Bridgetown is a port town and the capital of Barbados. Its central business district is the national centre serving as the primary focus for major office, parliamentary, and shopping services for the island. The Garrison is one of eight Cultural Heritage Conservation Areas on the island and represents a very distinguished era of military colonial history. Within the precincts of this Site, there are one hundred and fifteen listed buildings.

The combination of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison represents a worthy collection of history, colonial and vernacular architecture and good elements of the art and science of town planning. On June 25, 2011 Barbados joined an elite group of nations with world heritage properties when Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This inscription is a tremendous feat for a small Caribbean island states. It presented the opportunity to address the obvious geographical imbalance in sites from Latin American and the Caribbean.

PARKS AND LANDMARKS
Whilst enjoying all the beauty and historical value of the world UNESCO site – Bridgetown and its Garrison, be sure to check out some historical parks, sites, statues, monuments and interesting landmarks that can be found around the site. There is also a historic lighthouses dating back to the mid 1800s.

BLACKWOODS SCREW DOCK
Blackwoods Screw Dock is a beautiful and unique historic site located in the heart of Bridgetown. It is the only remaining Screw Dock of its kind in existence in the world with a rich and vibrant history.

Take a walk through history as you enter our Historical Maritime Centre featuring interesting and unique artefacts, displays and photos of Barbados from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Then enjoy a cold refreshing drink from our bar, Blackwood’s Tavern, which also offers delicious fare including fresh salads, local favorites like fish cakes and Bajan flying fish cutters, as well as delightful grilled dishes.

Complete your visit with access to the beautiful nearby beach. We offer shower and changing facilities, lounge chairs, and umbrellas for your enjoyment!

THE GARRISON SAVANNAH
The location is the Historic Garrison Savannah, close to the capital, Bridgetown. The Garrison Savannah has been the home of horse racing in Barbados since 1845. The officers of the British Regiment, who were stationed in Barbados, used what was then the parade ground to match their horses in races and the wealthy merchants and planters later joined them.

Explore books and artefacts rich in Caribbean history

LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS
The libraries and museums in Barbados are packed with fascinating books and beautiful objects, everyone with a story to tell.
If you’re looking for a Barbados library, then you’re pretty much spoiled for choice. The two main examples on the island are the Shilstone Memorial Library and the National Library in the capital Bridgetown. The first of these, the Shilstone Library, has a diverse and fascinating collection of more than 6,000 books journals and pamphlets. No matter what area of life in the Caribbean interests you, you’ll find plenty worth exploring here – from history, pre-history and archaeology, through to information on art, architecture, furniture and craft, alongside a collection of stunning rare books from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. As a visitor to Barbados you can become a member of the National Library and while away some time exploring the reference section, which is packed with information on the society and history of this beautiful island.

If you want to take a more hands-on approach to studying Barbados history, then visit one of the many museums in Barbados. There are no fewer than nine museums, where you’ll find information and educational content, set out in an interactive and entertaining manner. The newest of the museums boast state of the art displays which utilize cutting edge technology, but the more traditional institutions have plenty of offer visitors as well. The Barbados Museum and Historical Society has an amazing 500,000 artifacts which, between them, preserve the past of Barbados and tell the tale of Caribbean development right up until the 21st Century.

Some of the museums in Barbados are housed within buildings which, in themselves, are historically significant. Pay a visit while you’re exploring the island and you’ll relish the chance to explore its rich and fascinating history.

Barbados as a holiday choice is perfectly suited to the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Enjoy high end duty-free designer jewellery, apparel and accessories stores, and the finest restaurants, bars and cafés in the Caribbean.

It’s always playtime in Barbados for the rich and famous, who gladly escape to our shores far away from the glare of bright lights and bothersome details which characterise life outside our island paradise.

WHY BARBADOS OFFERS THE BEST CARIBBEAN WEDDING
When it comes to your wedding, your wish is our command! Just let romance and your imagination run wild – the possibilities are endless! You’ll be saying “I do,” and falling in love with Barbados all the while! You can get married anywhere in the world, but why would you want to say “I do” anywhere else but on this little slice of heaven? Here are five reasons why getting married in Barbados is so ideal and highly favoured.

No red tape: From the outset, we’ll make sure that the process is a gentle breeze. You may walk off the plane and up the aisle on the same day if you wish. There’s no red tape to mar your white carpet day.

Flying to paradise is easy: Even before you touchdown, we lighten the stress toll that travel decisions often take. This is why daily direct flights from the USA, Canada, UK, and Europe make it possible for bridal parties to choose the dates for their wedding and have their party come and go as they please.

We take the pain out of planning: We can make your dream wedding come true with a little help from any of our established wedding planners. These professionals manage teams of photographers, florists and interior decorators, all of whom are highly trained -some internationally – to deliver world-class service.

We do simple to splashy and everything in between: Barbados boasts a wide range of options and can deliver wedding packages to accommodate any size pocket, from the sweet and simple to the opulence of an A-list celebrity splash. Irrespective of what you have in mind, the splendor of our powder-soft, white sand beaches, warm tropical seas and landscapes and seascapes are yours for the taking.

Scenic vista, surfside setting, church or chapel, the choice is yours: Beach weddings are always amazing, and you’ve got plenty of those to choose from. The island is surrounded by gorgeous white sand beaches, each one with something special to offer in terms of setting and capturing the mood you want to create. For those who fancy something else, botanical gardens at Andromeda, Orchid World or the Flower Forest are ideal, fragrant locales, where love blooms forever. Similarly, historic chapels and churches with stained glass windows in St. Andrew, St. George and St. John – to name just a few – provide the perfect backdrop for your special day in the unparalleled tropical splendor of Barbados.

BARBADOS – PLAYGROUND AND HOME FOR THE WORLD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL AND ELITE
Barbados as a holiday choice is perfectly suited to the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Many of this elite crowd have bought vacation homes here and come whenever their schedules allow. This phenomenon is not new. In her heyday, Hollywood legend, the Claudette Colbert, owned a home here and since then, others have followed for exclusive escapes. Of course, Barbados will always be home to our megastar Rihanna, who visits often to soak up as much of the sun and island life as she can. She brings friends to enjoy her homeland, and they too become converts. Here’s why:

Peace and privacy
Vacationing in Barbados means you can go as you please, no paparazzi and over enthusiastic fans to interrupt the experience. This is not to say that Barbadians will not stop to give you a second look, but you can be sure that you won’t be mobbed or pestered.

La dolce vita
Many of the world’s elite come for an extra helping of the sweet life – to enjoy the fine-dining restaurants located throughout the island and the plush, exclusive hotels and resorts, which punctuate the platinum coast of St. James. These high-end accommodations boast exquisite amenities and staff to cater to one’s every whim. Whether it’s a self-contained villa or a lavish resort, they are all equipped with swimming pools, spas and the other trappings that define the sweet life!

Beaches, playtime and self-indulgence
It’s always playtime in Barbados – golf at Apes Hill or Royal Westmoreland, polo at any one of the five grounds on the island, relaxation on our white sand beaches, the adrenaline rush from extreme water sports, sailing, pampering at the day spas or shopping top international brands in the sophisticated elegance of Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown Barbados… This is only the beginning – there’s no end to recess in Barbados!

The Bajan people
When visitors come to Barbados, they are treated like family, with true Bajan hospitality, making Barbados the ideal home away from home.

Spectacular scenery and natural beauty
Even before you touch down, you know you’re in for something special, especially if you enter the island at night, when sparkling lights resemble a carpet of jewels spread over 166 square miles. In the daytime, these jewels give way to lush vegetation and breathtaking landscapes and seascapes well beyond the imagination! Many of our attractions are natural treasures. Harrison’s Cave, Welchman Hall Gully and the Animal Flower Cave are only a few of the sights, which captivate and inspire locals and visitors to Barbados.

BARBADOS PRIVATE ESTATES – FUSTIC HOUSE
In addition to being one of the architectural national treasures of Barbados, Fustic House is one of the most naturally beautiful properties on the island. The approach road to Fustic winds its way through a shaded grove of Mahogany and Pride of India trees before eventually revealing the house itself, serenely tucked away amidst eleven acres of flourishing gardens. Due to its pleasantly elevated position on an undulating coral ridge overlooking the coast, Fustic benefits from spectacular views and refreshingly cool breezes. Fustic is one of those very rare places on earth that naturally exude a sense of spiritual well-being.

The plantation that once occupied the area surrounding Fustic dates back to the 17th century and the original dwelling located on this spot was known as Seaview. Little is known about this early period but for most of the 1800s, Seaview was owned by John Edward Armstrong, who was the Parochial Treasurer for St. Lucy. At some point during the history of Seaview, the name of the house was changed to Fustic, in acknowledgement of the towering Fustic trees that once prospered in this area.

Much of the modern charm of Fustic House must be attributed to the charismatic Oliver Messel, a flamboyant Englishman who, having made his name as a theatre set designer, arrived in Barbados to embark on a new career path as an architect in the 1970s. Messel was destined to exert an enormous influence on contemporary Barbadian design and today he is recognised as the architect who brought romance to tropical living. This whimsical aspect of Messel’s creativity is clearly evident in the stylish ‘al fresco’ architecture he introduced to Fustic.

Fustic House is a classic example of elegant Caribbean indoor/outdoor living at its very finest and it is easy to see why this was one of Messel’s favourite houses.

Today, Fustic House has been tastefully transformed in to a sumptuous ‘private paradise’ where seven elegantly appointed suites in four separate wings can sleep up to 14 guests in luxurious accommodation. Fustic House is the largest private estate that is available for rental in Barbados and guests are vigilantly pampered by 14 dedicated members of staff and a highly-acclaimed private chef.

A recent addition to the estate is a new pavilion that has been purpose designed as an ideal venue for business retreats, corporate meetings or similar events.

Discover Stunning Coastal Stretches & Adventurous Water sports.

BEACHES & ACTIVITIES
Travel makes us richer, so live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, and drink in our balmy Caribbean breeze. Our coral island of Barbados offers you more than 80 pristine white-sand beaches, including many that are recognised as the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Between the beach and the ocean, we offer unlimited ways to have fun! Add to the wealth of your travel experiences with our many island adventure watersports including jet-skiing at the ever-lively Mullins Beach, boogie boarding and paddle boarding at Pebbles Beach, surfing at the Soup Bowl and on Atlantic Shores, and high-octane kitesurfing at Silver Sands. Visit the east coast to picnic under shady trees at Bath or Bathsheba, and beachcomb on Cattlewash, one of the longest beaches of Barbados. On the south and west coasts, a multitude of small boats offer short trips to swim with the turtles. You can skipper a Hobie Cat or kayak, try your hand at spearfishing, take a deep-sea fishing charter, or spend a day aboard a luxury catamaran, cruising crystal-clear seas like a celebrity.

Life’s a beach. Keep calm and visit Barbados.

Bring your surfboard to the Caribbean and ride some of the finest waves in the world!

SURFING
When you surf in Barbados you can enjoy the best Caribbean waves all year round.
If you sat down to come up with a plan for the best surf spots in the world, the Caribbean and Barbados is exactly what you’d create. The swells driving waves toward the island come from all directions, meaning you can surf throughout the year. Barbados has responded to this by creating some of the best surfing beaches in the world and offering all of the facilities you could ask for. From boogie boarding to kite surfing and knee boarding, you’ll find surf shops offering the equipment and training you need to enjoy the very best surf vacations.

In technical terms, the perfect weather, offshore winds and reef breaks create the very best surfing conditions. To put it more simply, you’ll find the kind of waves the world’s top surfers dream about in Barbados. From October to March the waves run between 2 and 12 feet, while the rest of the year the maximum height is 6 feet.

All of this means that it doesn’t matter if you’ve been surfing for years or want to try it for the first time. The surfing beaches of Barbados are varied enough to suit everyone. Beginners should head for Freights Bay, Pebbles and Surfers Point, where the waves are gentle enough to get to grips with the basics and start developing an addiction to catching waves. Spots like Fryers Well and Mullins offer the kind of waves to tackle when you’ve had a bit more experience, while expert surfers from all over the world sing the praises of Soup Bowl, Duppies and Tropicana. No matter how experienced you are, if you’re looking for the best surfing in the Caribbean, you can stop the search at Barbados.

Sun, sea sand and water sports are waiting in Barbados!

WATER SPORTS
Barbados is the best place for watersports in the Caribbean, offering fun and adventure against a stunning backdrop.
Surrounded by crystal clear waters and blessed with mile after mile of stunning beaches, Barbados is the ideal destination for anyone who loves enjoying the full range of watersports. The conditions you’ll find there simply couldn’t get better. The sea itself is crystal clear and hovers around the 70-80° F mark across the year, making diving in and having fun pretty much impossible to avoid.

The conditions off the south and west coast in particular are ideal, combining high visibility in the water with a calmness that encourages even absolute beginners to get in and have a go. Activities range from the adrenaline-fueled thrills of jet skiing and parasailing to simply relaxing on the deck of a sail boat as it gently explores the coastline. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, head for the east coast, where scuba diving attractions include natural reefs, shipwrecks and the presence of curious sea turtles. The choice is as varied as the landscape and the beaches, and the hotels are only too happy to arrange watersports for you to enjoy.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve enjoyed watersports before or you’re diving in for the first time. Equipment of all type is easy to find and hire, and arranging watersports in advance is a simple but essential part of any Barbados holiday itinerary.

Experience the thrill of deep sea fishing tours amongst the teeming aquatic life of Barbados.

FISHING
You’ll find some of the best fishing spots in the world around the spectacular coastline of Barbados.
The sea around the Caribbean is one of the most stunning aquatic playgrounds in the world. Not only is it perfect for relaxing in, diving amongst and simply admiring from the shore, it also offers some of the best fishing in the world. Combine crystal clear waters, an abundance of sea life and deep sea fishing trips at reasonable prices and you have an unbeatable offer. Whether you’ve been out in boats many times before, or you’re completely new to game fishing you’ll enjoy an unforgettable experience.

Local companies will be only too happy to put their knowledge and equipment at your disposal, and will take you to spots off the west and south coast, where you’ll be able to catch the likes of yellow fin tuna and kingfish. Pack some food and few cold beers, head to fisherman’s row in Bridgetown and find the charter you’re looking for. The game fish that draw in the worlds keenest anglers are in season between January and April, and if heading out to sea doesn’t appeal, rest assured there’s fantastic inland fishing on offer just a mile from the shore.

Local companies such as High Seas Fishing Charters, Therapy Charters and Legacy Fishing Charters provide guided fishing trips which offer a genuinely authentic Caribbean experience. Local captains will take you out in a traditional Barbados fishing boat and teach you the age-old techniques of hand lining or, if you’re an expert you can even bring your own equipment and take advantage of free bait supplies. Old hand or novice, you’ll soon be hauling in catch like Barracuda, Tuna, Wahoo, and Blue and White Marlin.

Experience a Barbados pleasure cruise for an authentic Caribbean adventure

PLEASURE CRAFTS
Take a Caribbean sailing charter or pleasure craft and enjoy everything the sea has to offer – from diving and snorkeling to exploring shipwrecks.

There are few places in the world which offer the kind of ideal sailing conditions you’ll find in Barbados. Calm seas and beautiful weather make exploring the gorgeous coastline from the deck of a pleasure craft just about irresistible. Explore the hidden and unspoiled coves you’ll find along the way and go swimming with the turtles or simply relax on deck and let the sea gently rock you – pleasure boat cruises are all about enjoying Barbados in your own way. The conditions for sailing are pretty much perfect and the range of boats – from sailboats to motorboats – means you’re bound to find a charter that suits your needs.

If you’re a confirmed sailing enthusiast heading for Barbados, rest assured you’ll have no problem finding a boat to rent. The best season for sailing falls between the months April and November when the weather creates perfect conditions and visitors can choose between options such as a pleasure boat cruise or a sailboat charter. You can join a larger chartered excursion, book your own private skippered yacht or even just charter the boat and create your own unique trip. If you’ve got the time and want to explore the gorgeous sea around Barbados fully then book a seven day trip taking in the waters of the west and south coast. No matter how you choose to do it, we promise that a trip around the coast of Barbados will be genuinely unforgettable.

Find out for yourself why Barbados offers the best snorkeling spots in the world.

DIVING AND SNORKELING
Revel in the underwater paradise on offer when you snorkel and scuba dive in Barbados.
If you’re a keen diver or just want to sample it for the first time, then Barbados is the perfect Caribbean island to head for. It’s the ideal base for underwater exploration because the crystal clear waters which surround it are packed with fascinating features. Coral reefs and shipwrecks provide the ideal environment for marine life, and help to explain why scuba diving holidays amidst this underwater paradise are so popular. Throw perfect weather conditions and miles of coast into the mix, and you have what is doubtless the best Caribbean island for scuba diving and snorkeling.

It doesn’t matter if you’re inexperienced when it comes to diving, since the best spots are accessible even to complete beginners, and companies all over the island offer facilities such as guided trips, scuba diving lessons and equipment hire. Book a day in the water and we’re certain you’ll be back for more, keen to explore popular sites like Maycocks Bay, Dottins, Shark Bank and Bell Buoy. You won’t be alone in the water, as Barbados is teeming with aquatic life, and you’ll be diving amongst Stingray, Manta rays, Barracuda, Angelfish, Grouper, Parrotfish, Triggerfish and Seahorses.

If you’re not quite ready for the full scuba diving experience, head for the west coast of the island. Here the waters are clear and calm, with visibility ranging between 50 and 95 feet. Without venturing far from the shore you can snorkel and enjoy the underwater scenery and the sea life it attracts. Book a catamaran trip out to the coral reef at Folkestone Marine Park and enjoy the magical experience of swimming amongst endangered sea turtles that are tame enough to be fed and touched. Experienced divers will relish exploring famed diving sites like artificial reefs and the wreck of the ship Stavronikita, and everyone who takes to the water will come home with a wealth of treasured memories and a stunning holiday photo album.

For those who aspire for more than just a day spent upon flawless white beaches and beneath perfect blue skies, Barbados offers a number of exciting diversions to satisfy even the most adventurous soul.

Offshore, the ocean beckons with the call of a chartered deep sea fishing excursion or a diving expedition to explore the shipwreck capital of the Caribbean. Closer in, the “white horses” provide ample surfing opportunities, including kite surfing and wind surfing along the southern coast, plus world-class board surfing at Soup Bowl in Bathsheba and all along the eastern shore. And inland, the diverse terrain of the island offers a number of activities to enjoy, including biking through a dense tropical forest, discovering the water-carved caverns of Harrison’s Cave or hiking among the flora and fauna of Welchman Hall Gully, Flower Forest or the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.

TOP 5 MYSTERIES TO EXPLORE IN BARBADOS
Barbados is magical, exotic and thoroughly delightful! With both natural and manmade treasures to admire and mystify, Barbados has what it takes to stimulate and satisfy even the most inquiring mind. It’s all about discovery and going beyond the imagination to places where scenic vistas and scientific anomalies coexist, yet appeal to the romantic within us!

When we invite you to explore and discover Barbados, we really mean it! That’s because every corner of the island provides exciting opportunities to see and learn something exciting! Every nook and cranny has golden nuggets of experiences to treasure, and legends and mysteries to confound and astonish! Barbados has it all, with something to satisfy history buffs, geographers and ghost busters alike! Hard to believe? Well, check them out for yourself!

Here are just 5 of the mysteries which await you:

The Chase Vault
Erie and intriguing, the Chase Burial Vault in the southern parish of Christ Church was the final resting place of the Chase family, but the question of whether the occupants did indeed rest, has been part of Barbadian folklore for hundreds of years. Entombed were lead coffins which, according to legend, moved around the vault. In 1833, when the vault was opened for the burial of a family member, the coffins which were already entombed, were alleged to have been mysteriously and inexplicably displaced, with some even found upside down. The coffins were always set right, and the entrance sealed tightly, but It was said that whenever the vault was reopened, the coffins were never in their places, and there was no external evidence to suggest human interference. While the vault has since been abandoned and the coffins relocated, the phenomenon has defied all scientific explanation. Whether or not the coffins moved or even danced to the beat of their own otherworldly drums, we might never know, but it’s fun to speculate anyway!

Gravity at Cherry Tree Hill
Known for its breathtaking view of the Scotland District in the eastern parish of St. Andrew, Cherry Tree Hill is a must-see during your Barbados getaway. At approximately 850 feet above sea level, it is not only a gorgeous location, which showcases our magnificent countryside, but it is also the site of a mystery, which has amazed locals and visitors alike. It’s a place which contradicts the laws of gravity and vehicles don’t behave as they should. Whoever heard of a parked car rolling uphill? Well, that’s exactly what happens on Cherry Tree Hill. How is that possible? Do ghostly unseen hands propel stationary vehicles on their upward climb? Is it an optical illusion or just one of those unexplained mysteries? Come experience it for yourself!

Garrison Tunnels
What could be more thrilling and mysterious than furtive underground activity, where “murders, executions, crimes and punishments” were all too familiar occurrences? Discovered quite by chance, during the restoration of George Washington House, the temporary residence of US President George Washington on his only trip outside the US, the Garrison Tunnels are almost 200 years old. Comprising 2 miles of networking underground corridors, the tunnels lie 12 to 17 feet beneath the Garrison Area, part of Barbados’ UNESCO World Heritage Property. While research suggests that they were used for drainage and to facilitate the movement of soldiers around this military site, they are also grim reminders of the horrors of the slave trade, providing deep cover for the clandestine disposal of bodies, which were floated out to sea. If you have a penchant for the macabre, this one’s for you!

The HARP Gun
Who knows what secrets lie in the rusting carcass of the HARP gun, or what it could have achieved in the development of space discovery in Barbados? The HARP gun was intended as a satellite launcher – a HUGE cannon / gun, designed to “shoot things into space!” Built in 1961, HARP, an acronym for High Altitude Research Project, was an initiative between the American and Canadian governments. Designed by ballistics engineer Gerald Bull, who was assassinated in 1990 while working on another space gun project for the Iraqi government, the HARP gun in Barbados was able to fire an object 112 miles into the sky. It set a world record for gun-launched altitude that has yet to be surpassed. Meanwhile, the identity of Bull’s assassin remains a mystery. US and Canadian funding for HARP ended in 1967, and the space gun was abandoned at its original site at Foul Bay, in the southeastern parish of St. Philip. It still stands today as a testament to what may have been. You’ve got to see it to believe it!

Sam Lord
Straight out of the annals of Bajan history, legend and folklore, is Sam Lord himself! By all accounts a buccaneer and a rogue, Samuel Hall Lord, known as Sam Lord, is said to have acquired great wealth by plundering the ships he lured onto coastal reefs off the parish of St. Philip by hanging lanterns in the coconut trees. The ships’ captains would mistake the lights for the Bridgetown port and their ships would be wrecked on the jagged rocks. Sam Lord’s Castle, once the stately home of Barbados’ most famous brigand, was supposedly built from these ill-gotten gains. However, the speculation and indeed the mystery today is whether Sam Lord did indeed cause all the wrecks for which he is blamed. Some of the wrecks may have occurred fortuitously and other records have shown that Lord was away when some of incidents occurred and therefore he could not have been responsible.

Legend also has it that some of Sam Lord’s vast treasure was stored in a dungeon and in a network of tunnels under the beach and the castle, but this booty was never found. The castle which was a crumbling shell is now under renovations, but if walls could talk, they would have much to say about its infamous owner and the mystery and intrigue which surrounds him to this day.

BARBADOS BEACH GUIDE
Barbados is surrounded by over 70 miles of glorious palm-fringed, white sand beaches; warm, clear waters and a year round climate that is close to perfection.

Barbados law stipulates that all beaches are public so Barbadians and visitors therefore have no shortage of choice from the tranquil Caribbean Sea to the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t forget to take along your sunscreen, and remember, topless sunbathing is against the law in Barbados.

West Coast
The sea on the west coast is idyllic for lazing, snorkelling and enjoying watersports like skiing. It’s also perfect for taking a stroll especially in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

Six Mens, Mullins, Gibbes and Reeds Bay
These beaches make up a magnificent stretch of beach in St. Peter with glassy, turquoise water, good snorkelling and a variety of watersports. Mullins Beach Bar offers service right to your beach chair and just a little further north there’s the new Bombas Beach Bar. Reeds Bay in Lower Carlton is a lovely, long crescent-shaped beach with easy access and great swimming.

Paynes Bay
Paynes Bay has a beautiful white sandy beach and the calm water is ideal for swimming and snorkelling with turtles, however, it can be crowded at times. There is a well-maintained public access between One Sandy Lane and Sandy Lane Hotel with limited roadside parking.

The Garden and Heron Bay
Between Royal Pavilion Hotel and Carlton in St. Peter is a lovely stretch of beach with several little paths through which you can gain access. For a delicious lunch there is the wonderful Lone Star or for an economical light bite or just a few drinks on the beach, Juju’s. Sometimes there are turtles around.

Holetown
Holetown has one main beach and a couple of small ones further south. Folkstone Marine Park and Museum, located just past Settlers Beach Hotel has a snorkelling trail and a small museum about the marine life in Barbados.

Batts Rock
Just past the northern end of Spring Garden Highway, there is a public access to this superb beach with parking, shade and great swimming.

Brighton Beach
The Cockspur Beach Club at Brighton Beach has beach chairs and umbrellas, lunch and drinks as well as loads of watersports. Caution – the area known as the ‘hot pot’, where warm water from the rum distillery flows, sometimes has dangerous currents.

South-east and East Coast
The south-east coast gets more breezy with slightly bigger waves – perfect for body surfing and boogie boards. The east coast welcomes the Atlantic rollers – Barbados has become world renowned for surfing.

Crane Beach
A truly stunning beach with excellent body-surfing conditions. There is a moderately challenging public access to the beach by the roundabout. You can pick up a picnic lunch nearby at Cutters of Barbados, a Bajan gourmet deli. Cold drinks are also sold on the beach. L’Azure Restaurant at The Crane Resort presents a spectacular view of the beach and serves food all day including a lovely afternoon tea. There is an elevator and steps down to the beach from the res ort. Boogie boards, chairs and refreshments.

Bottom Bay and Harrismith
Bottom Bay is everyone’s dream of the perfect tropical beach – cliffs, coconut palms, a cave, 50 ft white sand, brisk breezes and aquamarine sea. A first-class picnic venue!

Harrismith has much less beach area but does have a shallow lagoon for a calm dip at low tide and is also very beautiful. Both beaches have formidable steps. A handrail has been erected on the steps at Bottom Bay.

Foul Bay
This is a long, wide, open expanse of beach on a ruggedly attractive stretch of relatively undeveloped coastline. Care should be ta ken when swimming here as the waves are big and they break onshore – there can be a strong undertow at times. There are large shady areas suitable for picnics. No chair rentals or refreshments. Refreshments can be purchased at either Cutters of Barbados, a Bajan gourmet deli, The Palms Restaurant or the Texaco Gas Station – all nearby.

Bathsheba & Cattlewash
Although these two bays on the east coast are stunningly beautiful and the sea appears to be quite inviting, swimming is very dangerous with strong and unpredictable undercurrents and no lifeguards on duty. It is best just to take a dip at low tide in the rock pools. The Atlantis Hotel in Bathsheba, recently re-opened, serves tasty lunches and punches. There is a picnic spot with tables in Bathsheba with public facilities.

Bath
The sea here is very calm and is protected by a large reef. This is a popular picnic spot with Barbadians, especially on weekends and public holidays because there’s plenty of shade, a pleasant breeze, a small playground, a car park and brand new public facilities. There is a picturesque coastal footpath that runs from Bath to Martin’s Bay. It takes approximately an hour and a half to walk there and back. No chairs or refreshments.

South Coast
The south coast is a little more choppy and breezy with some beaches having small waves for boogie boarding. Around south point gets breezier with slightly bigger waves – perfect for the action-packed waterman sports – surfing, paddle-surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can try these – boards are available for rent, along with lessons from trained professionals.

Carlisle Bay
Over a mile of wide beach and calm waters, Carlisle Bay is a spectacular, crescent-shaped bay extending from Bridgetown to the Hilton Hotel. There is good snorkelling. Hazell’s Waterworld sells good quality snorkelling gear. This is an ideal bay for distance swimming and an informal group meets at the southern end on Saturdays at Sam. Pier to pier is approximately 1.2 km. Chairs, parking and refreshments.

Hastings
With the new south coast boardwalk it is now possible to walk from Accra for a couple of miles to Hastings. This is a marvellous stretch for rock pooling at low tide. There are several small beaches along the way for swimming.

Accra Beach
One of the most popular beaches on the island with parking, good swimming and trees for shade. It’s a great place for body-surfing and body-watching. Lifeguards are on duty. Shopping and supermarkets are also very close by.

Boogie boards, chairs and refreshments, showers, locally-made jewellery and souvenirs.

Miami Beach
A favourite south coast beach. Very calm on one side, while on the other it is choppy with small waves. Picnic facilities. Parking, chairs, refreshments, showers.

Dover and Sandy Beach
These are lovely expanses of beach with good swimming conditions on either side of St. Lawrence Gap. Sandy Beach is great for families with young children because of the shallow, calm water and picturesque lagoon. Chairs and refreshments.

Silver Sands
This is a lovely white sand beach with excellent conditions for windsurfing, wave-riding and kite-surfing. Many international windsurfing events are held here due to the ideal wind and wave conditions. DeAction Beach Shop, run by world-ranked Barbadian windsurfer Brian Talma, can be found near Silver Rock beach. They offer lessons and surfboards and windsurfing and kite-surfing equipment is also for sale or rental.

Be sure to have a colourful marker whenever you snorkel to alert watercraft of your presence.

Sit under a beach umbrella with a cool drink, find shade under a sea grape tree or jump right into the clearest, crystal water you could expect to find anywhere in the world!

A tropical locale is only as desirable as its coastline. And on this belief, Barbados never disappoints. Graciously endowed with more than 70 miles of sun-saturated, palm-adorned beaches, translucent azure waters and a year-round climate considered nothing less than perfect, the island is generous in giving Bajans and visitors alike a tropical respite unlike any in the world.

The island’s shores are as varied and unique as Barbados itself. The west coast offers calm waters and dusty white beaches on which you can unwind with a rum punch in hand. Along the eastern shoreline, impressive coral sculptures carved by incessant Atlantic trade winds and thunderous waves decorate an area long heralded as one of the best surfing spots in the world. To the south, flawless sands and reef-protected waters set the perfect scene for a day of snorkelling or swimming. Meanwhile the southeast coast entices those who seek adventure in its windsurfing playgrounds, and seduces couples with an alluring backdrop of sheer cliffs and fine pink sand.

Beach Facts
– Barbados boasts over 60 beaches across 70 square miles and offers more than 3000 hours of annual sunshine under which you can enjoy them all.
– Crane Beach in the parish of St. Philip has consistently been recognized as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the world.
– All beaches in Barbados are open to the public and access to them is considered a right of every Barbadian.

SEE WHY BARBADOS MAKES THE CUT FOR TOP BEACHES IN THE WORLD
Barbados is home to the finest beaches in the world. The Crane beach on the south eastern side of the island was rated by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous as “one of the ten best beaches in the world”. And there are many more to experience around the island. You’ll notice immediately that the coastlines are different and the beaches themselves are as diverse as the people. Although you may have a preference, the myriad of choices makes Barbados a top pick for best beach holidays.

West Coast Beaches
With picture perfect, blue water and gold sand, west coast beaches have a reputation for creating idyllic days in the sun. The surf is gentle and small to medium waves make most beaches on the West Coast ideal for sunbathing and relaxation or, if you prefer, watersports, swimming and snorkelling.

South Coast Beaches
With small to medium waves, south coast beaches are mostly tailor-made for adventure and a range of watersports, including windsurfing, body surfing, kite surfing, scuba diving and snorkelling. You can really get wild on the south coast, as the surf is livelier than the west coast’s with more undertow than you’d expect, so don’t be caught off-guard.

East Coast Beaches
The east coast boasts a string of intriguing wind swept beaches, and due to pounding surf, large waves and strong currents, swimming is not recommended in most areas along this coastline. These beaches are nevertheless good spots for walking and sun bathing. Most of all, our east coast waves are favoured by surfers who come here from all over the world to test their skill at the famous Soup Bowl in Bathsheba.

North Coast Beaches
While you’re likely to encounter the occasional sheltered cove, there are not many beaches along this rugged coastline, where imposing coral and sandstone cliffs rise majestically from the sea, and weathered rocks serve as stunning exhibits in nature’s own art gallery. As you can imagine, the waves are large and the currents strong. Swimming is definitely NOT recommended.

But that’s not all there is, we’ve still got a number of hidden treasures to lay bare – secret bays, beaches and coves that we want to share with only YOU… Shhh…

Top hidden beaches in Barbados
These hidden treasures vary in size and seclusion and although some of them aren’t ideal for swimming, they are all top of the line for breathtaking photo opportunities, sunbathing and endless romantic walks. As tucked away and secluded as they might be, please bear in mind that there are no nude beaches in Barbados.

Freshwater Bay and Batts Rock Beach on the borders of St. Michael and St. James on the west coast form a gloriously tranquil coastline caressed by calm, clear water. There is some beach activity, surfing and lots of cosy spots for picnics.

Beachy Head Bay, Bottom Bay, Crane Beach, Foul Bay, Ginger Bay, Harrismith Beach / Cave Bay, Long Bay / Sam Lord’s Castle Beach, Palmetto Bay and Shark’s Hole Bay are all located on the southeast coast of St. Philip. Each of these is characterized by medium to large waves, undertow and strong currents.

Cotton House Bay, Freight’s Bay, Long Beach and Rescue Beach / Surfer’s Bay on the south coast of Christ Church are great for surfing and a day in the sun. With small to medium waves, there is lots of undertow and strong currents.

Cove Bay in the north offers spectacular views of our coastline at its most rugged and spectacular. Large waves and very strong currents make swimming hazardous, but you’ll be rewarded with the awesome photos you’ll be able to take back home.

No doubt, there is likely to be a beach to suit your every mood and fancy, but remember, seasonal weather can affect sea conditions, so you while you’re having fun, you still need to be careful.

BARBADOS BEACH GUIDE
Barbados is surrounded by over 70 miles of glorious palm-fringed, white sand beaches; warm, clear waters and a year round climate that is close to perfection.

Barbados law stipulates that all beaches are public so Barbadians and visitors therefore have no shortage of choice from the tranquil Caribbean Sea to the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t forget to take along your sunscreen, and remember, topless sunbathing is against the law in Barbados.

West Coast
The sea on the west coast is idyllic for lazing, snorkelling and enjoying watersports like skiing. It’s also perfect for taking a stroll especially in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

Six Mens, Mullins, Gibbes and Reeds Bay
These beaches make up a magnificent stretch of beach in St. Peter with glassy, turquoise water, good snorkelling and a variety of watersports. Mullins Beach Bar offers service right to your beach chair and just a little further north there’s the new Bombas Beach Bar. Reeds Bay in Lower Carlton is a lovely, long crescent-shaped beach with easy access and great swimming.

Paynes Bay
Paynes Bay has a beautiful white sandy beach and the calm water is ideal for swimming and snorkelling with turtles, however, it can be crowded at times. There is a well-maintained public access between One Sandy Lane and Sandy Lane Hotel with limited roadside parking.

The Garden and Heron Bay
Between Royal Pavilion Hotel and Carlton in St. Peter is a lovely stretch of beach with several little paths through which you can gain access. For a delicious lunch there is the wonderful Lone Star or for an economical light bite or just a few drinks on the beach, Juju’s. Sometimes there are turtles around.

Holetown
Holetown has one main beach and a couple of small ones further south. Folkstone Marine Park and Museum, located just past Settlers Beach Hotel has a snorkelling trail and a small museum about the marine life in Barbados.

Batts Rock
Just past the northern end of Spring Garden Highway, there is a public access to this superb beach with parking, shade and great swimming.

Brighton Beach
The Cockspur Beach Club at Brighton Beach has beach chairs and umbrellas, lunch and drinks as well as loads of watersports. Caution – the area known as the ‘hot pot’, where warm water from the rum distillery flows, sometimes has dangerous currents.

South-east and East Coast
The south-east coast gets more breezy with slightly bigger waves – perfect for body surfing and boogie boards. The east coast welcomes the Atlantic rollers – Barbados has become world renowned for surfing.

Crane Beach
A truly stunning beach with excellent body-surfing conditions. There is a moderately challenging public access to the beach by the roundabout. You can pick up a picnic lunch nearby at Cutters of Barbados, a Bajan gourmet deli. Cold drinks are also sold on the beach. L’Azure Restaurant at The Crane Resort presents a spectacular view of the beach and serves food all day including a lovely afternoon tea. There is an elevator and steps down to the beach from the res ort. Boogie boards, chairs and refreshments.

Bottom Bay and Harrismith
Bottom Bay is everyone’s dream of the perfect tropical beach – cliffs, coconut palms, a cave, 50 ft white sand, brisk breezes and aquamarine sea. A first-class picnic venue!

Harrismith has much less beach area but does have a shallow lagoon for a calm dip at low tide and is also very beautiful. Both beaches have formidable steps. A handrail has been erected on the steps at Bottom Bay.

Foul Bay
This is a long, wide, open expanse of beach on a ruggedly attractive stretch of relatively undeveloped coastline. Care should be ta ken when swimming here as the waves are big and they break onshore – there can be a strong undertow at times. There are large shady areas suitable for picnics. No chair rentals or refreshments. Refreshments can be purchased at either Cutters of Barbados, a Bajan gourmet deli, The Palms Restaurant or the Texaco Gas Station – all nearby.

Bathsheba & Cattlewash
Although these two bays on the east coast are stunningly beautiful and the sea appears to be quite inviting, swimming is very dangerous with strong and unpredictable undercurrents and no lifeguards on duty. It is best just to take a dip at low tide in the rock pools. The Atlantis Hotel in Bathsheba, recently re-opened, serves tasty lunches and punches. There is a picnic spot with tables in Bathsheba with public facilities.

Bath
The sea here is very calm and is protected by a large reef. This is a popular picnic spot with Barbadians, especially on weekends and public holidays because there’s plenty of shade, a pleasant breeze, a small playground, a car park and brand new public facilities. There is a picturesque coastal footpath that runs from Bath to Martin’s Bay. It takes approximately an hour and a half to walk there and back. No chairs or refreshments.

South Coast
The south coast is a little more choppy and breezy with some beaches having small waves for boogie boarding. Around south point gets breezier with slightly bigger waves – perfect for the action-packed waterman sports – surfing, paddle-surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can try these – boards are available for rent, along with lessons from trained professionals.

Carlisle Bay
Over a mile of wide beach and calm waters, Carlisle Bay is a spectacular, crescent-shaped bay extending from Bridgetown to the Hilton Hotel. There is good snorkelling. Hazell’s Waterworld sells good quality snorkelling gear. This is an ideal bay for distance swimming and an informal group meets at the southern end on Saturdays at Sam. Pier to pier is approximately 1.2 km. Chairs, parking and refreshments.

Hastings
With the new south coast boardwalk it is now possible to walk from Accra for a couple of miles to Hastings. This is a marvellous stretch for rock pooling at low tide. There are several small beaches along the way for swimming.

Accra Beach
One of the most popular beaches on the island with parking, good swimming and trees for shade. It’s a great place for body-surfing and body-watching. Lifeguards are on duty. Shopping and supermarkets are also very close by.

Boogie boards, chairs and refreshments, showers, locally-made jewellery and souvenirs.

Miami Beach
A favourite south coast beach. Very calm on one side, while on the other it is choppy with small waves. Picnic facilities. Parking, chairs, refreshments, showers.

Dover and Sandy Beach
These are lovely expanses of beach with good swimming conditions on either side of St. Lawrence Gap. Sandy Beach is great for families with young children because of the shallow, calm water and picturesque lagoon. Chairs and refreshments.

Silver Sands
This is a lovely white sand beach with excellent conditions for windsurfing, wave-riding and kite-surfing. Many international windsurfing events are held here due to the ideal wind and wave conditions. DeAction Beach Shop, run by world-ranked Barbadian windsurfer Brian Talma, can be found near Silver Rock beach. They offer lessons and surfboards and windsurfing and kite-surfing equipment is also for sale or rental.

Be sure to have a colourful marker whenever you snorkel to alert watercraft of your presence.

THE BARBADOS SEA TURTLE
Two of the world’s rarest sea creatures make their nests on the beaches of Barbados . . . the Hawksbill and the Leatherback Turtles. The Hawksbill nests between April and November mainly on the west and south coasts of the island, whilst the mighty Leatherback, the largest of all turtle species, nests between February and July on the windswept beaches of the east coasts and south coasts. A long history of hunting of these animals for their meat, eggs and shells, has reduced Caribbean populations to fragments of their former size. There is currently a ban on turtle hunting in Barbados to allow population recovery of these endangered species. The Barbados Sea Turtle Project personnel carefully monitors the number of turtles making their nests on our island.

The Barbados Sea Turtle Project is based at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. The Project provides a 24-hour Sea Turtle Hotline (230-0142) year round which the public and visitors can use to call in information on turtles nesting, hatching of eggs, or lost or injured turtles. Project staff is called on to relocate nests made too close to the high tide line, to rescue hatchlings disoriented by hotel lights, and to rehabilitate turtles that have been accidentally hooked or partially drowned in fishing nets. In addition, Project staff patrol high-density nesting beaches nightly during the height of the nesting season, measuring and tagging nesting females and recording nest locations. This action allows information to be gathered that will determine if the Project’s conservation efforts are beginning to recover populations and serves as a deterrent to would-be poachers.

Adult turtles return to the beaches that they themselves hatched on 20-30 years previously, in order to make their own nests. These marine reptiles emerge from the water every 2-5 years and make 4-6 nests for the season. Where they locate their eggs is important, for sea-water kills the developing embryos. Furthermore, the sex of embryos is determined by sand temperature . . . cool temperatures found closer to the tide line produce males and warm temperatures produce females.

Between nesting seasons, these magnificent creatures undergo long migrations back to their feeding grounds. For instance, Barbados’ nesting Hawksbills forage in countries as far flung as Dominica and Venezuela. Our leatherbacks likely go even further afield, feeding in the productive waters of the North and East Atlantic.

Sea turtles are fascinating animals and an important natural resource for Barbados. Once considered important only for their meat, eggs and shells, the value of populations of sea turtles to Barbados’ eco-tourism industry is now being recognised. For instance, green turtles can be viewed by snorkellers close to shore at Mount Standfast near the Lone Star Restaurant. This is an initiative of the local fisherfolk community at Mount

Standfast and is testament to changing views about the value of sea turtles within the fishing community. Many of the local sailing cruises make regular visits to this bay where visitors can swim and mingle with these gentle creatures. Children find this especially fascinating and often refer to their visit with the turtles as the highlight of their holiday.

At the request of the Government of Barbados, the Barbados Sea Turtle Project monitors the impact of this daily traffic on the green turtles. The contribution that sea turtles make to the health of our reefs is also now being appreciated.

Hawksbills feed almost exclusively on sponges associated with coral reefs, one of very few vertebrates that can cope with such an indigestible diet! They can therefore play an important role in controlling growth of sponges, and prevent sponges from out-competing corals for space on the reef. Nesting Hawksbill Sea Turtles can be readily seen on our beaches, but are easily disturbed whilst nesting. Care should be taken if you are lucky enough to spot one on the beach. Call the Sea Turtle Hotline and the Project’s trained personnel will come to the beach to record the nesting event and take data on the female. They will be happy to share their information with you. Additionally, you can call the Hotline if you are interested in witnessing the release of turtle hatchlings.

With so much to do and see in Barbados, there’s something for everyone

THINGS TO DO IN BARBADOS
Stunning tropical landscapes and beautiful beaches, action packed activities and attractions, vibrant festivals and the best food in the Caribbean, glamorous Barbados has got it all.

For soft, sandy beaches, warm clear seas and gentle tropical breezes, look no further than Barbados. But there’s so much more to this tropical Caribbean paradise. A packed calendar of events offers everything from world-class sporting events to colourful festivals where the streets come alive in a blaze of colour and music. Party with the locals and enjoy a warm welcome, whether you’re enjoying an all inclusive party for Cropover, a taste-bud tingling food festival, a thrilling game of polo or international cricket.

As the birthplace of Rum no visit to Barbados is complete without sampling the golden tipple at a historic distillery. And foodies won’t be disappointed, Barbados is known as the Caribbean’s culinary capital with good reason offering everything from beachfront BBQs to fine dining with a uniquely Caribbean twist.

Whether you party till dawn or relax in your beachfront hotel, you and your family will make unforgettable memories on land and water.

Barbados is at the forefront of sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, caring for their forests and looking after their unique wildlife, conserving their oceans and protecting rare species like leatherback and Hawksbill turtles. Paddleboard around the beautiful coastline, dive with rainbow-coloured fish, explore tropical jungle on an island safari or simply relax and let Barbados work its magic. Come and explore Barbados!

Shopping In Barbados. For Every Price Point And Pursuit.

SHOPPING
Barbados offers you a glorious diversity of shopping experiences. Exquisite local craft and international designer brands are all here, and the duty-free shopping makes your favourite label that much more affordable.

Exquisite local crafts and international designer brands are all here…
Barbados offers you a glorious diversity of shopping experiences, and some of the best shopping in the Caribbean. Our island is renowned for duty-free shopping – you can buy expensive jewellery and designer goods with discounts of 30-50% compared with Europe, the USA and other parts of the world. It’s easy to claim your savings – just present your passport and travel documents at the point of sale.

There are many different shops in Barbados. Choose bustling downtown locations such as Broad Street and Swan Street in the centre of Bridgetown, and cheerful suburban shopping centres such as Sheraton Mall and Sky Mall, or even indulge your luxury spending habits all the way up to world-class shopping experiences available in our new Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown.

For local shopping culture, immerse yourself in some bustling markets. You’ll have to wake up early to join discerning housewives as they select exotic fruit and vegetables at Cheapside Market, and ask for fresh fish to be filleted on the slab at one of our many famous fish markets. There are also several farmers’ markets offering farm-to-fork sustainability and organic produce, along with unique arts and crafts which make perfect gifts and keepsakes to take back home. Barbados is a haven for shoppers – everything is here and priced to entice.

Look What’s On In Barbados. Join Our Festivals & Events.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
There’s always something happening year-round in Barbados so add to your Caribbean experience by planning your getaway around your favourite festivals and events.

Barbados holidays can include much more than just beautiful beaches and the great outdoors. This vibrant island plays host to an astonishing array of annual events including world-class sports, music festivals, theatre performances and our much-loved Barbados carnival during the Crop Over harvest festival celebrations – called Grand Kadooment, it’s considered one of the best festivals in the world.

Check what’s on in Barbados before you travel, and make online bookings for popular events such as international cricket test matches at the Kensington Oval, our jam-packed Reggae on the Hill event, and the annual season of outdoor theatre and musical performances hosted in the sublime gardens of Holders Great House. Come and join us!

ISLAND SAFARI
All aboard the Island Safari – one of the most loved and unforgettable visitor excursions in Barbados! Enjoy a day exploring the most beautiful places in the safara rigged Land Rover, capable of comfortably driving both on-road and also in less developed terrain. Prepare to be wowed whilst exploring the hidden wonders of Barbados.

NATIONAL HEROES GALLERY AND MUSEUM OF PARLIAMENT
“Fun and fascinating for all ages”.

The clever use of interactive audio and video along with the exceptional high-quality exhibits make a visit to the Museum of Parliament and the National Heroes Gallery fun for all ages. The Museum of Parliament traces the development of democracy in Barbados since 1629 until present times and the role that the island’s people have played in this growth. This information is housed in the historic West Wing of Parliament, which offers a combination of traditional exhibits, artistic impression and modern interactive museum experience.

The interactive screens strategically positioned give clear explanations to the dramatic, evocative sculptures created by Barbadian and Caribbean artists. The heroes are cleverly depicted by extraordinary icons. These icons, no doubt, give imaginative expression to the qualities, contribution and circumstances of the life of each hero.

This small, state-of-the-art museum is located in the West Wing of the stunning Neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings, which were built entirely of hand-cut and carved local coral limestone in the 1870s.

The enthusiastic staff who run the museum also include guided tours of the hallowed chambers of the Senate and Parliament (once not in session). There is a series of intricate stained glass windows depicting the ruling monarchs from the time of Barbados’ settlement in 1627 to 1870. A beautiful young Queen Victoria stands out over the speaker’s chair and interestingly Oliver Cromwell is also included in the lineup. Treasure the memories of your visit. Discover the history that has laid the foundation for the Barbados that we are so proud of today.

THE RESTAURANT AT THE ANIMAL FLOWER CAVE
The Animal Flower Cave is located at the most northerly point of Barbados in the parish of St.Lucy.

The name “Animal Flower Cave” comes from the sea anemones found in the pools of the cave. Some of these pools are deep enough for you to swim in.

There are also several openings looking out to sea, offering spectacular views!

The walls of the Cave are full of interesting formations which have been coloured green and brown by oxidation of copper and iron.

Be sure to also stop in at the Pirates Tavern bar and restaurant… reportedly serving the best lemonade in Barbados!

The cliffs surrounding the Cave offer spectaular views of the northern coast of Barbados where huge Atlantic waves crash against the cliffs.

There are a number of craft stalls where you can view and purchase the works (including jewellery and clothes) of talented Barbados crafts people.

ANDROMEDA BOTANIC GARDENS
Andromeda Gardens was established by the renowned Iris Bannochie as a private family garden. Previously farmland, Mrs Bannochie created a unique garden from scratch with many trees, palms and other plants collected from her travels across the globe. The variety of plants in this historic garden is unparalleled and simply wonderful – a true horticultural delight. She bequeathed the garden to the Barbados National Trust in 1988 and only organic practices are used in the garden.

Have patience and you will see hummingbirds. Stay late and you’ll see our resident monkeys looking for food, playing or even fighting. Relax by the pond and watch the dragonflies. Feed the fish with your children – always a joy! Children with paying parents are free and your adult ticket gives you and your family unlimited return visits to the gardens for three weeks. After feeding the fish, why not feed yourselves? The café offers simple, but well-executed food – Bajan fish-cakes, sandwiches with home-made bread, organically grown salads (when available) or just treat yourself to a cup of excellent coffee and a slice of cake.

A variety of courses is offered at Andromeda Botanic Gardens. Participate in one of the short workshops. Andromeda is a registered training and assessment centre and has a close working relationship with the University of the West Indies.

Andromeda Botanic Gardens is simply a work of creative genius. Creativity extends to the recently opened Andromeda Gallery Lounge which provides an opportunity for local artists/craftspeople to display and sell their work. Mahogany sculptures, hand-made soaps and perfumes, bags, art and photography are all available at the Gallery Lounge.

Great garden, cool café, creative crafts, life-long learning. Andromeda Botanic Gardens – an amazing garden and so much more!

ADVENTURELAND BARBADOS
For the most enjoyable day of your holiday take our Congaline Adventure Tour. These expeditions will lead you into the interior of the island to view points where the scenery of Barbados’ countryside and rugged coastlines will leave you breathless. Take a walk through Welchman Hall, a natural and protected gully. See Mount Hillaby, the highest point on the island. Make a stop on the East Coast to enjoy a delicious Bajan Buffet lunch served in a unique and unspoilt setting. We promise to show you the heart and soul of Barbados and its people, and why it has come to be known as the “Gem of the Caribbean Sea.”

HUNTE’S GARDENS
Take a relaxing wander through these beautifully landscaped gardens, where antiques and statues mingle with exotic plants, and gentle opera and classical music float in the air. The owner, Anthony Hunte, is one of Barbados’ most colourful characters. If available, he will regale visitors with tales.

OISTINS BAY GARDENS
A seaside city if ever there was one, visitors can find all manner of seafood to partake in. On the South Coast, Oistins was once the major seaport. It was here that Royalist Barbadians grudgingly pledged their allegiance to Oliver Cromwell and his Government in 1652. It is our principal fishing port and the site of a major fish festival. On the weekends at Oistins you can find the best local seafood and local charm with music and craft items for sale.

TIAMI CATAMARAN CRUISES
The Tiami fleet consists of five classy, well-kept catamarans. Each with its own name, Excellence Too, Excellence One, Spirit, Wind Dreamer and, of course, the ever sleek Tiami.

Patrons over and over are captivated by the ambience, describing the experience as, “This is the Life”. With our professional captain and crew, choose from pure relaxation by the smooth sail along the coast in the shade or on the sunny deck. Also you get the opportunity to snorkel with turtles and the different species of fish.

The friendly, upbeat crews are always ready to pamper you and make sure that everyone spends a day with Tiami that’s enjoyable and sure to be a lasting memory.

The buffet lunch leaves you tempted to return for more. Indulge in the variety of drinks offered at the open bar.

After swimming, choose to relax on the deck or party back to shore with the captain’s selection of music.

APES HILL GOLF COURSE
One of the newest championship golf courses in the Caribbean, opened in late 2009, Apes Hill Club enjoys a prime location at almost 1000 feet above sea level in the centre of Barbados. With lush grassland, coral stone quarries, wooded ravines and sparkling lakes, the course is as much in accord with its natural surroundings as it is an exciting challenge for golfers.

ARLINGTON HOUSE MUSEUM
Arlington House is an educational and engaging three-story museum housed in a restored eighteenth century building.Housed in a restored eighteenth century building in Speightstown, St. Peter, Arlington House is an interactive three-story museum that is both educational and engaging.

ATLANTIS SUBMARINES
Experience the award-winning Atlantis submarine tour which is one of the most highly-recommended attractions in Barbados for adults and children (Min height 3 feet.). On the hour we invite you to board our transfer vessel the Ocean Quest, which will take you to the submarine.

Sit back and enjoy the brief boat ride to the Atlantis dive site along the scenic coastline, as the professional crew welcomes you and gives a safety briefing. The vessels tie up alongside each other and you make the easy transfer from the Ocean Quest to the Atlantis Submarine. After securing the hatches and being seated in the air-conditioned comfort of a real submarine, the call is made to: “Dive! Dive! Dive!” You are now fully submerged in the aquamarine Caribbean Sea with large viewports all around, as curious exotic fish peek in at you and sea fans sway.

This unique “must-do” undersea voyage, can take you to a shipwreck and to depths of 150 feet, which in the past has been reserved only for scuba divers. A knowledgeable co-pilot narrates the 40 minute underwater adventure and will help you to identify the amazing sights on the other side of your window. Before returning to the surface, you explore the large expanses of sea floor as if it is your playground. Create amazing unforgettable memories as you are piloted among an array of colourful coral formations, and tropical marine life. On surfacing, you are transferred back onboard the Ocean Quest for the return to Shallow Draught.

BARBADOS EARTHWORKS POTTERY
Who would have thought that a small art studio doing ‘one-off’ whimsical clay works would grow into a thriving production pottery with a world-wide reputation for quality and innovative design? But this continues to be what makes Earthworks – “No Ordinary Pottery!” We produce fully functional lines of dinnerware and serving pieces mainly, in over 150 shapes and 36 patterns. When visiting Barbados, seeing Earthworks is perhaps the best value entertainment that one can possibly undertake to enjoy. Whether it is a simple trinket or small gift(s), or perhaps a dinner service, Earthworks makes some of the finest quality, most attractive, functional art in the Caribbean!

Discover The Birthplace Of Rum. Our Barbadian Heritage.

BIRTHPLACE OF RUM
Your Barbados experience is incomplete until you’ve sampled our oldest and greatest export, rum. Discover the story, the mysteries and the secrets behind our finest and most celebrated spirit. Make sure to book a Barbados rum tour – you’ll be glad you made the journey from beach to bottle.

…home to the oldest distilled spirit in the world – rum.

Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and Mount Gay distillery – founded in 1703 – is believed to produce the oldest rum found anywhere in the world. Today’s connoisseurs always appreciate a gift bottle of Mount Gay Rum Extra Old. Rum is the essence of this Caribbean nation’s culture. It ignites the gossip in our bars and sometimes even binds our business deals. It is celebrated by every sector of our society, from farm workers to property tycoons. Barbados rum is the best rum in the world and it’s the spirit of our island culture and history.

So just say yes to that first rum punch, and you’ll soon ease into the spirit of island life. As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having rum.

More Than Food. Make Memories Dining In Barbados.

CULINARY
Memories are made as we gather our loved ones and friends around the table to share a meal. Your Barbados travel experience will include some truly special meal-time moments to treasure forever. You’re on holiday so try everything – locally caught fish, home-grown grass-fed meats, sweet plantains, rice and peas, tasty West Indian curries and rotis. Explore our delicious Caribbean cuisine.

Wake up to a Barbados menu of freshly prepared tropic fruits and juices, omelettes with your choice of filling, delicious homemade breads and pastries. Lunch and dinner can be as formal or as laid-back as you like. On this small island, we have amazing restaurants and cafés to suit every need, serving familiar international dishes and Caribbean food. Staggeringly beautiful top-notch restaurants perched on clifftops above the sea include The Cliff, Cin Cin and The Animal Flower Cave Restaurant. Beachfront shacks where the dress code is swimsuits and bare feet include Bombas, Bo’s Plaice and JuJus.

Great food in Barbados is also served in fine hotel dining rooms and waterside restaurants, bijou cafés tucked away in shaded shopping malls, and of course our famous rum shops and outdoor pop-up caterers – pick the one with the longest queue (the locals know who cooks the best!). Also for those ‘need-it-now’ moments, kids and snackers will find food served island-wide 24-hours a day. Bon appetite!

NATURE & WILDLIFE
In Barbados, our country’s mild, subtropical weather has nourished a fascinating array of flora and fauna, and nurtured lush gardens that are the most varied in the world.

And to enjoy it all, one can simply take a hike along an inland trail or down a coastal pathway, laugh at the antics of a mischievous green monkey in a gully or the wildlife reserve, or just unwind in one of the numerous parks created to help sustain the island’s incredible natural beauty.

Creative art and craft in Barbados captures the heritage and spirit of the Caribbean

ARTS & CRAFTS
Explore the arts and crafts shops of Barbados and enjoy a world of bespoke tropical island art made with love and skill.
Every corner of Barbados is packed with hardworking and naturally talented craftspeople, busy creating the kind of traditional handmade arts and crafts that you won’t be able to resist taking back home with you. From centuries old Bajan objects to international artistic work, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in the most creative corner of the Caribbean. Take your time choosing between exquisite pieces of cloth painting, fine arts, pottery and basket weaving. No matter what takes your fancy you can rest assured you’ll be enjoying an example of the new generation of artisans utilizing skills passed on through the ages. Barbados encourages the creativity of its shops and galleries by organizing festivals like NIFCA and CARIFESTA.

The key to the appeal of Barbados artwork is that it combines professional production methods with authentic working practices to create bespoke and unique items which are bound to appeal to visitors. If you’re looking for distinctive vases, sculptures and fine pottery then pay a visit to Chalky Mount Potteries on the east coast of the island. The items you’ll find there have been crafted using the clay which is found naturally occurring in deposits across Barbados. For the best in traditional basket weaving explore the items on offer at the Pelican Crafts Village, one of the largest and most important outlets of its kind in the whole of the Caribbean. If hand carved wood is your idea of appealing art, then make sure you sample the delightful birds, fishes, palm trees and much more besides at the Medford Mahogany and Craft Village. Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy the chance to take home a memory of Barbados to admire for years to come.

As with most things on Barbados, the excitement of the arts and crafts scene is as much about the people as the products. While you’re browsing, you can get to know the local artisans and hear the fascinating stories behind the work they do. It’s an experience you’ll treasure and one you’ll recall every time you stop to admire your Bajan crafted item.

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
Barbados combines visually stunning buildings with the chance to learn about the famous historical architects behind them
The island of Barbados is packed with more stunning historical architectural buildings than anywhere else in the Caribbean. In years gone by, buildings were constructed from coral rather than wood, a natural resource which was popular on the islands.

Take a look around Barbados and you’ll stumble across historical architectural styles gracing the imposing and unique great houses, some of which date back as far as the early 17th century. Plantation Houses such as these showcase Caribbean colonial architecture which dates from the British influence of the Georgian and Jacobean eras. If historical sightseeing has drawn you to Barbados, then waste no time heading for the museums, old towns and traditional villages.

Combining uniquely Caribbean charm with a genuine glimpse into the past, these sites are also home to statues, monuments and fascinating landmarks. The Garrison, located in the Barbados capital of Bridgetown, is a Unesco World heritage site, and the Barbados National trust, as well as private patrons, has been heavily involved in restoring the examples of historical architectural styles to their former glory.

Of course, Barbados is now home to modern buildings, infrastructure and architecture, but the locals are in no hurry to sweep the past aside. Modern buildings offer the facilities visitors rely upon, but do so in a way which is sympathetic to the colonial architecture surrounding them. A historic sightseeing tour of this part of the Caribbean is a treat packed with secret treasures, timeless sites and local charm.