Barbados Self-Guided Coastal Drive

Barbados is a small island country in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, surrounded by the calm clear water of the Caribbean Sea on the West and the wilder seas of the Atlantic Ocean on the East. It is home to some of the most welcoming people I have ever met, island roads fringed with palm trees, the strongest rum punch and clean, turquoise water that you won’t believe is real until it hits your toes.

After having visited the island a few times in the last few years (and falling more in love with it every time), I finally had a chance to show one of my closest friends why I couldn’t stop talking about this little slice of paradise.

The best way to experience the island in all of its glory is by hiring a rental car and taking yourself on a self-guided island drive. The island does have very affordable public transportation options that can get you pretty much anywhere you need to go, which is perfect for those of you traveling to Barbados on a budget. But having a car will give you the freedom to stop on a whim when you pass by something so magical that you can’t help but jump out to explore.

Three of us began our island road trip from the South Coast, in Quayside near Accra. With a friend’s truck, a cooler full of drinks, and a few road snacks, we were off.

Some tips for a Barbados road trip:

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and any water gear that you would like to use. While you can rent snorkels, kayaks, and SUP boards at some beaches along the way, if you have your own I would recommend bringing it.

In Barbados, people drive on the left. If you’re coming from a country that drives on the right, make sure you feel comfortable driving on the left or have someone else drive. Driving in Barbados is not that difficult but some roads can be narrow and big buses have a tendency to fly by you.

Be road smart – don’t just stop in the middle of the road to take a photo. Pull over.

Do stop in at a local rum shack along the way! Try the macaroni pie.

Use Google Maps and don’t be afraid to ask a local for directions if you get lost – people are always willing to help.

You probably won’t be able to fit all of this into a single day unless you’re happy to just do a quick stop. If you’re like me and end up spending hours in one place (especially a beach spot), you might want to pick and choose where you would like to stop or break this up into a two day adventure. Beaches like Accra and Pebbles, even going up to Holetown, are very easy to access via public transport but you will definitely want to include the north and east coast stops on your drive as they can take a while to reach on the bus. 

ACCRA

Accra is the beach directly across from Quayside on the south coast, bookended by the Accra Hotel on one end and Tiki Bar on the other. The water here is a little bit wavy and fun for those wanting to play in the waves. From here, you can also take a walk along the boardwalk. Accra is a popular beach with the option to rent sunbeds and umbrellas and easy access to food and drink from either the shops in Quayside, Chefette, or the beach shacks selling fish cakes and other Bajan foods.

My favorite spots to grab a bite here are from the Raw Juice Bar in Quayside, the lady selling doubles in Quayside, and the Good Life Café. You’ll often find men selling coconuts or mangos next to the beach parking lot as well.

PEBBLES BEACH AND CARLISLE BAY

Drive Time From Accra: 7 minutes

Just a little further north from Accra is Pebbles Beach, another popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Pebbles has beautifully calm, clear water that is perfect for snorkeling and paddle boarding, both of which you can rent here. If you walk north up the beach and past the pier, you’ll find yourself at Carlisle Bay.

Pebbles and Carlisle are both great snorkeling spots where you can often spot some sea turtles. There is also a shipwreck at Carlisle Bay but it is recommended to snorkel there on a tour as it is a busy area for boats/jet skis and you can be difficult for them to spot.

BRIDGETOWN

Drive Time From Pebbles: 5 minutes

The first city that you’ll come across on your island tour is Bridgetown. This is the capital city of Barbados and the largest that you will find here. You can find tons of street stalls selling fresh tropical fruit and budget-friendly, local-priced produce from Cheapside Market. Downtown Bridgetown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fun place to wander. You can do some shopping on Broad Street and Swan Street, look at the Parliament Buildings, take a walk over the Chamberlain Bridge, see the George Washington House or go to the horse races nearby.

BATTS ROCK

Drive Time From Bridgetown: 10 minutes

As you continue your drive north, you’ll pass by an Esso station on your left and just around the corner from that you can take the road left, down a hill that will take you to Batts Rock. This is one of my absolute favorite beaches in all of Barbados. The Esso just before is the only place around where you can grab a drink or a snack and it is a popular beach for locals and the students living at the nearby university.

The water here is crystal clear, calm, and the most magnificent shade of blue that you’ll never want to leave. As a former UWI student, this beach and Paradise Beach, just south of Batts Rock, became my most frequented spot on the island and a place where I saw the best cotton-candy sunsets of my life.

FITTS VILLAGE

Drive Time From Batts Rock: 4 minutes

Fitts Village is next up on the drive: a small village with a few restaurants, a supermarket, and the best pina coladas. The beach here is a popular place for snorkeling tours to come thanks to the tranquil water and the likelihood of spotting some turtles. Il Tiempo is a beachfront restaurant run by a friendly Italian expat and a place that fueled my pina colada obsession for six months.

I wouldn’t necessarily consider Fitts Village a necessary stop, but if you have the time and are curious, the beach is nice and – have I mentioned? – the pina coladas are delicious.

HOLETOWN

Drive Time From Fitts Village: 12 minutes

Holetown is the next major town along the way and home to a number of high-end retail shops of Limegrove, some nice restaurants and the annual Holetown Festival in February. The beaches in this area continue the theme of calm waters, the sea-side boardwalk makes for a nice stroll, and Chattel Village is a good spot for unique shops, handmade goods and local art.

SPEIGHTSTOWN

Drive Time From Holetown: 16 minutes

Speightstown is a great spot along the way to take a look at a piece of Barbados that appears to have retained its traditional charm. Queen’s Street is the main street of Speightstown, filled with old colorful buildings.

ANIMAL FLOWER CAVE

Drive Time From Speightstown: 18 minutes

One of my favorite spots along this drive is up in St. Lucy, the northern parish of Barbados. Here, the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean collide and Mother Nature puts on a delightful show of power in the waves crashing against the cliffs. You can walk along the cliffs here, feel the rush of the wind and find blowholes shooting off big sprays of salty sea.

Animal Flower Cave is an actual cave beneath the cliffs that you can go into. For a small fee, a guide will take you down and lead you through the caves until you reach a gorgeous pool of water to swim in. The pool overlooks the ocean from a natural window in the rock. Be careful in here as sometimes the waves can be unpredictable and it is recommended not to get too close to the outer edge of the pool. I’ve visited this spot a number of times now and love that the guides don’t rush you to get out of the pool.

RIVER BAY

Drive Time From Animal Flower Cave: 8 minutes

River Bay is the next stop, not too far away from Animal Flower Cave. The water funnels in here from the sea with shallow spots for bathing. The currents here can be strong, so you want to be careful if you go in the water. To the left is a hill that you can climb up for some beautiful views.

CHERRY TREE HILL

Drive Time From River Bay: 20 minutes

This is one of my favorite spots on the drive. This side of the island feels far removed from the busy south coast; a place where nature has been left rugged and unspoiled. You’ll drive towards Nicholas Abbey, through the other-worldly mahogany trees and then you’ll reach the top of a hill. Pull over at the top of the hill to take a moment to soak in all the views of the east coast from here.

When you’re ready to get back in the car, the road will take you down a winding hill, palm trees scattered about, taking you closer and closer to the ocean rolling into the shore. You’ll also pass the Morgan Lewis windmill on your right. Rumor has it that somewhere along this hill is a spot where something in gravity will pull your vehicle back UP the hill a bit. Hard as we tried, we couldn’t figure it out. If you discover this magic, or if you’re a local and have seen it done, let me know! Or am I just a gullible tourist?

BATHSHEBA

Drive Time From Cherry Tree Hill: 16 minutes

This stretch of beach is a popular spot and a must-see destination in Barbados. This is where you can find the famous surf spot, the Soup Bowl, and watch surfers catch some waves. With local rum shacks in the area to grab a Banks and some traditional food, Bathsheba and nearby Cattlewash are the perfect spot to spend a little time for a picnic and exploring the beach.

At the southern end of this area, you can find a walking trail that leads you out and around the hills. If you can find it, it’s a fun little walk if you’re feeling the need to stretch your legs and explore a little.

CRANE BEACH

Drive Time From Bathsheba: 30 minutes

As you drive back into the south coast, you’ll have a chance to stop at the ever so popular Crane Beach. It’s a small beach with a lot of people thanks to the hotel beside it, but it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Barbados.

OISTINS

Drive Time From Crane Beach: 23 minutes

End your coastal drive in Oistins. If you’re doing this drive on a Friday, you can stop in Oistins for their Friday night Fish Fry. It’s a fun experience with tons of food at reasonable prices and huge portions, local crafts, dancing and liming.

If you’re looking to catch some live music you could end your island drive at Surfer’s Café to grab some dinner, some drinks, and listen to some local island musicians for a few hours. They also have stunning views from their sea-side tables. 

It can take around three hours to drive around the coast of the island. Depending on how much time you want to spend at each location and how many stops you choose to make, I would plan to spend at minimum half a day up to a full day to do this drive.

Have you been to Barbados? Where else would you recommend along the coast?