Caribbean
Barbados
Saint Michael Parish
Bridgetown
Things to do in Bridgetown
Carlisle Bay
See all things to do

Carlisle Bay

See all things to do
See all things to do
Carlisle Bay
4.5
2,675
#4 of 75 things to do in Bridgetown
Beaches
Read more
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
Write a review
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 listing
Tours & 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
See all
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
218 within 5 kms
Lobster Alive
1,236
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Seafood • Gluten Free Options
The Boatyard
695
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Bar • Seafood
Harbour Lights
780
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Caribbean • Bar
Pirate's Cove
206
0.6 km$ • Caribbean • Bar
Copacabana Beach Bar & Grill
292
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
Cuz's Fish Stand
1,759
0.9 km$ • Caribbean • Seafood • Fast food
Eat Please Deli
21
0.6 km$ • Caribbean
Mustor's Restaurant
133
0.9 km$ • Caribbean
Coffy's Bar & Restaurant
47
0.8 km$ • Caribbean • Bar • Pub
Chicken Barn
86
0.7 km$ • Caribbean • Fast food
See all
Attractions
77 within 10 kms
The Boatyard
1,549
0.5 kmBeach & Pool Clubs
Browne's Beach
233
0.7 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Beaches
Pebbles Beach
297
0.9 kmBeaches
Nidhe Israel Synagogue and Museum
245
1.1 kmReligious Sites
The Parliament Buildings
253
0.9 kmHistoric Sites • Government Buildings
George Washington House
508
1.2 kmHistoric Sites
Garrison Savannah - Barbados Turf Club
464
1.6 kmHistoric Sites
Bridgetown Bethel Methodist Church
16
0.7 kmChurches & Cathedrals
The Careenage
114
0.8 kmBodies of Water
Barbados Garrison
260
1.3 kmMilitary Museums • Historic Sites
See all
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
Great beach
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.
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
Nice beach!
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
Excellent safe beach for swimming
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
Lovely beach
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
Jo’s bar…and Carlisle
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
Wonderful beach
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
touristy
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
Great Snorkeling day in Barbados
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
Only for 1,5 hours time limited cruise ship tourists
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’
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
Nowt like Carlisle in Cumbria, so do visit Carlisle Bay
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.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 2,278
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

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.
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
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
Restaurants near Carlisle Bay: View all restaurants near Carlisle Bay on Tripadvisor