Best Barbados Beaches [2020]

Spotzer Spotzer • September 25, 2025

The best beaches in Barbados are:


  • Crane beach
  • Foul Bay Beach
  • Mullins Beach
  • Paynes Bay 
  • Accra Beach
  • Carlisle Bay
  • Bottom Bay Beach
  • Harrismith Beach

A getaway to the Caribbean is something that every tourist dreams of. If we consider Barbados’ incredible climate, diverse offering, friendly people, vibrant culture, and spectacular beaches, it is not surprising that it is one of the main tourist destinations in the world.

Without a doubt, one of the best parts of this island is its coastline. When it comes to pristine beaches you are spoilt for choice on this beautiful island. Although all of our beaches here in Barbados offer soft white sand and clear waters, there are a few that stand out from the crowd.

The best way to discover Barbados’ beaches is to rent a car and explore the Caribbean coast from Oistins to Speightstown, in some parts of the road, you are right next to the coast so you can enjoy breathtaking views!

Here are our top 8 favorite beaches on the island: 


Crane Beach

Exposed to breezes of the South East coast, Crane Beach is surrounded by cliffs, rolling waves soft sand and swaying palms. It is the most famous beach in Barbados and is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Located just 30 minutes away from the capital, Bridgetown, it is visited by both tourists and locals. It is ideal for sunbathing and water sports. If you’re lucky, you might even see some sea turtles! 

You will find loungers and umbrellas for rent as well as boogie boards. We definitely don’t recommend swimming here due to the dangerous currents. However, paddling in the shallows and jumping around in the white water is good fun. If you’re hungry make sure to try Cutters – a nearby deli, which offers delicious cutters (that’s Bajan for sandwich) and their rum punch is pretty good too!

Foul Bay Beach

This beautiful beach is only 1 km away from Crane Beach, on the south coast of the island. It is a beautiful white sandy beach surrounded by cliffs and clear waters. It has a lot of trees and vegetation, which is ideal if you want some shade. It gets pretty busy on the weekends but you will still be able to find a place to lay on the beach. 

Most of the beaches located on the southeast of Barbados are better for surfing rather than for swimming. Keep this in mind if you go to Foul Bay Beach. If you decide to swim there, there will be no lifeguards to help you if something happens. It is a secret hideaway in Barbados with no services (restaurants, bars, etc.) nearby so consider bringing your own food and drinks. 

Foul Bay is the perfect place to get away from the busy city and relax in a quiet surrounding. Whether you want to sunbathe, surf or have a picnic with your family or friends, you are sure to love this beach.

Mullins Beach

On the West coast between Holetown and Speightstown lies this sandy stretch of beachy paradise. Mullins Beach is a small beach with calm waters and white sand. It is the ideal place if you want to swim and not have to worry about the waves. If you want to relax, grab your towel and rest under the palm trees or rent a sunbed and umbrella. 

Mullins Beach hosts a lively beach bar and a restaurant and is located only 30 minutes away by car from Bridgetown. The Mullins Beach bar is very popular and its easy-going menu will provide you with everything you need day or night. It is the official beach partnered with Royal Westmoreland development. Mullins is a great spot to watch the sunset with a cool cocktail. 

Paynes Bay

Another West coast contender, Paynes Bay is south of Holetown and a touch south from Sandy Lane. There are practically no waves at this beach so you can enjoy the safe calm waters, rent a snorkel and mask and bob around with the amazing sea turtles that swim offshore here. Try your hand at paddleboarding too, you can find lots of boards to rent. 

Paynes Bay is a great beach for sports activities and swimming. It offers a variety of different activities such as kayaking, sailing, snorkeling… You can even rent a jet ski or enjoy a boat ride. 

While you’re there, you can eat at the Tamarind Hotel or try one of the beach shacks along the road behind the beach. Paynes Bay is popular for its fresh fish so don’t forget to give it a try! 

One thing to know is that Paynes Beach is usually quite busy but there are always free areas available. If you want to enjoy the beautiful sun and have all the services you need in close proximity, Paynes Bay is the place for you. The beach is equipped with showers, bathrooms, restaurants, bars, and shops.


Accra Beach

The beautiful Accra Beach on the south coast of the Caribbean island of Barbados in the West Indies.

The South coast’s liveliest and finest beach! Accra Beach is also known as Rockley Beach as it’s located in the Rockley area. This is the ideal beach for a family as there is a lot of space and the water is safe for everyone, it stays shallow for a good distance. At Accra Beach, many water sport activities are available such as windsurfing, kite surfing, banana boat rides, and bodyboarding. 

If you plan on visiting Rockley’s Beach, rent a sun lounger and grab a drink from one of the many beach bars or explore the beach stalls and the South Coast boardwalk. Everything you need is just a short walking distance away: restaurants, food stalls, bars, shops, etc. 

Carlisle Bay

A number of beaches line the bay here, there are miles and miles of white sand stretching from Bridgetown right to The Hilton Hotel. Carlisle Bay Beach is located on the southwest coast of Barbados, close to Bridgetown. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourists, which comes to no surprise as it is considered as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. 

There are no less than 6 shipwrecks in the bay, which attract hundreds of different underwater species making it the perfect location for snorkeling. If you are into water sports, you can rent a kayak, jet ski or enjoy a fun boat ride. There are many good restaurants and bars along the beach for you to try delicious food whilst enjoying Carlisle Bay’s amazing landscape. Pirates Cove beach bar is worth a visit for a cooling cocktail or two!

Bottom Bay Beach

A tranquil hideaway, no resorts or beach bars here. Botton Bay Beach stands out from the crowd as it has escaped overdevelopment. Located on the South East Coast, Bottom Bay Beach is surrounded by high coral cliffs, making it an amazing corner of the world. Tall skinny coconut palms line the beach, you might even find a local willing to climb up and get a fresh coconut for you to drink. This truly is a castaway beach!

The waves here can be wild so swimming is not recommended, but it is a great place to prepare a picnic in the sand.. come prepared with drinks and food as there are no services around. Turtles and whales can sometimes be seen from the cliffs above the ocean. Bottom Bay Beach is a great destination for couples or people that are looking for somewhere that is not busy!

Harrismith Beach

Harrismith Beach is located right next to Bottom Bay, on the southeast coast of the island. You can walk from Bottom Bay to Harrismith Beach and it will only take you a couple of minutes. This beautiful beach looks like a postcard with its turquoise waters and soft white sand. It is surrounded by palm trees and rocky cliffs and is similar to Bottom Bay.

One difference between the two is that here, the waves are not as strong and intense as those in Bottom Bay so you can swim if you want. If you’re planning on visiting this beach, make sure to bring your snacks and drinks as there are no restaurants or bars nearby.

If you need accommodation for your vacation in Barbados, we have many home rentals available to suit your needs. Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you find the perfect vacation rental!

15 WAYS TO ENJOY A MORE FULFILLING VACATION

By Spotzer Spotzer • September 25, 2025
With over 25 years experience in luxury travel industry, we have seen it all. To help you enjoy your next trip to the fullest, the ZenBreak’s team has compiled the best and worst travel experiences and extracted the lessons we learned from the past. Our recommendations applies to business trip, short weekend get away or long escape on the beach. If you like staying in luxury hotels or are planning to go backpacking for a while, any of the following will apply. BOOK AHEAD Yes, there are tons of flight comparison websites, and you’ve just spent the last hour looking for the best deal possible. However you’re not the only one searching and those internet cookies leave crumbs behind. Next time you go back online, the probabilities are that the price you loved today will be higher. Time flies! Book that trip before the price goes up or you might regret it. DON’T BE FLASHY Never underestimate the eyes of pickpockets. Wearing a fancy watch, or even an unnoticeable bracelet might not seem like something to think about when you travel. However, you never know who’s watching you. Being discreet is the best way to avoid embarrassing or unfortunate situations. Don’t show off and remain anonymous. KEEP A JOURNAL Met someone special? Had an interesting or unusual chat? Writing down how you were affected by certain experiences creates a better platform for reflection at a later date. Souvenirs may not always be photos, words carry your emotions much better sometimes. Remember that by writing what you experienced, you drastically increase the probability of remembering what you lived in the future. WRITE THINGS DOWN Just had directions explained to you in a strong hard-to-understand accent? Not sure you’ll remember the details of which way to go? Just write it down. Take that extra minute to recap and make sure you don’t miss the essentials. It may save you, valuable time later on. MORE TIME, FEWER PLACES Would you rather know a limited amount of information about many different places, or really experience and immerse yourself in a few areas? The world is huge and it’s just impossible to go everywhere. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you can only remember how clean or dirty airports or trains were. Try dedicating a full week to explore a large city. I was once forced to increase my stay in Bangkok from 2 days to 7 due to the SARS virus in Hong Kong. It turns out to be one of the best experiences I ever had. ALWAYS ASK HOW MUCH ($) You’ve just got in a cab, and you’re asking yourself if you’ve got enough cash? Don’t put yourself in a situation where you don’t know how much something costs, and don’t be afraid to ask for the price before committing. If it’s too much, feel free to find another option. This applies to taxi, but also to excursions, restaurants, bars and hotels. Many unscrupulous institutions will inflate their prices when a foreigner show up at their door. Be sure not to be the sucker they all remember. If you feel the pressure to commit, just walk out. LEARN SOME BASIC LANGUAGE Hallo! Ciao! Hej! Namaste! Bonjour! xin chào! It may not be the best, but at least you’re making an effort. It may sound rude only speaking your own language, show you are considerate and learn a few simple words on the way to a foreign country. There are no better ways to make friends. PUT YOUR MOBILE PHONE AWAY Why would you travel thousands of miles to stay hooked on your phone? Forget about social media and various apps during your stay and enjoy a little more of the world around you. Rediscover what it is to live disconnected. You may realize you don’t miss your phone at all! TRY THE STREET FOOD Restaurants are nice, but street food is the real deal. Nobody ever died from eating skewers or local specialties from street vendors. Cheap, fast and authentic, eating outside can only do you good. They will leave you with unbelievable memories. DON’T COMMUTE TOO MUCH Yes, you may feel like there is so much to do! And no, unfortunately your holidays won’t last forever. But is it really worth trying to reach every single town of a country you are only just discovering? Take the time to really explore the town you’re in, you can always come back for a future vacation. ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU! Politeness is universal and enjoyed by all. Don’t be rude, even with the insistent seller at the market, culture varies from one place to the other, what may seem like an aggressive sale pitch may just be the norm where you are. Show appreciation to locals, and earn their respect. This may lead to more chances to say thank you! REMEMBER TO CARRY WATER Don’t risk getting ill from tap water because you forgot to pack a bottle in your bag. A little flask is your best friend for hydration. Don’t forget to wash your hand regularly, or if no fresh water is available, to use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. LEAVE REVIEWS Try to leave a short review on commonly used platforms such as TripAdvisor or Google My Business. Do it, whether your experience was incredible, average or poor? Statistics show that those platforms are the number driver when you pick a service or a restaurant. If we don’t leave negative comments to avoid hurting someone, the owner may not find out that you were unsatisfied and the next traveller will not be informed of your experience. On the other end, if your experience really exceeded your expectations, don’t hesitate to mention the individual who provided outstanding service. They may get rewarded. SLOW DOWN, STOP AND OBSERVE Do you feel that you rush around too much in your everyday life? Take the time to look at all the interesting and different things around you. If you enjoy taking pictures, you are sure to find many things to shoot if you slow down a little. Discover the local day-to-day life, this is where the true beauty hides. GET UP EARLY The early bird catches the worm. Rising early gives you more time for exploring, miles traveled and a better overall experience. Early birds enjoy their time off even more! …and finally, to get the best vacation possible, nothing better than saving some money, enjoy the best price guaranteed on your vacation rental with ZenBeak.com

ACCEPT DOGS IN YOUR HOLIDAY HOME ANDINCREASE YOUR BOOKINGS.

By Spotzer Spotzer • September 25, 2025
Did you know that on Airbnb, ‘pet-friendly’ is the fourth most popular request when looking for an apartment or a villa? The top three in order are: Free parking A full kitchen Pool Being dog friendly ranks even higher than wifi. Accepting dogs in your vacation rental will increase your income. For many, dogs aren’t seen as pets but as family members. They are often our best friends, they bring joy wherever they go. No home feels quite right without your pet, so why not bring them with you? 48% of American families own a dog. The number of guests traveling with dogs is increasing every year. According to a TripAdvisor survey, 53% of pet owners take their furry friends on the road with them. However, less than 25% of vacation properties welcome pets with their owners.This ratio plays a big role in favour of those who open their holiday home to dogs. With so many potential customers looking for pet-friendly properties, offering this service is likely to increase your bookings and will allow you to increase your stay costs. Being pet-friendly when renting out your home or villa means that your potential clientele will increase greatly, resulting in a higher occupancy rate. After analyzing the statistics of our partners, such as Airbnb and Homeaway, we found that pet-friendly vacation rentals generated higher rental income and occupancy than those that did not accept dogs – between 10% and 20% more. Accepting dogs will generate repeat rentals from the customers. Paying someone to feed, walk and watch your dog every day can be very expensive for the owner, not to mention the anxiety and stress of separation for both parties. By providing dog-friendly accommodations, you allow patrons to create memories with the whole family, which is likely to generate a return for your visitors in the years to come. Man’s best friend will also allow you to increase the length of the stays of the travelers. When a traveler wants to relocate for a long time, it becomes essential for them to find a property that will accept their faithful companion. Asking their friends and families to keep Fido for a week or two, can work, but when the stay stretches over 3 weeks or more, family and friends become scarce and the cost of institutional care becomes prohibitive. Do not worry about the condition of your property. Worried about the damage that Fido could cause you to your rental property during his visit? Statistics show that tenants of short term rentals that accommodate dogs and those who refuse them show the same cleanliness score and the same house conditions when the visitors leave. Dog or no dog, you won’t tell a difference. You will increase the off-season rental occupation. Looking to fill slow rental periods? Opening your doors to pets will increase rentals during times of low traffic. We found that occupancy rates were much higher in dog-friendly houses during the slow season. Note that guests book more last-minute trips out of season. With a small window between the reservation and the stay, it can be difficult to find a place to keep the dog. Competition for dog-friendly homes is lower at this time of year, guests can both book the perfect accommodation and be accompanied by their dog. In conclusion Open your doors to pets, especially dogs. By accepting dogs in your holiday home, you will increase bookings throughout the year and you will also see increased returns from past clients. The risk of damage is far outweighed by the increase in income, which in addition will not prevent you from increasing cleaning costs when a client reserves with a pet, a practice widely accepted by dog owners. So, make the right decision and increase your income, say: Good boy Fido, good boy!
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