Paynes or Carlisle?

While in Barbados, my husband and I want a relaxing day where we can rent a couple of chairs and an umbrella, have access to food and a bar, and possibly find a boat to take us out to snorkel with the sea turtles if we feel like doing that. I've read mostly about Boatyard and Lobster Alive in the Carlisle Bay area, but they sound very busy. We don't really need loud music, floating icebergs, and people trying to convince us to go jet skiing. Paynes Bay seems quieter, but where would we ask a taxi to drop us off if we want chairs & umbrellas, food, and snorkeling?

Carlisle Bay will give you more options for food and amenities, but Paynes' is generally quieter.

Carlisle Bay is about 3/4 mile long - plenty of room to spread out.

Both beaches are not too far from B'Town, so if you don't like one, you can always catch a cab to the other...

Cheers, P:)

Hello,

I would suggest for a lovely quiet beach day visit Paynes Bay.

Tell the taxi driver you wish to visit Paynes and wish to be dropped off at the Blue Monkey Hotel. The hotel is closed,however, you will be met by a man called Mr Moore, he will escort you over the road to the beach and you can either

Decide where you wish to sit on the beach yourself or Mr Moore will set you up with two beds and sunshade.,either way there are plenty of beds and shades available to hire and there is a bar where you can purchase food drinks.Toilet facilities are available and you pay $1 for the use. The boys on the beach will also supply you with bucket of 6 beers or beers and soft drinks. There is also a chap who has a glass bottom boat and he will take you out to snorkel with the turtles. If you are a strong swimmer you can swim out to the turtles yourself.

There is no loud music no music at all, very peaceful and quiet just lovely.

We have visited Paynes every year over the last ten years and still love.

If you decide to go there I can assure you, you will just love it.

Have a lovely day at Paynes Bay.:cool:

Just returned from Barbados on the Jewel last week. We were going to go to the Boatyard but it's $15/pp to get in. Our taxi driver suggested Carlisle Beach/Bay (?) which is right next door and is free. If you want chairs & umbrella it's $10 but many cruisers just put their towels on the sand. Let me just say that the umbrella alone is worth the price due to the brutally strong sun. We got a bucket of beer for $10. You could also order food at the bar with a pavilion to sit under that had bathroom facilities.

There were numerous tour boats looking for people to take their snorkeling & glass bottom boat tours. There was also jet skis & banana boat rides available.

I'd recommend this beach but have never been to Paynes.

The Boatyard is a bar/restaurant on the beach at Carlisle Bay. There are other restaurants/bars along the beach. All rent chairs and umbrellas. Last time we went to the Boatyard we got for $30 2 chairs, umbrella, 2 drinks, and cab ride back to he ship. That was there deal. You can always walk and decide which place you want to spend the day at. From the beach you can get a boat to swim with he turtles or rent jet ski. It was a nice beach and the day we were there the water was very calm. We are going back in December

Just got back on Sunday! We chose to go to Boatyard because the free drink and free return shuttle to the cruise port pretty much cancelled out the entrance fee. We arrived early and chose chairs on the farthest right side. They were nice and quiet and not too busy on that side! There were several vendors offering an hour snorkle tour that went to the shipwrecks, the sea turtles, and ended with rum punch on the way back for $20. We had a great time - the sea turtles are amazing! Lunch at the Boatyard was yummy and not overly pricy, and overall it was a great day!