Silver Sands

The southern point of Barbados sticks out into the trade winds and accelerates them, and from around December to June Silver Sands and neighbouring Long Beach get side-onshore wind almost every day at speeds that make this one of the more reliable kite and windsurfing spots in the Atlantic. A reef offshore breaks the biggest swell and leaves a flat-water lagoon inside with waves beyond it, which suits both freestyle and wave riding. Brian Talma, the Barbadian windsurfer, built a scene here from the 1980s. Outside the wind season it is a long empty beach with strong current and few people.

What you actually see

• The wind - side-onshore almost daily from December to June.
• The flat-water lagoon - inside the reef, with waves beyond.
• Long Beach - the longer stretch of sand next door.
• The kite scene - schools and rental operations along the shore.

When to go

December to June is the wind season, with the strongest and most consistent conditions from January to April. Outside it the wind drops and the beach is quiet. Sargassum affects this coast in spring and summer.

Honest expectations

This is not a swimming beach: current and shore break are strong and the water is busy with kites and boards. Sargassum has been heavy on the south coast in recent years and can cover the sand. Outside the wind season there is little reason to be here. Facilities are limited to the kite operations.

Nearby

Oistins is fifteen minutes west; Miami Beach is between them.