Barbados takes one of the top slots in the best beach designation section of the Sunday Times Travel Magazine (Jan 2012) annual readers awards.
Barbados has both sugary white sand beaches and exotic pink sand beaches.
It is a coral island, and its sandy beaches are made from coral reefs that have been ground into a fine powder by the ocean's waves. So almost all of Barbados' beaches are made of fine, pristine sand, perfect for sinking your toes into.
The St James luxury apartment hotel is located in Paynes Bay on the stretch of the Barbados West Coast that is called the ‘Gold Coast’, which is well known for the sparkling warm waters that gently lap onto beaches of golden sand.
For the most part, the waters of the west coast are calm and the beaches clean.
You can take a refreshing dip in the clear sea or soak up some sun on any of this region's magnificently golden beaches. Almost all of the beaches on the west coast feature smooth sapphire waters that are ideal for swimming, and clean coral sands on which to relax and soak up the radiant island sunshine.
Paynes Bay itself is consistently rated
as among the ‘best of the best’.
The waves are gentle and the water is clear and although it does get busy at times, it’s still quite easy to find a quiet spot all to yourself. Alternatively you can find a busy spot and enjoy some great ‘people watching’! Families, couples and single travellers all congregate here, so there's a good mix of people, making Paynes Bay a great beach for everyone, unless you really don’t want to see another soul all day!
There are several magnificent beaches along this coast. You can choose from Brandons, Batts Rock, Fitts Village, Paynes Bay, Sandy Lane and Folkestone Park in St.James or Mullins Bay and Heywoods in St.Peter, and many more along the way! At each of these beaches you will find the calm azure waters of the Caribbean Sea that are perfect for swimming and clean coral sands on which to relax and soak up the brilliant Caribbean sunshine.
You may of course like to take a trip to the east side of the island.
This is easily accessible from the St James. Here huge waves crash along the shore and coral reefs. Because the ocean currents and waves are so strong on the east coast, this area is not recommended for swimming.
Instead you could enjoy a relaxing stroll along the quiet beaches, sunbathe on the sandy shores or enjoy a picnic or have lunch. Some popular beach areas on the east coastline are the Soup Bowl located at Bathsheba, which is a hit especially among surfers, and the scenic Cattlewash, which boasts picturesque beach landscapes. Have lunch at the popular Roundhouse Restaurant overlooking the Soup Bowl.
The north coast
The waters on the northern coast of Barbados are also choppy, and it is dangerous to swim in open waters. But the scenery on this side of the island is something to behold. The panoramic views and amazing landscape make the north coast the perfect spot for a beach picnic or some afternoon sightseeing. When visiting this part of the island check out private bays like River Bay and Cove Bay, rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean, and beach caves perfect for exploring.
