8 Beaches to Visit in Barbados

Each of these beaches in Barbados has its unique charm and character, making them must-visit destinations for travelers seeking sun, sand, and sea.

Barbados, a small Caribbean island, is renowned for its world-class beaches that epitomize paradise. The island's coastline is adorned with some of the most famous stretches of golden sand and crystal-clear waters in the Caribbean. A visit to this beautifully and friendly island isn't complete without visiting multiple beaches. Whether you're visiting to snorkel, swim or sunbathe, this guide will help you choose which beaches to visit.

Accessibility: a higher score means it's easy to get to by public transit with minimal walking.

Swimming: a higher score means the water is calm and the shore is sandy.

Snorkeling: a higher score means more marine life and things to see like shipwrecks.

Sunbathing: a higher score means it's a large quiet beach with chairs and umbrellas for rent.

Food: a higher score means multiple restaurants or good trucks.

Washrooms: a higher score means washrooms with showers and maybe even lockers.

1. Payne's Bay Beach

Location: West

Accessibility: 5/5

Swimming: 4/5

Snorkeling: 2/5

Sunbathing: 3/5

Food: 1/5

Washrooms: 0/5

A popular beach that is easily accessible easily by car or bus, with the iconic white sand and turquoise waters. We prefer to enter this beach by the fish market, which has food truck so you can try a fish cutter. It is possible to find shade, but be careful entering the water as there are rocky areas. I've heard you can see turtles there, but I haven't been so lucky yet.

2. Sandy Lane

Location: West

Accessibility: 5/5

Swimming: 5/5

Snorkeling: 2/5

Sunbathing: 4/5

Food: 0/5

Washrooms: 0/5

Just a bit further down the road from Payne's Bay Beach in one of the more luxury areas is Sandy Lane beach. With rumours of Simon Cowell and Rihanna both owning waterfront property here, it has been growing in popularity. There are trees and fences providing shade along the beach, but no restaurants or washrooms.

3. Folkstone Marine Park

Location: West

Accessibility: 4/5

Swimming: 4/5

Snorkeling: 4/5

Sunbathing: 2/5

Food: 1/5

Washrooms: 5/5

This marine park with an artificial reef is rumoured to be one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. However, I found a lot of the coral bleached and didn't see any turtles. There were plenty of fish right off shore, but the current is quite strong.

4. Accra Beach

Location: South

Accessibility: 5/5

Swimming: 3/5

Snorkeling: 2/5

Sunbathing: 5/5

Food:5/5

Washrooms: 5/5

This optimally located beach has grown in popularity thanks to it's hotel and gift shops. There are multiple restaurants and beach clubs to choose from when you're hungry or want to enjoy some of the local famous rum punch. There is a lifeguard on duty, beach chairs and umbrellas for rent and if you're lucky you'll see some turtles too.

5. Crane Beach

Location: South-east

Accessibility: 2/5

Swimming: 2/5

Snorkeling: 0/5

Sunbathing: 5/5

Food: 0/5

Washrooms: 0/5

This beach has become quite famous because of the luxurious Crane Resort, however, if you're not staying there it's quite out of the way. The waves can be strong here so it's not great for snorkeling or swimming. If you just want to lay on a beach all day in peace and quiet, this might be the place for you.

6. Batts Rock Beach

Location: West

Accessibility: 4/5

Swimming: 4/5

Snorkeling: 2/5

Sunbathing: 4/5

Food: 0/5

Washrooms: 5/5

This unique beach is famous for it's rock towers and a must visit if you want something different. It still has the perfect white sand and turquoise waters, there's not much to see snorkeling, but the water is calm and there are shady spots. Just be careful in the parking lot if it rains as there are machineel trees which can burn the skin on contact.

7. Pebbles Beach

Location: Central

Accessibility: 5/5

Swimming: 5/5

Snorkeling: 3/5

Sunbathing: 5/5

Food: 4/5

Washrooms: 0/5

If you are looking for the most unique beach, then you'll want to head here first thing in the morning. This beach is right across the famous Garrison Savannah, one of the oldest horse racing tracks and the staff bring the horses over for a dip in the morning. Expect to tip the staff for your visit with the horse, and give a little extra if they let you go for a ride.

8. Carlisle Bay

Location: Central

Accessibility: 5/5

Swimming: 5/5

Snorkeling: 5/5

Sunbathing: 5/5

Food: 5/5

Washrooms: 5/5

Last, but most definitely not least is my favourite beach in Barbados. It is easy to rent chairs and umbrellas here, there are multiple food trucks to choose from, a parking lot and washroom facilities. This is the number one beach I would recommend if you are looking to see some marine life as well, with multiple shipwrecks to snorkel over and see the schools of fish. I have also seen multiple turtles on every visit here!

Bonus: Bottom Bay

Location: South-east

Accessibility: 2/5

Swimming: 4/5

Snorkeling: 2/5

Sunbathing: 5/5

Food: 0/5

Washrooms: 0/5

While it's not great for swimming, this out of the way beach is one of the best views in Barbados. You can walk down to the secluded beach and swim in the rough waves, but we prefer to follow the path up top to enjoy the beautiful view. Even though the sun will set on the other side of the island, you'll get some fantastic colours here at sunset.