Apes Hill sits 1,000 feet above St. James in Barbados, with wide west-coast views but a drive required to reach the sea. Ocean Escape is how the resort brings the two together: its own private beach club on the Speightstown waterfront, on the site of the former 1.11 East bar.
As Ocean Escape has only recently opened in late 2025, we are looking forward to visiting ourselves soon. In the meantime, here are the essential details we know so far.
Ocean Escape is the private beach club for Apes Hill Barbados Golf Resort, reserved for Apes Hill members and resort guests. Access comes with the right stay rather than a day ticket, placing it in the same category as estate beach clubs such as the Royal Westmoreland Beach Club at Mullins and Sandy Lane's Property Owners Beach Club.
It offers Apes Hill guests a comfortable, well looked-after place to spend time by the sea, alongside the space, views, golf and resort life that draw people to the estate in the first place. The atmosphere is relaxed and attentive, rather than party-focused.
The idea is simple: arrive, settle in and stay for as long as you like. Loungers, umbrellas and towels are complimentary, with thoughtful touches including chilled towels, sorbets, sunglass cleaning and seasonal canapés brought to your lounger. From the beach, there is swimming, snorkelling along the reef, paddleboarding and kayaking.
The oceanfront dining deck and bar are open from morning into the evening. Breakfast includes lighter options such as avocado garden toast, pastries, locally roasted coffee and teas. Lunch brings fish cakes with spicy aioli, local fish cutters, catch of the day and salads, before the focus turns to fresh juices, handcrafted cocktails and sundowners later in the day. The menu is centred around fresh, locally inspired and health-conscious dishes, which suits the easy-going feel of the place.
There is also a Friday catamaran experience with Breezy Days: a trip from near the Beach Club with a fresh Bajan lunch, open bar and time to swim with turtles, kayak or paddleboard. Places are limited and booking is required. For the wider picture on sailing in Barbados, see our guide to catamaran cruises in Barbados.
For guests considering a stay, our villas at Apes Hill or the wider collection of golf resort villas are a good place to start for inspiration.
Here are the practical details most guests ask about before they book.
Is Ocean Escape open to the public?
No. It is reserved for Apes Hill members and resort guests and is not available on a day-ticket basis.
What are the opening hours?
The Beach Club is open daily from 9am to 6pm. On Wednesdays, Coastal Grill Evenings extend the day with dinner from around 6pm to 8pm.
How do guests get from Apes Hill to Ocean Escape?
Apes Hill runs a complimentary shuttle between the resort and the Beach Club, taking around ten to fifteen minutes on a scheduled, first-come basis. Guests can also drive or arrange a taxi.
Does my villa include Beach Club access?
Access is not uniform across the estate. Where it is included, it should be listed under "In brief" on the individual villa page, but we recommend confirming with us before booking, particularly as Ocean Escape is still new and arrangements may continue to develop.
What is the Friday catamaran experience?
Each Friday, members and guests can join the Apes Hill Members' Catamaran Experience with Breezy Days, limited to eighteen guests. It runs approximately 10am to 3pm with a Bajan lunch, open bar and time to swim with turtles. Booking is required, so please confirm availability, current pricing and details with our team.
Please note: Beach Club access for a specific Hammerton villa varies by property and should be confirmed with us before booking. Opening hours, event timings and catamaran arrangements may change, so please check the latest details with our team.
Take a look around below.
For a wider guide to Barbados beach clubs, including private estate access and more casual beach-day options, read our Barbados Beach Clubs Guide.
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