Known locally on the
island as the 'Platinum
Coast', the west coast
of Barbados features
some stunning white
sandy beaches and calm
azure waters; small
settlements and towns,
together with some fine
hotels including the
world famous Sandy Lane
Hotel.
Barbados west
coast beaches and places
of interest (North to
South)
At the very north west
tip of Barbados there
are the beaches and bays
of
Archers Bay,
Mother's Day Bay,
Maycock's Bay,
Hangman's Bay and
Smiton's Bay.
This is a quiet part of
the island with good
cliff top walks and a
few houses and no
hotels. |
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Archers
Bay |
Smiton's
Bay |
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Six
Mens Bay: Six
Men's is a small fishing
village on the west
coast of Barbados and
just north of Speightstown with local
fishermen bringing in
the catch and a popular
'fish fry' event held on
Friday and Saturday
evenings. You can still
see traditional boat
building in the area and
the small wooden fishing
boats are hand crafted
on the beach.
Port St Charles Marina:
This new marina complex
features multi-million
dollar luxury villas and
apartments, the Port St
Charles Yacht Club,
health and beauty and
sporting facilities.
Unfortunately, this
multi-million dollar
development is
surrounded by a huge
wall and casual visitors
are not able to gain
access easily; however,
all beaches are public
and there is access at
Almond Beach Village
with some limited
parking. The marina
features around 150
villas and apartments,
berths for around the
same number of yachts
and facilities for
mega-yachts.
Heywoods Beach:
Located near to the town
of Speightstown and in
the west coast parish of St Peter; Heywoods beach is a wide
open area of fine sand,
quiet and good for
swimming and safe for
children. Small pools at
one end of the beach are
good for a dip and the
shallow reefs provided
excellent snorkeling. |
Speightstown:
Pronounced "spike-stong",
this was the first port
and commercial centre in
Barbados. Speightstown
has a few luxury hotels,
restaurants, art
galleries and the nearby
Port St Charles Marina
development.
Speightstown is the
second largest town in
Barbados but still not
larger than a village.
Originally called
"Little Bristol" it was
renamed after a local
landowner and merchant
William Speight.
Godings Bay lies south
of the town and
Godings Bay is a
popular and easy to
reach beach.
Mullins Bay:
Mullins beach is one of
the most popular beaches
in Barbados where you
can rent sun loungers
and there is plenty of
shade from overhanging
palm trees. Safe
swimming in roped off
areas, a beach bar and
water sports make this
beach a hive of activity
with a large car park
across the road from the
bay. |
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Gibbes
Bay / Gibbs
Beach: Gibbes (or Gibbs)
beach is one of less
populated and quieter
beaches on the west
coast; good sand and
swimming and close to
Holetown and
Speightstown.
Reeds
Bay: Reeds is
unspoilt and tranquil
and borders the main
road with limited
parking;
Reeds
Bay is roughly half
way between the west
coast towns of Speightstown
and Holetown. Just south
lies
Heron Bay and
Alleynes Bay.
Holetown: This
small settlement in the
parish of St James was
originally named
Jamestown after the
British first landed
here in 1625.
Holetown
acquired it's current
name due to the
unloading and cleaning
of ships in the channel
next to the settlement.
Sandy
Lane Bay: The
Sandy Lane Beach is just
south of Holetown and
home to the world famous
and luxurious Sandy Lane
Hotel. The hotel is the
most famous in Barbados
and also well known
throughout the Caribbean
region. The Sandy Lane
Hotel was opened in 1961
and attracts many
wealthy visitors and
celebrities from around
the world. The Sandy
Lane has two 18 holes
golf courses just
inland. |
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Sandy
Lane Hotel |
Holetown
Shop |
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Paynes
Beach: See also
Mahogany Bay below.
There are two public
accesses to the beach
at Sandy Lane and
Bomba's Beach Bar. Here
you will also find the Coach House
restaurant with a small
kiosk for drinks and
snacks. Parking is
somewhat limited at
Paynes Bay. This west coast
beach is
well shaded with
overhanging trees and
sun loungers can be
rented together with jet
skis and catamarans. The
beach is quite wide (by
west coast standards)
and with the facilities
at Paynes Bay it makes
an ideal day trip, or
spend a few hours with
some after dark
entertainment.
Mahogany Bay:
Mahogany Bay and Lower
Paynes Beach are in the
west coast parish of St James with
pools and coral reefs
and a walkway from the
road. A small fishing
village is located at
the southern end of the
bay with fine dining and
picnic benches. |
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Paradise Beach:
Adjoining Batts Rock Bay
(see above). Paradise
beach is quiet and the
home of the now closed Cunard Paradise Hotel.
Currently the Sandals
Resort which was
proposed for the site
has been delayed.
Paradise Beach is
generally deserted.
Freshwater Bay:
Just south of Paradise
Beach lies the quiet
west coast area of
Freshwater Bay. The
north beach area is
generally less busy than
the southern end. |
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Batts Rock Bay: Batts
Rock lies a few minutes
drive along the west
coast of Barbados from the Capital
of Bridgetown. It's a
public beach with a
picnic area, changing
and shower facilities
and children's
playground. Good for
swimming in calm waters
and the rocky areas a
fine for safe
snorkeling. Batts Rock
beach joins up with
Paradise beach and Fitts
Village.
Fitts Village:
Located in the parish of
St James, Fitts Village
was named after Benjamin
Thomas Fitt. The village
has a small commercial
centre, church,
restaurants and a few
guest houses and luxury
villas. |
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Brighton Beach:
Adjoining Brandons Beach
(see below).
Brandons Beach:
Brandons beach is the
closest beach to
Bridgetown, just north
of the island's capital.
A good beach for
swimming with calm
waters. The only beach
in Barbados within a
short walk of the
Bridgetown Cruise
Terminal and also home
of the Malibu Visitor
Centre and Beach Club.
Chill out or watch the
coming and going of
ships from the harbour.
Brandons beach joins up
with Brighton beach. |
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Brighton
Beach |
Brandons
Beach |
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Bridgetown:
The capital of Barbados,
Bridgetown is the seat
of Government, the
commercial centre and
the island's main port.
Brownes Beach:
Browns beach is located
just south of the
Bridgetown Cruise
Terminal and on the
outskirts of the capital
city of Bridgetown. It
is one of the longest
beaches on the west
coast of the island
stretching from Bay
Street to Needham's
Point. Great for
swimming or sunbathing
with a lifeguard on
duty. Overlooking
Carlisle Bay which is
always busy with small
boats and excellent for
scuba diving where there
are many wreck beneath
the surface.
See also our
Barbados East Coast
overview and guide. |
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Travel, holiday, vacation and photograph
guide to Barbados. All text and images are Copyright
Paradise Islands
org 2009 |
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