Bottom Bay Beach Barbados
Bottom Bay Beach is not for the faint-hearted, and, here, the regularly roaring waves delight in giving the adventurous and - perhaps - foolhardy wave worshippers adrenaline-packed rides that they will never forget.
Bottom Bay is one of the most popular highlights of the St Philip's Parish coastline, which is located in the island's southern quarter, and the bay's ambitious swells and world-class waves regularly tempt surfers - of the board as well as the wind- and kite- variety - to try out their skills. Surfers, jetskiers and their ilk should, however, be on the look out for the treacherous rocky outcroppings that dot the Bottom Bay shore, and swimmers should take the utmost care when negotiating these unquiet waters.
Although it may be a somewhat challenging beach as far as watersports are concerned, Bottom Bay is also a charming example of Caribbean seaside splendour, and picnics on this sultry and sandy shore, which is framed by tangled palm trees that cling precariously to coral cliffs, come highly recommended. The beach is also beloved of the local marine life, and visitors should be constantly alert in order not to miss precious glimpses of the tourists of the turtle and whale variety.
Should visitors become tired of observing Bottom Bay's wild and rugged splendour, there are ample local attractions to sample, and most of these are located mere minutes from the beach. On top of the list of nearby tourist hotspots must be the ruins of Harrismith House, an old plantation that has seen better days but that lends just the right amount of mystery and glamour to this parish's past, not to mention the stately, white Georgian castle that was once owned by that true "Pirate of the Caribbean", crafty and conniving Samuel Lord.
Bottom Bay Beach has the reputation of being quite crowded on weekends but almost deserted on week-days, and midweek would therefore be the ideal time for a quick shore-side getaway. Beach chairs, umbrellas and the like are available for hire - but only on weekends - and several small but well-stocked shopping centres are to be found sufficiently close to the bay to make running over to pick up a few necessities a simple matter of short duration.
The bottom line on visiting Bottom Bay is that the beach is ideal for those who are out to experience a Barbados more natural and unspoilt than touristy-commercial.
