Paynes Bay Beach Barbados

Paynes Bay Beach Barbados is one of many family-friendly beaches located on the island’s West Coast along Highway 1.  It is approximately 12 minutes away from Bridgetown and lies just north of Fitts Village Beach and south of Holetown Beach.  

This beach is known for its turtle swimming and many cruise ships passengers visit Paynes Bay Beach as a last minute stop before departing.

South View

PAYNES BAY BEACH BARBADOS

Features: White sand beach with calm water – best for swimming, snorkeling, sailing | easy access to Highway 1

Lifeguard: No

Amenities: Watersports - sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, boogie boards,  water-skiing and banana boats | Public restrooms | chair and umbrella rentals | limited parking
 

North View

What can I say about Paynes Bay Beach?  It is one of the best Barbados beaches for swimming.  The beach is calm and peaceful and is a hit with cruise ship passengers looking for beaches near the cruise port.  There is good area snorkeling and lots of area amenities like watersports, romantic beachfront restaurants (beach deck dining at Tamarind) and fine dining at Daphne's (pronounced Dafnee's), local craft shops, duty free shopping.

Here are the top reasons why the Paynes Bay area is one of my favorite spots on the Barbados West Coast. 

• The beach is conveniently located on the West Coast main road (Highway 1) with several beach access points between the Cliff Restaurant (fine dining) and the Sandy Lane Hotel (luxury accommodations).   Public access is next to the St. James Hotel at the Sands.
  
  
• Public transportation is available at every turn.
  
  
• Paynes Bay Beach is one of the best Barbados beaches near Bridgetown and is a hit with cruise ship passengers looking for beaches near the cruise port.
  
  
• Paynes Bay Beach has calm waters and is one of the best Barbados beaches for snorkeling and swimming.
  
  
• Beach exercises are the best for core strengthening, building resistance, and increasing leg muscle tone.  Add wrist and ankle weights and you’ll be ready to kick butt.  Paynes Bay Beach is one of the best beaches for exercising as it stretches from the The Cliff restaurant to the Sandy Lane Hotel in Sandy Lane Bay.  
  
  
• The area is active and offers an excellent mix of accommodations - both luxury and affordable, and an equally good mix of fine dining (The Cliff and Daphne’s) and casual restaurants.  Small churches, quaint gift shops, local food shops and mini marts lend to the area’s eclectic mix.
   

Paynes Bay Beach Location

Paynes Bay Beach Barbados is located on the island’s West Coast along Highway 1.  It is approximately 25 minutes away from Grantley Adams International Airport and about 12 minutes away from the island’s capital, Bridgetown.  

PAYNES BAY BEACH BARBADOS MAP

The map above shows the location of the beach relative to the capital and the airport.  
Click on the "+" to zoom out for a more detailed map. 

Directions to Paynes Bay Beach

By Public Transportation:

Located on Highway 1 or the main road of the West Coast, Paynes Bay Beach is easy to reach as many public buses cross this route on a daily basis making their way to and from the capital, Bridgetown.  

There are three different methods of public transportation to reach Paynes Bay Beach – the Government owned public buses (blue with a yellow stripe), the privately owned mini buses (yellow with a blue stripe), and other private buses (white with a purple stripe).  The private buses have no schedule and are always available to zip you from Point A to Point B.

By Car:

The most scenic car route is along the West Coast main road.  

If you are leaving from the Bridgetown area, follow the one-way traffic out of the city center from the main street, Broad Street.  Make a u-turn at Heroes Square to access Princess Alice Highway.  Bear right  at the first rotary (the Bridgetown cruise terminal).   Bear right at the second rotary and then turn left onto the Spring Garden Highway.  This will give you access to Highway 1. 

From the South Coast main road, head east to access the ABC Highway (Errol Barrow Highway on the map). Use left lane to exit at the D’Arcy Scott Roundabout (rotary) bearing left.  Travel for one mile past the University of the West Indies until you reach the rotary.  To access Highway 1 (West Coast), stay in center lane and bear right at the rotary.  Paynes Bay Beach is about five minutes ahead on the left.

Romantic dining at the 246 beach-side deck at Tamarind.. aaah..

What's Near Paynes Bay Beach Barbados

Other Nearby Beaches:

• Fitts Village Beach
• Sandy Lane Beach 
• Batts Rock Beach

Hotels:

• The House
• Crystal Cove
• Tamarind 
• Treasure Beach
• Beach View

Mobile Watersports:

• What'SUP Barbados - www.surfsupbarbados.com | 246-243-7878

Restaurants:

• Daphne’s
• The Cliff
• Cariba Restaurant
• Cin Cin
• The Beach House
• Italia Coffee House
• Just Grillin’
• The Tides Restaurant and Art Gallery

Other:

• Holder’s House – an historic site and venue of local entertainment

Here is one way to spend a perfect Sunday. Visit the quiet and rugged Barbados East Coast (or maybe you'd prefer a visit to Harrison's Cave).  Savor a traditional Bajan lunch at The Beach House. Spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach, Paynes Bay Beach that is, and if time permits, watch an incredible sunset.

I'm loving the plan.