How Do You Pick Which Beach?

[scperk]

How do most people pick which beach to go to. We are going to Barbados on the Pearl in October and there are so many beaches to pick from we don't know where to go. I have been to the ports of call and get several reccomendations and still not sure which to pick! For several cruises I have asked the crew member with the best tan which beach is the best. But now the Pearl in is Alaska till the week before our cruise. Maybe some crew members will still be on board from last fall and winter cruises in the Carribean....Dennis

[Sunniebgi]

picking a beach ususually depends on what you are looking for.. do you want a quite relaxing spot with a beach chair and umbrella where you can just read a book and swim when you want?? or do you want a beach club that offers all sorts of things for you do to included in one price.

 

my favorite beaches are Accra/Rockley beach on the south coast and Paynes Bay beach at the Coach House entrance on the West Coast. both are more relaxing beaches although Paynes Bay is currently where the turtles are (apparently).. and if you can get some snorkeling equip, you can swim out to where they are and see.

 

If you want more activity, try The BoatYard (check out the website).

 

good luck

[cprincess]

Could you recommend one that has beautiful sand, chairs, umbrellas with food and bar service? Prehaps even a resort that offers day passes?

[RoosterSharkey]

Exactly what I came here to ask!

[WMG/LMG]

A nice beach is at the Hilton Hotel. The Hotel let's you use their facilities at no extra charge and the beach is clean and relatively quiet since most tourists do not know about it. You might see some topless sunbathing since the beach is considered private. The cab ride from the port is not too far ($10.00 each way).

My wife and I will be travelling again to Barbados on a cruise stop and definitely plan on going back here.

 

Hope this helps.

[cprincess]

Is the sand there pink or white? I read where some beaches have pink sand and would really like to see this.

[WMG/LMG]

White sand

 

 

[cprincess]

Thanks!:D

[Brumar]

Accra Beach Resort will do day passes. new facility, nice beach area.

[cruisegal40]

Do you know how much the day pass is and what it includes. How far from the cruise term?

[ilovecruisin']

Do you know how much the day pass is and what it includes. How far from the cruise term?

 

day pass? just crash the place and don't bring your ship's beach towel, they'll never know your not a guest. thats what i always do.

[bahama2]

Accra on? Is the water rough or calm? Thanks.:confused:

[Aplmac]

Is the sand there pink or white?

I read where some beaches have pink sand and would really like to see this.

Depends on the beach.

Some are pinker than others,

some are pure white with little or no pink.

 

Walk down to the surf at Rockley Beach (known to locals as Accra)

and pick up a handful.

Look closely and you'll see it's a mixture of white and dark-pink grains.

 

The pink grains come from a pretty species of lacey calcareous algae

that lives in protected areas on the reefs.

The white comes from regular white corals, ground up over time.

There are times at low tide when the 'pink' at Accra comes thru gangbusters,

but it's not like that at all beaches.

 

The truth is probably closer to...many beaches are a pale pink,

but it depends on the variable ratio of pink-to-white grains.

 

Scenic CRANE Beach is also kinda pink,

but it's clear across the island from where your ship will be docked

(so allow for at least an hour each way)

[Aplmac]

What coast is Accra on?

Is the water rough or calm?

Accra Beach(Hotel) is on The South Coast.

 

Waters are generally somewhat surfy

(depends on wind conditions over the last few days),

but around July-September when wind speeds drop generally

Accra can be almost like a mill-pond with bathtub temperatures.

 

Overall,though it tends to be surfy

(and can get downright rough in serious hi-wind conditions).

 

Most people don't make the relationship between winds

and waves(24 hrs. later),

not realizing that waves are created by winds,

so you can almost tell for yourself whether it'll be calm or choppy.

Has it been blowing hard while you've been out at sea for the last two days?

- then you know it'll be choppy.

 

..................

 

If it's calm waters you're seeking,

our West Coast is your best bet,generally

although during winter months (November - March)

big "North swells" coming down from stormy weather N. of Puerto Rico

wrap around the West Coast and transform it(overnight!)

into sea conditions that can often be considered downright stormy,

and you don't want to go in that stuff!

 

Weather, huh?

[bahama2]

Accra Beach(Hotel) is on The South Coast.

 

Waters are generally somewhat surfy

(depends on wind conditions over the last few days),

but around July-September when wind speeds drop generally

Accra can be almost like a mill-pond with bathtub temperatures.

 

Overall,though it tends to be surfy

(and can get downright rough in serious hi-wind conditions).

 

Most people don't make the relationship between winds

and waves(24 hrs. later),

not realizing that waves are created by winds,

so you can almost tell for yourself whether it'll be calm or choppy.

Has it been blowing hard while you've been out at sea for the last two days?

- then you know it'll be choppy.

 

..................

 

If it's calm waters you're seeking,

our West Coast is your best bet,generally

although during winter months (November - March)

big "North swells" coming down from stormy weather N. of Puerto Rico

wrap around the West Coast and transform it(overnight!)

into sea conditions that can often be considered downright stormy,

and you don't want to go in that stuff!

 

Weather, huh?

Thank you so much for your input, with that information I will definitely be on the West Coast. I have 4 beaches picked out: Mullins, Paynes, Brandons and Freshwater. I looked at Accra because it was across the road from Cheffetti and I'm dying to have a roti. We won't be to Barbados until November 14th so I guess I'll pick up a taxi, do a little tour, go for a roti and then ask the driver which beach is the calmest at that time. Thanks again for your help. jeri:)

[Aplmac]

Here are two pics of the sort of calcareous algae

from which the pink granules of 'pink sand' originate

 

Yes, it's quite purple - not pink

but by the time this stuff gets ground down to sand granules

the purple coloration has long since faded and chemically decomposed itself

to pink!

[Aplmac]

Thank you so much for your input, with that information I will definitely be on the West Coast.

I have 4 beaches picked out:

Mullins, Paynes, Brandons and Freshwater.

I looked at Accra because it was across the road from Cheffetti

and I'm dying to have a roti.

We won't be to Barbados until November 14th

so I guess I'll pick up a taxi, do a little tour, go for a roti

and then ask the driver which beach is the calmest at that time.

Ah yes. good to see you have your priorities in order,

however please give the roti 15 mins to digest before taking to the water.

 

On your way to and from Bridgetown Port//Cheffette Rockley for the roti,

you would have driven around and past Barbados' best beach.

Suggest you add Carlisle Bay to your list.

It's a sweeping curve of white sand about two miles long,

starting at Bridgetown shopping area(almost!)

and ending at the Hilton Hotel!

 

A few days ago, Wife and I took an evening swim there

and it easily rivalled any West Coast sea-bathing experience I've ever had

at Sandy Lane,for example.

Nice clean white sand bottom for yer toes,etc.

 

You'll be within easy sight of your cruise ship.

The famous BOATYARD beach hangout is on this beach.

Just head for Boatyard - that's on Carlisle Bay,

where swimming is usually mellow

- calm like West Coast.

[bahama2]

Thanks again. I just have to make sure wherever I go, they have chairs, umbrellas and toilets. But I'm sure the taxi drivers know which beaches do and which do not. Again thanks for your help. jeri:)

[Aplmac]

I just have to make sure wherever I go,

they have chairs, umbrellas and toilets.

Rockley Beach/"Accra" does have chair and umbrella rentals

(Bds.$5 a day, I think)

- and maybe toilets too - nr. the showers?

Certainly there are toilets just across the road at Cheffette,

so you won't suffer too badly!

 

Carlisle Bay is becoming so popular with locals

that there's a new showers and changing rooms facility in place

(but not quite ready?) very recently built, for the public.

 

But BOATYARD should have all that stuff, I'd think

- and they're on Carlisle Bay...just closer to the Harbour

[bahama2]

I think I may wind up at Malibu Beach Club after my taxi tour and roti.:D It seems to have everything I need. Thanks again for all your help. jeri:)

[luna_goddess]

I recommend researching all the beaches on the island first, which is what you are doing here so good job!!

 

The thing I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU NOT TO DO is to just get off the ship and let one of the millions of taxi drivers take you to a beach of their choosing. Most of them have deals set up with various bars & eateries where they make money off of the people they bring there, and the places are usually huge tourist traps.

[cprincess]

Does anyone know of a beach that has the pink sand that offers chairs, umbrellas and food and drink service?

[Aplmac]

Does anyone know of a beach that has the pink sand

that offers chairs, umbrellas and food and drink service?

'Accra'/ROCKLEY Beach has pink sand (more visible at low tide)

definitely has chair and umbrella rentals,

and there are drinks stalls nearby where you can get Coke

and similar drinks - and snacks.

 

100 yds. away(across the road) is Chefette,

who do amazing hamburgers, plus nice Pizza, fried chicken,

build-it-yourself salads, etc.

so all in all Rockley Beach is probably your best bet.

 

Best of all, it isn't too far away from your cruise ship,

since it's about 20 mins. taxi-ride to the Port,

especially at that time of day when you'll be heading

against the general traffic flow, to return to the ship.

 

Hope this helps.

[cprincess]

Does ROCKLEY Beach have a lot of rocks? Just wondering if that's how it got it's name. Would prefer a smooth beach. I know, we can't have everything.

 

Would you prefer ROCKLEY Beach or the beach where the Hilton is for yourself?

[Aplmac]

Does ROCKLEY Beach have a lot of rocks?

Just wondering if that's how it got it's name.

Would prefer a smooth beach.

Would you prefer ROCKLEY Beach -or the beach where the Hilton is- for yourself?

Rockley Beach is not rocky - the Eastern half of the bay was a bit 'dodgy'

until they re-engineered it about 12 years ago, now the whole stretch is fabulous.

- pink sand! particularly visible at low tide, down where the water gently washes in.

It's probably THE nicest beach on the South Coast

(most locals will tell you that, coz we swim there!!)

 

It has a lovely sand bottom, but can be a bit surfy if the wind's been blowing

(wind generates waves).

 

Hilton Beach is very nice, and you're closer to your ship(within sight!)

Hilton has several swimming-pools mainly coz swimming in the sea there

can be a bit iffy, but again that depends on the day,

what the waves and sea conditions are like at the time.

 

Rockley ("Accra") is probably your better bet, and it's not a lot farther out.