North Friar's Beach to South Friar's Beach

[KatPem]

Does anyone know if it is realistic to walk from North Friar's Beach to South Friar's Beach or vice-versa? They look close enough but not having been there, didn't know the reality. Thanks in advance!

[Lard Greystoke]

Does anyone know if it is realistic to walk from North Friar's Beach to South Friar's Beach or vice-versa? They look close enough but not having been there, didn't know the reality. Thanks in advance!

 

Having done it a couple of months ago, I know the reality. I lived it.

 

Both lie under the brow of Sir Timothy's Hill, which offers a famous view of both the Atlantic and Caribbean sides. From the hill North Friar's is a long strip of tan sand on your left (Atlantic) side; from this angle you can't see South Friar's beach itself, but there is a good view of the southeast peninsula curving along the Caribbean down to Nevis. (There is also a view over your shoulder to the very handsome North Frigate Bay).

 

I only approached both beaches from the north side. North Friar's is closer, down a twenty or thirty foot slope on a tramped-down path. Not hard for a fit person, but not what you would call accessible. The beach itself is 725 yards long, absolutely undeveloped, no buildings, burgers, drinks or, when I was there, people. Just a Robinson Crusoe-like view out to six-foot Atlantic waves. The south side looks as if access might be easier, but I did not investigate.

 

From the north side of the beach to South Friar's is a jog to the left, then right down a flat quarter of a mile to the Carambola facility. This is very user-friendly, with civilized six-inch Caribbean waves and food and drinks and bathrooms and water toys and people. Also a very scenic view across a curving bay to the cloud-shrouded and brooding Nevis. I know that there are other establishments to the south but I was too short of time to visit them.

 

The beaches are maybe fifteen minutes apart. This is a very flat part of the island so apart from the improvised trail down to North Friar's, not very strenuous. The two beaches are a complete contrast of wild and tame.

 

Sir Timothy Hill is near enough for a somewhat longer and considerably more demanding hike. There is a lookout point convenient to the highway on the east spur. A steep road goes another hundred feet or so up the hill itself. It looks like it would be possible to scramble even higher through the brush to the summit, but I didn't try it. Hill is maybe 400 feet or so.

 

From the sea the contrast between the several hills and the flat areas between is conspicuous, looking like the tail of a giant dragon.