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A first-timer's guide to Barbados
The south coast of Barbados is prime territory for a maiden visit to the Caribbean
My favourite trips are usually those with so much to see and do that I treble my daily steps, rather than a relaxing fly‑and‑flop where I might sit back and read a book. Safe to say, I didn’t expect Barbados to offer the ideal balance of both.
Yet as soon as the turquoise-blue waters of the island’s south coast came into view on the final approach to Bridgetown, it was unlike any other sea I’ve seen from the seat of a plane.
Knowing I was about to get my first taste of the Caribbean with a week exploring the island’s buzzing south-coast spots, I felt a mix of excitement and peace wash over me – a combination I would soon get used to with this lively yet laid-back island nation.
Luxury Oceanfront Junior Suite at the Sea Breeze Beach House. Image credit: Winter Park Photography
What to do in Barbados
Waking up the next morning, I was greeted by the sound of waves rolling on to the shore and the sun starting to cast its first golden rays over the white sand beach.
Stepping onto my balcony at Sea Breeze Beach House, an Ocean Hotels property a 15-minute drive from the airport, I couldn’t have felt farther away from the rest of the world.
Though eager to go for a dip in the sea, a red flag rained on that parade for the rest of the day. But a sunset cruise with Tiami Catamaran Cruises (from $100 per person) offered an alternative way to get out on the water.
Even before we’d set sail, a turtle popped its head above the surface, tapping the side of the yellow catamaran with its flipper, as if it wanted to come along for the ride. That alone was enough to boost my mood, but the joyful sound of the steel-pan drummer on board helped too.
A 4x4 tour of Barbados with Island Safari. Image credit: Island Safari
We sailed along the west coast to Bridgetown’s Carlisle Bay, where the sea was calmer, affording us the opportunity to jump off for a snorkel.
I was soon surrounded by a school of shiny sergeant major fish, and looking to the seabed, I could glimpse a shipwreck – one of six in Carlisle Bay – that serves as a home for many of the colourful sea creatures.
Fish weren’t the only species I had the chance to see. On a 4x4 tour of the island’s verdant central hills and rugged east coast with Island Safari (from $110 per person), we spotted green monkeys – introduced from West Africa more than 350 years ago – plus endemic Barbados Black Belly sheep.
How to see Rihanna’s childhood home in Bridgetown
Careering along the rough, off-road track was like being on a thrilling theme park ride. Our stops included Gun Hill Signal Station and viewpoints with sweeping vistas that no camera could ever do justice to, while passing by palm trees towering over a rainbow of houses as colourful as a child’s painting.
Perhaps the most photographed of those jazzy buildings is Rihanna’s childhood home – the humble lime-green and terracotta-hued bungalow sits on the aptly renamed Rihanna Drive in Bridgetown. The house is now listed on Airbnb, but fans can still pose for photos outside.
Rihanna’s childhood home. Image credit: Lauren McCarthy
Oistins Fish Fry
For clients keen to sample more Caribbean culture, the Oistins Fish Fry is a Friday night institution. Here, street chefs serve mouthwatering fish dinners to a hungry crowd of Bajans and tourists, with plenty of sides including salads, fries and the cheesy Caribbean staple of macaroni pie.
The atmosphere is lively, with reggae and calypso anthems being played on stage – all to a backdrop of clicking dominoes. This much‑loved pastime is played in streets, parks and homes at all hours, making it the ultimate expression of Bajan community life.
Oistins Fish Fry. Image credit: Shutterstock/Tom PJ
Beyond its beaches and tourist hotspots, community is the driving force here, with people who are friendly, helpful and eager to show off the island they so obviously love.
For a first‑time visit to the Caribbean, Barbados provides a warm and welcoming introduction – proving even a beach escape can come with plenty of surprises.
O2 Beach Club’s swim-up suites. Image credit: Winter Park Photography
Where to stay in Barbados
Sea Breeze Beach House: This 122-room Oistins resort is well-suited to families and has a relaxed Caribbean feel with wooden cabanas, a rum shack on the beach (pictured below) that serves small bites and three pools.
Plenty of space for lounging on and around the thousand-foot beach means guests will not feel crowded, with floating trampolines and hammocks adding to the relaxing atmosphere. On land, there is even a picnic area where guests can take part in a game of cornhole.
Having won the Inclusivity Initiative of the Year Award from Travel Weekly’s luxury sister title Aspire last year, it is a great choice for LGBTQ+ clients.
Rooms start at £480 per night based on double occupancy, all-inclusive.
sea-breeze.com
Image credit: Winter Park Photography
O2 Beach Club & Spa: This 130-suite resort is ideal for clients seeking a resort with plenty of Bajan activities on offer: Daily ‘how to’ lessons include blowing a conch shell, playing dominoes and making a body scrub.
The sea view from the eighth floor spa – said to be the highest spa on the island, pictured below – is phenomenal, while rooftop lounges and whirlpool tubs allows guests to completely relax with a view like no other.
Back at ground level, swim-up rooms offer guests some secluded lounging space next to the pool. Upsell to a top-level Concierge Suite, and clients will get in-room cocktail kits, a $100 spa credit and access to the facilities at Sea Breeze Beach House (when staying longer than four nights).
Rooms from £414 per night based on double occupancy, all-inclusive.
o2beachclubbarbados.com
Image credit: Winter Park Photography
The Rockley: An intimate 49-suite hotel, The Rockley will help your more adventurous clients to embrace island culture, with easy access to nearby Bridgetown for nights out and culture-packed days.
Inside the hotel, they’ll find a lobby gallery (pictured below) showcasing local art – where 100% of earnings go to the artist – Bajan slang on the walls and a restaurant that’s used as a co-working space by locals during the day. By night, the outdoor terrace of the restaurant becomes a hub for entertainment including Karaoke and mixology masterclasses.
Image credit: Winter Park Photography
Four of the restaurants on the nearby beach boardwalk are included in the dine-around plan.
Rates from £181 per night based on double occupancy, including breakfast.
therockleybarbados.com
The Rockley’s Restaurant. Image credit: Gregory Parris
Book it
If Only offers seven nights’ all-inclusive in a Luxury Ocean View Junior Suite at the Sea Breeze Beach House from £2,829 per person, based on two sharing. The price includes Virgin Atlantic flights and private transfers, and is valid for departures from May 30 to October 31.
ifonly.net
Best festivals in Barbados
Crop Over Festival (July/August): A month of markets, music festivals and parties that culminates in the Grand Kadooment carnival parade.
Food and Rum Festival (November): Taste dishes from Barbados’s hottest culinary talent while sipping creative cocktails in the birthplace of rum.
Open Water Festival (November): For clients who want more than just a quick dip in the ocean, suggest the five-day Barbados Open Water Festival, which features a series of competitive and amateur open-water swimming races.
Run Barbados Marathon Weekend (December): The long-standing Barbados Marathon weekend sees runners follow a 26-mile route along the east coast. Wellness activities, including yoga and nature walks, are also on the agenda.
Lead image: Hobie Cat at Sea Breeze Beach House. Image credit: Winter Park Photography
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