Beaches
How to get the most out of Barbados beaches
Barbados is made beautiful by its sprawling white sandy beaches. It is the beaches that draw many vacationers to this tropical island. Here the sand is fine and soft, made of the coral that forms much of the island.
The best beaches are found on the west and southwest coasts of Barbados. This is where the land is flatter and the beaches stretch for miles. The waters along the west coast are a brilliant turquoise color and tend to be very calm. This is a good place to swim or go snorkeling and explore the exotic marine life and vegetation.
The south coast is where most of the local and visiting water lovers play. The water is still calm in some areas but the waters on some parts of the coast produce great waves for surfing. At certain times of the year, the conditions are so good that international surfing competitions are held on the island. The conditions on the south coast are also ideal for waterskiing and wind sailing, attracting thousands of water sport enthusiasts.
The north and east coasts should be avoided by everyone but the most experienced swimmers because the water is extremely rough. The land is more elevated on this part of the island, and large waves can be seen crashing against the cliffs. Adventurous surfers still love these coasts but must try to conquer the waves at their own risk.
Barbados beaches are playgrounds for visitors of all ages and the recreation opportunities are plentiful. There are rental shops on or near the beach where water skis, jet skis, body boards and snorkeling gear can be rented. Oftentimes you can hire an instructor to give you some lessons if you lack experience with a particular activity. You may also be able to sign up for a group outing to snorkel or scuba dive.
All Barbados beaches are public and accessible. You may want to inquire at your hotel or with a local travel agent about which beaches are less crowded because many can become quite busy, particularly during peak seasons. It is also important to note that unlike many tropical destinations, conservative Barbados does not have any nude beaches, so pack a swimsuit!
