Bottom Bay Beach?

[redjeni2002]

I've seen pictures of this beach and it looks amazing, but it also looks like it's quite far from Bridgetown. Would this beach be a possibility for a cruise stop in Bridgetown? We'll be docked for 8 hours. How far is it by taxi? What would be the cost? And also, are there any bars or chair rentals on the beach? Thanks so much for info!!!

[swartz]

Im leaving april 5th. I have the same question?

[Aplmac]

I've seen pictures of this beach and it looks amazing, but it also looks like it's quite far from Bridgetown. ===> Yup.

Would this beach be a possibility for a cruise stop in Bridgetown? ===> Possible -an early start would help.;)

We'll be docked for 8 hours. How far is it by taxi? What would be the cost? ===> On the pricey side..

And also, are there any bars or chair rentals on the beach? ===> No way!

Bottom Bay is as remote as it is non-commercial.

 

Most you'll get is a few local guys selling trinkets and maybe a cold drink..maybe..

but otherwise there are zero amenities at Bottom Bay other than a (volleyball?) net someone stuck up there ages ago

and probably should be taken down becoz it spoils the look of the place.

 

 

 

You will need either a taxi or a rented car to get you there.

If you use a taxi, you will need to have him wait on you.

 

Your best bet may be to do this: IF you choose to taxi it..

plan on CRANE as your day Over There.

The ambience is similar(they're about 2 miles apart,on the same coast)

but do Bottom Bay briefly first, spend half an hour, take pics and then move on to Crane for the rest of your day,

where you can release your taximan.

Hours later when you're done with the Crane and want to head back, getting a taxi at The Crane is no problem

but there's noooo taxis waiting for your business at Bottom Bay

(You'll see!)

 

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

 

If you choose to rent a car, you're much free-er

and your only worry then will be finding the place.

Rental cars usually come with a decent map of the island

and if you ask the rental guy he'll point it out for you, on the map.

Driving yourself, plan on 1.5 hrs. to find it

(if I was driving you, it would be 50 mins.)

 

 

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[redjeni2002]

Aplmac, thank you so much for your advice. A few more questions: If we rented a car, is it safe to leave it parked at the beach while we spend a few hours?

 

If we took your suggestion for hiring a taxi for Bottom Bay and then releasing him at Crane beach, any idea on how much that would cost?

 

Lastly, can you swim at Bottom Bay or is the undertow too dangerous?

 

Thanks again!!!

[Aplmac]

Aplmac, thank you so much for your advice. ===> Velly velkom!

A few more questions:

If we rented a car, is it safe to leave it parked at the beach while we spend a few hours? ===> Yes! just lock it (if it is lockable)

If we took your suggestion for hiring a taxi for Bottom Bay and then releasing him at Crane beach,

any idea on how much that would cost? ===> can't help U there sorry

Lastly, can you swim at Bottom Bay or is the undertow too dangerous?

If it's a rough day the 'beach break' will make it difficult for you to get out beyond the breakers.

It's not so much a matter of 'undertow' - there may be some small down-the-coast current, out beyond the breakers

but only stronger ,confident, water-worthy swimmers go out there

(it's not impossible, in fact it's quite pleasant)

 

Look...neither Bottom Bay or Crane are places where you go to swim, so let's get that straight.

Accra/Rockley is a much better bet for swimming -even if it is surfy,that day

plus it's a lot closer to the ship/dock!

 

If swimming or soaking is your thing, you want West Coast, unless there's a North Swell running that day

-in which case head for Accra..on the South Coast! :)

 

It's complicated, isn't it...:D

[redjeni2002]

Aplmac, again, than, you! We're not big swimmers, but we would like to be able to get into the water a bit to cool off.

 

I think if we decide to go to Bottom Bay, we'll just rent a car for the day. That way we can check out some other places too if we tire of Bottom Bay.

 

Thanks for your help-it's much appreciated!!! :D

[NHRedSoxFan]

It's difficult to "get into the water a bit and cool off" at Bottom Bay. Not only is the water rough, but it drops off quickly and it's very difficult to get in without getting knocked over. You have to be a very good swimmer to just get wet. Crane is rough but not as much and it's easy to get in and get wet - great for enjoying the waves.

 

I wouldn't plan on spending much time at Bottom Bay. It's good for taking pictures but not practical for a day at the beach. I think the idea of Bottom Bay is better than the reality of being there. Another secluded beach is Foul Bay. I never see any mention of it on the boards, but it's just before Crane - a public beach with never more than 3 or 4 other people on it. Not as rough as Bottom Bay and closer to the port.

 

Pictures of Foul Bay

[redjeni2002]

Thanks for the suggestion of Foul Bay-it looks beautiful! Is Foul Bay easy to find? We might consider renting a car, driving up to Bottom Bay, checking it out, and then spending the rest of the day at Foul Bay. Thanks again!

[NHRedSoxFan]

Foul Bay is on the same road as the Crane. It's a right turn and there is a small sign like a street sign that shows the road that leads to the beach.

 

We have driven rental cars in Barbados but not for just a day. We go for two weeks at a time and drive all over the island. It's not an easy island for finding your way around. There are very few street signs and once you leave the west coast there really are no coastal roads like other islands, so it's not like you can just follow the coast to go from beach to beach. There are a lot of dead ends that end up at beaches, so it's interesting to explore in a car.

 

Instead of road signs corresponding to road names on a map you'll come to intersections with painted wooden signs (arrow shaped) showing the directon to landmarks. Just give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship in case you get lost. I also recommend that you review the map of Barbados ahead of time. http://www.barbados.org/maps.htm

 

You could easily rent a car and do all three - Foul Bay, Crane and Bottom Bay in a day and have lunch either at the Crane Resort (L'Azure) or at Cutters Deli, which is right outside the main entrance to the Crane. If you don't attempt to go to Bathsheba from there you probably won't get lost. From the port you'd follow the directions to the airport, there are a lot of signs to direct you to Grantley Adams. Go past the airport and you'll come to Foul Bay first - 5 or 10 minutes from there is the Crane Resort entrance, next the public access entrance to Crane Beach. From this point follow your map to Bottom Bay, which is about a 15 minute drive from Crane. Other attractions nearby are Heritage Park & Rum Factory, where they make Foursquares Rum, the Sudbury Plantation House and Ocean Park.

 

When are you going?

[redjeni2002]

We'll be in Barbados on March 26th. I can't decide what to do, I guess we'll just see what we feel like when we get there! :D

[shecht]

redjenni2002, see you on the ship, we are going to be there as well. This is our first cruise ever and I am completely overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do on each day as far as planned ship excursions or our own excursions...:D