SURF SPOT: TROPICANA
Along the platinum stretch of Barbados’ west coast sits one of the island’s most playful and photogenic waves — Tropicana, also known as Thunder Bay.
A clean, reef-and-rock bottom left-hander, Tropicana wraps beautifully when a northwest swell lights up the coast. It’s not the heaviest wave on the island. That title belongs firmly to the east coast’s Soup Bowl but when conditions align, Thunder Bay delivers long, peeling walls that are perfect for carving, trimming, and stylish flow.
What makes Tropicana inviting is its accessibility. The water is warm, the takeoff is relatively forgiving, and the wave tends to peel rather than pitch. It’s the kind of left that invites drawn-out turns rather than frantic survival.
And then there’s the setting.
Unlike the raw Atlantic energy of the east, Thunder Bay feels distinctly Caribbean — glassy mornings, turquoise water, catamarans drifting in the distance. You paddle out in board shorts and stay until your shoulders give in, watching the sun drop into the sea.
Tucked beneath dramatic limestone cliffs on Barbados’ north coast, Archer’s Bay feels like something you’ve stumbled upon rather than planned.
There’s no long stretch of umbrellas. No beach bars humming in the background. Just a steep path down to a small, golden cove where the Atlantic rolls in and the cliffs rise tall behind you.
It’s wild, cinematic, and wonderfully quiet.
You visit Archer’s Bay for the feeling that sense of being at the edge of the island, where the landscape is raw and untouched. The light hits differently up here. The water shifts from deep turquoise to navy. The breeze carries salt and stillness in equal measure.
It’s not always a swimming beach because the north coast can be powerful but it’s perfect for exploring, taking photographs, sitting with a book, or simply pausing to take it all in.
FOOD REVIEW: CUZZ CUTTERS
If you know, you know.
Cuz’s Cutters is one of those places that feels completely Barbados — no fuss, no frills, just seriously good food served steps from the sea.
We went for the fish cutter (obviously) and it did not disappoint. Freshly fried flying fish, soft salt bread, a squeeze of lime, a dash of pepper sauce — simple, perfect, and exactly what you want after a swim. It’s the kind of sandwich you finish and immediately consider ordering another.
But what really makes Cuz’s special is the atmosphere. Friendly service, easy conversation, locals and visitors all perched on the wall looking out over the water. You’re quite literally on the beach — turquoise sea in front of you, warm sand at your feet, and that steady Caribbean breeze rolling through.
Great food. Genuine service. An unbeatable location.
EXPLORING BARBADOS: HARRISMITH BEACH
There’s something about Harrismith that feels slightly untamed.
The road gets quieter as you head southeast. The coastline opens up. The wind picks up. And then suddenly you’re standing above this wide sweep of turquoise, with the Atlantic rolling in steady and strong.
Harrismith isn’t tucked away — it’s exposed. Big sky, big horizon, constant motion. The waves crash hard against the outer reef, but inside the cove the water can settle into this almost glassy calm, clear enough to see straight to the sand below.
And then there’s the house.
That old abandoned villa perched above the bay — all open windows and weathered stone. It’s not polished. It’s not curated. It just stands there, quietly dramatic, as if it’s been watching the sea for decades. Walk through it and the wind moves straight through the empty rooms. Frame the ocean through the doorways and you’ll understand why it’s one of the most photographed spots on the island.
Inspired by the iconic wave-patterned streets of Lisbon’s Rossio Square, the Rossio Wave Swim Shorts bring a little European rhythm to island life.
If you’ve walked those mosaic pavements in Portugal — the black and white curves rolling underfoot — you’ll recognise the influence immediately. The pattern was originally designed to echo the movement of the sea. We’ve reimagined it in green and white — a fresher, sun-washed take that feels equally at home against turquoise Caribbean water.
The result is bold without being loud. Graphic, but still timeless.
Cut in our signature tailored swim silhouette, the Rossio Wave sits clean through the leg — smart enough for lunch, relaxed enough for long swims. The green softens in the sun, the white pops against a tan, and the pattern carries just enough movement to stand out without shouting.
These are the shorts you pack first.
Written By Andrew Rose
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Sun, sand, and Santa vibes — Caribbean style. From golden-hour beach tunes to festive favourites with a tropical twist, this playlist brings the warmth, the rhythm, and the holiday glow straight to wherever you are.
Our very own Andrew Rose stops by SunLife Smoothies in Barbados to check out what the island’s favourite smoothie bar has to offer — from fresh tropical blends to the perfect post-beach pick-me-up.
A little slice of island life, straight to your inbox. Each month we’re sharing what we’re listening to, places we’re loving around Barbados, what’s new with us, and a few stories or photos from life on the rock. Think of it as a quick escape — a moment to slow down, lime a little, and catch up on what’s been happening under the sun.
