How Do You Pick Which Beach?

[cprincess]

GREAT! Thanks for the advice. That's where we'll go then.:o

[Aplmac]

GREAT! Thanks for the advice.

That's where we'll go then.

You won't be sorry.

Accra as we locals call it, is a VERRY popular beach...

 

we call it that because the big hotel right on the beach

is Accra Beach Hotel..!

The taxi driver will know you're a tourist if you ask for Rockley Beach.

"Oh! - you mean Accra!" he'll say. lol.

 

You can rent beach-chairs and 'brellas... there are snacks & drinks stalls nearby,

showers and maybe changing rooms,too

and tourist-garments stalls(colorful shirts, wraps for the girls,etc.)

all right there

have a nice day!

 

remember to look for the pink sand(more visible on a low tide)

[cprincess]

Oh I can't wait. It all sounds just beautiful!:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Came looking for info on beaches and want to thank all of you for this amazing input! I've written it all down, will do a little more research and decide what's best for us. We'll be there in early December.

 

It's especially great to get such great info from you folks in Barbados. If you guys don't know the best beaches, who would?:D

 

We've been there a few times and stayed at Paradise Beach for a week in the early 80's. One visit we went to the beach at Sam Lord's Castle. Is that still there? Beautiful beach ... very surfy! But we loved it.

 

Thanks again!:)

[Aplmac]

 

We've been there a few times and stayed at Paradise Beach for a week in the early 80's.

One visit we went to the beach at Sam Lord's Castle.

Is that still there? Beautiful beach ... very surfy! But we loved it.

The Paradise Beach Hotel that you and I fondly remember

is no more.

It 'lay fallow' for at least a decade, but is now being worked on BIGtime!

 

I drove down the hill on Tues. morning to discover a construction site!

Almost the entire thing has been levelled,

- someone's spending a lot of money on the site.

No doubt it'll be fabulous when it's done.

While I was there, Adventure of the Seas was making her way in.

so I took this picture specially for you.

 

 

Is Sam Lord's Beach still there?

of course it is...that too awaits you.

[HeatherInFlorida]

aplmac, that is so exciting! You mean they're working on Paradise Beach? I wonder what they're going to do there!!! When we were on Barbados a few years ago we took a tour that sailed along that shore. Our guide told us then that someone had bought the property and would be doing something there. But I've checked a few times and found no news.

 

Such a beautiful location and you could see the ships coming in and leaving. Such a pretty beach ... wonderful memories.

 

We also went to a wonderful restaurant located somewhere in the middle of the island ... I think it was called Bagatelle? It was just wonderful.

 

We'll be coming on Holland America's Veendam this trip.

[Aplmac]

aplmac, that is so exciting! You mean they're working on Paradise Beach?

I wonder what they're going to do there!!!

Such a beautiful location and you could see the ships coming in and leaving.

Such a pretty beach ... wonderful memories.

 

We also went to a wonderful restaurant located somewhere in the middle of the island ...

I think it was called Bagatelle? It was just wonderful.

At the site, there's a big sign up

with the name of the outfit wot's doing the construction

and who it's for, What Hotel it'll be...

a big name like Raddisson,but not that.

Clearly it's going to be a nice big hotel with great landscaping,etc.

Yes, Butch Stewart of Sandals,Jamaica bought it sometime around 1990

and let it just sit there for a decade or more, til it rotted....

- something about labour problems locally,

or Govern-mental interference...you know how these things go in the Caribbean!

 

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

 

Yes, Bagatelle is/was a restaurant inland a ways,but not far away.

I think it's got a 'tavern' thing now, by the name of Lord Willoughby's

- it operates like a pub downstairs,I believe.

I see it listed,commercial-style, in the phone book

as Bagatelle Great House so it looks like it's still going.

 

They're keeping reservations for you, so don't stand them up, okay?

[floridalady]

hi dennis-

see you are going on pearl---I would love to hear what you thought of the service-food-rooms when you get back.We have wanted to go on Norweign but we keep hearing about the service and food and are reluctant.Enjoy.

 

 

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

[HeatherInFlorida]

Bagatelle is a fine old plantation house dating back to the 1800's. I'm glad it's still in business ... just checked it on the internet and looks like it's still going strong! We won't be able to go there this trip, but we may go back to Barbados for a week before too long. In my search I found what looks like a really nice house on Freshwater Beach, not far from Paradise.

 

I'd love to go back and visit all our favorite restaurants ... Pisces, Brown Sugar, etc.

 

Barbados is a wonderful place to spend some time ... not like many other Caribbean islands where there's not all that much to do. There's something for everyone. My mother used to spend a month a Rostrevor ... she loved it!

 

Thanks again for all the beach info! Too bad we only have a day to enjoy this time:) .

[scperk]

Floridalady...yes we are going to try NCL, I haven't been on NCL since '99..This time we will prob post a review so I will keep notes..Just look for it in early Nov...It looks like we will prob go to Accra beach, unless our new CC buddies convince us to go to Crane Beach with them....Dennis

[romy]

Floridalady...yes we are going to try NCL, I haven't been on NCL since '99..This time we will prob post a review so I will keep notes..Just look for it in early Nov...It looks like we will prob go to Accra beach, unless our new CC buddies convince us to go to Crane Beach with them....Dennis

 

http://photos.igougo.com/pictures-photos-l119-s1-p204777-Crane_Beach.html

 

I'm still trying Dennis! Now tell me you're not tempted!!!;)

 

See you soon!!!

Romy

[floridalady]

do let me know about ncl and do have a great time.

And maybe someone can tell me if accra beach has a place to get a nice cold pina colada????

[Aplmac]

And maybe someone can tell me if Accra beach has a place

to get a nice cold Pina Colada??

The Accra Beach Hotel is right there,

and their Barman can fix you a Pina Colada, I'm sure!

 

I'm pretty sure the hotel has a swim-up-to-it Bar in the pool,

so you can soak and sip at the same time.

It's a hard life but some poor sod has to live it

- might as well be you!

[goneclear]

At the site, there's a big sign up

with the name of the outfit wot's doing the construction

and who it's for, What Hotel it'll be...

a big name like Raddisson,but not that.

Clearly it's going to be a nice big hotel with great landscaping,etc.

Yes, Butch Stewart of Sandals,Jamaica bought it sometime around 1990

and let it just sit there for a decade or more, til it rotted....

- something about labour problems locally,

or Govern-mental interference...you know how these things go in the Caribbean!

 

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

 

Yes, Bagatelle is/was a restaurant inland a ways,but not far away.

I think it's got a 'tavern' thing now, by the name of Lord Willoughby's

- it operates like a pub downstairs,I believe.

I see it listed,commercial-style, in the phone book

as Bagatelle Great House so it looks like it's still going.

 

They're keeping reservations for you, so don't stand them up, okay?

 

Hi Aplmac, just for your info the hotel being built on the paradise beach site will be a Four Seasons. Definately high end.

P.S Kadooment was good.

All the best.

[Aplmac]

Hi Aplmac, just FYI the hotel being built on the Paradise Beach site

will be a Four Seasons. Definitely high end.

P.S Kadooment was good. ===> Kadooment is Tobago Mas,man!

Yes, I found that out yesterday p.m., when I photographed the signs!!

(posted them elsewhere on this Barbados section,

but here they are again,anyway)

 

Nice that it'll be "high-end".

[mmaj]

Alpmac or anyone, you mentioned Sandy Lane, do they let people purchase a day pass? I heard you can swim with turtles right on their beach. We have been to Barbados 2X, last time was on an excursion that let us snorkel with turtles but this time around, we are cruising in Nov to Barbados again and we would like to just take a cab to a beach known to have turtles. Any info anyone has would be so helpful to me. thx!

mmaj

[twopeas]

I would like to take a taxi to a calm beach that is not more than 30 minutes from the cruise terminal.

Can you give me the recommendations.

Also, which hotels welcome "outsider"?

[Aplmac]

I would like to take a taxi to a calm beach that is not more than 30 minutes from the cruise terminal.

Can you give me the recommendations.

Also, which hotels welcome "outsider"?

You need to head up he West Coast towards the Holetown area

Nice beaches up that way, with amenities, bars.

 

We sailed past all these beaches yesterday

on the Harbour Master coastal cruise

- the photo below shows Paynes Bay (I think)

 

Maybe someone better informed than I

can tell you about which hotels welcome day-cruisers.

 

Nice big MAP of the island at

http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/newton/568/brm.gif

[Dolphins]

aplmac- Our cruise ship is offering an excursion called "South Coast Beach Break" to Dover Beach. Can't find that beach in any guide book or map. Do you know anything about it? Usually calm or rough? Appreciate all your info. Many thanks.

[Aplmac]

aplmac- Our cruise ship is offering an excursion called "South Coast Beach Break" to Dover Beach.

Can't find that beach in any guide book or map.

Do you know anything about it? Usually calm or rough?

If you find St.Lawrence, or St.Lawrence Gap - on the South Coast

Dover is right there.

 

For a South Coast beach, it's on the calm somewhat-sheltered side

but that's not to say it's gonna be calm.

It's got watersports and is quite popular with tourists,

especially since St.Lawrence Gap is the nightclub/entertainment center

of the South Coast.

 

It's not as nice as Accra,

which you'll get to about a mile before you get to Dover,

but it's worth a try: there are handicraft/curio-type shops there,

in the car park.

 

Try it. lots of tourists go there!

[Dolphins]

If you find St.Lawrence, or St.Lawrence Gap - on the South Coast

Dover is right there.

 

For a South Coast beach, it's on the calm somewhat-sheltered side

but that's not to say it's gonna be calm.

It's got watersports and is quite popular with tourists,

especially since St.Lawrence Gap is the nightclub/entertainment center

of the South Coast.

 

It's not as nice as Accra,

which you'll get to about a mile before you get to Dover,

but it's worth a try: there are handicraft/curio-type shops there,

in the car park.

 

Try it. lots of tourists go there!

 

 

aplmac- Many thanks for your prompt reply. Appreciate all the info not available elsewhere. Curious as to why the cruise line (NCL) selected it for their "South Coast Beach Break" excursion?

[Aplmac]

Curious as to why the cruise line (NCL) selected it for their "South Coast Beach Break" excursion?

perhaps because it isn't as crowded/popular as Accra/Rockley?

- and less waves than Accra,on a surfy kinda day

 

It's also a good central-South Coast location,

with shops nearby and food and drink available!

 

Don't let my comment about it being "not as nice as Accra" put you off, okay?

Accra is FABULOUS, whereas Dover is merely Great!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hi Aplnac! So would you suggest Accra is the best place to head for a nice beach?:)

 

Is it easy to get taxis back to the pier from there and is there any special part of that beach we should ask to go to?

 

Also, could you say about how much in American $$ the taxi would be?

 

Lots of questions! Thank you so much:D .

[Aplmac]

Hi Aplmac!

So would you suggest Accra is the best place to head for a nice beach? ===> Oh Yeaahh!

 

Is it easy to get taxis back to the pier from there

and is there any special part of that beach we should ask to go to?

 

-about how much in American $$ the taxi would be?

Yes..real nice beach!

 

Taxi back to the pier, yes easy,

since there's an Accra Taxi stand right there

but there's also a bus stop.

 

It should be dead easy to get a bus back to Bridgetown,

since at that hour of the afternoon,

you'll be going against the general traffic flow.

 

Any special part of the beach? no. it's all good.

 

How much taxi fare one way? About US$15-20,I should think

and he'll probably drop you right at the gates to the port complex

if you decide to taxi it back to the port

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sounds great, Aplmac!!!:) Thanks so much.