- Direct: 705-929-2538
- Email: [email protected]
Menu
It’s time to … Relax & Disconnect
We all need a break — get pampered at a spa, swim in the ocean, sit next to your private plunge pool and just forget about everything. Experience incredible food from different cultures, take a romantic sunset walk on the beach, or snorkel alongside the marine life beneath the waves. It’s time to slow things down and reconnect with those you love — you deserve it!
For such a relatively small island, Barbados has a lot of beautiful beaches — and there is a beach for everyone!
If you’re looking for soft sand and aquamarine water, you’ll want to visit the west coast of the island! It is sheltered and faces the Caribbean sea.
The west coast boasts the longest and softest sandy beaches and is lined with resorts, restaurants and bars and is also where you’ll find the bustling little capital of Barbados, Bridgetown.
The east coast, which faces the Atlantic, is where you will find the big rolling waves and its very scenic landscape. A must-see stop is Bathsheba Beach, which is a favourite spot for surfers, and it is a great spot to stroll and take some memorable photos (or selfies)!
If you are interested in snorkelling, then head to the southern edge of the island, where you will enjoy the coral reef and slightly pink sands and a delightful boardwalk.
The north of the island is dominated by cliffs, so the landscape is rocky and rough around the edges. But don’t let that stop you from visiting that area! What it lacks in sandy beaches makes up for it with spectacular cliffs from the Atlantic pounding the rocks. Swimming is not advisable, but you will definitely get some fantastic photos from this undeveloped area of the island.
• Gibbs Beach is a popular spot to slip on the fins and mask and swim in clear, calm water among the rainbow-hued parrotfish.
• Explore the artificial reef at Folkestone Beach, where there is a shipwreck that has been colonized by a wide array of marine life!
• The undertow in many of the east coast beaches makes it unsafe for swimming, but at Bath Beach, it is almost absent there. There is even a small waterfall to photograph.
• Popular beach for families is Accra Beach. It is soft sand and is situated in the arch around a small bay, so it is shallow for quite a distance.
There are so many beaches … you just need some time to wander and find one to suit your mood so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the views!
• Barbados’ name is derived from the Bearded Fig trees. Back in 1536, the Portuguese sighted the island and referred to it as “Los Barbados,” or “Bearded Ones,” presumably after the fig trees.
• The national dish of Barbados is Cou-cou, which is served with flying fish. It is a thick, creamy pudding made with cornflour and okra. And, the fish are probably flying because they like to hang out near the run-off pipes from the rum factories … who wouldn’t be flyin’?!!
• Did you know that Barbados is the birthplace of rum? Yep! It has been churning out rum since 1703! Across the island, there are more than 1,500 rum shops! Where did you think Captain Jack Sparrow was running to
• DO NOT WEAR camouflage clothing!!! It is an offence for civilians to dress in camouflage clothing or carry items made of camouflage material!
• You need a visitor’s permit to drive in Barbados. You can obtain one at most car rental agencies.
• Originally brought to Barbados from West Africa around 350 years ago, the green monkeys have developed different characteristics over time — but they are still mischievous and don’t be surprised when you see one pop up during your wandering!
A “must-see” is the dramatic Harrison’s Cave! This limestone cavern is located just outside the village of Hometown. You can travel mile-long stretches of the cave system marvelling at the stalagmites and stalactites before arriving at the Great hall, the largest part of the cavern which soars 50 feet high!
Another cave to check out is the Animal Flower Cave. Make sure you take the 15 to 20 minute cliff-side tour! It will provide you with a dramatic view from the outlook that will take your breath away!
Correspondent and Avid traveller