10 Things to Do on Barbados’ South Coast
10 Things to Do on Barbados’ South Coast
Barbados’ South Coast has always done things a little differently.
It is where surf beaches meet rum shops, and a morning in the water can quite easily turn into sundowners. There is plenty of open coastline that still feels refreshingly low key.
If you are staying at Hotel Manyana, most of this list is within a few minutes of us. Some of it is walkable. And for the rest, well, Barbados isn't very big.
Here are ten of our favourite things to do on Barbados’ South Coast.
1. Longboard Freights with the turtles
Freights Bay is one of those surf spots that can make almost anyone want to give surfing a go.
On a mellow day, its long rolling waves are ideal for longboards and learners. When the swell arrives, the left hander starts peeling properly and things get considerably more interesting.
Book a surf lesson, grab a boogie board or paddle out if you know what you're doing. Whatever your ability, keep an eye on the water around you. Turtles are locals here and it isn't unusual to find them surfacing a few metres from your board.
Freights is 1.5 km along the coast from Hotel Manyana, which also makes an early morning surf before breakfast entirely achievable.
2. Spend the morning at Miami Beach
Ask for Miami Beach or Enterprise Beach and you'll end up at the same place.
This is a stunning locals' beach as much as a visitors' one, and mornings are particularly good. You'll see people ocean swimming, working out under the trees before the heat of the day arrives.
The water is usually beautifully calm, there is plenty of shade, and food trucks and local vendors mean there is little reason to rush away.
3. Kitesurf or wingfoil at Silver Rock
When the trade winds are blowing, Silver Rock is one of the great playgrounds for kitesurfing, windsurfing and wingfoiling.
It is home territory for experienced riders, but there are also local schools if you have always wanted to learn. Wingfoil Barbados is based at Welches and pro kitesurfer Simon Joosten operates nearby.
And the wind takes you a little further downwind than intended, paddle on in. Rescue Beach sits just along the coast from Silver Rock and happens to put you within metres of the Surfers Bay beach bar.
There are worse places to finish up, particularly when there is a cold beer involved.
4. Sunday night Reggae at Surfers Bay
Experience the best Reggae nights on the island every Sunday night at Surfers Bay. Rite Side of Red plays live reggae by the sea, the bar fills up, the bonfire gets going and what starts as a quiet Sunday drink has a habit of becoming considerably less quiet.
It's a vibe, it's local and there are just the right amount of cold beverages involved, which is rather the point.
If you're staying with us, there is also the considerable luxury of having nowhere to travel afterwards.
5. Do Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday night
Yes, everyone tells you to go to Oistins on Friday night, and for first timers it's a must.
The famous Oistins Fish Fry is at its busiest on Fridays, when the fish stalls, bars and dance floors fill with a mix of locals and visitors. Pick a stall, order whatever has come off the boats. It gets busy. That's part of it.
Oistins is also worth visiting outside Friday night. The fish market and town are very much part of everyday Barbados, rather than an attraction constructed for visitors.
6. Explore the South Coast on two wheels
You see a different side of Barbados when you slow down.
Hotel Manyana has three cruiser bikes available for guests to borrow complimentary, perfect for an easy ride around our end of the South Coast. Head towards Miami Beach and Oistins, stop for a swim, find lunch or turn down a road simply because it looks interesting.
If you want to venture further, Gregory at Barbados E Bike Tours runs guided rides that combine Barbados history with places you would probably never discover from a hire car.
The electric bikes take care of the hills. Gregory takes care of the stories. And, importantly, there is a finish line rum punch.
7. Have a drink in a proper Barbados rum shop
You haven't really experienced Barbados until you've spent some time in a rum shop.
These small neighbourhood bars are part bottle shop, part meeting place and part social institution. They range from little more than a counter and a few chairs to lively spots where an afternoon drink can become an evening.
For the proper local experience, Chicken Rita's is an institution, with fried chicken worth making the trip for in its own right. If you'd prefer to ease yourself in, Hideaway is another favourite.
Don't overthink it. Order a rum, say hello and settle in.
8. Have a night out in St Lawrence Gap
When you want a proper night out, head to St Lawrence Gap.
"The Gap" is the South Coast's main nightlife strip, with restaurants, bars, live music, karaoke and plenty of opportunities for bar hopping. You can make plans, but wandering along the strip and seeing where the evening takes you is generally more fun.
We'd start with a margarita at Cafe Sol and take it from there.
9. Indulge for an afternoon
Beach life does not have to mean roughing it.
For something close to home, book a spa treatment next door at South Point Hotel and disappear for an hour or two.
Or make an afternoon of it and head to O2 Beach Club & Spa. It is one of the South Coast's more indulgent addresses, with a stunning spa and some seriously good views.
A worthwhile splurge, particularly after several days of convincing yourself that learning to surf counts as relaxation.
10. Do absolutely nothing for a while
This may be the most important one.
Not every day in Barbados needs an itinerary.
One of the reasons we love this end of the South Coast is what isn't here. There are no high rise hotels looming over the beach and far less of the development you'll find elsewhere on the island. Around Surfers Bay, Silver Sands and Inch Marlow, the coastline opens up, the breeze picks up and things become noticeably quieter.
Find a patch of shade. Read a book. Swim. Have a beer. Watch the kite surfers. Take an afternoon nap without feeling remotely guilty about it.
Tomorrow can wait.