Barbados Travel Guide

Surfing

Surfing is king in Barbados! Being a coral island, a coral reef stretches all around Barbados' coastline, providing for ideal surfing conditions all over and is guaranteed to have surf somewhere along it's shores at almost any given day of the year. The east coast boasts the most powerful and biggest waves and the foaming surf of the 'Soup Bowl' is a favorite spot that is internationally recognized and the venue for the annual surfing contest. Surfboard lessons and rentals are available, as well as surf tours for the more experienced.

Scuba diving

The waters around Barbados are a treasure trove of marine life for scuba divers. Barrier reefs, situated about one and a half to two miles (2.5 to 3km) from shore, are home to numerous schools of tropical fish, corals, turtles, rays and barracudas, while fringe reefs are found closer to shore with smaller coral formations and more plant life. These are home to marine life such as seahorses and eels. Barbados is also good for wreck diving; historic Carlisle Bay has numerous wrecks and is a popular dive location, as is Folkestone Marine Park, where the artificial reef was formed by the deliberate sinking of the Greek freighter Stavronikita in 1976.

Windsurfing

Barbados is one of the best wave windsurfing spots in the world. Beginners as well as experienced windsurfers will find ideal conditions in which to ride the waves, jump or simply sail. Silver Sands is a popular location, where the conditions are challenging but forgiving. A reef lies 820ft (250m) offshore and provides a steady three to seven foot swell (1-2m), although on some days the waves here can reach up to 16ft (5m). The best time for windsurfing in Barbados is mid-November to the end of June when the moderate trade winds blow consistently over the shores.

Caribbean Cruise

A cruise in and around Barbados is a relaxing way to travel between islands, enjoy beautiful views and revel in cruise ship luxury. There are various Eastern Caribbean cruises that either board and disembark in Barbados, or feature the island as one of their main ports of call. Most ships dock at the deep water harbor on the south-west corner of the island, near Bridgetown. The port offers numerous duty free shops and Bridgetown is easily accessible by shuttle or taxi. Once in Barbados, there are a wealth of attractions and activities to keep visitors busy, and stunning beaches to relax on.

From off-road 4x4 safaris to swimming with turtles, or even surfing the 'Soup Bowl', vacationers in Barbados won't be hard-pushed for adventure. Those with extra time on their hands can try kayaking, or perhaps go down in a submarine to observe the underwater world. Other island attractions include the Animal Flower Cave, in St Lucy, and the village of Bathsheba's picture-perfect scenery, as well as two of the oldest buildings in Barbados, the Jacobean structures of Drax Hall and St Nicholas' Abbey.

With great weather all year round, Barbados is a superb cruise destination. There are also numerous packages and specials available to would-be passengers throughout the year, ensuring that anyone, at any time, can pack those sunglasses and set sail!

Honeymoon and Wedding

The Caribbean island of Barbados has long been the honeymoon destination of choice for British newly-weds, and recently the rest of the world is starting to catch on. This really is an amazing honeymoon destination where couples can do anything, from lazing around on the beach all day to exploring the nooks and crannies of Bridgetown, or perhaps scuba diving its abundant waters.

Barbados Honeymoon Things To Do

On honeymoon in Barbados, couples will be lulled into romantic bliss by the sound of the rolling waves, the clear, balmy air and the beauty of island sunsets.

Stroll hand-in-hand through the Lazaretto Garden to the magnificent waterfall which cascades over the rock face, or visit St Lucy's Animal Flower Cave to swim in the deep cave pools. A taxi tour can also be quite fun together, taking in the roadside banana plantations and the crashing waves in the ocean below. The capital, Bridgetown, makes for a great shopping and sightseeing experience.

Barbados has over 153 hotels for honeymoon couples to choose from, some of which offer special honeymoon packages. The Crane Beach Hotel offers couples romantic seclusion, gorgeous ocean views and luxurious facilities. Another favorite is the Fairmont Royal Pavilion, with its palm trees romantically lit by fairy-lights and its elegant, white linen dining room décor. The posh Sandy Lane Hotel is dedicated to fulfilling each couple's every whim, and has a great golf course to boot!