Cattlewash, St. Andrew
Key facts: St. Andrew · Free · Daily · Ages: all
Cattlewash is a long stretch of east coast beach in St. Andrew, backed by the green hills of the Scotland District. The open Atlantic makes it too rough for sea swimming, but natural rock pools fill at low tide and give children a safe place to paddle. It is one of the island's most scenic coastlines.
About Cattlewash
Cattlewash runs for over a mile along the east coast in St. Andrew, just north of Bathsheba. The Atlantic rolls in hard against a wide beach backed by sea grape and the hills of the Scotland District. Shallow natural rock pools form in the reef rock and refill with each tide.
Why Families Go
The rock pools are the reason families come. At low tide they hold clear, calm water that children can sit and paddle in safely while the surf breaks further out. The setting is dramatic, with big skies and crashing waves, and there is plenty of room to walk.
What to Know Before You Go
The open sea is dangerous for swimming, with strong currents and undertow. Stick to the rock pools and check the tide, as the pools are best around low tide. There are no lifeguards and few facilities, so bring water, food, and shade. Free to visit. About 45 minutes from Bridgetown, with east coast bus service.
Family Fit
Good for all ages when you treat the rock pools, not the open sea, as the place to get wet. Time your visit for low tide for the best pools. Keep children out of the main surf at all times. Pairs well with Bathsheba and Barclays Park.
Beach Safety
Check conditions before leaving home. Conditions can change quickly, especially on the east and south coasts. Choose a beach with a lifeguard on duty when possible, and obey warning flags: a red flag means the water is not safe to enter.
Never leave young children unsupervised at the water's edge or in the sea. Children should not be left in the care of other children near the water.
Watch for watersports activity in the water. Jet skis, banana boats, and paddlers use designated zones that are not always clearly visible from shore. Stay aware of what is moving in the water around you.
Use sunblock and reapply after swimming. The Barbados sun is strong even on overcast days.
Manchineel trees grow along the edges of many Barbados beaches. They have small green apple-like fruit and broad leaves. Do not shelter under a manchineel tree in the rain. Water dripping from the leaves causes skin irritation. Do not touch or eat the fruit.
Leave the beach as you found it. Take all plastic and rubbish with you when you go.
Questions parents ask
Are the rock pools at Cattlewash safe for kids?
At low tide the natural rock pools hold calm, shallow water that is good for children to paddle in. Keep them out of the open Atlantic, which is rough and has strong currents.
Can you swim in the sea at Cattlewash?
No. The open Atlantic is unsafe for swimming here, with strong currents and undertow. Use the rock pools instead and treat the sea as scenery.
When is the best time to visit Cattlewash?
Around low tide, when the natural rock pools are clearest and calmest for paddling.
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