South Coast

The South Coast is the most developed area of Barbados and is now considered to be the most vibrant and lively spot on the island with its numerous hotels and apartments, beautiful white sand beaches, the new boardwalk punctuated with open-air restaurants and watering holes, fine dining, live entertainment and nightlife to be found everywhere, golf, waterman sports, horse racing, visitor attractions, fitness centres, small shopping centers, supermarkets, cinemas and a drive-in, spas and lots more!! The South Coast offers that blissful tropical magic which visitors seek, with first world conveniences.

Accommodation on the South Coast ranges from smaller more intimate inns, guesthouses and hotels to all-inclusive resorts, business hotels and a number of high-end luxury condominiums and residential properties at affordable prices.

There are some very good property investment opportunities available on this hip and happening coast: The Condominiums at Palm Beach located on prime beachfront property in Hastings, the brand new Ocean Reef Suites with its views of both St. Lawrence Bay and Worthing Lagoon and The Ocean Two Residences located on Rainbow Beach in St. Lawrence Gap.

The splendid boardwalk extends from Accra Beach in Rockley, one of the most popular beaches, to the Historic Garrison Area in Hastings. There are several bars and restaurants along the walk and they welcome you to sit and enjoy the stunning sea views and cooling breeze that this coast enjoys. You will find many Barbadians exercising around sunrise and sunset at both the boardwalk and The Garrison Savannah. 'Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison' was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on June 25, 2011! There is no higher form of recognition for a heritage site in the World, thus this is a great achievement for Barbados.

Some noteworthy attractions to visit and tour on the South Coast are: The Garrison Savannah, for action-packed horse racing (check Events for details), the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, a fascinating institution of the island's history and cultural heritage and George Washington House, the only house outside of the US where George Washington ever resided.

Almost every day of the year you can find some kind of action along Barbados' shorelines. The South Coast presents excellent and exciting conditions for waterman sports at all levels - surfing, kitesurfing, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

You can also just soak up the sun and relax on of one of the glorious, palm-fringed South Coast beaches. There are many, so you are going to be spoilt for choice: Carlisle Bay is a lovely undeveloped crescent shaped bay with yachts at anchor offshore running from Bridgetown for two miles to the landmark Hilton hotel. Accra Beach has lots of people and lots of action - great for swimming, body surfing and picnics with plenty of good food and drinks on sale. Dover Beach (kayaks and hobie cats for rent) and Sandy Beach are both nice expanses of beach and have good swimming conditions.

Also known as Enterprise beach, Miami Beach, which is close to Oistins, offers crystal clear blue sea and white sand. It is a popular spot with visitors and Bajans, who congregate there for picnic lunches especially on weekends under the shade of the many casuarina trees. You can purchase a light lunch and drinks on the beach or enjoy a tasty lunch at Cafe Luna at Little Arches.

The South Coast is the place to find great nightlife in Barbados. In the Worthing area, St. Lawrence Gap or "The Gap" as the locals call it, is a mile-long or so long brick-paved street of everything for everyone: hotels; resorts; condominiums; restaurants, some of which overlook the beautiful bay; pulsating live, late night entertainment, nightclubs, bars, pubs, lounges all illuminated by antique street lamps. So bring your dancing shoes if you are visiting The Gap after sundown, as a lot of the places offer themed music nights and it's tempting to dance the night away into the morning hours!

The Plantation Restaurant and Harbour Lights both put on wonderful Barbadian shows with a barbecue dinner and drinks all included. Harbour Lights also hosts some wonderful party nights which are popular with Barbadians, making it a great place to go and meet locals. The coastal town of Oistins is known as the island's fishing capital, and at night it is the place be for the famous Fish Fry complimented by the upbeat local music playing! Friday night is by far the most popular night with plenty of great entertainment including ballroom dancing. If you get there early you can usually spot some sea turtles swimming around the jetty hoping for tasty morsels being tossed into the water by fishermen cleaning their catch.