Barbuda’s best beaches

 

Here is a selection of the best beaches, starting with the nearest and most popular. There are literally dozens of different places, each interesting in their own right. The Caribbean is generally calmer than the Atlantic and better far swimming. The Atlantic is exciting and great far shells, beach - combing and wild lite. Ali beaches in Barbuda are open to the public including the hotel beaches but you are asked to keep to the waterline and respect their privacy. Most of the beaches are only used by fishermen. Before you go, make a note of these things.

 

The ROADS.. ..apart tram the main North-South road, the roads are tracks aver soil, sand or rock. Some are only marked by obvious tyre tracks and some are not clear at ali. The roads marked on the map are only a general guide, and not very accurate. It is tairly easy to tollow a good track but it you go turther atield make sure you have a spare tyre and that you know how 4WD works! Don't try and drive on the beach or on thick sand. It is not a good idea to try and cross very wet areas and it it has been raining in previous weeks get out and check that the surtace ot the road is solid as it might be thick mud underneath a dried out surtace. It you go off the main track stick to areas where you can see clearly that other people have recently been. Some roads are impassable far several days afier heavy rain. Finally, make sure you can tind your way back on the same track which has a habit ot disappearing on the return journey, leave in daylight, it is dark by 6.30pm. Also, tell someone where you are intending to go so they know where to look!.

Take water with you every where, it is essential even if you have soft drinks. A 3/4 full gallon bottle frozen overnight will be defrosted just right by the ti me you need it.

On some beaches be very careful of the currents and swells. At certain times you should not attempt to swim in very rough sea however exciting it looks. The undertow of a wave can take you far out to sea.

A child or inexperienced swimmer can be swept away tram your reach in minutes in strong currents, faster than you can catch them. Advise your children to stay close to the beach until you are sure of the water. A marker (put up a stick with something like a bottle on it) will keep you ali safe if you swim in line with it. You will be able to see if you are drifting off, which is

even more important if you are snorkelling. Do not go after things that blow away out to sea.

 

The sun is very fierce at ali times of the year, the constant breeze makes it seem cooler than it is. If you do not cover yourself up tram 11 am to 2pm and re-apply sunscreen, you will certainly regret it far several days and may have serious sunburn. The morning/midday sun is the worst. There is very little shade on the beach, find a good shady tree and try and stay out of the sun during those times.

On boat trips you usually get Quite wet, especially if it is windy. You will also have to get out of the boat into the water, do not wear your best

shoes!

Guides -local people will accompany visitors to most of the locations and are a source of information as well. The best days out are had with local people, either as taxi drivers or on boat trips or as guides. You will have to pay them far their time but you will probably remain friends far the duration of your stay.

Do not wear beach wear in the village, it is not appropriate to go uncovered in public in Barbuda.

The Beaches

River -This is one of the nearest beaches, popular with Barbudans at holiday weekends, otherwise deserted. On the south of the island it is a good straight road, about 10 minutes tram the village known as River Road. Aiso visit Martello Tower also known as River Fort, while you are there. A huge bees nest is inside it. The water is usually very safe, quite deep, not good far snorkelling as there is nothing to see. It has the ruins of Dulcina Hotel spoiling the view.

Two Foot Bay -North/northeast of the island, one of the nicest beaches. Worth at least a whole day or two or three separate shorter trips. It is usually a very good road, except far the last few metres after heavy rain. As you go north out of the village keep straight on unti I you see the Highlands on your right. You will drive alongside a large field filled with grass and fenced. If you want to visit Codrington House (al so known as Willy 8ob) you will just see the ruins at the top of the hill. You will see a small track going up the hill. Drive up the side and round the end of the fenced plantation to get to the bottom of the hill and drive or walk up to the top. The road is mostly very uneven rock. The path starts to Darby Cave tram the back of Codrington House. At Two Foot Bay park by the ruins of the old house/fort and walk down or drive (carefully) to the bottom where a brick barbecue has been built far cooking your lunch. There is plenty of wood far a fire, just bring your food and a grill plus any other equipment. Lots of shade here but none on the beach. Climb up to the top of the cliff through a cave to see the whole bay, entrance just before the barbecue area. The sea here can be very rough with extremely strong currents. Great snorkelling far experienced swimmers, go round the corner of the bay far the safest swimming or paddle on the edge. Look out far the rare Tropicbirds screaming overhead and the newly arrived large iguanas hidden in the rocks.

Coral Group Bay -Go to River and follow the road to the left, past the River Wharf where ali the supplies come in at the weekend. About a mile along the road the sea is next to you on the right far several miles. Anywhere along here stop and look far a good spot. Here are lovely rock pools and very safe shallow water in most places. A great beach far children, explore the pools and little waterfalls, with lots of small fish and crabs. Safe swimming here in a confined area without many waves or currents, good snorkelling far beginners and children, close to the shore.

Access Beach -Must be one of the best beaches in the world! Called Access because it is the only access to the beach between Coca Point and K Club hotels. Follow the Coral Group road until you reach K Club fence on your right, follow the fence as it turns to the right. Continue past the main entrance of K Club and as the road ends you will see the gate with Beach Access written on it, Coca Point entrance on your letto You can drive in the access gate or park outside. Beware lots of vehicles get stuck in sand here. Popular spot with day tour operators but hardly ever busy. Two shade umbrellas to use if no -one else is there. Coca Point is on the left, K Club on the right, you can walk along either waterline as far as you like.

Spanish Point aka White Bay -Very beautiful natural area, a piece of land that forms a point with the Atlantic sea on one side, Caribbean on the other. Follow the road as if going to K Club but BEFORE the fence turns right, go straight on where the road divides. The road will be more or less straight between the salt ponds. Follow it across rocky ground turning to the right where you will see the point ahead on the right. You pass a ruin called The Castle at the top of the hill. The entrance to Spanish Point is marked by two gate posts and the road winds down to the beach. The road can be

extremely muddy after rain and is very rocky in places but it is used on a daily basis. On the beach there is a small shelter and an open fire if you want to campo.

You can walk round the point and marvel at the difference -crashing waves and spectacular reefs on one side and a few feet away on the other side, the calmest, clearest water you are ever likely to see. Often visited by yachts

and local people camping, it is great far swimming, and children lave the safe, calm water. It is good far snorkelling with one of the best reefs a few hundred feet tram the shore. There is lots of interesting coral and other sea lite here. Walking round the point you can see the odd ancient artefact, mainly pottery, left by the Arawaks or Caribs before Columbus, thousands of years ago. In 2001 an ancient skeleton was found here and excavated. It was found to be 3000 years old.

Pelican Point -A wild Atlantic Beach, lots of driftwood and shells and full of interesting rubbish (to some of us) including hundreds of bottles and boat refuse washed up on the beach. Not so good far swimming but a great walk with rocky coves to explore. Here the huge tree root and separately, a tree trunk were washed up in one of the hurricanes. Children lave playing here and can easily paddle in the waves. Follow the Spanish Point road but go straight up and aver the hill instead of turning right to Spanish Point. The beach is aver the hill near the large hole where sand was once mined.

Low Bay and Luis Beach -These beaches are tantastic too, but this time you have to go by boato A Quick 15 minute journey tram the whart, or more usually, after a visit to the Bird Sanctuary, and you can be on the other side ot the lagoon on one ot these beaches. Luis Beach is named atter Hurricane Luis, one ot the worst hurricanes to hit Barbuda in recent times, September 4th 1995. It caused several breaks in the spit of land protecting the lagoon tram the sea. For a while they were open to the sea but sand has gradually built up again and established the tabulous Luis Beach. Miles ot sand, crystal clear water and the odd big yacht. Not good far snorkelling and the water is deep. There is absolutely no shade here at ali. At certain times the waves and swells are huge and it is too dangerous to swim but most of the time it is beautitully calmo

Low Bay (aka Palm Beach) is the same, but further along. You can see the Palm Trees ot Low Bay tram the whart, slightly more shade here tram the trees. A boatman will take you and pick you up at an agreed time later in the

day.

Palmetto Beach -This can be one of the most spectacular. Miles of white sand and crashing waves. It is also where you find the pink sand at certain times of the year. It is Quite difficult to swim here as the current races along in places and the waves can be huge but it is worth a visit just to walk along the beach. Sometimes after rain there are small sea and rainwater pools on the beach, great far smaller children to splash around in. The hotel is Quite welcoming to non-residents and is right on the beach. It can be very expensive though. Follow River Road to the tower and turn right to the hotel. You can park in the hotel grounds and walk onta the beach.

Old Palmetto Beach -The sand road to Old Palmetto will take you past the hotel to a beach further up the coast where it is safer to swim and sometimes full of pink sand. Take the first sand road on the right, by Martello Tower (not the hotel road which is the second) and follow it up the coast, keeping to the left. Here the water is beautifully clear and deep. It is perfect far a drink at sunset so take a cooler of rum punch!

North Beach -Go by boat to North Beach, a twenty minute boat ride through the lagoon and out to sea. Here there are two Caribbean-style bungalows far overnight stays, a kitchen run by CarDI the cook and big caDI coconut leaf shades with comfortable beach chairs and tables. You can fish tram the beach, watch the fisherman haul in their catch, use a canoe or Sunfish. You will eat a pre-ordered lunch in the shade and drink ice cold beer until it's time to go home. $100 US per person per day far people staying in Barbuda. This can include a visit to the Bird Sanctuary on the way. Book at ArtCafe, Tel- 4600434. Boat usually leaves 9am tram the village wharf returning around 4pm but times can be arranged to suit you.

Fishing Creek -A totally back-to-nature day auto This road is only known to locals so directions are too complicated far this guide! Here there are two beaches, a shallow fishing area teeming with small fish, rays, barracuda and shells and further along, a great snorkelling beach with more fish and probably a lobster or two! Lots of sea -birds too. It has strong currents in some places but excellent water far swimming if you know where to go. Ask at ArtCafe or another local person far an escorted trip.

Castle Hill -A long slow drive (about an hour) aver rock, sand and dirt (or mud) fa the furthest accessible point on the east side of the island. At least a day needed to make the most of this trip. You will want to stop and explore the caves on the way, they are a good piace to picnic in the shade ~s some of them are huge and as you will see, often used by local people far weekend stays, hunting and fishing. You can enjoy the beach which you will follow far most of the journey, at several points along the way. Do not try this road after heavy rain but well worth the trip if the road is good.