Barnes Bay is a serene stretch of coastline with the kind of soft white sand you dream of sinking your toes into. It's a perfect beach for snorkeling and it's location allows for a fantastic view of the sun setting over the water.
Located in West End, 0.8 miles west-southwest of Meads Bay, Barnes Bay is on the South West edge of Anguilla. You might want whether or not you're staying particularly close by. If hustle and bustle isn't your style, you'll appreciate that most of Anguilla's beaches are quite calm and serene. Of course, some vacationers come to Anguilla looking for activity, and are more likely to have fun at Barnes Bay, which is closer to all the action.
Barnes Bay Beach is a long stretch of powdery white sand and clear, still waters. It's flanked by a jutting rock formation which adds not only to the visual appeal but also to its isolated ambiance.
There is also a snack bar here. If available, you could also order lunch from one of the mobile vendors who typically set up at this spot.
Please note that public restrooms are not available, but you may be able to find facilities at a nearby business. This remote beach is set apart from the crowd and is perfect for travelers seeking time alone. Barnes Bay is one of the least crowded beaches in Anguilla.
Since Barnes Bay is of course found inside an area popular among tourist, you might want consider the time when you plan your visit.
Travelers will find Barnes Bay on the South West coast of Anguilla; the area is home to other attractions such as Devonish Art Gallery, which is one of the closest attractions to visit.
If you want to combine a little culture with your trip to the beach, you should plan a trip to Wallblake House. This museum is located a rather short taxi ride away, so it would be an easy side trip to take after some time in the sun.
If a visit to the Barnes Bay isn't enough to keep you busy all afternoon, the beach is located near the attractions in the following table.
Attraction | Type | Distance | Direction | Island |
---|---|---|---|---|
Devonish Art Gallery | Art Gallery | 0.2 mi. | S | Anguilla |
The Anguilla Aqua Park | Attraction | 1.3 mi. | ESE | Anguilla |
Cheddie's Carving Studio | Art Gallery | 1.8 mi. | NE | Anguilla |
CuisinArt Resort Golf Course | Golf Course | 2.1 mi. | E | Anguilla |
Dolphin Discovery | Attraction | 3.5 mi. | E | Anguilla |
Anguilla Tennis Academy | Tennis Club | 3.6 mi. | E | Anguilla |
Bartlett's Collection | Art Gallery | 4.2 mi. | ENE | Anguilla |
Pineapple Gallery | Art Gallery | 4.2 mi. | ENE | Anguilla |
Old Salt Factory and Pump House | Historical Site | 4.3 mi. | ENE | Anguilla |
Loblolly Gallery | Art Gallery | 6.2 mi. | ENE | Anguilla |
Savannah Gallery | Art Gallery | 6.4 mi. | ENE | Anguilla |
Warden's Place | Historical Site | 6.4 mi. | ENE | Anguilla |
The nearby town of Blowing Point is a region with interesting things to do, yet is never overly congested. From Barnes Bay, Blowing Point is not far away, maybe three and a half miles (six kilometers).
Whether or not you encounter a lot of other visitors will depend on if you visit during a popular season, which is often indicated by how busy the hotels are. Typically, you can expect to share the sand with more than a few other guests who are staying close by.
Because the beach is located in a fairly popular tourist area, it typically isn't a great challenge to find just the right type of hotel close-by. If you're looking to find a place that's near the ocean, the table below lists the closest accommodation options to Barnes Bay.
Hotel | Distance | Direction | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Viceroy Anguilla | 0.2 mi. | NE | Hotel |
Anacaona Boutique Hotel | 0.4 mi. | E | Hotel |
Frangipani Beach Resort | 0.7 mi. | ENE | Resort |
Turtle's Nest Beach Resort | 0.7 mi. | ENE | Hotel |
Cap Juluca | 0.9 mi. | SE | Resort |
Nathan's Cove | 1.0 mi. | NE | Hotel |
Covecastles Resort | 1.1 mi. | SW | Hotel |
Carimar Beach Club | 1.1 mi. | NE | Hotel |
Paradise Cove Resort | 1.3 mi. | E | Hotel |
Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort | 1.3 mi. | NE | Hotel |
Even after a restful afternoon at the beach, the day isn't truly complete until you enjoy a meal at a nearby restaurant, where you can get a taste of the local fare, within a reachable distance. One of the closest places to eat is Aleta. The restaurant features Caribbean cuisine. You'll have the option of walking or taking a cab since it's not far off the beach at all.
Nearby restaurants are shown below.
Restaurant Name | Phone | Cuisine | Style | Distance | Direction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aleta | (264) 333-8057 | Caribbean | Fine Dining | 0.2 mi. | NE |
Bamboo Bar & Grill | (264) 333-8057 | Caribbean | Very Casual | 0.2 mi. | NE |
The Half Shell | (264) 333-8057 | Mediterranean | Very Casual | 0.2 mi. | NE |
Sunset Lounge | (264) 333-8057 | Asian | Informal | 0.3 mi. | NNE |
Cobà | (264) 333-8057 | Italian | Fine Dining | 0.3 mi. | NE |
Picante | (264) 498-1616 | Mexican | Very Casual | -- | -- |
AXA Pizza | (264) 497-6827 | Italian | Very Casual | 0.4 mi. | E |
Firefly Restaurant | (264) 497-6827 | Caribbean | Informal | 0.4 mi. | E |
Ocean Echo | (264) 498-5454 | International | Informal | 0.6 mi. | ENE |
Elodias Beach Bar & Grill | (264) 497-1257 | American, Caribbean | Very Casual | -- | -- |
Straw Hat Restaurant | (264) 497-8300 | Pan Asian / Pacific Rim | Informal | 0.7 mi. | NE |
Jacala Beach Restaurant | (264) 498-5888 | Caribbean, French | Very Casual | 0.7 mi. | NE |
Of course, you'll find other beaches besides Barnes Bay in Anguilla.
If the active mood at Barnes Bay has you wanting more of the same, consider heading to Sherricks Bay Beach, a spot with the same type of electricity. You'll find it one and a quarter miles to the south west. If you were hoping to find a tranquil beach scene with few crowds, consider Meads Bay. You'll find it not far off the beach at all.
Travelers may also want to consider Cove Bay, which is located less than a mile away. Popular but calm, Cove Bay is the perfect combination of elements for lazy days in the Caribbean. Sunning and swimming are the main activities, as the surf is not quite right for water sports.
Barnes Bay could be the ideal stretch of sand, but it is possible that it may not be the best choice for your family; if so, Anguilla offers a variety of beaches for travelers who wish to try elsewhere.
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