Bathsheba

Bathsheba is the spiritual heart of the Barbadian east coast — a wild, dramatic landscape of crashing Atlantic waves, mushroom-shaped rock formations and lush green hills that is completely different from the calm, resort-lined west coast. It's the Barbados that most tourists never see, and it's extraordinary.

The Soup Bowl is the main draw for surfers. Barbados's most famous surf break, it produces consistent, high-quality waves from the powerful Atlantic swells that roll in from the open ocean. The break hosts national and international competitions and attracts surfers from around the world. Lessons are available for beginners, but the Soup Bowl is best suited to experienced surfers — the waves can be powerful and the currents are strong.

The rock formations at Bathsheba are one of the most photographed landscapes in Barbados. Mushroom-shaped boulders, carved over millennia by the Atlantic waves, rise dramatically from the sea and are particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset. The beach itself is not safe for swimming due to the strong currents, but it's one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

The Andromeda Botanic Gardens, on a hillside above the sea just south of Bathsheba, are one of the finest gardens in the Caribbean. Eight acres of tropical plants — orchids, heliconias, bromeliads, palms and a remarkable collection of cacti — are arranged on terraces with stunning views over the Atlantic.

Hunte's Gardens, about 20 minutes inland, is one of the most extraordinary private gardens in the Caribbean. Created by horticulturalist Anthony Hunte in a natural gully, it's a lush, theatrical space filled with tropical plants, classical music and the owner's personal collection of art and antiques. Hunte himself often greets visitors with a rum punch.

Bathsheba is about 45 minutes from Bridgetown and 30 minutes from the west coast beaches. It makes an excellent day trip from anywhere on the island.