Rockley Holidays

Rockley is a quiet residential neighbourhood in the parish of Christ Church, sandwiched between Barbados’ dapper capital, Bridgetown, and the bubbly St Lawrence Gap. It’s one of the most tranquil places on the island’s south coast, and prides itself on its tantalising beach, nine-hole golf course, and effortless Barbadian style.

Rockley Beach is a family-friendly, 300-metre-long curl of white sand, washed by the bath-warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. With beach bars and huts dotted along the sand, where fried fish and ice-cold Banks beers are bestsellers, you never have far to walk. Behind the sand are wooden stalls selling Bajan crafts in the shade of casuarina trees. And from the north end of the beach, adrenaline-charged watersports are ten-a-penny.

The coastal road that runs through Rockley is known simply as Highway 7. Lining both sides of the tarmac are family-run restaurants serving Bajan and Creole cuisines. Joining them is the Quayside Shopping Plaza, which does a fine line in local crafts and clothes. And just north of the strip is the nine-hole Rockley Golf Course, where some of the island’s finest fairways are found.

The island’s capital, Bridgetown, is a five-minute drive west from Rockley. Its scenic harbour front, top-dollar boutiques along Broad Street, and UNESCO-listed British Garrison are just some of the reasons why people fall under its spell. Head eastwards, meanwhile, and you’ll come to St Lawrence, the island’s de facto party capital. Here, a clutch of rum shacks and dancehalls compete for your attention.