3 Great Paddling Spots In Barbados

Barbados doesn’t always get the credit it deserves as one of the more diverse Caribbean islands, in terms of terrain and attractions. There are rocky and sandy coasts, small towns and resorts, and more remote areas for exploration. It’s a small island, but one that’s a real treat to visit, should you ever get the chance. Plus, as with most Caribbean islands, it’s full of excellent places to go paddling! We’ll highlight three of them below.

Bath Beach is located on the island’s East Coast, just north of the Coach Hill area. While there are some beaches around the island that are known particularly for surfing, Bath is recommended to surfers and SUP enthusiasts alike, which is a somewhat unusual. There are certainly calmer waters along this beach however, such that much of the summer makes it a nice, relaxing place to try your hand at paddling. In fact, a guide to the area claims that the very name “Bath Beach” comes from the fact that this beach provides one of the safest places for swimming (and by extension SUP) on the East Coast . This is thanks to the waters closest to shore being protected by coral reefs.
It’s also a particularly easygoing area for a day of activity. The same guide that discussed the reason for the beach’s name pointed out that there’s a large car park by the beach, as well as that there are several drink and snack vendors right on the shore. This makes it easy to stop by the beach for a full day, paddling in the morning, stopping for lunch, and getting back out on the water for the afternoon.

“Rockley” is something of a misnomer, because this is one of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in Barbados . In the Hastings area on the South Coast, it’s like a classic postcard image of the Caribbean, complete with transparent turquoise waters that you can paddle over to your heart’s content. The surf here is fairly tame, which makes it a relaxing experience.

The area is also known for perhaps the best beach bar in the Caribbean, which makes for a nice stop after paddling . When we hear the word “Tiki,” most of us think of Polynesian islands, or else silly island-themed gimmicks. Tiki torches have become popular products the world over, for instance, and Tiki masks are so representative of general island culture they’ve even been used to establish themes for everything from restaurants to video games. “Tiki Paradise” is one of the better-known slot arcades online , among other sites and putting forth a basic tropical beach theme. But the idea of a Tiki theme doesn’t have to be tacky or cheesy – at Rockley, this culture is embraced in a very genuine way at Tiki Bar, an open, awesome beach bar and restaurant complete with its own beach chairs. It’s about the best place you could imagine after a day on the water.

Sandy Lane Beach is on the West Coast on the Caribbean Sea, which is also known as the Platinum Coast. This is generally a slightly more upscale area, where you’ll find some very nice resorts and local neighborhoods. It’s also where you’ll find perhaps the calmest waters on the island, however, which makes it excellent for paddling – particularly for beginners. As a matter of fact, the entirety of the Platinum Coast is generally viewed as a good location for SUP , but we’re singling out Sandy Lane as a nice, quiet beach.


Ultimately, this area might be best if you’re looking to have a more luxurious stay in Barbados and perhaps enjoy a few additional activities while you’re there. That’s not to say other beaches and areas don’t have plenty of things for you to do, but the Platinum Coast has it all. The area is full of glitz and glamor, as Tropical Sky put it, with beautiful resorts, sailing and catamaran opportunities, and fine restaurants. Given how generally relaxing SUP can be, it might be worth considering making it part of a trip that includes some of these high-end activities and attractions.