Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This bay is best known for its calm, sheltered waters, perfect for swimming and scuba diving.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










What is Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Top ways to experience Carlisle Bay
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
218 within 5 kms
Attractions
77 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,675 reviews
Excellent
1,925
Very good
609
Average
95
Poor
31
Terrible
16
Keith W
Bournemouth, UK7 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
Had a fantastic day at the beach during our cruise with P&O.
It was exactly what we expected from a carribean beach. White sandy beach, no stones and clear blue skies.
It was exactly what we expected from a carribean beach. White sandy beach, no stones and clear blue skies.
Written February 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Billy B
3 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
Beautiful beach with plenty of turtles in sea. Clean sand. Plenty of sun loungers. Can swim out to the turtles unaided
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Josie C
Brighton, UK516 contributions
Jan. 2023
One of the best & safest beach for swimming. Plenty of sunbeds available & very clean. We walked to the beach from the Cruise Terminal (about 25 mins slow walk). We chose to sit in the middle of the beach opposite a car park. There was a great local bar/restaurant just across the road called Birds where we picked up some fish, chicken and of course beers. You can also see the turtles by picking up a boat on the beach. Taxi back to the ship was $5US.
Written January 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Phil M
Bristol, UK9 contributions
Jan. 2023
We found the beach to be our favourite on the entire island. Plenty of sun beds for hire(We paid $25/day for 4 beds and a 2 parasols)
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RescuedVegan
Hertfordshire, UK1,094 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
Walked through the town from our rental, found Jo ‘s bar! Hayley and team knock up some great drinks and serve food on the beach. Carlisle beach is laid back with an island vibe. Boat trips, food, it’s all there. Sundays is family day which is really nice to see.
Written January 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ed C
Uxbridge, Canada25 contributions
Dec. 2022
This beach is pristine. Very clean with nice gradual slope into the water that is warm and sparkles. The available chairs and umbrellas are plentiful and reasonable. The access to food and drinks is also easy. Had a great day here.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ben L
Nottingham, UK36 contributions
Dec. 2022
Beaches are ok but very crowded as there are a lot of apartments and hotels on the stretch of sand. We thought the area was quite touristy and there were much nicer beaches further up the west coast of the island
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cindy H
25 contributions
Dec. 2022
We came to Barbados on a cruise. 2nd trip to Barbados. First time we did island tour. Which I highly recommend. Barbados is so beautiful. This time we walked from the cruise port to Carlisle Bay. We walked to the end near the big hotels. From this end we were able to snorkel out to see the sea turtles and also snorkel out to a ship wreck, which was pretty amazing. I do recommend fins to snorkel to wreck. Swimming back in with the currents was pretty hard, fins made it much easier. The beach is just stunning. The beautiful blue water. We were able to rent chairs and umbrella for $15. Local truck just behind us sold drinks, food etc. On way back to ship we hit a few of the back roads. Great experience. It was close to Christmas so streets full of vendors and locals out shopping. We bought a bag of wonderful caramel popcorn to snack on. Great day in a beautiful place.
Written December 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mimsi007
Vienna, Austria60 contributions
Dec. 2022 • Couples
Carlisle Bay is an overrated beach strip just a few minutes from the cruise port in Bridgetown Barbados. Carlisle Bay is not big. It consists of Pebbles Beach and Browns Beach and you can walk from one end to the other in max 15 minutes.
The bay is full of tourists especially when cruise ships are around.
Additionally to the guests on the beach the are many ‘artificial’ snorkeling mass tourism tours going on as turtles and rays are feeded like crazy. They even offer a shipwreck which looks like it had been sunken on purpose.
Visit this bay if you are on a cruise ship and only have very limited time left.
Don’t book a Celebrity Cruise 3 beaches tour. Two of 3 beaches are on Carlisle bay. You loose more time hoping on and off the bus then walking down the beach.
Don’t book Celebrity cruise Catamaran Tours
Turtle Snorkeling and Shipwreck or similar. 3 out of 4 hours you will stay put in Carlisle
Beach chasing feeded turtles or checking this really unspectacular ‘ship wreck’
The bay is full of tourists especially when cruise ships are around.
Additionally to the guests on the beach the are many ‘artificial’ snorkeling mass tourism tours going on as turtles and rays are feeded like crazy. They even offer a shipwreck which looks like it had been sunken on purpose.
Visit this bay if you are on a cruise ship and only have very limited time left.
Don’t book a Celebrity Cruise 3 beaches tour. Two of 3 beaches are on Carlisle bay. You loose more time hoping on and off the bus then walking down the beach.
Don’t book Celebrity cruise Catamaran Tours
Turtle Snorkeling and Shipwreck or similar. 3 out of 4 hours you will stay put in Carlisle
Beach chasing feeded turtles or checking this really unspectacular ‘ship wreck’
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yorkshire Lad
York, UK1,533 contributions
Nov. 2022
Stretching for a good couple of miles south from Bridgetown, there’s a lot to like about CB. You can easily reach it from any cruise boat on foot. It’s a distraction from the shopping and whilst not the best beach on the island, it isn’t too bad. In fact I would pay it a high compliment and say it’s as good as the South Bay at Scarbados! Eventually you will arrive at a tired looking 3 star hotel at the edge of the peninsula and it’s time to turn round and head back, the warm lapping Caribbean water a welcome relief from the overhead sun. Not much in terms of bars and restaurants, but that’s no biggy. Would we go again? Nope. Are we glad we went? Yes!
Written December 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rob_Dee_7
Chatham, UK14 contributions
Hi, has anyone taken the trip to Carlisle Bay from the Marella Discover? Do they organise transport to and from? And rough idea of cost please.
Janicelynn256
Gibbstown, NJ2 contributions
Seeing that visiting Barbados is restricted to cruise or government approved excursions Can I take an approved taxi at cruise port to Carlisle Bay?
Patricia C
Estepona, Spain41 contributions
Hi
We are a family group of 15 and we have used both taxis & buses throughout our stay including airport transfers without any issues, masks must be worn on transport and in indoor places.
Hope this helps
Laura B
West Edmeston, New York, United States52 contributions
Hello. I have visited Carlisle Bay a few times, and never found the free toilet facilities. Where are they located? Thanks.
doc_alg
Maple Ridge, Canada380 contributions
Well you got the correct answers already. Such great help from fellow travellers. Do not be shy to ask locals and other visitors for info when in Barbados. Everyone is helpful.
rwjohn2754
Dunfermline, UK79 contributions
Do you pay to access the beach?
What facilities does it have e.g toilets, bars, food?
Thbanks
All beaches are free in Barbados, sun loungers are 30 Bdollar for 2 and an umbrella. There are toilets which are free, clean and have toilet paper. There are cars and a van selling drinks 3 Bdollar for beer/soft drinks. Turtles straight out in front of the toilets in the sea all free. Enjoy
mabarka321
Boston, MA3 contributions
How far is this from the cruise port and what is the best way to get to Carlisle Bay from the port?
Neil S
Trinidad,West Indies3 contributions
Its roughly just under 2km.
Travel is readily available via bus or taxi...and always on time!
Curious551019
Antioch, CA
Is there food available near Carlisle Bay?
Larry
Maple Ridge, Canada28 contributions
Yes there is the Pennydiver food truck
maxine m
Leicester, UK30 contributions
Hi what's the best way to book a swim with the turtles if you dont want to book it through your cruise ship. Thanks
Simon B
Holton Le Clay, UK18 contributions
Get a taxi or the reggae bus to the bay and there are turtle boats every hour or there abouts for 20 bucks.You get to see the turtles and snorkel on a ship wreck,they can provide the gear also.
louisville273
Louisville, KY2 contributions
For those of you who snorkeled from the beach- what did you do with your stuff while you were snorkeling?
Neil T
London, UK30 contributions
There are lockers at the boatyard club.
CARLISLE BAY (Bridgetown) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Carlisle Bay
- Carlisle Bay is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
- We recommend booking Carlisle Bay tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 34 Carlisle Bay tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Carlisle Bay:
- Barbados Excursion Snorkel cruise and beach day on Carlisle Bay (From C$64.86)
- Barbados Turtle & Shipwreck Snorkel Adventure (From C$40.12)
- Carlisle Bay Clear Kayak Shipwreck Tour (From C$65.44)
- Barbados Shore Excursion Barbados Paradise Sightseeing Tour (From C$93.61)
- Barbados Harrison's Cave Tram Tour and Boat Cruise Snorkel Adventure (From C$180.54)
- Hotels near Carlisle Bay:
- (1.01 km) Island Inn Hotel
- (1.75 km) Sugar Bay Barbados
- (0.90 km) Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados
- (0.63 km) BEACHFRONT BEACH APARTMENT WITH GARDEN & GAZEBO
- (0.63 km) Super Beach Penthouse Suite of the Carlisle Bay
- Restaurants near Carlisle Bay:
- (0.52 km) Lobster Alive
- (0.55 km) The Boatyard
- (0.59 km) Harbour Lights
- (0.94 km) Cuz's Fish Stand
- (0.57 km) Pirate's Cove
- Attractions near Carlisle Bay:
- (0.39 km) Good Times Catamaran Cruises
- (0.38 km) Jammin Catamaran Cruises
- (0.49 km) West Side Scuba Centre
- (0.54 km) Jetblade Barbados
- (0.53 km) Tranquility Cruises