LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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HARBOUR LIGHTS BEACH CLUB: WHAT TO EXPECT.

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Towards the end of our two week Caribbean cruise, we had two days in Barbados before heading home (very much against our will I should add.) As a beach lover, I wanted just one more day of sand and sea.

And I wanted it to be full on relaxation – beach chairs, umbrella, cocktails and splashing around in the sea.

This is why we chose to spend the entire day at Carlisle Bay, specifically at the Harbour Lights Beach Club.

If you are wondering whether Harbour Lights is worth it, here is exactly what to expect.

Why we chose Harbour Lights

One of the biggest draws for us was being able to book in advance. With several cruise ships in port and crowds heading towards Carlisle Bay, having something confirmed felt reassuring.

Other beach clubs along the bay, such as the Boatyard, operate on a first come basis. We loved knowing we had a guaranteed spot and arriving to find our names already on sun loungers. It instantly set an easy tone for the day.

Getting there from the Cruise Port

Getting to Harbour Lights is easy. You can walk from the cruise port if you fancy stretching your legs (it takes around 35 minutes), or take a taxi for around $5. The club sits a little further along the beach than some others, but in a cab it makes no difference at all.

You can find our detailed guide to Carlisle Bay, including transport options here.

First impressions and the overall vibe

Harbour Lights feels chilled and understated. This is not a loud party beach club. The bar is set back from the sand, which keeps the beachfront peaceful, and service throughout the day was genuinely good.

The sun loungers are close to the water. It takes seconds to go from your bed into the sea, which we loved. Umbrellas provide plenty of shade and the loungers are well spaced out.

Prices and day pass options at Harbour Bay

We found the pricing fair and transparent.

You can hire a sun lounger for $12.50, which includes use of the facilities. If you want everything wrapped into one, there is a $54 per person day pass.

The full day pass includes:

• A sun lounger
• A turtle and shipwreck snorkelling trip
• Wifi, although it worked best inside rather than on the loungers in our experience
• Showers and bathrooms
• Lunch

For lunch, I had a big piece of fish while John went for a burger and fries. Simple, substantial and exactly what we wanted. We liked being able to eat inside at a shaded table before heading back out to the beach.

Drinks and service

Drinks prices felt reasonable for Barbados and service was excellent. We ordered a bucket of beer and had it delivered straight to our loungers.

Typical prices include:

• Beers at $5 each or $25 for five in a bucket
• Rum punch at $9
• Wine at $10 per glass or $42 per bottle
• Fresh coconut at $6 or $12 with rum

You can pay by card inside or open a tab for the day, which made things easy.

The turtle snorkelling tour

The turtle tour was a real highlight and a great way to break up the beach day. The trip lasts around 60 to 90 minutes and includes snorkels and lifejackets.

The boat has two levels, so you can go up top in the sun or hide in the shade downstairs. And while it was a little crowded, the atmosphere was good. There was great music, a friendly crew and clear attention to safety. Kids (or big kids like me) will also love the slide!

Snorkelling around the shipwreck was brilliant. We saw amazing brightly coloured fish and, although the turtles were quite small, we did see some. It was a fun experience and probably saved us from ordering too many beers back on the beach.

Facilities and little extras

Inside the beach club there is lots of shade and the wifi worked well there. Bathrooms and showers were clean and easy to access.

Staff were friendly and accommodating throughout the day. We visited at Christmas and loved the festive decorations, which added a fun touch. There are also games available, such as cornhole, if you want a break from sunbathing.

Lunch was palatable and filling, though not a standout meal in terms of flavour. Still, it did the job and kept us going all afternoon.

Things to know before you go

There are a few small downsides worth mentioning.

Even with a booking, we still queued briefly to get in. The club is also further down the beach than some others, though this is only really relevant if you are walking.

If you are after a party vibe, this is probably not your place. In our experience, many people started leaving around 15:00. It does get busier again later in the evening, but there is a noticeable lull around sunset. To be honest, this seemed fairly typical along the beach.

*Our experience at Harbour Lights Beach Club was gifted – all opinions are our own.

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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