• Sporting
• Watersports
• Fine Dining
• Heritage
• Adventure
• Fitness
• Community

Sporting

Cricket

Since the late 1800’s, Barbados has had a passionate love affair with the game of cricket. During the past century, the island has developed a strong international presence in the sport, contributing some of the greatest cricketers in the history of the game, including the three W’s: Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes, as well as the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers, undeniably the greatest cricketer of all time.

Today, Barbadians follow the sport with a fervor, supporting both the West Indian ‘Windies’ as well as several local cricket clubs. The fans' passion for the game is evident at every match, win or lose, often making for an unforgettable experience for foreign spectators.

In 2007, the island was chosen to host the ICC Cricket World Cup finals at the newly re-developed Kensington Oval, an event that impacted Barbados on several levels, particularly development of the island’s infrastructure.

Polo

The sport of polo was introduced to the island by the British Calvary in the late 1800s, when the first Barbados Polo Club was founded at the Garrison Savannah in 1884. Although the Club closed during the Great Depression in 1929, it was re-opened in 1939 and moved to Holders Hill in 1965, due in large part to the generosity of the Kidd Family, active participants in the sport to this day.

During the past few years the sport has gone through something of a revolution on the island, with several new facilities opening along the West Coast, including Clifton, Apes Hill Golf and Polo Club, Waterhall and Lion Castle. The development of these fields has provided the polo community with outstanding additional facilities for both local and visiting teams to participate in tournaments, as well as the opportunity to offer lessons to novices, increasing interest and participation in the sport.

Today the polo season runs from December to May with 12 to 16 tournaments per year. Several foreign patrons and players make the annual pilgrimage to Barbados during the winter months, making Barbados a popular alternative winter polo destination.

Golf

Barbados is home to several world-class golfing facilities, including courses at Sandy Lane, Royal Westmoreland and the Barbados Golf Club at Durants. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the courses have been lauded as some of the best in the Caribbean. With its year-round sunshine, abundant entertainment and dining amenities and range of accommodations, it is easy to see why Barbados is quickly becoming one of the top golfing destinations in the world.

Several golf tournaments are hosted throughout the year, attracting regional and international talent. In 2006 Barbados played host to the World Golf Championships World Cup, a four-day tournament held at the Sandy Lane Resort.

Tennis

Barbados has several active tennis clubs on both the South and West Coasts of the island. Players can rent courts or arrange for lessons with several teaching professionals. The Barbados Tennis Association spearheads a vigorous tournament schedule and actively develops local participation in the sport regardless of age, skill or social background.

Horse Racing

The Barbados Turf Club, established in 1905, organizes three racing seasons each year at the Garrison Savannah Racetrack, founded in 1845 by the officers of the British Regiment stationed in Barbados. These seasons run from January to April; May to August and October to December. The most prestigious race on the Barbados calendar is the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, run on the first Saturday in March. This event attracts international competition and is well-attended by locals and visitors alike. Races can be watched from the covered grandstand or at any point around the track, where visitors and locals alike enjoy an informal picnic atmosphere where vendors sell local fare including fish cakes, coconut water and other snacks and drinks.

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Watersports

Surfing

With over 70 miles of white sand beaches, brilliant year-round sunshine and a laid-back island culture, it’s no wonder that Barbados is a surfer’s paradise. Over the years the island has gained international recognition as an ideal destination for water sport lovers, including windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing and bodysurfing enthusiasts.

Favourable conditions can be found year-round; however the best time for surfing is November to July, when wind and sea conditions are consistently ideal. Barbados is host to several international competitions, including the Reef Classic held each November.

While a preferred destination for professional and experienced surfers, Barbados is also an ideal location for beginners. There are several surfing schools on the island where visitors can rent equipment and take lessons from some of the island’s top professionals.

Diving

Just off the sandy shores of the island, visitors will find an underwater paradise just waiting to be explored. The coast of Barbados is lined with miles of coral reefs featuring a wide variety of sea life including many common and rare species of fish, sting rays, eagle rays and eels, as well as sea anemones, sponges and sea lilies. Barbados is also home to hawksbill, green and leatherback turtles, which regularly make appearances on both the South and West Coasts of the island.

The best diving spots ain Barbados re easily accessible from both shorelines and not particularly technical, providing opportunities for even the novice diver to experience the beauty of the island’s underwater sights. Carlisle Bay Marine Park, located on the South Coast, is home to six wrecks covered in a variety of colourful marine life and is popular with both divers and snorkelers. There are two dedicated snorkeling areas at Folkestone Marine Park on the West Coast, as well the SS Stavronikita, a wreck located in 120 feet of water and recommended for experienced divers.

There are several dive shops where visitors can participate in both day and night diving excursions with PADI-certified instructors or even obtain their certification with courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Divemaster.

Sailing

One of the best ways to appreciate the island’s beauty is by sailing along its stunning coastline. With cooling trade winds, brilliant blue seas and bright sunshine, Barbados has long attracted sailing enthusiasts.

Visitors can choose from a wide range of charter options, including small crafts, elegant yachts, catamarans and party cruises. Highlights of any sailing excursion include snorkeling along the coral reefs and swimming with the turtles at several points along the South and West shorelines. Charter companies offer both day-time cruises, which include lunch and drink service, as well as champagne cruises at sunset. Several companies also offer longer excursions to neighbouring islands including Trinidad & Tobago, The Grenadine Islands and other nearby destinations.

In addition to pleasure cruises, Barbados also offers visitors the chance to actively participate in sailing aboard two world-class racing yachts. Visitors can be as involved as they like by engaging in the race experience or simply relaxing in the cool breezes while the experienced crew does the work!

For those visitors with their own craft, mooring facilities are available at Port St. Charles on the West Coast and the Barbados Yacht Club on the South Coast, as well as the island’s main facilities in the capital city, Bridgetown. Additional services including repairs, general maintenance and cleaning are also available.

Fishing

As with many islands, fishing is more than a pastime in Barbados; it is a way of life. Its surrounding waters have long supplied the island with plentiful catches, and while best known for large schools of Flying Fish (a national dish), Barbadian waters are home to a wide range of species making for exciting coastal and deep sea excursions.

The fishing season runs from January to April when the island’s game fish are most plentiful; during those months common catches include Barracuda, Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin (commonly known as Mahi Mahi or Dorado) and both Blue and White Marlin.

Charter operators offer day-time cruises as well as night fishing charters, where sport fishermen can catch Goggle Eyes, Snapper, Cavallies, Jacks, Barracuda and even reef sharks. Charters generally include all necessary equipment, meals and drinks. Captained by experienced fishermen, many of the charters also offer lessons should they be required.

The island's fishing is regulated by the Barbados Game Fishing Association, which also sponsors several major tournaments during the season.

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Fine Dining

Barbados boasts an exquisite calibre of restaurants offering a wide array of culinary specialties. Ranging from delicious local dishes to international cuisine prepared by some of the Caribbean’s top chefs, the island’s dining choices are seemingly endless. In 2006 Barbados was honoured with its first Zagat Guide, a true testament to the gastronomic prowess of the island.

The West Coast is home to many of the island’s most popular dining spots, including five-star restaurants, quaint local eateries and specialty restaurants offering an assortment of cosmopolitan flavours, including Asian, Indian, Italian and French-inspired menus. In recent years the South Coast has also seen a boon in fine dining facilities, and you can find many local favourites nestled among the hotels and entertainment venues.

During the day most establishments accept casual attire, however visitors should keep in mind that Barbados is a conservative island and appropriate cover-ups and shoes are required, even at the beach bars. In the evening a more formal dress code is expected, however a dinner jacket is not required.

While most restaurants accept walk-in guests, it is recommended that reservations be made, especially during the winter season and on weekends when business is heaviest. Not all establishments open for both lunch and dinner so it is best to check with concierge to ensure your dining preferences can be accommodated.

A nominal gratuity is often included on the bill, especially for larger parties; however it is at the discretion of the guest to increase or decrease the amount as they deem appropriate.

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Heritage

Museums & Galleries

Barbados is home to several museums where visitors can learn more about the island’s unique culture and artistic heritage. Notable spots include the Barbados Museum, containing many artifacts, collections and furnishings and the newly renovated George Washington House, where the first president of the United States stayed during his visit to the island in 1751 - the only trip he made beyond the borders of colonial America. Additionally, several of the island’s Plantation Homes are open to the public, including Sunbury Plantation House, dating to the 18th Century, and St. Nicholas Abbey, one of only three remaining Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere.

There are also several art galleries on the island which pay homage to the talented local artisans. Working in a variety of media ranging from painting, sculpture and ceramics to pottery, jewelry design and woodworking, Barbadian artists have long captured the essence of the island’s culture and heritage in their work.

National Trust Open Houses

Each year the Barbados National Trust presents an Open House Programme featuring some of the island’s most historic and beautiful private homes. Spanning a rich architectural history dating to the 16th Century, these homes provide an exciting glimpse of the island’s days gone by. The great houses, plantation homes and unique chattel houses feature a stunning range of design elements including ornate wooden trim, expansive verandahs and porticoes and lushly landscaped gardens. Many homes also feature an array of historical artifacts, such as carriages and buggies, mahogany furniture, decorative ornaments and other unique collections. Visitors are welcomed to tour the homes and gardens and enjoy the accompanying garden party where fresh juice, rum punch and snacks are served.

Natural Attractions

Nestled amongst the island’s property estates and amenities, visitors will discover one of the greatest charms of Barbados - a wide array of natural attractions waiting to be explored. Featuring indigenous flora and fauna including nutmeg, bamboo, clove, palms and other exotic plants, the island’s tropical gullies and forests are also home to a wide variety of birds, animals and the popular if mischievous Barbados Green Monkey.

Barbados also features several extraordinary public gardens featuring orchids, hibiscus, bougainvillea, palms and ferns. These gardens are maintained by the Barbados National Trust and are open year-round to visitors for a nominal fee.

The island’s animal reserve and nature sanctuaries are well-maintained, featuring several indigenous species to the Caribbean including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. These sanctuaries not only provide refuge for its wild inhabitants but also for visitors looking for a peaceful tropical escape. Explored via walkways, the parks feature strategic points of interest and educational references.

Hike Barbados

One of the best ways to discover the unique natural beauty and heritage of the island is with the Hike Barbados programme, sponsored by the Barbados National Trust. Every Sunday locals and visitors alike explore gullies, tropical forests and coastal communities with a knowledgeable guide, learning about the island’s geology and its historical and natural sites of interest.

Generally hikes start at 6:00 AM and 3:30 PM, however special Moonlight Walks are sponsored throughout the year as well as the annual 'Great Train Hike' along the island’s original tracks running from the capital city Bridgetown to Bathsheba, located on the East Coast.

The hikes are free but donations to assist the Barbados National Trust and its continued work are welcomed.

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Adventure

Island Tours

Driving in Barbados is relatively easy for most visitors, as long as they remember to stay on the left-hand side of the road. There are detailed tour books available at most hotels and visitor establishments, or our concierge staff will be happy to assist you with a tour plan.

If a guided tour is more appealing, several tour companies offer island tours in specialized 4x4 vehicles, enabling access to remote areas of Barbados including gullies, forests and shorelines. Lead by an experienced tour guide who can share the island’s history and ecological information, these tours include refreshments and lunch.

Helicopter Tours

An exciting way to see the island is by air; there are two helicopter companies as well as a range of private planes available for hire. In addition to exploring the Barbados skies, some of these planes are also available for day excursions to neighbouring islands.

Shooting

Barbados features a sporting range with a variety of shooting facilities including a nine-station sporting loop, a compact target range, clay target stations and a ten-metre pistol range. The facility offers experienced instruction by range safety officers in a highly-regulated environment, ensuring a safe and exciting sporting experience for its visitors.

Groups can also participate in paintball games on the newly established speedball field, sure to add a rush of adrenaline to your holiday or weekend event. Safety gear including facemasks, body protectors and gloves are provided and it is recommended that participants wear old clothes and trainers.

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Fitness

An active lifestyle is easy to maintain in Barbados. In addition to the exciting range of sporting facilities, including golf courses, tennis clubs, water sports and hiking, the island offers a choice of private and public gyms, experienced personal trainers and both yoga and pilates studios.

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Community

One of the island’s most appealing attributes is its warm sense of community. Residents and visitors alike enjoy an exciting range of amenities catering to singles, couples, families and other groups.

Most developments and resorts feature pools, clubhouses and other shared outdoor areas that foster community living. Residents can easily meet one another assisting both parents and children in making new friends and acquaintances. Relaxing on the beach, by the pool or in the clubhouse, residents can feel secure and know their children are safe within the communal environment.

The developments and resorts often offer family amenities including highchairs, cots and other equipment rentals as well as professional nanny and babysitting services. These amenities can also be arranged through the Barbados Sotheby’s Concierge Service.

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