As a tropical island, Barbados is home to many beautiful beaches. Barbados beaches are as diverse as the island and everyone has their favourite.

On the calmer west coast, palms sway on white sandy shores while the azure waters lap gently at the shore. However, you can relax onshore soaking up the rays or take a dip in the clear waters. After that jet-skiing, kayaking, catamaran cruises, swimming and snorkelling all await you.

Heading south you’ll continue to find flawless sandy Barbados beaches protected by coral reefs. With the more lively surf in the south and south-east are ideal for a host of water-sports, such as windsurfing, kite-surfing and boogie boarding. If you’ve never tried these before Barbados is the perfect place to start, hey you’re on vacation after all!

Along the east coast, the beaches are wide and wind-blown. The shore is pounded by the Atlantic making it a delight for the surfers who come from all over the world.

In the north, coral and sandstone cliffs rise straight out of the sea reaching up to a hundred feet in height. But even here, you’ll find the occasional sheltered cove.

All along the Barbados shores, large and small beaches are dotted with coral formations. The soft coral rocks weathered by the ocean surf, forming abstract sculptures pleasing to an artist’s eye.

Barbados beaches are truly some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. In fact, the beach at The Crane was rated “one of the ten best beaches in the world” by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Barbados is a coral island and its beaches are made from finely ground coral forming a clean fine grain. But there are a few beaches that are not fine sand. Natural sand dunes are not common but some exist in Long Bay on the south-west coast.

Your challenge is to visit several beaches on your vacation to find your favourite.

Link to discover the beaches Barbados has to offer