by Angela Braun, GoGirlfriend correspondent
Beach 411 ~ Carlisle Bay Beach, Barbados
Immediately Outside the Capital City of Bridgetown, Barbados
- Beach type: Cruise ship central
- Beach geography: Warm, calm, sheltered turquoise blue sea with catamarans and yachts anchored along this mile long shoreline. Pack your beach shoes to protect your feet from the sea urchins near the shore.
- Ease of access: Vehicular and public access
- Extra costs: No extra costs
- Beach amenities: Rent an umbrella or a beach chair; utilize free parking, shaded picnic areas, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, change rooms and a few beach bars.
- Special note: Dive under and uncover some of the Caribbean’s manifold mysteries within this bustling bay.
- Geo-locator: Where is Carlisle Bay?
A beach designed for exploring
With a plethora of shipwrecks, sea turtles, sails and sights your week vacation or day trip to Carlisle Bay is sure to be an unforgettable one. Home to three beaches including Brownes, Bayshore and Pebbles, you’ll have no trouble finding the most suitable beach spot for your gear, your umbrella and most importantly, you.
Carlisle Bay & beyond activities
Search out spiky sea urchins, sea anemones, schools of fish, starfish, corals, clams, sea cucumbers, a wide variety of other colorful fish and more as you embark on this fun and free opportunity to snorkel and dive. Many visitors to the beach report turtle sightings both off and on the beach and report the turtles are friendly and make for postcard-perfect pictures. Read a book, listen to music, mingle with the locals and chill.
- Want to snorkel with a pro? Get professional training at Dive Barbados Blue
- Familiarize yourself with the history that surrounds you in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Bridgetown and its Garrison.
- Get your adrenaline pumping with watersports at the northern end of the bay with The Boatyard.
From hockey, food, wine and rum festivals, swimming championships, to rugby, tennis, cricket and dominos tournaments, Bridgetown of Barbados is where the island’s major annual events take place.
Carlisle Bay nightlife
Host to a fabulous Caribbean show, depicting the culture and talents of the island, Harbour Lights caters to all age groups during this unforgettable evening of entertainment, food and drinks. On Wednesday and Friday nights, the club is in high gear, catering to adults with cheap drinks, themed parties and varied music, which all add to the spice of the beach club vibe. If you’re visiting the island via a cruise, you’ll find lots going on during the day too, including pub-style food, cold drinks and free wifi – and no cover charge. It’s a 5 minute cab ride from the cruise ship terminal, roughly $4 per person.
GoGirlfriend Carlisle Bay hotel recommendations
Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados: Beachfront hotel with 124 rooms and all the amenities you’ve come to expect from this chain, including wifi, kids clubs and a variety of dining options. Visit Radisson Aquatica Resort on Facebook and read reviews on TripAdvisor.
Grand Barbados Beach Resort: With a mile of white sandy beaches spread out before it, this upscale 134-room hotel caters to travelers who appreciate the luxuries of an exclusive resort. The 6th and 7th floors of the hotel are reserved for business travelers only, offering additional privacy and business services. Pier 1 restaurant will satisfy your needs but you’re also within walking distance of a wide variety of beach restaurants – just in case you’re in the mood for exploring. Visit Grand Barbados Beach Resort online.
Island Inn Hotel: This 24-room, all-inclusive property is a short walk from Pebbles Beach and caters to business travelers with air conditioned, contemporary-styled rooms and full conference facilities. Dining is available on-site as is a picnic service, should you wish to dine on the beach. Visit the Island Inn Hotel on Facebook and read reviews on TripAdvisor.
Hilton Barbados Resort: With all the amenities you’d expect from a Hilton hotel and the added bonus of being on the beach, this hotel is a smart choice for the discerning leisure traveler as well as business travelers who may need additional meeting facilities. Visit Hilton Barbados Resort on Facebook and Twitter or read reviews on TripAdvisor.
Nautilus Beach Apartments: 11 one-bedroom units, 2 studios and 2 superior units. Beachfront apartments lie at the heart of the Garrison Historic Area, home to the Barbados Museum and George Washington House. Nautilus Beach Apartments are located just one mile from the capital of Bridgetown, nightclubs and shopping, 20 minutes from the Grantley Adams International Airport, and 15 minutes from the United States Embassy. Visit Nautilus Beach Apartments on Facebook and read reviews on TripAdvisor.
Gloria's Hillside View Airbnb (Apes Hill, Barbados): Hillside View Airbnb is a lovely private countryside residence located on 18,000 sq ft of lush, spacious grounds. It offers a very breezy & cool ambience with stunning views of the picturesque East Coast.
For more hotel recommendations throughout Carlisle Bay, Barbados, we recommend visiting Booking.com.
Carlisle Bay weather
The average annual high for the island of Barbados is 86°F with an average annual low of 68°F. Dry season begins in December and ends in June, whereas the wet season begins in July and ends in November.
For more information or help planning your next Barbados getaway, visit:
Read our other Barbados beach guides:
Ever been to Carlisle Bay in Barbados? We'd love hear what you love about it! Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook – and let's continue the conversation!
Check out our
Post new comment