A GUIDE TO CARLISLE BAY: THE NEAREST BEACH TO BRIDGETOWN.
When your cruise itinerary includes two full days in Barbados, it feels like an invitation to slow right down, and that’s exactly what we did. We visited the island onboard Arvia and, rather than rushing around on tours or packing in sightseeing, we wanted one thing above all else: an easy, no-stress beach day where we could properly switch off before we had to fly home.
Carlisle Bay turned out to be the perfect choice. It’s close to the cruise port, simple to get to, and offers everything you could want from a Caribbean beach without any effort. We spent the entire day at Harbour Lights Beach Club, snorkelling in the water, swimming straight from the sand, drinking cold beer, and doing absolutely nothing on a schedule.
If you’re arriving in Bridgetown by cruise ship and looking for the nearest, easiest, and most relaxing beach experience, this guide will show you exactly where to go and how to do it.
Where is the nearest beach to Bridgetown cruise port?
If you’re arriving in Barbados by cruise ship, one of the most common questions is: where’s the nearest beach?
The good news is that you don’t need a tour or a long taxi ride. There are two beaches within easy reach of the cruise terminal.
The two closest beaches are Brandon Beach and Carlisle Bay.
By car, Brandon Beach is technically the closest. However, if you’re walking, both beaches take roughly the same amount of time, around 30 minutes, and are just over 2 kilometres from the cruise terminal.
That said, Carlisle Bay is by far the closest beach to Bridgetown itself, and for most cruise passengers, it’s the better option.
How to get to Carlisle Bay from the cruise port
There are two ways from the cruise port in Bridgetown to Carlisle Bay. You can either walk, or take a taxi.
Walking
Carlisle Bay is one of the easiest beaches to walk to from a Caribbean cruise port. The walk is approximately 2.5 kilometres from the terminal to the first section of the bay and takes around 30 minutes at a relaxed pace. If you continue further along the beach, for example towards Harbour Lights Beach Club, it will take a little longer.
The entire route is along pavements and feels very safe. You’ll walk first alongside the port and then through Bridgetown itself, which makes the journey enjoyable rather than a chore.
Tip: Walking at least one way is highly recommended if you want to see Bridgetown. Walk in the morning if you’d like to stop for a coffee or visit the markets, or walk back from the beach if you fancy a beer on the way back to the ship.
Taxi
Shared taxis are found easily as soon as you exit the cruise port. The rates are fixed and charged per person. A journey between Carlisle Bay and Bridgetown Cruise Port will cost $5 per person and it takes no more than 10 minutes door to door.
Taxis fill up quite quickly, especially at peak times (around 09:00 when passengers filter off the ship.) So, you won’t have to hang around for long.
If you’d rather book ahead – you can also arrange a shuttle service online, this includes rental of a sun lounger at Savvys on the Beach. It works out quite good value at only £11 per person and allows you to pay on card.
Tip: If you’re aiming for a particular beach club, let your taxi driver know. They can drop you off directly at the correct club for the same fee.
Things to do on Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is a lovely large sandy beach, with calm water. It’s ideal for families, couples or groups looking to relax. There’s not a huge amount “to do” as such – beyond just having a good time, but here are a few ideas.
1/ Laze at a beach club
By far, the main activity for tourists visiting Carlisle Bay is to laze at a beach club ALL DAY. This beach is so well set up with well run clubs that are all quite reasonably priced.
They all have restaurants and bars, as well as guest services like showers or luggage storage. This makes it ideal for anyone departing on the same day.
You can find our guide to beach bars on Carlisle Bay below.
2/ Beach bars
Even if you don’t want a full beach club setup, Carlisle Bay has plenty of casual beach bars where you can grab a cold beer, rum punch, or soft drink.
For drinks with a sea view, Savvy’s On the Bay is your best bet. Prices are reasonable and it’s got that sort of beach dive bar vibe.
3/ Snorkelling
Carlisle Bay is one of the best snorkelling spots in Barbados, especially for beginners. The water is usually calm and clear, and there are several shallow shipwrecks just offshore that attract colourful fish, turtles, and rays.
You can book a boat tour, including snorkelling the wrecks and seeing turtles in advance of your visit.
Many of the beach clubs also offer packages which include snorkelling tours and equipment, which may work out better value if you plan to hire beds all day.
4/ Rent a jet ski
For a bit more adrenaline, jet skiing is available off Carlisle Bay’s shore (often offered by independent operators on the beach). Prices to tend to be quite high – vendors were quoting $100 and upwards for 30 minutes, but you may be able to negotiate!
5/ Grab a bite
Food options at Carlisle Bay range from light snacks to full meals, with menus typically featuring fresh fish, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and Caribbean classics.
Beach clubs on Carlisle Bay
If you’re wondering which beach club to choose, you can find a short guide below.
The Boatyard Beach Club
The Boatyard is one of the most well-known beach clubs on Carlisle Bay and a favourite among cruise visitors. It’s one of the beach clubs closest to the port, saving the need to walk along the entire beach.
They have loads of onsite amenities, including an ocean trampoline and rope swing. As well as practical amenities like showers and WiFi. And they run regular snorkelling boat tours during the day.
Details: $40 per adult, which includes a free drink and transport back to the cruise port. This includes access to all onsite amenities and a snorkelling tour. Note – you cannot book in advance.
Harbour Lights Beach Club
Harbour Lights provides a comfortable beach club experience with loungers and shared umbrellas. It’s quite laid-back, with the bar set back away from the loungers. Front row seats are well placed close to the water – ideal for quick dips to cool off.
You can find our review of Harbour Lights here.
Tip: You can reserve in advance for Harbour Lights – much less queuing involved and a guaranteed seat.
Details: $12.50 for a chair and umbrella, or $25 for a guaranteed front row, $37 for chairs and snorkelling tour, $54 for a “perfect day package” including lunch, snorkelling tour, and beach chairs.
Copacabana Beach Club
Copacabana offers a vibrant yet relaxed beach club atmosphere with comfortable loungers, umbrellas, and even cabanas in some setups. This beach club is marketed as a “the world’s first departure beach cub” – promoting facilities like luggage storage and showers.
Details: $10 pp for club access (showers, Wifi etc), or $20 pp including beach chairs (and a free drink.) $100 for a cabana for two people. They also offer various premium packages.
Savvy on the Bay
Savvy On The Bay is a popular beach venue with a lively vibe.
The food trucks behind the beach add variety to your meal options, and the bar keeps drinks flowing all day – prices at the bar are also very reasonable.
Details: Sun loungers $10 per person with a shared umbrella between two. Everything else is pay as you go – local beers are $4.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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