A Barbados holiday 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 by no means exhaustive but are some of the best.
1 Boating & Sailing
There are a number of companies providing yachts and catamarans for charter. Scheduled cruises or customized tours are both available.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet sail, exciting water sports, or a romantic sunset cruise, perfect weather, calm seas and gentle southeasterly trade winds, year round, are guaranteed to provide perfect conditions.
2 Golf
For many visitors the only reason for a Barbados holiday is golf! Home to four PGA standard golf courses, Barbados is a great holiday golf 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 Robert Trent-Jones Jr. designed course.
On the south coast are 2 public courses, the links-style, 6705 yd, par 72, Barbados Golf Club, and the 9 hole Club Rockley.
There are plans to build several more courses over the next few years.
3 Sport Fishing
Fishing is a way of life in Barbados. The waters around the island are home to a wide variety of fish and numerous boats are available for half or full day charters. Most fishing charters provide tackle and bait, drinks and refreshments 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’ll have a great time whether you’re a beginning or experienced angler. Most charters will arrange to cook 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 Boatyard, on the outskirts of Bridgetown. There you’ll be strapped into a parachute, towed behind a speedboat and soar into the sky.
And if you’re really adventurous, join the high flyers club by soaring all the way up to 800ft!
5 Surfing
A Barbados holiday is the first choice for many surfing enthusiasts. Consistent surf conditions, steady swells all year round, and a water temperature that never drops below 25C, makes Barbados a great surfing destination.
In winter, the north coast picks up lots of swell, while the constant trade winds ensure the east coast breaks consistently.
The world famous Soup Bowl, sits on the east coast at Bathsheba. Recognized worldwide, it is home to many international competitions
South Point, on the south coast is another great surfing destination, also home to a range of surfing competitions.
6 Windsurfing
November to July are the best months for windsurfing in Barbados. The south coast, with consistent wind and sea conditions and steady trade winds of 15 to 35 knots is the most popular area for windsurfers. The Barbados Waterman Festival takes place at 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 accommodations, restaurants, and bars.
The best place to learn to windsurf is Sandy Beach, also known as Carib Beach. It has a shallow lagoon, calm water, and is protected by an offshore coral reef, which provides perfect conditions for the novice windsurfer.
7 Snorkeling & Diving
If you prefer to be under the water rather than on top of it, then a Barbados holiday offers waters that are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, with visibility between 80 to 98ft (23 to 33m) most of the year.
There are more than two dozen dive sites between the western and southern coasts of Barbados and the calm waters along the west coast are perfect for snorkeling.
Coral reefs are home to a large number of fish and wildlife including barracuda, turtles and other sea life that make their homes in the coral.
The sunken freighter Pamir lies off the coast of Six Men’s Bay. The Stavronikita, a 365ft (120m) Greek freighter lies off the west coast. It was purposely sunk in 1978 (off Fitts Village), and sits at a depth of 137ft (44m).
Just off the southwestern shore of Barbados is Carlisle Bay, a natural harbor that has been turned into a marine park. Exploring the sea floor, you can find empty bottles tossed there by generations of sailors. You’ll also find cannonballs, cannons, anchors, and a few shipwrecks at 25 to 60ft (9-20m), all close enough to visit in one dive.
And if all that isn’t enough, other sports on Barbados include horse riding, hiking, tennis, and kayaking. Whatever your sporting interest, you can probably find it on your Barbados holiday.