6 Beaches in Barbados

On the east coast too, where the surf and tides can make swimming dangerous, the beaches are often deserted. Kristina Pentland from Rough Guides strolls along some of the finest beaches in Barbados.

Long Beach

A sprawling beach, true to its name, Long Beach is the longest beach on the island. A huge stretch of crunchy white sand, it's not the prettiest but definitely the best place to hunt for driftwood, and it's often completely deserted.

Bathsheba

Surprisingly few tourists make it to Bathsheba "" a long brown swathe of deserted beach cherished by sea birds and surfers and washed by Atlantic breezes. It's a picturesque and laidback area, where holiday homes and the odd rum shop line the roadside as it runs along beside the sea.

If the bay here looks familiar, it's because this is one of the most painted landscapes in Barbados. Also known as the soup bowl, because of the crashing surf that comes racing in here pretty much all year round, the area is a popular surfing spot and the site of annual tournaments.

Unfortunately, the currents mean that it's not a good place to swim, but the wide brown beach here is attractive and there's an old pathway running north and south if you fancy a walk.

Bottom Bay

This stunning small, sugar-white sand beach is a photographer's dream. Sandwiched between cliffs, with a backdrop of palm trees and the Atlantic waves crashing in, few people find this place, although locals use it at the weekend and the occasional tour bus heads this way during the week.

Harrismith Beach

Overlooked by the old Harrismith Great House, with steps leading down just west of the house, this wild but picturesque place is ideal for setting up a picnic for two away from the crowds.

It's pretty and usually very quiet, with palms, cliffs and small caves for exploring.

Martin's Bay

Completely off the tourist track, this peaceful bay often sees the local fishing fleet pulled up on the sands. It nestles on the coast beneath Hackleton's Cliff and the village makes a good starting point for a hiking tour of the coast.

One appealing walk is between Martin's Bay and Bath, most of it following a trail along an old railway right-of-way, though at one point you'll have to cut inland around an abandoned railway bridge.

Cove Bay

This is one of the most beautiful of a series of coves on the island's north coast. Although there's a small, stony beach here that you can clamber down to if you're desperate to swim, the water is rough and rocky and you'll probably want to wait until you're somewhere calmer.

Much more appealing is the view "" elegant rows of palm trees stand just above the water's edge, buffeted by the trade winds, and you can see down the entire length of the east coast.

Although a handful of local hustlers may offer to help you find Cove Bay in return for an unspecified trip, you won't have any trouble finding it on your own.