It’s no secret that the beaches in Barbados are some of the best in the world. On an island where all beaches look like they could be screen savers, you’ll have a hard time finding a beach in Barbados that disappoints.
With soft white sand and brilliant blue water, the beaches in Barbados will delight surfers, sun-bathers, swimmers, and snorkelers alike.
As a rule, all beaches on the island of Barbados are public. This means that you can visit any beach in Barbados for free and public access points are widely available. Beach parking is also free and available for most beaches around the island.
Let’s take a look at the 12 best beaches in Barbados.
Map Of The Best Beaches In Barbados
Browne’s Beach
Browne’s Beach is the main stretch of beach in Bridgetown, surrounding famous Carlisle Bay. From Browne’s Beach, you can stop by one of the many beach clubs and easily rent chairs and umbrellas.
If you want to take a dip in the water, Brownes Beach is a great place to do it since the water is sheltered and calm. It’s a great place to try stand up paddleboarding and kayaking or go for an exciting snorkel adventure to one of the many shipwrecks in crystal clear Carlisle Bay.
- Location: Bridgetown
- Best for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, diving
- Amenities: Beach chairs, umbrellas, and water sports equipment rentals, snorkeling, boat tours, easy access to bars and restaurants
- Check out the best hotels near Carlisle Bay here
Pebbles Beach
Pebbles Beach is located next to Brownes Beach at Needhams Point. Pebbles Beach has calm, clear water and soft white sand, making this a perfect place for sun bathers, swimmings, and snorkelers alike.
Paddle boarding and kayaking are popular here and you’ll see lots of people swimming the length of the beach in the mornings and evenings.
If you come very early in the mornings, you might even see the race horses from the nearby race track exercising in the water.
- Location: Bridgetown
- Best for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling
- Amenities: Beach chairs, umbrellas, and water sports equipment rentals, snorkeling, close to food options
Rockley Beach
Rockley Beach is the perfect place to relax for the day. If you like soft white sand and clear blue water, you’ll love Rockley Beach. Come for a peaceful swim or stick around for sunset with a rum punch at the lively Tiki Bar.
You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas on Rockley Beach. It’s also close to restaurants and bars.
Rockley Beach is the beginning of The Richard Haynes Boardwalk, which connects Rockley with beach restaurants and shops down the coast.
- Location: Rockley/Worthing, South Coast
- Best for sunbathing and swimming
- Amenities: Beach bars and restaurants, boardwalk access, beach chair, and umbrella rentals
Silver Sands
Silver Sands is famous for being one of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing beaches on the island. The location of this beach makes conditions ideal for adventurous water sports.
Whether you’re interesting in taking a kitesurfing or windsurfing lesson, or you just want to watch some daring feats of athletics, Silver Sands is the place to be.
- Location: Silver Sands, South Point
- Best for kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Amenities: shaded picnic tables, water sports rentals, and lessons
Crane Beach
Crane Beach is notable because it has pink-tinted sand and cliff views. Nestled in the cliffs below the Crane Resort on the south side of the island, Crane Beach is a small, quiet, secluded spot where you can get away from it all.
Rent a beach chair, go for a swim, or take a little hike along the rocky cliff faces surrounding the beach. Visitors also have access to a beach bar and restaurant.
If you’re staying at The Crane Resort, you’ll be able to access Crane Beach from an elevator that takes you down from the resort. If you’re just visiting the beach, there is public access at the end of Crane Beach Road.
- Location: Crane Resort, St. Philip, South Coast
- Best for sunbathing and swimming, known for pink-colored sand
- Amenities: Restaurant and bar, chair rentals, hiking
Read more about The Crane Beach here.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach, also known as Enterprise Beach, is a sandy beach on the south coast of the island near the Oistins fishing village.
Because of its sheltered location, Miami beach is usually calm and quiet for swimming. It’s a popular choice for visitors, families, and locals alike.
Miami Beach usually has lifeguards on duty and is located near a shopping and restaurant complex where visitors can grab a bite.
- Location: Oistins
- Best for sunbathing and swimming
- Amenities: Lifeguard stand, beach shopping and food complex, beach chair and umbrella rentals
Dover Beach
Dover Beach is a quiet, uncrowded, sandy beach between St. Lawrence Gap and Maxwell Coast. You can rent umbrellas and chairs from beach vendors or just go for a dip in the clear blue water.
Bring your snorkel gear because Dover Beach is a popular place to see sea turtles in Barbados. If you stay into the evening, you’ll be treated to an incredible sunset.
- Location: St. Lawrence Gap
- Best for sunbathing, swimming, and seeing sea turtles
- Amenities: umbrella and chair rental, close to food and drink options
Drill Hall Beach
Drill Hall Beach is perfect for nature lovers and surfers alike. Depending on the day, Drill Hall can work as a beginner surf spot or an advanced wave. Often, you’ll see lessons on one part of the wave and experienced surfers slightly farther down.
Drill Hall Beach also has marine pools close to the shore where you can see all kinds of aquatic life, including sea turtles. Bring your snorkel to do some exploring below the surface, and when you’re finished, kick back in the ample shade.
- Location: Bridgetown
- Best for surfing, snorkeling, and seeing sea turtles
- Amenities: Shaded picnic tables, tide pools with marine life
Batts Rock Beach
If you want to see water in the most vibrant shade of turquoise imaginable, you’ve got to head to Batts Rock Beach. This quiet little beach is on the west coast of the island backed up to a jungle and a tasty beach restaurant called La Cabane.
There’s a surf break here that’s popular with more advanced surfers. There are also natural tide pools closer to shore where you can swim and see marine-life on days where the water is calmer.
- Location: Bridgetown
- Best for surfing and snorkeling
- Amenities: playground, picnic tables, shower and restroom facilities, beach restaurant
Sandy Lane Beach
Sandy Lane Beach looks like it came out of a postcard. With a crescent of white sand and striking blue water, it’s no wonder some of the most luxurious places to stay in Barbados are located on Sandy Lane Beach.
Even though Sandy Lane Beach is technically public, it’s hard to access since the resorts and beach clubs don’t have public entrance points.
The best way to get here is to take the public beach access beside 1 Sandy Lane and wade through the water until you get to Sandy Lane Beach. Visiting at low tide is your best bet for easier access.
- Location: Holetown, West Coast
- Best for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing
- Amenities: No public amenities but chairs and umbrellas available to guests at the resorts and beach clubs
Shark Hole Beach
Shark Hole Beach is a unique beach on this list because it’s tiny! It’s more of a swim spot than a full-scale beach, but it’s definitely worth the visit.
Shark Hole Beach is a swimming hole located on the south side of the island that’s completely surrounded by cliffs. While the sea is rough just beyond shark hole, there’s a rock barrier that keeps the water much calmer in the swimming area.
Don’t worry, contrary to what the name suggests, there aren’t any sharks in Shark Hole!
- Location: Long Bay, South Side
- Best for swimming and cliff views
- Amenities: Minimal, stairs to get to the swimming spot
Read more about Shark Hole here.
Bathsheba Beach
Bathsheba Beach has one of the most dramatic, rugged landscapes on the island. On the east coast, the waves are more powerful. While it’s not the best for swimming, Bathsheba is home to some world-class surf breaks and top-notch scenery.
If you’re an advanced surfer, you’ll love catching some waves at Bathsheba Beach. If you’re not a surfer, it’s still worth a visit to watch incredible surfing and explore the different landscape.
- Location: Bathsheba, East Coast
- Best for surfing
- Amenities: Shaded park, picnic tables, public restrooms, a few restaurants with limited hours nearby
Final Thoughts: Best Beaches In Barbados
As you can see, there are plenty of amazing beaches to choose from in Barbados! Whether you want calmer water with convenient amenities or more rugged, unique landscapes, Barbados beaches have something for everyone.
Explore Top Barbados Beaches
- Best Beaches Near The Barbados Cruise Terminal
- Crane Beach Barbados
- Shark Hole Beach Barbados
- Boatyard Beach Club Guide
- The Ultimate Barbados Travel Guide
