Leaning palms
Coconut palms over the sand.
gemteck1 from Seattle, Washington, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Jonathan Wilkins — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jonathan Wilkins — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jonathan Wilkins — CC BY-SA 3.0
Bottom Bay is a small beach in Saint Philip parish, on the south-east coast of Barbados. Coral-stone cliffs ring it, coconut palms lean over the sand and the water is turquoise, making it one of the most photographed beaches on the island. It lies between Palmetto Bay to the north and Cave Bay and Crane Beach to the south. It is far from the west-coast hotels, so it stays quieter. You reach it down a path from the clifftop. From the clifftop you see the whole bay: white sand, palms bending in the wind and Atlantic waves breaking on the rocks. The beach has a little shade under the palms and big rocks at each end. Do not expect many facilities, so bring your own water. The bay is 21 km in a straight line east of Bridgetown and 10 km north-east of the airport. Entry is free. The sea here is open to the Atlantic, the currents can be strong and there are no lifeguards, so stay close to shore, keep your belongings safe and do not go alone.
Coconut palms over the sand.
The bay from above.
Atlantic waves.
Saint Philip parish, south-east coast of Barbados
Currents can be strong and there are no lifeguards; stay close to shore.
Few, so bring water and shade.