Barbados TravelAdvisor

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/bestbeaches/3453409/Best-beaches-Crane-Beach-Barbados.html

Ideal for body surfing, the palm-fringed stretch Crane Beach is everything a Caribbean beach should be, but with bigger waves.

The beach

Crane Beach is on the island’s south-east coast and is where the rugged Atlantic beaches of the north and east coast meet the gentle stretches of the Caribbean west coast. It’s the archetypal palm-fringed Caribbean beach, but with bigger waves and a stronger breeze. Prosaically, the name refers to the large crane which used to load and unload ships here in the 18th century.

Who goes

Guests at The Crane hotel, on the cliff top above it; holidaymakers who’ve heard the rumour that this is the best beach on the island; and Prince Andrew, who has a house nearby.

What is there to do

The moderate waves make it excellent for body surfing (boogie boards are available for rent) and for strong swimmers; there’s a protected cove a little farther along the beach which is better suited to children and weaker swimmers. It’s also a great spot for watching the sunset. No motorised sports.

Bites and bars

There are no restaurants on the beach. Take a picnic or eat in the terrace restaurant overlooking the beach at The Crane (001 246 423 6220; www.thecrane.com).

Getting there

Crane Beach is six minutes’ drive from the airport and 30 minutes from Bridgetown. It’s a public beach, but if you enter via The Crane hotel there is a charge for non-residents (offset against restaurant and bar bills). Free access is at the far end of the beach (you’ll need transport).

Never knew Prince Andrew had a house nearby!

Me neither. if it's one of those two utterly stunning ones either side of the wee road that leads to the beach, I will be destroyed by jealousy!

Im pretty sure they are both owned by canadians, one of them flew Bruce Springstein in to sing at a party, as one does!.

I heard that he did have one or at least stayed there but that was ages ago

In case anyone is wondering – it’s not me!

We'll have to suss out where he is so we can visit him in March. On the other hand, maybe not. He probably gets free flights from somewhere. He's good at getting freebies is he not? Come to think of it, maybe he got the house as a pressie too.

Come on Andy, if you're reading this let us know where it is and when you're going.