For many, Barbados beaches mean sugar-soft white sand, clear warm waters and wafting palms. Barbados has plenty of them, particularly up the fabled West Coast, but it has all sorts of other beaches too: some enclosed by cliffs, others pounded by wild waves; some full of folk playing beach cricket or paddle tennis; others perfect for sun-lounging, snorkelling, or curling up with a book.

Since Barbados boasts over 60 beaches, there’s not enough space to cover them all here, but the best are below.

Free but covered

ALL beaches are public and free in Barbados, even if some are tricky to access because of development, beach erosion or hotel attempts at making access for outsiders difficult.

Bear in mind also that nude sunbathing is NOT permitted in Barbados.