A Barbados vacation can be spent lazing on a beach, and there are so many. Or if you’re feeling a little more active, there’s no shortage of sports, both in and out of the water.
The following suggestions are not exhaustive, but they are some of the best.
1 boating and sailing
There are a number of companies that offer yachts and catamarans for charter. Scheduled cruises or custom tours are available.
Whether you’re looking for smooth sailing, exciting water sports, or a romantic sunset cruise, the perfect weather, calm seas, and gentle south-easterly trade winds, year-round, are guaranteed to provide you with the perfect conditions.
2 golf
For many visitors, the only reason for a Barbados vacation is golf. Home to four PGA standard golf courses, Barbados is a great golf vacation destination. On the west coast, Sandy Lane is home to two Tom Fazio designed courses, The Country Club and The Green Monkey. While the Royal Westmoreland has a course designed by Robert Trent-Jones Jr.
On the south coast there are 2 public courses, the links style, 6705 yards, par 72, Barbados Golf Club and the 9 hole Rockley Club.
There are plans to build several more courses in the coming years.
3 Sport Fishing
Fishing is a way of life in Barbados. The waters surrounding the island are home to a wide variety of fish and numerous boats are available for half or full day charters. Most fishing charters offer tackle and bait, drinks and snacks, and transportation to and from your hotel.
Barbados is home to a wide variety of sport fish, including Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Billfish, Sailfish, Kingfish, Dorado, Barracuda, Bonita, and Yellow Fin Tuna.
You will have a great time whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler. Most charters will take care of cooking what you catch, or advise you on cooking arrangements at your hotel or a nearby restaurant.
4 parasailing
For a unique and exciting experience, visit the shipyard, on the outskirts of Bridgetown. There you will be strapped to a parachute, towed behind a speedboat, and soared into the sky.
And if you’re really adventurous, join the high flyers club by flying up to 800 feet!
5 surfing
A Barbados vacation is the first choice for many surf enthusiasts. Consistent surf conditions, consistent swell throughout the year, and a water temperature that never drops below 25°C, make Barbados a great surfing destination.
In winter, the north coast gets plenty of swell, while the constant trade winds ensure that the east coast constantly breaks.
The world famous Soup Bowl, is located on the east coast of Bathsheba. Renowned throughout the world, it is the venue for numerous international competitions.
South Point, on the south shore, is another great surfing destination, also hosting a variety of surfing competitions.
6 Windsurfing
November to July are the best months for windsurfing in Barbados. The south coast, with constant wind and sea conditions and constant trade winds of 15 to 35 knots, is the most popular area for windsurfers. The Barbados Waterman Festival takes place on Silver Rock Beach every February. Between Maxwell and Hastings, there are ideal conditions for beginner and intermediate windsurfers. There is also a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and bars.
The best place to learn to windsurf is Sandy Beach, also known as Carib Beach. It has a shallow lagoon, calm waters and is protected by an offshore coral reef, providing perfect conditions for the novice windsurfer.
7 Snorkeling and Diving
If you prefer to be underwater rather than above it, then a Barbados vacation offers waters that are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, with visibility between 80 and 98 feet (23 to 33 m) most of the year.
There are more than two dozen dive sites between the west and south coasts of Barbados and the calm waters along the west coast are perfect for diving.
Coral reefs are home to a large number of fish and wildlife, including barracudas, turtles, and other coral-dwelling marine life.
The sunken freighter Pamir lies off the coast of Six Men’s Bay. The Stavronikita, a 120 m (365 ft) Greek freighter lies off the west coast. She was deliberately scuttled in 1978 (off Fitts Village) and lies at a depth of 137 feet (44 m).
Just off the southwest coast of Barbados is Carlisle Bay, a natural harbor that has been turned into a marine park. Exploring the bottom of the sea, you can find empty bottles thrown there by generations of sailors. You’ll also find cannonballs, cannons, anchors and a few wrecks as deep as 25-60ft (9-20m), all close enough to visit in a single dive.
And if all that isn’t enough, other sports in Barbados include horse riding, hiking, tennis, and kayaking. Whatever your sporting interest, you can probably find it on your Barbados vacation.
