Places to Take Photos in Barbados
Barbados is the easternmost Caribbean island, known for its powdery white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, world-class rum, rich history and culture, delicious and eclectic cuisine and phenomenal snorkelling. It’s also the birthplace of Rihanna. In other words, you have every reason to visit Barbados. So, what are you waiting for? Here at Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over three million memories worldwide. Today, we asked our local photographers to show us all the very best places to take photos in Barbados.
TLDR:
- Bottom Bay: Partially enclosed by high coral cliffs, the beach at Bottom Bay provides a panoramic view of the south shore—which makes for some epically Instagrammable ocean views.
- Bridgetown: Known by the locals simply as “the city” or “the town,” Bridgetown is packed with rich history. You’ll find photo ops around every corner.
- Paynes Bay: Bordered by tall, shady palm trees and looking out on the warm, calm and clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, this is the perfect spot to swim and snorkel.
- Farley Hill National Park: Located on a hill overlooking the Atlantic coast, Farley Hill is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery that will keep your camera busy for hours.
- Dover Beach: Dover Beach is a lively spot full of watersports, located on the southern coast in the St. Lawrence Gap.
- Bathsheba: Bathsheba is a seaside village full of stunningly beautiful white sand beaches sweeping along a striking coastline of dramatic rock formations.
- St. Lawrence Gap: Known for its vivacious and vibrant nightlife, St. Lawrence Gap is also home to great shopping, fine dining and a myriad of local, colourful food vendors.
- Cove Bay: Cove Bay is a calm, rural setting located on the northeast coast in the parish of St. Lucy, known for phenomenal views, rolling green hills and coconut-lined avenues.
- Mullins Beach: One of the best beaches on the west coast, Mullins Beach is perfect for jet skiing, swimming or just lounging underneath a beach umbrella, drink in hand.
- Enterprise Beach (Miami Beach): Intimate and peaceful, Miami Beach is considered one of the best places to swim on the entire island.
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Kim and family capture memories in Barbados with a family photoshoot on Dover Beach.
1. Bottom Bay
Nestled into the south coast just past Crane Beach, Bottom Bay is a large, spacious beach that overlooks crystal-clear waters as they roll and crash onto the sandy shore. Partially enclosed by high coral cliffs, the beach provides a panoramic view of the south shore, which makes for some epically Instagrammable ocean views.
🐢🐳 Keep an eye out for turtles and whales as you settle beneath the towering palm trees. You’ll have to appreciate the turquoise water from the safety of the warm sand, as, sadly, the waves are too strong for swimming. But you can enjoy the view while you lazily recline on your blanket after a fabulous picnic. The wind in the palm trees and the crashing of waves will act as your post-sandwich lullaby. 😴
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Erin and family capture memories in Barbados with a family photoshoot at Bottom Bay.
2. Bridgetown
Established all the way back in 1628, Bridgetown is Barbados’s capital and biggest city. The cheerful and energetic mix of West African and British culture combines here to form Bajan culture.
Known by the locals simply as “the city” or “the town,” Bridgetown is packed with rich history. In fact, in 2012, downtown Bridgetown was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-see when visiting the Caribbean.
From the tranquil beach of Carlisle Bay to the 350-year-old rum distillery St. Nicholas Abbey, the historic Parliament Buildings and the wreck of the S.S. Stavronikita—one of the most popular dive sites and shipwrecks in the entire Caribbean—Bridgetown has something for everyone. There are, quite literally, photo opportunities around every corner!
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Tracy and partner capture memories in Barbados with a couples photoshoot in Bridgetown.
3. Paynes Bay
Tucked away on the West Coast, you’ll find Paynes Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Barbados. Bordered by tall, shady palm trees and overlooking the warm, calm and clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, this is the perfect spot to swim and snorkel, as the gentle waves have no dangerous currents or undertow.
The only potential danger on the beach comes from Manchineel trees, which grow Manchineel apples—though they may be cute and tiny, they are also poisonous, so steer clear! 🍏☠️
When you’re through swimming, you can laze about on the beach, watching the colourful sailboats drift by. ⛵️
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Shannon celebrates a birthday in Barbados with a birthday photoshoot at Paynes Bay.
4. Farley Hill National Park
Farley Hill National Park holds the ruins of the once stately and majestic Farley Hill House, a mansion now overgrown with lush green fronds in a forest of mahogany trees. Located high up on a hill overlooking the Atlantic coast, Farley Hill is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery that will keep your camera busy for hours.
🧺 Pack up your picnic basket with all the goodies it can hold and get ready for an afternoon awash in a gorgeous sea of green. Or if you’re in a party mood, Farley Hill is often used as a stage for musical and theatrical events, including Reggae on the Hill, Soca on the Hill and Gospel Fest. 🎶🎷🪇
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Justeen and partner capture memories in Barbados with a vacation photoshoot.
5. Dover Beach
Located on the southern coast in the St. Lawrence Gap, Dover Beach is a lively spot full of watersports. While there are no strong currents in the area, the sea is still extremely active, making it an ideal place for jet skiing, boogie boarding, Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing and plain old regular surfing.
Surfers tired of catching waves can find gentler swimming conditions on the eastern end of the beach or can try to spot sea turtles as they come up for air from the warm, turquoise water. Who doesn’t want a turtle in their Instagram story!? 🐢🐢🐢
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Megan and partner celebrate a honeymoon in Barbados with a honeymoon photoshoot on Dover Beach.
6. Bathsheba
Located on Barbados’s jagged east coast, Bathsheba is a seaside village full of stunningly beautiful white sand beaches sweeping along a striking coastline of dramatic rock formations, where giant waves from the Atlantic crash against massive boulders that have washed up on the beach after breaking away from ancient coral reefs. All of these breathtaking sights make Bathsheba one of the most incredible places to take photos in Barbados. 📸
Just north of Bathsheba, you’ll find Joes River, one of the few above-ground rivers in Barbados, and Joes River Gorge, a natural water course running down the inland hills to the coast. Don’t miss the sturdy wooden bridge that leads over the gorge, as you’ll be able to take plenty of Instagram-worthy selfies with either the coastline or the gorge as your backdrop.
While you’re here, another great photo spot is the Pink House, a small, derelict and iconic house located on the beach that’s been used in the classic soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as well as the music video for Simple Plan’s Summer Paradise.
And no trip to Bathsheba would be complete without a visit to the Andromeda Botanical Gardens, an authentic garden designed by award-winning horticulturalist Iris Bannochie, a self-taught Barbadian scientist.
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Andrea and partner capture memories in Barbados with a vacation photoshoot in Bathsheba.
7. St. Lawrence Gap
St. Lawrence Gap, most commonly known simply as “the Gap,” is a 1.5-kilometre stretch of road known for its vivacious and vibrant nightlife, great shopping, fine dining and a myriad of local, colourful food vendors.
It’s one of the most unique places to take photos in Barbados, as apartments, villas, hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and a bunch of other small businesses all squeeze together to form this eclectic street. ⚡️
If you’re a foodie, the options are endless. From Bajan to Brazilian to English to Irish to Thai to Italian to Jamaican to Indian to Chinese to American food, there is truly something for everyone. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a fantastic bar or restaurant, so loosen your belt and get ready for a decadent night!
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Rajen and partner celebrate a proposal in Barbados with a proposal photoshoot at the St. Lawrence Gap.
8. Cove Bay
Cove Bay is a calm, rural setting located on the northeast coast in the parish of St. Lucy, known for its phenomenal views, rolling green hills and coconut-lined avenues. Do not miss visiting the cliffs overlooking the bay, but be aware that getting there is a bit tricky.
There are no main roads to the top of the cliffs overlooking the bay, so to reach this epic picnic spot, you’ll need to drive through plenty of farmland and fields, zig-zagging around goats, cows and bleating Black Belly sheep. But it will all be worth it when you reach the remote, picturesque picnic spot underneath the swaying coconut trees, enveloped by the sound of roaring waves crashing against the high cliffs.
With a phenomenal view of the northern coastline, Cove Bay is not a spot to be missed.
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Jeanelle and family celebrate a birthday in Barbados with a birthday photoshoot.
9. Mullins Beach
One of the best beaches on the west coast, Mullins Beach is perfect for jet skiing, swimming or just lounging underneath a beach umbrella, drink in hand. Packed with beach bars, it’s a great place to drink and snack throughout the day or to have a romantic dinner in the glow of a breathtaking sunset.
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Tara and family capture memories in Barbados with a family photoshoot on Mullins Beach.
10. Enterprise Beach (Miami Beach)
Enterprise Beach, which is known locally as Miami Beach, is about as far as you can get from Miami Beach, Florida. Intimate and peaceful, this beach is a hidden gem far removed from the chaotic pace of the south coast.
A rock breakwater divides the beach into the west and east sides. The west side is considered one of the best places to swim on the entire island, with deep, calm and warm crystal-clear turquoise water. The east side features a large recreation area full of picnic tables shaded from the sun by almond trees and evergreen pines.
If you’re looking for chill vibes and photo-bomb-free pictures, Miami Beach is the spot for you.
Photo: Andrew in Barbados for Flytographer. Ada and family capture memories in Barbados with a family photoshoot at Miami Beach.
Capturing Memories in Barbados
Before we end this photo tour, we’d like to include a few honourable mentions. Yes, there really are that many incredible places to visit in Barbados! ❤️
Here are the other Barbados locations that didn’t make the cut:
- Animal Flower Cave
- Mount Hillaby
- Cherry Tree Hill
- Gun Hill Signal Station and Lion
- South Coast Boardwalk
- Harrison’s Cave
- Hunte’s Gardens
Flytographer pairs you with professional travel photographers all over the world so that you’re guaranteed to capture your adventures. We have a long list of island locations in the Caribbean, including Saint Martin, Nassau and many more! And while we have you, become a pro at beach photoshoots with our 7 Tips to Have the Best Beach Photoshoot.
View our location database for the full list of Flytographer destinations.
“Andrew was so easy to speak with and to arrange the shoot. Everything went so well and we were so happy with the photos he captured for our engagement shoot for the wedding. He was very helpful with guiding our poses and what to do. We’re so happy to have had Andrew do our shoot!”
Rajen
“Andrew was AWESOME!!!! My fiancé had never done a professional couples photoshoot so we anticipated some awkwardness. We shared this with him prior to the shoot and told him he had 100% creative freedom to pose us any way he saw fit. If I could do it all again I wouldn’t change anything about it, he did absolutely amazing and proposed a few different locations on the beachfront that came out so beautiful!”
Justeen
“Andrew was very easy to work with, and took some fantastic photos of our family. We will look back on our Barbados holiday with the fondest of memories! Thanks Andrew for helping us capture it!”
Kim
