St Peter Beach Resort Guide
Introduction
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St Peter Parish is home to a couple of very fine resorts, where guests tend to stay put. It's far removed from the island, but what the parish lacks in other pursuits, it makes up for with exceptional beaches. Two resorts anchor the region north of Speightstown, and they couldn't be more different. Sprawling Almond Beach Village has something for everyone, while the intimate upscale Cobblers Cove Hotel is refined and luxurious, drawing mostly British vacationers (and is restricted to adults during the high season from January to March). Wherever you go, you'll find the Bajans (bay-juhns) are friendly and welcoming.
Who goes there?
A wide-ranging mix of adults divided pretty evenly between Britons and Americans seek this section of Barbados. Though many bring their families, other parts of the island are more child-friendly.
Where in the world?
Barbados stands alone in the Atlantic, 160km (100 miles) east of the other Windward Islands in the Caribbean and northeast of Venezuela. Its closest neighbour is St Lucia.
St Peter Parish is on the northwest coast of the island, with most of its resorts north of Speightstown. Grantley Adams International Airport is approximately 35km (22 miles) southeast of St Peter. Leave at least an hour to get from the airport to St Peter Parish.
When to go?
St Peter's sunny and warm year-round climate, with average temperatures between 24°C and 29°C (75°F and 85° F), is usually accompanied with northeast tradewinds. Nights are slightly cooler. The dry season (January to June) is the best time to visit. Except for the occasional hurricane, rain showers quickly come and go during the wet season of January to October.
Beach
Beaches on the west coast have delicate white sand. With little surf and smooth, sandy bottoms, they are excellent for both swimming and sunning. The shores in St Peter Parish are somewhat wider than those in the resort areas of St James. Mullins Beach, south of Speightstown, is a favourite. Its calm, crystal waters are ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Local restaurants serve food and drinks and will rent you a chair and umbrella. The beach at the Almond Beach Village is particularly long, wide, and inviting.
Beyond the beach
Famous for its ‘bearded' fig trees, Arbib Heritage & Nature Trail in Speightstown offers two of the island's best hiking trails. One is an easy walk through the back streets of Speightstown itself. St Peter also has two of the island's more interesting historical sights. Farley Hill, a national park, includes the ruins of a plantation great house and some excellent views. St Nicholas Abbey in Cherry Tree Hill is the island's oldest remaining great house, one of the best-preserved examples of Caribbean Jacobean architecture. Golfers may be interested in Almond Beach Village's nine-hole course, but the island's best courses are south in St James Parish, at Sandy Lane or the Royal Westmoreland.
Family fun
The Barbados Wildlife Reserve in Farley Hill has examples of all the island's native wildlife and birds. To the north, the Animal Flower Forest, at North Point, some magnificent tidal pools and sea caves harbour all kinds of sea life. To the south, Harrison's Cave, on Highway 2 in Welchman Hall, is a favourite for all ages.
Retail therapy
Speightstown has a few charming shops, but you will need to make the trek to either Holetown or Bridgetown to find a decent number of stores. The best duty-free stores are in Bridgetown. A charming Chattel House Village in Holetown has a good range of shops and is closer. Tyrol Cot offers the opportunity to watch local artisans make their wares. Blue or green Earthworks Pottery is top-quality.
A night on the town
St Peter is far removed from the island's major nightlife centre, the St Lawrence Gap, but it's worth the long drive if you are looking for something livelier than what might be offered in your resort. The Oistens Fish Fry, the island's best street party, is near The Gap. If you don't want to drive, organised tours go to either place.
Eating out
Barbados has many fine restaurants if you want to escape your resort, including a few upscale offerings in the Port St Charles villa development where you can expect chic, international cuisine and fine seafood. Check out some of the local specialities, including Bajan-style pepper pot, a rich, spicy stew of oxtails and beef with vegetables.
Getting around
Frequent (though somewhat slow) bus service connects Speightstown with Bridgetown, but if you want to do any serious exploring, you'll need to take tours or rent a car. Rental cars are popular for exploring but can be expensive, so most holidaymakers only rent for a day. Most resorts offer shuttles to shops, and taxis are always an option, though an expensive one. Almond Beach Village has a free shuttle to its sister property in Holetown.
Exploring further afield
The 40-minute flight to Vigie Airport (aka George F L Charles Airport) near Castries, St Lucia, makes it possible to do a day tour and return in time for dinner. Barbados is well connected to other Caribbean islands by reasonably priced flights for those who wish to spend a few days on more than one island.
Splashing out
If you are looking for a romantic rendezvous, then look no further than La Mer in Port St Charles, where you can dine on fresh fish plucked straight from the bay with a view of moonlight on the lagoon.
Flying in
Barbados's Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI)
