Beaches · Barbados
The best beaches in and near Barbados
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Carlisle Bay (About 5 minutes by taxi from Bridgetown). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 7
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
About 5 minutes by taxi from Bridgetown · Snorkelling
1.Carlisle Bay
A calm bay near Bridgetown with shipwrecks to snorkel and beach bars.
About 15 minutes by car north of Bridgetown · Turtles and calm water
2.Paynes Bay
A long west coast beach where turtles often feed close to shore.
About 30 minutes by car north of Bridgetown · Families
3.Mullins Beach
A calm, sandy bay south of Speightstown with a beach bar and watersports.
In Rockley on the south coast · Families and convenience
4.Accra Beach
A lifeguarded south coast beach with gentle waves and vendors.
About 30 minutes by car from Bridgetown · Bodysurfing and views
5.Crane Beach
Pinkish sand below cliffs on the southeast coast, with bigger waves.
About 35 minutes by car from Bridgetown · Couples and photography
6.Bottom Bay
A small palm-backed cove below cliffs, with no facilities.
About 10 minutes by car from the airport · Quiet swims
7.Miami Beach (Enterprise)
A south coast beach with one calm side and one more lively side near Oistins.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| February | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| December | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples, beach and quiet stays
Holetown and the Platinum Coast
The west coast parish of St James, centred on Holetown, has the island's calmest water and its most expensive hotels and villas. Holetown has the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, the Chattel Village craft shops, and a string of restaurants along First and Second Street, while nearby Paynes Bay is known for snorkelling with turtles. It is the classic base for couples and luxury travellers.
- Good
- Calm, clear water for swimming; Many good restaurants; Beautiful sunsets
- Watch out
- Among the most expensive stays in the Caribbean; Beaches are narrow in places; Quieter nightlife
- Nearby
- Paynes Bay, Folkestone Marine Park, Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, Sandy Lane
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Blue government buses, yellow minibuses and white 'ZR' route taxis all charge the same flat fare and run frequently along the west and south coasts from Bridgetown terminals.
- Car — Driving is on the left.
- Boat — Catamaran cruises from Bridgetown and the west coast run snorkel trips to the Carlisle Bay wrecks and to swim with turtles.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in January–May. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Most visits are trouble-free, but petty theft from beaches and parked cars happens; keep valuables out of sight. Swim only where it is calm — the east and southeast coasts have strong currents — and heed red flags. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Barbados have beaches?
Yes: Carlisle Bay, Paynes Bay, Mullins Beach, Accra Beach, Crane Beach, Bottom Bay and Miami Beach (Enterprise).
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Barbados?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Barbados?
Carlisle Bay: A calm bay near Bridgetown with shipwrecks to snorkel and beach bars.