Fodor's Expert Review Friar's Bay

Locals consider Friar's Bay, on the Caribbean (southern) side, the island's finest beach. It's a long, tawny scimitar, where the water always seems warmer and clearer. The upscale Carambola Beach Club, which has co-opted roughly one third of the strand, is popular with cruise ship passengers at lunch. Still, several happening bars—including Godfather Beach Bar, ShipWreck, and Discovery Beach—serve terrific, inexpensive local food and cheap, frosty drinks. Chair rentals cost around $10 for two, though if you order lunch, you can typically negotiate a freebie. Friar's is the first major beach along Southeast Peninsula Drive (aka Simmonds Highway), approximately a mile (1½ km) southeast of Frigate Bay. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.