Limegrove Lifestyle
The “Fifth Avenue of the Caribbean” is just a 5-minute walk away, offering luxury retail and world-class dining.
Experience the island’s premier protected marine reserve. From the “artificial reef skyscraper” of the Stavronikita to the tranquil Bellairs Fringing Reef, discover a world-class destination for snorkeling, conservation, and family adventure.
Select from the top-rated excursions across Holetown and the Platinum Coast.
Take in some of the most picturesque shoreline on the west coast of Barbados as we set off from Surfside beach and head to Folkstone Marine Park. Here you wi…
Join us aboard Tranquility Cruises a Snorkel Boat for our 90 minutes turtle & shipwreck adventure. The cruise departs from our. Dock in the Careenage in Brid…
Hop on our shuttle to Savvy on the Bay and board our vessel Tranquility with ease and join us on our 1.5 hour Turtle & Shipwreck adventure in Carlisle Bay. …
There is no better place in the world to spend a day at the beach than Barbados. Carlisle Bay has silky white sand with stunning turquoise blue sea. It is …
Eat like a local with Barbados’ first walking food tour as we take you on an exciting journey through the streets and by-ways of this island’s largest and mo…
Explore some of the rums of Barbados, discover how the rum is made and best of all, taste the flavors of award winning rum.
Established under the Designation of Restricted Areas Order 1981, Folkestone Marine Park was born from a need to preserve the “Platinum Coast’s” fragile ecosystems. It represents the pinnacle of the National Conservation Commission’s (NCC) efforts to balance tourism with strict reef protection.
This isn’t just a beach; it is a living laboratory. Housing the Bellairs Research Institute, it serves as one of the most scientifically documented reefs in the Caribbean. The park carries the name of Lord Folkestone, a nod to the deep-seated history of St. James, now reclaimed as a sanctuary for nature.
Offshore sanctuary for marine study.
The primary area for snorkeling and swimming.
Folkestone is the central pillar of the St. James experience. Explore nearby attractions that define the West Coast lifestyle.
The “Fifth Avenue of the Caribbean” is just a 5-minute walk away, offering luxury retail and world-class dining.
Visit the site of the first British landing (1627) and the St. James Parish Church, the island’s oldest place of worship.
Located 1km north of Holetown. The on-site car park typically reaches capacity by 09:30. Overflow parking is available 70 metres south at St. James Parish Church.
Beach Terrain: Sandy shore with a rocky reef entrance; protective footwear is recommended for swimmers.
Spanning 2.2 kilometres along the western coastline of Barbados, the reserve extends up to 950 metres offshore. The highly regulated scientific zone extends 400 metres from the shoreline, providing a secure baseline for ecological monitoring. By strictly demarcating these waters, Folkestone Marine Park maintains a critical separation between commercial water sports and the fragile coral habitats of the Caribbean Sea.
During the peak season from December to April, the reserve reaches maximum capacity by 11:00. Arrive by 08:45 to secure a space in the main car park and avoid the influx of tour buses from the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal. For optimal water clarity, enter the water at 09:15 before heavy boat traffic disturbs the sandy seabed.
Public transport via blue and yellow Transport Board buses or white and maroon ZR route taxis costs exactly $3.50 BDS. Government buses require exact change. When on the beach, carry $50 to $60 USD in physical cash. Independent vendors charge a standard rate of $20 USD ($40 BDS) for a full-day lounger rental, and many small glass-bottom boat operators do not accept card payments.
Beyond marine ecology, the visitor centre grounds hold significant historical value. The museum’s foundation incorporates elements of the original 1762 Church Point Battery, which once defended Holetown with 11 cannons. Inside, the exhibits feature the recovered skeleton of a juvenile humpback whale alongside detailed coral taxonomy.