Maxwell Holidays

Maxwell joins a bevy of beach babes on Barbados’ south coast. But this place marches to its own beat – a snail-slow one. When you do want to say goodbye to your lounger, head west. The further you go, the bubblier the resorts get – until you reach the buzziest of the lot, Bridgetown.

Barbados and beaches go together like fish and chips. And Maxwell doesn’t let the side down. It’s a white-sand belter, with a few souvenir stalls and some sunbeds. Plus, swimming is like floating in one, big turquoise-tinted bath. There are a couple of restaurants on the sands, but picnics are just as popular. You can park yourself down on the wooden tables near the shade.

This place doesn’t do action-packed – it leaves that up to its neighbours. Five minutes’ drive or a 25-minute walk west, you’ve got St Lawrence Gap. This place sorts days and nights, with a shopping village for souvenir-hunting and a peppy night scene. On Fridays, meanwhile, head east to Oistins for the famous Fish Fry.