There are a million-and-one things to do in Barbados that will keep you entertained for days. But we asked a seasoned island visitor which activities they’d always recommend.
When it comes to amazing things to do in Barbados it’s likely you’ll be spoilt for choice. However, whether you’re an island first-timer or an experienced head, there are some activities you just can’t miss.
We spoke to our very own in-house Bajan boffin, Tom, to discover what he recommends on the island.
These five activities will never get old.
5 must-do moments
- Island safari
- Bar-hopping in Holetown
- Oistins Fish Fry
- Catamaran cruise
- Eating out
1. Island safari
One of the best things about exploring a new destination is getting to know all the top spots. The best way to do this in Barbados is with an ATV island safari. In fact, when our CEO Alistair Rowland visited O2 Beach Club earlier this year, he chose the island safari as his favourite excursion.
During this island safari, you’ll get the chance to spy some of the country’s best bits. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore more of Barbados’s rugged east coast, as well as incredibly beautiful locations like Bathsheba.
Knowledgeable guides will point out local points of interest throughout the trip, like famous singer Rihanna’s house. Plus, you’ll stop for lunch in one of the island’s top eateries.
2. Bar-hopping in Holetown
If you’ve ever been to Barbados you’ll know that there is a party atmosphere in most areas come nightfall. However, Tom found the best place to head for feel-good vibes of an evening was Holetown.
With a selection of chic bars and restaurants providing the party all year round, there’s never a dull evening. Check out special haunts like Duke’s Night Lounge and the Red Door Lounge for your chance to mix it with the great and the good of the island.
On the other hand, if you visit during February, you’ll be able to partake in the mother of all local shindigs, the Holetown Festival.
3. Oistins Fish Fry
While you may not have been aware of the Holetown vibes, if you’re an island veteran like Tom, Oistins Fish Fry Fridays will need no introduction.
Ask anyone who’s been about the best things to do in Barbados and we’re sure they’ll tell you about this place.
Here every Friday night the people of Oistins come together to dance, chat, eat and drink. What better way to say goodbye to the working week than a boogie to some blaring tunes? Watch the place light up if a Rihanna track comes on.
4. Catamaran cruise
If you were looking for an elevated experience on your island escape, then we can’t recommend this tour enough.
On an awesome Barbados catamaran cruise, you’ll have the chance to become more acquainted with the wonders of the Caribbean Sea. Getting the chance to swim with green sea turtles and over the top of eerie shipwrecks is completely unforgettable.
Plus, on this Carlisle Bay catamaran tour, you’ll have the added bonuses of enjoying an island-inspired buffet lunch, a complimentary bar with signature rum punch, and a stunning sojourn along the island’s shimmering west coast. There are also stop-offs that allow you the chance to dive in and enjoy a relaxing swim in the calm, warm waters.
5. Eating out
Barbados may be a small island but it’s teeming with incredible places to eat. From sumptuous street food that envelopes your senses in Bridgetown to elevated meals at top-reviewed venues like The Cliff.
You may think that Bajans take a quintessentially laid-back “island” view toward food. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Locals are proud of the island’s rich gastronomic heritage.
Plus, venues like The Mews or The Cliff, which has a Michelin star-winning chef at the helm, look set to propel Barbados’s culinary reputation into the stratosphere.
So, there’s never been a better time to visit and taste it for yourself.
Where to stay in Barbados?
Now you know all about what you definitely should be doing during your time on the island, we should probably offer some stopover options. Here are three top resorts to match your vibe:
- O2 Beach Club & Spa
- Sandals Barbados
- Cruise from Barbados Beach Club
O2 Beach Club & Spa
Follow in our CEO’s flip-flops with a stay at O2 Beach Club. This awesome resort has seen recent renovation work to modernise one of its buildings. This means there’s a wealth of contemporary rooms and amenities waiting to be discovered.
Located in the heart of St Lawrence Gap, you should also have no trouble discovering some of that iconic nightlife we were referring to earlier. Additionally, you’ll have some of the best restaurants in Barbados right on your doorstep.
Sandals Barbados
Sandals Barbados offers even more five-star bang for your Bajan break buck. Also based in St Lawrence Gap, this incredible destination is perfect for those who love to chillax to the max.
Overlooking stunning Dover Beach, you have the choice of up to 11 restaurants, 7 bars, 3 pools, a spa, a fitness centre, and a selection of water sports. What more could you want?
Although, with all those amazing amenities, you may not even get around to exploring the top things to do in Barbados.
Cruise from Barbados Beach Club
Have you considered that your Barbados adventure could turn into a full-on Caribbean odyssey?
With our Barbados Beach Club cruise trip option, you could start your exploration in Bridgetown and end it in Castries, St Lucia. This 7-night sojourn aboard Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas ship takes in a plethora of incredible islands including Trinidad & Tobago, Martinique, and Dominica.
It’s the perfect way to discover so much more on your Barbados escape. But with your stay at Barbados Beach Club too, you can still get some local exploring done before the big cast-off.
When should you go?
So, now you know where to go and what to do, why don’t we cover the when?
Click the button below and we’ll run through the best times to visit the island. Giving you the best possible chance of completing this list of top things to do in Barbados.
