Top 10 Beaches in Barbados

There’s a LOT of competition, but without a doubt Crane’s one of the prettiest beaches on the island, and if you’ve managed to bag a room in The Crane Hotel you’re in for a treat. The Atlantic mixes with the Caribbean here, resulting in a broad stretch of talc-soft sand backed by sloping cliffs and coconut trees, with crazily turquoise, choppy waters (bodyboarders & bodysurfers, rejoice).

Crescent shaped Carlisle is a sunny natural harbour – once filled with British vessels, now hosting posh yachts, catamarans and one of the biggest beaches on the island. There’s another world to explore under the water, where six shipwrecks sit covered in coral for snorkelers and divers in the Marine Park. Swimmers will find wonderfully still water, while sailing and kayaking are other popular water activities. Our favourite hotel in this area is Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados. At the north end, the Boatyard Beach Club has an ocean trampoline, inflatable slides and a rope swing – besides bar games, food and drink back on land.

Not that we’re saying it’s humanly possible to tire from the west coast’s gently lapping sea and perfect powdery shores – but if you fancy a change of pace and scenery, Bathsheba on the east coast is worth crossing the island for. Watch surfers do their thing on one of the greatest wave breaks on the planet and struggle to fathom that this is the same island you’ve come from.

You’ll find almost-white sands instead of white cliffs in this Dover, but that’s alright with us. Slap bang in the centre of St Lawrence Gap, the wide beach offers all kinds of watersports on its gentle, bright blue waters – windsurf, bodyboard, sail, swim and snorkel your socks off (or just hire a lounger and soak up the south coast sunshine). Stalls sell food, drink and souvenirs, and the restaurants and bars of The Gap are within easy reach.

It’s as if this place has taken the best qualities of all Barbados beaches then offered them together in one stretch. Home to the Accra and South Beach hotels, the south end of this beach has lagoon-like waters to paddle in, while other, choppier parts are brilliant for bodyboarding. There’s oodles of soft, pale sand to stretch out on under the sunshine, plus dozens of sea grape trees if you’re seeking shade. Browse market stalls for souvenirs, buy fresh fishcakes and chilled Banks beer, or head up west along the south coast boardwalk.

Well worth a visit, Worthing brings together palms, seagrapes, white sand and shallow water. Swim out to snorkel with turtles around the coral reef, or join a diving tour to the shipwrecked Stavronikita. Stay until the sun sets, best accompanied by the drinks and music at Crustal Waters Beach Bar on the east end.

No wonder this one’s so popular. With Speightstown to the north and its own car park, getting here is a breeze for starters. Once you’re here, choose between loungers shaded under palms or doused in sunshine… Or plunge straight into those warm blue waters – excellent for swimming with roped off areas to keep things safe. Stay active and spend time snorkelling, or whizz around James Bond style on a jet ski. When it calls for refreshments, there’s an on-site beach bar serving cocktails, fruit juices and food throughout the day.

Take the steps down to Bottom Bay and you find yourself in the kind of place screen savers are made of – clusters of coconut trees, bright green sea grape trees, rocky outcrops, pale sugary sand and the bluest sea you’ll ever see. Lean back on a rock, wiggle your toes in the sand and watch the waves crash against the cliffs – then find a palm tree to cling onto stubbornly come home time.

Silver Sands is one of the best spots on the island for kitesurfing, surfing, windsurfing and SUP - look up local legend Brian Talma at the deAction shop for lessons and equipment rentals. It’s also brilliant if you prefer to spectate from the shore, with soft, white sands to dig your toes into while you watch the waves roll in. Families love it here too, with a cracking little play area for kids and picnic benches to set up camp around.

Being in the village of Enterprise sometimes sees this beach called Enterprise Beach. It’s a popular one with the locals, where you can watch the fishing boats come in and out of neighbouring Oistins. The waters to the west are calm for paddling and swimming, while there slightly bigger swells to the east. At lunchtime, pop over to the Mr. Delicious food truck for the ultimate Barbados beach picnic of fish cutters. One of our favourite hotels near Miami Beach is Little Arches Boutique Hotel.