Hastings Beach

Hastings sits at the western end of the South Coast Boardwalk, the hardwood walkway that runs about a mile along the sea towards Rockley. Hastings Rocks, the grassy park above the beach, has a bandstand where the Barbados Police Band plays, shaded benches, picnic tables, a small playground and public toilets and showers. Blakey's bar is at the western end; there are no chair rentals or food vendors on the sand itself.

The sea here is reef-lined and rocky underfoot, with moderate waves and a noticeable undertow, so swim with care and keep children close. Sand pumped in from the Bridgetown port works and a new breakwater have widened the beach, but most people come to walk. Go early, when the boardwalk is busy with walkers and runners and morning exercise classes meet at the bandstand. Shells and bits of coral wash up along the shore.