Best Beaches in St. Peter & Speightstown

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.

This fishing village’s local beach lets you sit back on soft sand and watch fishermen come in and out on colourful boats. For something more active, you can scuba dive around the Pamir Wreck or, when the wind’s up, surf the reef break. Visit on a Friday for the Fish Fry where locals and tourists come together to enjoy freshly caught and cooked seafood.

Right next door to Mullins, Gibbes has palms to seek shade under, waveless water to swim and snorkel in and soft sand that you don’t have to share with the crowds. If you’re not fussed about facilities and prefer a more peaceful atmosphere, this beach is just the ticket.

For a total change of tempo, head through the parish to Saint Peter’s east coast. Here you’ll find the Atlantic instead of the Caribbean Sea, whipping up waves that crash dramatically against rugged cliffs. Little Bay has a Durdle Door feel to it with rock formations whittled over years and years creating arches and natural pools.

Though Heywoods is nice and near Speightstown, it doesn’t tend to get too noisy. A lot who come here will tell you it’s the best beach in Barbados: pootle around the rockpools, snorkel above shallow reefs and take leisurely beach walks on the talc-soft sand and you might just agree. The nearest hotels to Heywoods Beach are Sugar Cane Club and Port Ferdinand Luxury Resort.