The Eastern Caribbean Island can be a great place to spend your vacation. This is the best place where you can enjoy yourself with your gal pals or with your own tribe.
You can enjoy sunbathing at Bathsheba Beach, relaxing at Carlisle Bay, dwelling in the historical world at St. Nicholas Abbey, and the list goes on.
There are many fun things to do in Barbados. The article will take you through the eastern Caribbean island of beaches, golf courses, and many more.
15 Best Things to do in Barbados
1. Bathsheba Beach (East Coast)
Bathsheba Beach is situated on the East coast side of Barbados. The place is known as heaven for surfers and photographers. This Beach is formed with rock formations, making it awesome for the photographers to click some amazing pictures.
There is also a surf bowl at the Beach where one can enjoy the amazing waves, making it an awesome destination for surfers. Surf Bowl is famous on Bathsheba Beach because major surfing competitions occur there. But remember that Bathsheba Beach is unsuitable for swimming because of its rock formation and waves.
Bathsheba beach is a great place to spend your time because of its beauty and calming vibes; one can also fly kites and have a picnic time there.
Among the important thing to keep in mind is transportation. Public transport near Bathsheba Beach is less, so having a rental car is a better option for a smooth journey.
There is no entry ticket fee to visit Bathsheba Beach; you can travel there from sunrise to sunset whenever wanted. You can also find better parking places when at the Beach.
Visiting Bathsheba Beach is among the best things to do in Barbados. Alcoholic beverages are present at the Beach; there are fewer restaurants on the beach. Restrooms are also located at the Beach, but no water sports or chair pieces of equipment are required at the Beach, so carry your own things required before arriving.
2. Dover Beach ( South Coast)
Dover beach is situated on the south coast of Barbados. The Beach is found at the Oistins, which is situated at the Christ Church Parish.
The major activity at Dover Beach is surfing. The water is not much suitable for activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding. Other than this, Dover Beach is famous for Jet Skiing, Hobie Cat Sailing, and windsurfing.
Dover Beach mostly attracts those looking for less crowded places. It’s the best Beach for having a relaxed vibe. Sometimes because of its calming vibe, people don’t explore other places and spend their time relaxing at the Beach.
In addition to it, the bars there also provide some happy hour deals. If you want to swim, then there is a swimming area that is also available there.
Dover Beach is located just a few miles away from the Barbados Boardwalk. One can easily reach Dover Beach with the help of a bus or car. People coming through their vehicles can also park at the free parking available.
Restaurants, Hotels, and types of equipment for water sports, umbrellas, beach chairs, and much more can also be rented nearby the beach on the south coast of Barbados.
Other various facilities, such as restrooms and gift shops, can also be found there. For safety purposes, lifeguards are on site from the time of sunrise to sunset.
Dover Beach is a great place to have a solitary time or spend some time with your loved ones. Visiting here is among the best things to do in Barbados.
3. Barbados Boardwalk
Barbados Boardwalk is a well-known place in Barbados. The place is situated in the 4-mile south region of Bridgetown. It is a coastal boardwalk that connects Beach Accra with Camelot beach.
The Barbados Boardwalk is famous for its stunning oceanic views, crabs, and much more. For clicking some amazing pictures and having some awesome views plan your visit during the time of sunrise and sunset.
The Barbados Boardwalk is famous for its cleanliness and scenic views. The place can get hot during the day, so look out for the clothes and shoes you wear while visiting. Requirement for sunscreen is mandatory to save yourself from sunburns and keep water with you to keep yourself hydrated.
Hasting’s restaurants and bars near the Barbados Boardwalk so you can have a meal and drinks. Visiting Barbados Boardwalk does not require an entry ticket fee; parking is also provided to those with vehicles. But remember, there are no bus stops located near the boardwalk. Benches and restrooms are also provided for the public.
Visiting the Barbados boardwalk is one of the most and best things to do in Barbados.
4. St. Nicholas Abbey
St. Nicholas Abbey is one of the best places of historic appeal on Barbados island. The place refines the rum in small packs.
The St. Nicholas abbey also includes the plantation home, which is 350 years old. This plantation house is a museum that provides various antiques.
Orchards and various gardens are also seen in the place. West Indies Rum distilleries and Mount Gay Rum are also located on Barbados island.
During the month of January till May, the sugar cane cultivation is done, and syrup is also made at the factory located here.
Travellers who have visited the place have a lot of positive things to say about St. Nicholas Abbey. The historical structure and architecture of the plantation area are also discussed among travellers.
St. Nicholas Abbey is situated inside St. Peter Parish, which is at 5 miles of distance in the northeast region of Speightstown. People can visit here from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are known as the most active times, whereas Sunday is the less crowded. About 3-4 hours are required to explore this place properly.
Tickets to St. Nicolas Abbey include access to the plantation property, museum, and distillery machines. Guided tours are also available, but they are limited; visitors can so do a self-guided tour.
Visitors visiting are provided with complimentary fruit, rum, or sample drinks. Other than that, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and other beverages are also offered, which are available at the cafe on the terrace.
Exploring museums and swirling a glass at St. Nicholas Abbey are among the best things to do in Barbados. For further information regarding timings, tickets, and more, check the website of St. Nicholas Abbey. Gift shops, parking, and restrooms are also available at the site.
5. George Washington House
George Washington House got its name when George Washington, in the 18th century, got into a plantation house on Barbados Island with his sick brother, who had tuberculosis, hoping that he could get cured by the island’s tropical climate. They stayed here in 1751 for two months.
Now the visitors found the tour of the museum informative and exciting. The exhibition of the house represents artefacts dating back to the 18th century. A few secret tunnels were also discovered under the house’s basement.
A 15-minute film is also presented, which shows George Washington’s experience and time inside the house on Barbados Island. There is a cafe on site which the visitors appreciate.
The George Washington House museum is open from Monday to Friday, and the timings are from morning 9 to 5 in the evening. Tickets vary according to the age of visitors, whereas separate tickets are used for entering the tunnels inside the house.
Visiting George Washington’s house and getting to know about my brother’s experiences and how they lived there are among the best things to do in Barbados. For further information regarding museum timings, ticket fees, and more, go to their official website.
6. Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave is a captivating cave situated under the cliffs of North point located in St. Lucy Parish. It was named after its sea anemones. It’s the only island where the sea cave is accessible. One of the well-known caves, Harrison’s cave, is also located on Barbados Island.
Taking some time out of your planned trip and making a visit to the Animal Flower cave should be a must to enjoy scenic views and dwell yourself in the calmness of the sea. You can also have a swim session at the cave’s pool formed by rocks, so it’s recommended to bring a swimsuit or towel with you.
The path to the Animal Flower cave is steep, so it’s advised to be careful while reaching the cave. The stairs and the rocks at the cave are slippery, so it’s recommended to watch out when going into the Animal Flower Cave.
The guided tours are available from morning 9 till 4 in the evening, whereas the place is open every day. The tour tickets into the cave are for about 25 Barbadian Dollars and 10 for children below 12.
The best thing to do in Barbados is to capture this beautiful site and enjoy the calming vibes of the sea. The most preferred way to reach the Animal Flower cave is by car, and a little bus ride is offered from Speightstown. You can also use the restrooms and buy stuff from gift shops available at the site; in addition, you can also have a meal at the restaurants available.
7. Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is situated in the southwestern coastal region of Barbados island. The place is famous for its relaxing vibe and calming waters, making it perfect for a swimming session.
The six shipwrecks of Carlisle Bay also make it a great place for snorkelling. Turtles, Fish, and Rock Lobsters are a few marine animals you can catch sight of while taking a dip into the gentle waters of the bay.
Visitors here can rent types of equipment for activities such as jet skiing and kayaking from the vendors there; you can also have a horse ride at the place. Not only this, stuff such as towels, lounge chairs, and umbrellas are also available at the site.
This place is the perfect mixture of calming waters and cleanliness for those chasing calmness. The only thing that makes this place less comforting is the lack of shade there.
Carlisle Bay beach is located 2 miles in the southwest region of downtown Bridgetown. Lifeguards are available at the site. To reach Carlisle Bay, one can take a bus or hire a taxi to Fairchild Street Bus Terminal, which is a few blocks away from Carlisle Bay’s Beach.
Visiting Carlisle Bay is among the best things to do in Barbados. Free parking, restrooms, restaurants, and various shops are located nearby the Beach. All the beaches are always open from sunrise till sunset.
8. Harrison’s Cave
Harrison’s cave is a well-known limestone cave located on Barbados Island. This cave includes a stream about one and a half miles long; stalagmites, stalactites, and various calcite deposits can be found at Harrison’s cave.
According to a few historians cave was first found at the end of the 18th century. Harrison’s cave is situated in the middle region of the country, at a distance of 5 miles from Bathsheba beach and Holetown.
Harrison’s cave is a must-visit place, as reviewed by numerous visitors.
For clarity of information, you can go and check the website of Harrison’s cave.
The cave site offers tour guides, which help you to get to know the place properly. You can visit Harrison’s cave between 9 in the morning till 4 in the evening.
The entry ticket is for 60 Barbadian dollars for adults and 30 for children. In addition, you can take a walking tour which is hourlong available on the last Saturdays of the month. Prices are different for various tours.
Visiting Harrison’s Cave is among the best things to do in Barbados!
To get to the site, travellers can take up route 4, which is Shorey Village; another option is to take up the bus from Bridgetown. The taxi fares are about 40-50 Barbadian dollars.
A parking facility is available at Harrison’s cave, and you can also buy stuff from various shops present there.
9. Crane beach
Crane Beach is a stunning beach situated in a cove on the Atlantic coast region. Natural high walls surround the beach.
Crane Beach is covered with white sand with a pinch of pink sand too. This beach is famous for its blue waters and offshore waves sliding at its reef. Crane Beach was known for landing boats, where the cargo was unloaded.
The Crane Resort is a castle-like place located at Crane Beach.
Having a relaxing stay at Crane resort and enjoying the waters at the beach are among the best things to do in Barbados. If you want to have a stay, have a fulfilling meal, and need a place to relax, then this beautiful resort is all you need.
You can reach crane beach from the resort through some stairs located near the resort. Parking facilities can be found on the opposite side of the Beach on the narrow road located.
10. Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Looking for the famous green Monkeys of Barbados island?
You are at the right place. Barbados Wildlife reserve is a well-known place to check out the island’s unique creatures.
Monkey’s there keep themselves entertained by interacting with other wildlife creatures and reserves. Visiting the Barbados Wildlife Reserve and checking out the Green Monkeys should be one of the must-do things in Barbados.
Trails go across and can be seen around the mahogany forest in this calming park. Tortoises, monkeys, Iguanas, Agoutis, and much more creatures can be seen around the reserve. Photographers can capture amazing pictures of creatures inside the reserve, and visitors can encounter the creatures closely.
Maras, Snakes, Parrots, and Caimans can also be seen at the wildlife reserves. You can also feed the animals at 2 pm, which is their feeding time. Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station can also be found near the reserve’s parking lot.
Visiting Barbados Wildlife Reserve and strolling around notable creatures is one of the best things to do in Barbados.
11. Hunte’s Garden
Hunte’s Garden is known as the conclusion of Anthony Hunte’s vision and his years of hard work in constructing this masterwork. The Hunte’s Garden is located inside the island. It is a garden spread on the slopes with stairs and walkways around the lush green garden areas.
The sunlit and the shaded regions help in assorting the species, from exotic plants to huge palm trees; Hunte’s garden consists of various types of plants and flowers.
Frequent bird and animal visits can also be seen in the Hunte’s garden. If you are willing to take your pet to the garden, you surely can, but keeping your pet leashed is necessary.
12. Welchman Hall Gully
The Welchman Hall Gully is usually different from other gardens located on Barbados island because of its tropical garden and lush green surroundings. The garden is located inside a series of caves, trees, and gardens; you can feel dwelled in nature while strolling around the garden. A wheelchair path is also accessible inside the garden.
Visiting Welchman Hall Gully should be one of the must things to do in Barbados.
A gorgeous pond, bamboo trees, and flower plants can be seen at the Welchman Hall Gully. The monkey play area is found in the garden, where you can watch the monkeys having their meal.
The garden also resided endangered animals and plants and various plant species, which can only be seen in Barbados. A lengthy set of stairs inside the garden will take you to the area from where you can capture picturesque views of green hills and the ocean. Bench and cover shed areas can also be found so visitors can relax.
13. Bottom Bay Beach
Bottom Bay Beach is located in the Atlantic region of Barbados Island. It is a separate beach with golden sand. Travellers can visit the Bottom Bay beach with the help of a set of stairs that are under the shed of palm trees.
The Bottom Bay beach is covered with blue waters and cliff wall lines. You can have a relaxing alone time at this beautiful spot.
You can witness the cove from the south region of the Beach. Visiting this Beach is among the best things to do in Barbados.
14. Folkestone Marine Park
Folkestone Marine Park is situated in the outside area of Holetown. The park is known to be multipurpose, where visitors can indulge themselves in activities like diving, snorkelling, and spending time playing on the playground and on the beach.
Stavroniktia, a famous ship that was sunk on purpose, can be seen at the Folkestone Marine Park. The ship is known as a popular site for divers and has local dive shops where you can get arranged trips.
The place never disappoints its visitors as it includes a lot of activities. You can snorkel or paddle even if you are not a diver.
The Folkestone Marine Park is famous for activities like kayaking and paddle boarding, and on the shoreside, children can have a great time by playing and having picnic sessions. You can also find on-site Folkestone museums with exhibitions and aquariums.
15. Farley Hill National Park
Farley Hill National Park is a place where you can come across the dramatic scenery of houses covered by trees; the place is amazing, with picturesque views.
The Farley house was built in 1818 and was inhabited many years before the state started decaying during the 1940s.
The place was restored in the mid-years of the 1950s and was used as a filming site, but unfortunately, the materials used were destroyed in the fire. After all of it, the government acquired the area and converted it into Farley hill National Park in the year 1965. The park covers about 17 acres of ground and is covered with mahogany trees. The park offers beautiful views and an area where visitors can have a picnic.
At Farley Hill National Park, you can notice the green monkeys around the tree. Visiting this National Park could be one of the best things to do in Barbados.
Key Takeaways
Bathsheba Beach, Dover Beach, Animal Flower Cave, and much more, Barbados island is a perfect place to spend your vacation. The article summarises various things to do in Barbados and places that can make your vacation memorable.
FAQs
What is Barbados famous for?
Ans. Barbados is famous for having the most beautiful beaches in the world. Apart from the beach waves, Barbados is also famous for its beautiful scenic beach views, which are mesmerizing for travellers to visit.
What is the national food of Barbados?
Ans. The national food of Barbados is Cou Cou and Fried Flying Fish.
How do people enjoy at Barbados?
Ans. People play golf courses, visit historic homes and also enjoy the sporting events in Barbados.
Last Updated on March 25, 2023 by Susanta Biswas
