Tent Bay, St. Joseph

Key facts: St. Joseph · Free · Daily · Ages: all

Tent Bay is a small fishing bay on the east coast in St. Joseph, right by Bathsheba and the famous Soup Bowl surf break. Fishing boats work from the bay and rock pools form among the reef rock. The open Atlantic is rough, so it is for scenery, fishing, and surfing rather than swimming.

About Tent Bay

Tent Bay is a small working fishing bay on the east coast in St. Joseph, beside the village of Bathsheba and close to the Soup Bowl, the island's most famous surf break. Fishing boats launch and land here, and reef rock forms pools along the shore. The Atlantic scenery is dramatic.

Why Families Go

Children enjoy watching the fishing boats and the surfers at the Soup Bowl, and exploring the rock pools when the tide allows. It is a real east coast working bay, full of character, in one of the most scenic parts of the island.

What to Know Before You Go

The open Atlantic is rough and not for swimming, with strong currents. Use the rock pools for careful paddling and keep to the bay. There are limited facilities, with more in Bathsheba village. Free to visit. About 45 minutes from Bridgetown, with east coast bus service to Bathsheba.

Family Fit

Good for families wanting east coast scenery, fishing-boat watching, and surf spotting, with paddling limited to the rock pools and supervised. Keep children out of the open sea. Pairs well with Bathsheba and the Andromeda Botanic Gardens.

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.

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