Is Lakes Beach good for swimming?

Our guide rates the sea at Lakes Beach as usually rough, with strong waves and currents, so it is not a beach we suggest for young children to swim at.

Can you see turtles at Lakes Beach?

Turtles are seen at Lakes Beach. They are wild: give them space, and never touch or feed them.

St. Andrew · East coast

Lakes Beach

Wide, empty Atlantic beach in St. Andrew for walking and big-wave views, not for swimming

Rough water(usually rough, with strong waves and currents)Turtles

Lakes Beach is on the wild east coast in St. Andrew, between Barclays Park and Cattlewash to the south and Walkers Beach to the north. In the 1950s this was mostly dunes and scrub; it has since built up into a wide sweep of sand, and sea turtles come ashore here to nest, mainly between April and June. There are no hotels, shops or bars, only open beach, rolling green hills and loud Atlantic surf.

Do not swim: the waves are powerful and the currents and undertow are unpredictable. There is no lifeguard and there are no toilets or showers, so bring water and anything else you need. It is a good start for a long walk north through Walkers Beach to Morgan Lewis Beach, and Long Pond, one of the island's last coastal wetlands, is close by for birdlife.

Best for

Beach walks
Atlantic views
Turtle nesting (Apr–Jun)
Solitude

On our lists: Turtles

Where to stay

Villas within 10 minutes of Lakes Beach

None of our villas is within about ten minutes of Lakes Beach. See every villa.

Good to know

Lakes Beach: questions

Is Lakes Beach good for swimming?: Our guide rates the sea at Lakes Beach as usually rough, with strong waves and currents, so it is not a beach we suggest for young children to swim at.
Can you see turtles at Lakes Beach?: Turtles are seen at Lakes Beach. They are wild: give them space, and never touch or feed them.

Sources: barbadospocketguide.com. Lifeguard information is checked against the National Conservation Commission and barbados.org lifeguard lists. Facts as of October 2026; conditions change, so check on the day.