Dover Beach is a popular spot for active beachgoers on the southwest coast of Barbados. Rent a boogie board to enjoy the generally gentle surf or ride a Jet ski to cut through the waves.
Bring your snorkeling gear or purchase some from the beach vendors. Colorful tropical fish will swim with you as you explore the coral. Look for parts of several shipwrecks that have become home for marine life.
Ocean breezes provide ideal conditions for windborne activities. Take a windsurfing lesson from the friendly and competent watersport vendors and find yourself skimming along the water faster than any surfer. Or, ride a dual-hulled sailboat with the thrilling experience of lifting one hull high out of the water.
Look for the excursions that will take you to a nearby location for snorkeling with sea turtles. Some vendors will rent magnifying goggles for those who normally wear glasses for distance.
Dover Beach is great for swimming. Lifeguards patrol the area and the water generally has swell and some waves, but no strong currents. The beach is one of the widest on Barbados, offering space for those who want to sunbathe as well as others who want to dig in the sand.
Visit one of the vendors to rent beach chairs and umbrellas or purchase snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses and T-shirts. Or, relax in the shade with an icy cold beer or frozen daiquiri at the beachside bar.
While you’re on a break from beach activities, look for the activity going on across the street. This is the Dover Playing Field where you may find cricket or Bajan football (soccer) underway. Go to the ocean side to play beach volleyball and cool off with a freshwater shower before you return to your hotel.
Dover Beach is 11 miles (7 kilometers) south of Bridgetown. If you are not staying within walking distance, take a taxi or shuttle to the beach as parking may be limited.
Dover Beach Tours and Activities
![Dover Beach which includes a beach, general coastal views and tropical scenes](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/48000/48005-Dover-Beach.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
![Dover Beach featuring a sandy beach, tropical scenes and a coastal town](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/48000/48008-Dover-Beach.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
![Dover Beach showing landscape views and a beach](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/48000/48009-Dover-Beach.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
![Dover Beach featuring a sandy beach, a coastal town and a luxury hotel or resort](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/48000/48010-Dover-Beach.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
![Dover Beach](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/48000/48006-Dover-Beach.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Visit Dover Beach
Plan a trip to see Dover Beach
![Luxury Collection at Sea Breeze Beach House by Ocean Hotels](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/39000000/38420000/38413600/38413600/a7e16532_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)
Luxury Collection at Sea Breeze Beach House by Ocean Hotels
Reviewed on Jan. 27, 2025
![Concierge Collection at O2 Beach Club & Spa by Ocean Hotels](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/91000000/90170000/90165900/90165847/4cf36ec2_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)
Reviews of Dover Beach
4/5 - Good
Waves were too high for us to enjoy the ocean at this time. Nice white sand. All beaches are public but not too many ppl bothering you. A simple no thanks and they step away.
4/5 - Good
Went on a very windy day, they had red flags on the beach and were confined to a small area. The beach itself is very shallow and the tide took over 3/4 of the sandy area by 3pm. $15 USD to rent 2 chairs, however, I saw people setting up the chairs themselves without paying. Check it out before you pay the guy.
4/5 - Good
Beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. Sea can be choppy, but most days were ideal for swimming. Water warm and clear.
Popular places to visit
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St. Lawrence Bay
Why not spend a carefree afternoon at St. Lawrence Bay during your travels in St. Lawrence Gap? Stroll along the area's seaside, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.
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Maxwell Beach
If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Maxwell Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Maxwell. Amble around this romantic area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
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Rockley Beach
This ideal all-around beach provides enjoyable activities from dawn to dusk.
![Miami Beach which includes a beach and landscape views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/47000/47991-Miami-Beach.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)
Miami Beach
A great beach with tide pools for toddlers and big waves for aspiring surfers. Plenty of sun and sand for everyone else.
Barry's Surf Barbados Surf School
Enjoy an outing to Barry's Surf Barbados Surf School during your stay in St. Lawrence Gap. Stroll along the seaside or discover the beautiful sunsets in this romantic area.
Turtle Beach
Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Turtle Beach during your travels in St. Lawrence Gap? Visit the area's shops or amble around its seaside.
Best Lodging Options Near Dover Beach
Check availability on hotels close to Dover Beach
![Rostrevor Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/7300/7295/024cb8c3_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Bougainvillea Barbados](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/200000/197700/197672/2ffa30f5_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![South Gap Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1290000/1287900/1287834/0a6e9c64_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Concierge Collection at O2 Beach Club & Spa by Ocean Hotels](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/91000000/90170000/90165900/90165847/4cf36ec2_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![O2 Beach Club & Spa by Ocean Hotels](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/54000000/53900000/53894500/53894415/ff1e4cf6_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Melbourne Inn](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1410000/1402800/1402708/0dbf9c22_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Harlem B & B](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/34000000/33120000/33113900/33113848/d08e41a6_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Barbados Beach Club Resort - All Inclusive](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/7300/7271/a808eecb_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
![Hilton Barbados Resort](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/910000/901900/901879/e3ffa760_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=420&h=224&q=medium)
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