Bathsheba village
Surf, rocksThe village by the Soup Bowl and the rock formations.
Village guide
Things to do in Bathsheba
The wild Atlantic side of Barbados: giant rock formations in the surf, the Soup Bowl break, tropical gardens, rum shops and cliff-top views over the east coast.
1
Hostels in the city
Atlantic
The wild side of the island
1–2
Nights
The island's other side
Bathsheba is a small fishing village on the east coast of Barbados, in the parish of St Joseph, and it feels like a different island. Instead of calm turquoise water, the open Atlantic rolls in from Africa, breaking around huge mushroom-shaped rocks that stand in the shallows.
The Soup Bowl, just off the village, is one of the best surf breaks in the Caribbean and has hosted international surf competitions. The coast is rugged and green, with steep hills, gardens and lookouts. Andromeda Botanic Gardens and Hunte's Gardens are nearby, and St John's Parish Church sits on a cliff with views over the whole coast.
The sea here is not for swimming: currents are powerful, so people paddle in the shallow rock pools at low tide instead. Bathsheba has a few guesthouses, rum shops and small restaurants, and it is quiet after dark. Give it one or two nights, or visit as a day trip from the south or west coast.
Where to base yourself
In the village by the Soup Bowl, or along the coast road at Tent Bay and Cattlewash.
Tent Bay
Fishing boats, quietA small bay just south of the village.
Cattlewash
Long beachA long, wild beach to the north.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Bathsheba
Walk the beach among the giant rock formations, and paddle in the rock pools at low tide. Watch surfers at the Soup Bowl, or, if you are experienced, surf it yourself, best with the winter swell from November to March. Beginners can take lessons on gentler breaks with local surf schools.
Wander through Andromeda Botanic Gardens, on the hillside above the village, and Hunte's Gardens, a lush garden set in a sinkhole. Visit St John's Parish Church for the cliff-top view, and drive north to Cherry Tree Hill and the Morgan Lewis Windmill, one of the last working sugar windmills in the Caribbean.
Stop at Barclays Park and the long beach at Cattlewash, and have a drink at a rum shop in the village.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
All beaches in Barbados are public, so Bathsheba's beach, the rock pools and Cattlewash are free. Watching the surfers at the Soup Bowl costs nothing.
St John's Parish Church and the view from Cherry Tree Hill are free.
The gardens and the Morgan Lewis Windmill charge entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Food is simple: fried flying fish, fishcakes, cutters and plates of local food from rum shops and small restaurants in the village. A few guesthouses and hotels on the coast serve Bajan lunches with sea views.
There are no big supermarkets, so stock up on the way if you are self-catering.
A service charge of 10 per cent is often added to restaurant bills.
Nightlife
Going out
Nightlife is a rum shop or two and the sound of the waves. Evenings are quiet and early.
For bars and clubs, St Lawrence Gap on the south coast is about an hour away.
Roads are dark and winding at night, so plan transport in advance.
Getting around
Getting around
Blue government buses, yellow minibuses and white ZR vans all charge a flat fare of BBD$3.50 (about €1.50) to anywhere on the island. Government buses take exact cash only, with no change given. Buses run from Bridgetown's Fairchild Street terminal to Bathsheba in around 45 minutes, though less often than on the south and west coasts.
A hire car is the easiest way to explore the east coast lookouts and gardens. Roads are narrow, steep and winding, and driving is on the left.
The airport is about 45 minutes away by taxi.
Costs
What Bathsheba costs
Bathsheba has a small number of guesthouses and apartments, from around €45 to €90 a night. Rum shop food is cheap, and there are few restaurants.
Surf lessons and car hire are the main extras. The bus costs about €1.50 a trip.
The Barbados dollar is fixed at two to one with the US dollar.
Safety
Safety and scams
Do not swim in the sea at Bathsheba. The Atlantic currents are powerful and there are no lifeguards. Paddle only in the shallow rock pools at low tide, and watch for waves washing over the rocks.
The Soup Bowl is for experienced surfers, with a shallow reef. The village is safe, but quiet after dark.
In an emergency, call 211 for the police or 511 for an ambulance.
Along the east coast
Gardens, lookouts and windmills.
Hunte's Gardens
A lush garden in a sinkhole.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Surf contests and the east coast.
November to March
Surf season
The Soup Bowl
The best waves come with the winter Atlantic swell.
Varies by year
Surf competitions
The Soup Bowl
International and local contests.
Hostels
Where to stay
What is bookable in Bathsheba, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
The best surf comes with the winter swell, from November to March, which is also the dry season. The east coast is windier and a little cooler all year. September and October are the wettest months.
Jan
Dry, breezy, peak season
Feb
Driest month, Holetown Festival
Mar
Dry and warm
Apr
Excellent, quieter at the end
May
Good value
Jun
Rains begin, Crop Over starts
Jul
Crop Over building
Aug
Grand Kadooment
Sep
Wettest, peak hurricane risk
Oct
Quiet and cheap
Nov
Independence, 30 November
Dec
Dry season returns
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm all year, with the east coast windier.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on east coast prices.
Treat these as a guide. Surf lessons and car hire cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Bathsheba questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can you swim at Bathsheba?
No. The Atlantic currents are powerful. Paddle in the shallow rock pools at low tide instead.
What is the Soup Bowl?
A world-class surf break off Bathsheba, best from November to March, for experienced surfers.
How do I get to Bathsheba?
By bus from Bridgetown's Fairchild Street terminal, around 45 minutes, or by hire car.
Is Bathsheba worth a day trip?
Yes, for the rock formations, the gardens and the views.
Should I stay overnight in Bathsheba?
One or two nights is lovely if you want quiet, surf and sunrise over the Atlantic.
Is there nightlife in Bathsheba?
Very little: a rum shop or two.
Can beginners surf in Barbados?
Yes, with surf schools on gentler breaks. The Soup Bowl itself is for experienced surfers.
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