Is Reed's Bay Beach good for children?

Yes. Reed's Bay Beach is noted as calm enough for children, and our guide rates its water as usually calm. Conditions change with the weather, so watch children in the water at all times.

What facilities are there at Reed's Bay Beach?

Our guide lists parking at Reed's Bay Beach (as of October 2026).

What time is sunset at Reed's Bay Beach?

Today the sun sets at about 17:39 Barbados time at Reed's Bay Beach, on the west coast.

Which villas are near Reed's Bay Beach?

12 villas on Luxury Rental Retreats are within about 10 minutes' drive (an estimate from distance), including Blue Oyster Villa, Martangie and Westlook 2.

St. James · West coast

Reed's Bay Beach

Quiet west-coast bay with clear, gentle water for a swim away from the crowds

Calm water(usually calm)Sunset today about 17:39ParkingCalm for children

Reeds Bay is a quiet, unspoiled stretch of soft, creamy-white sand on the St James coast between Holetown and Speightstown, and an easy stop for a quick dip if you're driving past. The clear water laps gently at the shore, shifts from deep blue to turquoise in the sun and is hard to resist, and there are no strong currents to worry about. It's used mostly by Bajans and by guests at the villas along the beachfront. Bring what you need: there are no toilets, showers, loungers, food or lifeguard, and not much natural shade. There's a small amount of parking at the southern end. Around the middle of the day, catamaran cruises often stop here for swimming, snorkelling and lunch, so for the quietest water come early in the morning or after about 2pm.

Best for

Quiet swimming
Calm water
Early-morning dips
Away from crowds

On our lists: Calm for children

Where to stay

Villas within 10 minutes of Reed's Bay Beach

Drive times are estimates from distance, not live traffic.

Lower Carlton, St. JamesRequest to bookfrom $3,150 / night

Blue Oyster Villa

5 bed 5.5 bath 10 guests

About 1 min drive (estimate) · 0.1 km

Reeds Bay, St. JamesRequest to bookfrom $1,700 / night

Martangie

4 bed 4.5 bath 8 guests

About 1 min drive (estimate) · 0.2 km

St. JamesRequest to bookfrom $225 / night

Westlook 2

A 2-bedroom St. James unit with sea views, a private pool deck and the beach 5 minutes away

2 bed 2.5 bath 4 guests

About 2 min drive (estimate) · 0.6 km

Carlton Ridge, St. JamesRequest to bookfrom $1,500 / night

Atelier House

A ridge-top house above St. James with a double-height living space and sea views from almost every room

4 bed 3.5 bath 8 guests

About 2 min drive (estimate) · 0.8 km

Gibbs, St. PeterRequest to bookfrom $600 / night

Ascot 3 Villa

A traditional 4-bedroom Gibbs villa with a private pool, steps from the beach in St. Peter.

4 bed 5 bath 8 guests

About 2 min drive (estimate) · 0.8 km

St. PeterRequest to bookfrom $775 / night

Claridges Villa 5

Three ensuite bedrooms and a shared pool with three waterfalls, a 5-minute walk from the beach

1 bed 3.5 bath 2 guests

About 3 min drive (estimate) · 1.1 km

Gibbs, St. PeterRequest to bookfrom $775 / night

Salt Life at Claridges

A three-bedroom townhouse at Claridges, moments from Gibbs Beach, with its own pool with waterfalls

3 bed 3 bath 6 guests

About 3 min drive (estimate) · 1.1 km

Gibbs Beach, St. PeterRequest to bookfrom $3,000 / night

Sandalo

A 5-bedroom St. Peter villa with private gate access to Gibbs Beach

5 bed 5 bath 2 guests

About 3 min drive (estimate) · 1.2 km

Royal Westmoreland, St. JamesRequest to bookfrom $440 / night

Royal Westmoreland, Royal Apartment 214

A ground-floor apartment at Royal Westmoreland with 3 en suite bedrooms and Full Membership included

3 bed 3 bath 6 guests

About 3 min drive (estimate) · 1.3 km

Royal Westmoreland, St. JamesRequest to bookfrom $2,500 / night

Royal Westmoreland, Coral House

Five-bedroom coral-stone villa at Royal Westmoreland with a 30-foot pool and Royal Pavilion beach access

5 bed 6 bath 10 guests

About 4 min drive (estimate) · 1.4 km

Royal Westmoreland, St. JamesRequest to bookfrom $525 / night

Royal Westmoreland, Royal Villa 7

A west-side Royal Westmoreland villa with pond and sea views and ensuite bedrooms throughout

3 bed 3.5 bath 6 guests

About 4 min drive (estimate) · 1.4 km

Mullins, St. PeterRequest to bookfrom $1,000 / night

Mullins Bay Townhouse 13, Coco

A four-bedroom Mullins Bay townhouse, 2 minutes from Mullins Beach, with a private cook and pool.

4 bed 4 bath 8 guests

About 4 min drive (estimate) · 1.5 km

Good to know

Reed's Bay Beach: questions

Is Reed's Bay Beach good for children?: Yes. Reed's Bay Beach is noted as calm enough for children, and our guide rates its water as usually calm. Conditions change with the weather, so watch children in the water at all times.
What facilities are there at Reed's Bay Beach?: Our guide lists parking at Reed's Bay Beach (as of October 2026).
What time is sunset at Reed's Bay Beach?: Today the sun sets at about 17:39 Barbados time at Reed's Bay Beach, on the west coast.
Which villas are near Reed's Bay Beach?: 12 villas on Luxury Rental Retreats are within about 10 minutes' drive (an estimate from distance), including Blue Oyster Villa, Martangie and Westlook 2.

Sources: barbados.org. 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.