Barbados. Shark Hole was one of the most intriguing suggestions that came out of my stroll. A narrow cove sits in the dug out of coral cliffs—and if you didn’t know any better, it would seem that the cove was man-made, and the sand was purposely deposited on the beach. Locals told me that Shark Hole is less well-known to tourists but is a busy swimming spot nonetheless (especially on weekends). However, the sound of the waves hitting the cliffs alone is well worth being on a slightly more crowded beach. Remember to watch out for the tide and be mindful of the strong current just beyond the edge of the cliffs.
Heywoods Beach
Executive Chef Donovan Lopez has a view of the ocean from the kitchen at Lone Star. As he works through a lunch or dinner rush, he’ll look out at the water. “Sometimes the kitchen is not an easy place to be”, Lopez says. “So seeing a fish just dancing in the water or guys out on a boat, just having fun on a party boat, relaxes you.” When Lopez disconnects from work, he’ll sometimes make his way up the West Coast to Port St. Charles—Heywoods Beach. With the same West Coast charm of soft sand and clear blue water, you get the added bonus of the luxurious atmosphere of an exclusive marina community in the background.
Smitons Bay
Drive along the coast between Holetown and Speightstown and stop just about anywhere along the shore. You can even choose a spot to set up for a beach day since it’s so close to the wide-open ocean. There’s just a sliver of white sand to sit on in the afternoon but it’s still enough to lay a beach towel down comfortably. This met my personal beach criteria to a T. Most of the bay is secluded and not marked off as a beach area at all, but if you walk in either direction from your set up—north or south—you’ll find local beach bars tucked behind slanted palm trees and the odd fine dining or seafood restaurant with lounge chairs for patrons.
Almost everyone I met was adamant about mentioning that there are no private beaches in Barbados—all beaches are public. With that in mind, I’d say the best way to find a beach that suits your swimming, sunbathing, or water sports needs, is to choose a bay you might like to visit and explore (with no set destination in mind) until you uncover your own hidden gem.
Kylee Ross
is a Halifax-based food and travel writer.
