I will be staying at Butterfly Beach Hotel. I will have a car......Best Beaches for the public?......Top Restaurants?.......Is there a dunkin Doughnuts on the island or any really good cofee pastry place?.........Thanks

Our favorite public beaches were Rockley Beach which is just 5 min north of the Gap and Miami Beach which is in Oistins, very close to your hotel. Be sure to drive along the east coast, the views are spectacular.

I didn't notice any Dunkin' Donuts.

Pisces Restaurant

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Reviews

Firstly welcome to our island <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

The previous recommendations are good ones, Rockley and Miami Beach are both great for people watching but I am sure you would love the atmosphare of Carlisle Bay, there you will find two great beach bars as well.

1 - The Boatyard
2 - Copa Beach Bar

As you are coming at the time when the tourist season slows, you could visit here on Wednesday when there are a few ships in port including a Carnival ship. This beach is the buzz when ships are in.

May I also recommend the Crane Beach, access is via a road to the east of the hotel or you can pay a nominal fee usually refundable at their bar and enter via the hotel. A day at the Crane is one that you will not forget, they have a great beach bar of their own as well as some of the nicer facilities encluding excellent restaurants. The sea at the Crane can be rough at times, perfect for body boarding or body surfing, however if you are not an excellent swimmer, please tan, drink and watch don't <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/drown.gif" alt="" /> please.

Great restaurants <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> are all over the island, as you have a car, you have to simply try the Atlantis hotel on the east coast. Plan this stop on the day you plan your Island Drive as it is located in Tent bay in Bathsheba and you will find yourself here around lunch time. Oistins Fish Fry is also a must...Friday nights are the most popular but extremely busy, make sure to get there no later than 7:00 pm and please try Pats Place for the BEST fish there is. If you rather a quiter night, saturdays are great.

Now for the cultural side...Saturdays at The Village Restaurant at Lemon Arbour (St. John) is a treat for anyone...the best pork, fish, chicken, sea cat, conch that you will find anywhere and very reasonable prices. This place is crazy on Saturdays with locals aand visitors,. The bar prices are excellent...you buy you beers by the bottle, your rum, vodka whatever your poison by the bottle and spend the day at a table...do not miss here <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> this is the party.

Sundays at Crystal Waters Beach Bar is another super time...older crowd, great caribbean music by DJ, great barbaque. You can go here for the day, rent some chairs umbrella, tan, drink, dance or watch crazy locals like me drink too much and wuk up on the coconut trees to the sweet calypso...

My wife and I usually take weekend drives around the island, if you would like to follow a true island drive, drop me an email and you are welcomed on our treck.

What every you do enjoy our island <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Thats it for now...

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. We will be on island on the 20th, our first trip to Barbados. We're looking forward to experiencing as much of the island, people and culture as we can in a week's time.

Have been to Bbdos each year for the past ten and now in retirement we can stay for 6 weeks +. It's all about what you want to do.
For us, getting around is on public transit (buses). All are $2.00 Bajan. The blue 'city' buses are the most reliable for distant destinations. But for a real loacl erperisnece take a ZR, same $$ and a great experience. If you are to go any distance i.e. Bridgetown to Bathsheba take the blue city bus out,to Atlantis for lunch and taxi back.
For us best beach is Carlisle/Browns Beach. Copa is a good beach bar, make sure you, make contact with Wayne at the Copa, Great Host and makes you welcome++++.
If your staying at a self catering, must get to Oistens for fresh fish, and, Miami beach/Enterprise Beach is a great day. From Butterfly, take whatever transport is available to Oistens, it's only 5mins.
What can I say... We absolutley love Bbdos and will keep going back..

Another satisfied part time BAJAN <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> hope to run into you one day, I would be happy to treat you to some of my "ambassadors brew" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

sorry for high jacking thread...but it looks almost dormant.

I am contemplating a solo bgi trip for end of jan. for several reasons, most importantly flights are daily and economical vs my many other favourite paradise islands.(wow flights have increased this year!)

I have found plenty of affordable/budget guest houses around st Lawrence gap and dover. is this the area I want to lay my hat for 10 day?

I never rent a vehicle and prefer to take the bus/taxi/my own two feet.

I will def go to fish fry Fridays, st Lawrence gap and after that I fly by the seat of my pants - usually sand gravity.

critical points that always bring me back to sxm are the beach, numerous beach bars on OB, safe enough activities at night near lodging, and random sailing trips.

your thoughts?

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
crazycanuxx

we also love SXM...after visiting several caribbean islands, we then tried SXM and got hooked for similar reasons to what you mention, and were going back up to twice per year for several years...but last November we tried Barbados for the first time, and we really loved it...definitely a very close No. 2 to SXM for us...we're going back to BGI this November for a slightly longer visit, and who knows, maybe it'll reach as our No. 1 favorite island this time <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

We will also be visiting Barbados in February . We are coming in on a cruise ship. Is Rockley Beach very far from the pier. or should we spend the day at Carlyle beach. Our second time on your beautiful island however last time we just took a tour because weather wasn't in our favor. Thanks.

Hi there

Rockley Beach has sort of lost its attraction to me, my recommendation would be Carlisle Bay for sure.

The approximate taxi rate (car - up to 4 people)
Rockley Beach - US $ 30.00 round trip
Carlisle Bay - US $ 24.00 round trip

You can walk to Carlisle Bay as it is about 15 minutes walk from the pier or you can catch the Bridgetown Shuttle (organised within the port) for US $ 2.00 p/person (each way) and then walk for 5 minutes from the drop-off point.

The attractions...Why Carlisle Bay???
1. Numerous beach bars/restaurants (Boatyard / Copa Beach Bar / Lobster Alive / Harbour Lights etc.) located on a one mile stretch of white powdery sand. All locations offer umbrella/chair rentals and most are party oriented.
2. Superior swimming with many water sports options including snorkelling of ship wrecks.
3. Walking distance from Bridgetown, should you want to do a little shopping.
4. 8 minutes drive by taxi (in either direction) verses 20 minutes from Rockley Beach.
5. PERFECT beach for people watching as this is the busiest beach on our island in Cruise season...very similar to Orient, for unfortunately no naturalist opportunities.

Though Rockley has some interesting points, none weigh as well as Carlisle Bay.

Hope this is helpful...

Thanks you so much. You definitely helped us make our decision to go to Carlyle Bay. It sounds great. Look forward to our day in Barbados.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />