Barbados / Watersports

Barbados has all the watersports that you could ever wish for if you want an active beach holiday and most of the hotels and resorts on the west and south coast will offer some form of water-based activity. There are also plenty of private operators plying their trade or with watersports shops directly on the beach.

Scuba Diving

Please see our Special Interest - Scuba section. 

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is generally best on the West Coast (where the water is calmest), especially around Holetown by the Folkestone Marine Park, which has an underwater trail. Carlisle Bay, just south of Bridgetown, is another popular snorkelling spot, where there are a number of shipwrecks to view. Equipment is available through hotels and watersports shops.

All of the Day Sail cruises offer snorkelling and swimming with turtles as part of their tour, and carry their own equipment.

Folkstone Marine Reserve, Church Point - Protected snorkelling area with underwater trail, Marine Museum & Visitors Centre, gift shop, locker rentals, snorkel equipment, lifeguard, shower and changing area.

Sports Fishing

The waters around Barbados provide some interesting big game fishing with catches including blue marlin, white marlin, dorado (also known as mahi-mahi/dolphin), wahoo, kingfish, sailfish, swordfish, blackfin tuna, bonito, barracuda and yellowfin tuna.

The offshore season is from mid November to May. Fishing tournaments are organized by the Barbados Game Fishing Association, with the highlight of the season being the annual BGFA International Tournament (Sagicor/Mount Gay Rum International Tournament), held each spring.

Deep sea fishing boat charters on Barbados include:

Cannon II - Big game fishing on a 42’ Hatteras Fiberglass Sports Fisherman. Whole or half day charters or shared charters. Individual rods, tackle & bait provided, complimentary drinks and snacks. You get to keep your own catch.

Fishing Charters Barbados Inc - Deep sea and bar fishing, night and bottom fishing, private or shared charters, including transfers, lunch/snacks, drinks, bait, tackle and snorkelling gear. Operate 2 boats: Blue Marlin 36ft and Blue Jay 45ft.

Surfing  

Barbados boasts some fairly consistent surf conditions, mainly on its eastern (Atlantic) coast, with the best time of the year for larger swells during October to March. The top surf spot on the island is the Soup Bowl off Bathsheba, which is now recognised by the international surfing world. On the north West Coast, things can get very lively also, especially in the New Year when the area is affected by large swells.

The waves are big enough in many parts of the island (particularly the beaches on the South Coast) for boogie-boarding and you will find boards for hire on these beaches.

For surfing lessons, board rentals and surfing tours:

Burkie’s Surf School, Long Beach  - Run by well-known local surfer Alan Burke. Surfing lessons and board rentals.

deAction Beach Shop, Silver Sands - Surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and stand up paddle surfing (SUPing) lessons and rentals. Owned by windsurfing champion and Barbados watersports ambassador, Brian Talma .

Dread or Dead Surf Shop, Hastings - Surfing tours available.

Zed’s Surfing Adventures, Surfer’s Point – Run by Barbadian, Zed Layson, surfing and SUP lessons, windsurfing, kiteboarding and wave kayaking. Surfing tours, board and bodyboard rentals.