The Barbados Island
A former British colony, pear shaped Barbados is just 21 miles by 14 miles and divided into 11 parishes containing towns, villages and the capital city of Bridgetown. A coral island framed by white sand and surrounded by coral reefs it has some of the best beaches and clearest blue sea in the Caribbean, which attract visitors from all over the world. The island is steeped in British history and tradition. With names like Windsor, Hastings and Worthing and scenery similar to a sub-tropical Sussex, although the difference here is that the temperature seldom varies between 75F and 85F. Humidity is generally low, particularly in the winter, due to the prevailing Trade Winds. The warmth and friendliness of the island’s people is also a prime asset and always leave visitors with a most favourable lasting impression. Barbados is probably the Caribbean’s most sophisticated island for tourism and is therefore recommended for the first time visitor to the region.
Bridgetown
Located within the parish of St. Michael, the capital city contains the largest concentration of the population. Spread out along the southwest corner of the island, old colonial government buildings contrast with modern offices, rum shops and chattel houses that can be found along many of the side streets. Important attractions include Heroes Square, complete with a statue of Admiral Lord Nelson, Parliament Building, the Careenage sea inlet where the harbour and port are located, the Mount Gay Rum Visitor’s Centre and Barbados Museum at historic Garrison.
West Coast
Bordered by calm golden beaches along the Caribbean Sea and incorporating the parishes of St. James and St. Peter. It is excellent for swimming and snorkelling, and is also the area where most of the island’s luxury hotels and exclusive restaurants are situated. Folkestone Underwater Park and Marine Museum, Speightstown, Holetown and both the Sandy Lane and Royal Westmoreland golf courses can be found along this coast.
South Coast
The parish of Christ Church includes the area where the calm Caribbean Sea meets the turbulent Atlantic Ocean, creating an excellent spot for windsurfing enthusiasts. Well known for its active nightlife and therefore popular with livelier tourists who frequent The Gap. It is also the location of the Barbados Museum, Oistins fishing village, Graeme Hill Bird Sanctuary and Grantley Adams International Airport.
South East Coast
This windswept corner of Barbados was the last part of the island to be reclaimed from the sea. The parish of St. Philip is home to the Heritage Park, Sunbury Plantation House, Barbados Golf Club, Sam Lord’s Castle and Crane Beach, one of the world’s most spectacular beach locations and excellent for body surfing.
East Coast
Bordering the parishes of St. John, St. Joseph and St. Andrew, this rugged windswept coastline is full of many unexplored places and wonderful picnic spots. Atlantic waves crash against this wild and spectacular coastline and for many it is the most beautiful side of the island. An ideal location for surfing year round. Places to visit include Codrington College, Martin’s Bay and Bathsheba fishing village.
Island Interior
The undulating countryside, spread across the parishes of St. Thomas, St. Andrew and St. Joseph, is dotted with small clusters of houses, with gentle slopes giving way to a more dramatic landscape reminiscent of parts of Scotland. It is home to some fascinating sights including Welchman Hall Gully, Harrison’s Cave, The Flower Forest, Orchid World, Earthworks Pottery and Cherry Tree Hill – considered to be the most beautiful scenic viewpoint on the island. The last remnants of working sugar estates can be found in the parish of St. George together with Drax Hall and another excellent viewing spot at the Gun Hill Signal Station.
The North
The northern tip of the island is exposed to two ocean influences with the Caribbean Sea lapping gently against its western shores whilst the Atlantic batters the parish of St. Lucy on the other side. There are some interesting places to visit here too, such as the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, St Nicholas Abbey and the Animal Flower Cave.
The Barbados Weather
Warm and sunny year-round, with minimal variance in the average day time temperature. Between December and April, the island enjoys low rainfall and cooling trade winds. Between May and November the humidity is higher and short, tropical showers can briefly interrupt sunbathing. The annual hurricane season runs officially from June to September but as the island is on the edge of the hurricane zone the last recorded was in 1955.
Barbados Transport
The government owned public transport system provides a frequent scheduled bus service to all parts of the island, with a flat, inexpensive fare for all journeys. Buses are crowded during the rush hours (07.30-09.30 and 16.30-17.30) with the main terminals being in Bridgetown and St. Peter. Taxis do not have meters but fares are regulated by the government. Listings are available from the Tourist Office.
Barbados Dining
Barbados exemplifies the finest in West Indian cuisine that continues to increase in popularity with visitors. The island’s West African heritage brings rice, peas, beans and okra into the mix, providing an ideal base for slow-cooked meat and fish dishes. The island’s British Heritage provides such fare as salted codfish and speciality teas. Bajan seasonings can be hotter than hot! Standard seafood dishes include kingfish, snapper and, of course the national dish, flying fish. Local fruits include bananas, passion fruit, papaya, guava, avocado, mango and coconut. Excellent rum and beer are locally made. The island is renowned for its numerous bars and restaurants providing some of the best cuisine and service available anywhere in the Caribbean. Most restaurants welcome “walk-in” diners but to avoid any disappointment (especially when demand is high during the winter season) it is advisable to pre-book.
Barbados Water Activities
Barbados is ideal for year-round diving but is probably best in the summer months. The visibility ranges from 40ft to 70ft and the water temperature is a consistent 80F. Barrier reefs located approx 2 miles off shore contain large coral heads which form the habitat for thousands of beautiful fish. Carlisle Bay, with 200 reported wrecks, and the S.S. Stavronikita, a 365ft freighter sunk by the government in1978 to create an artificial reef at Folkestone Marine Park are two of the most popular sites.
Snorkelling
The coral reefs surrounding the island include more than 50 varieties of tropical fish and coral formations in the shallow inside reefs. Equipment may be hired locally at the hotels or from beach water sports huts and dive shops around the island.
Surfing
The quality and consistency of the rolling Atlantic waves on the East Coast is sought after by the professional surfer. The Soup Bowl at Bathsheba in St. Joseph is a famous location for local and international surfing events. Surfboards can be rented from surf shops all over the South Coast.
Windsurfing
Barbados ranks among the top six places in the world with ideal conditions for windsurfing from mid-December to mid-March. One of the major events for international professional windsurfing is the Barbados Cup held at Silver Sands and Silver Rock on the South East Coast. Windsurfing equipment can be bought or rented at various rental shops and from the water sports shops at most of the major hotels.
Deep Sea Fishing
There are about 20 game fishing boats available for charter. Usually they fish 5 miles out to sea where catches can include barracuda, kingfish, dolphin (dorado), marlin, tuna, sail and bill fish. Charters can either be half or full days and can be shared.
Golf in Barbados
Barbados is a golfer’s paradise with 3 major championship courses available to all visitors.
Sandy Lane, St. James (7060 yards, Par 72)
An extensive re-building programme combined with spectacular panoramic views of the Caribbean make this one of the world’s great courses providing golfers of all levels with a real challenge. One 9 hole and two 18 hole courses.
Barbados Golf Club, St. Phillip (6905 yards, Par 72)
Relatively flat with two lakes, this excellent 18 hole course offers the perfect test to any golfer. All visitors welcome.
Royal Westmoreland Resort, St. James (6870 yards, Par 72)
Relatively flat with two lakes, this excellent 18 hole course offers the perfect test to any golfer. All visitors welcome.
Barbados Festivals
All Bajans enjoy a festival and the island has a number of colourful events throughout the year in which visitors are encouraged to participate. The main festival is the summertime Crop Over, which reaches its climax on Kadooment Day when the festival monarchs are crowned. Other events include international cricket, windsurfing tournaments, a jazz festival and a small literary festival.
Holders Season
The Holders Season is a vibrant mixture of superb international artists together with Barbados’ finest from the worlds of classical music, opera, jazz and theatre. It usually takes place every March and April.
Callender of events in Barbados
January
Barbados Jazz Festival
Regional Cricket Series
Windsurfing Championships
B.H.S. Annual Flower Show and Open Gardens Programme
Errol Barrow Day – 21 January
All Bajans enjoy a festival and the island has a number of colourful events throughout the year in which visitors are encouraged to participate. The main festival is the summertime Crop Over, which reaches its climax on Kadooment Day when the festival monarchs are crowned. Other events include international cricket, windsurfing tournaments, a jazz festival and a small literary festival.
February
Barbados Gold Cup Festival
B.H.S. Annual Flower Show and Open Gardens Programme
Holetown Festival
March
Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup
Holders Season
Senior PGA European Golf Tournament
April
Polo
Oistin’s Fish Festival
Malibu Caribbean
Congaline Street Festival
Heroes Day – 28 April
July
Barbados Power Boat Challenge
Crop Over Festival
August
Kadooment Day – first Monday in August
October
Sun, Sea and Slams International Bridge Festival
November
National Independence Festival of Creative Arts
National Fun Walk
Independence Day – 30 November
December
Barbados Museum Fine Crafts Fair
Run Barbados 10k and Marathon Series