Geography
Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean chain of islands. It lies well to the east of the West Indies. To the west, beaches are made of fine white sand and there are natural coral reefs. Along the east coast there is a lively surf as the sea pounds the more rocky shoreline. Barbados is predominantly flat with only a few gently rolling hills to the north. The coral structure of the island acts as a natural filter and the waters of Barbados are amongst the purest in the world.

Where to go in Barbados

The dramatic differences between the east and west coast must not be missed. The east (Atlantic side) is less developed and ruggedly beautiful. The west coast is the Caribbean side, where there is more hotel development, but the coastline remains elegant and attractive. The sea is calm and clear and this is the coast where watersports come into their own. Barbados is actively promoting ecotourism. The Barbados National Trust has implemented programs to support this venture, owning and/or administering 10 sites that are open to the public. Various hiking, cycling and walking events are available and information can be obtained from the Barbados National Trust, Wildey House, Wildey, St Michael, Barbados.

Bridgetown
The island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1536, but throughout its colonial history, which ended with the Declaration of Independence in 1966, Barbados was under British sovereignty. This is strongly reflected in the old capital of Bridgetown which has a decidedly English character; so much so that there is even a miniature of London’s Trafalgar Square, complete with a statue of Lord Nelson. The city is small and there are many excellent walking tours. Places worth a visit include the Fairchild Market, St Michael’s Cathedral (built in 1789), Belleville, Government House, the Barbados Museum, the Old Synagogue and the Garrison Savannah. Temple Yard has a Rastafarian street market.

St John
There is a breathtaking view of the east coast from St John’s Parish Church. The church’s cemetery contains the grave of Ferdinando Paleologus, a possible descendant of the Byzantine Emperors.

Codrington College
Situated near Consett Bay, and one of the oldest schools of theology in the Western hemisphere, built in 1745.

Morgan Lewis Mill
Also in the east, this is a splendid example of a Dutch windmill from the days of the sugar cane planters. It has been completely restored and is open to the public.

Newcastle Coral Stone Gates
Situated in St Joseph, these gates were erected by 20th Century Fox for the film Island in the Sun, and the area affords a commanding view of the magnificent east coast beaches.

The East Coast Road
One of the most exciting drives on the island, with the Atlantic crashing over treacherous reefs on to the rugged and beautiful coast.

Andromeda Gardens
The array of exotic plants grown along terraced gardens makes this the prettiest area of St Joseph.

Welchman Hall Gully
Owned by the National Trust, this botanic garden in St Thomas is home to many rare fruit and spice trees.

Holetown (St James)
The monument in the town gives the date of the founding of Barbados’ first settlement by the English as being 1605, although this event in fact took place in 1627. There are still a few structures dating from that time. St James, the first church, still retains a 17th-century font, and a bell inscribed ‘God bless King William, 1696’.

Harrison’s Cave (St Thomas)
This eerie, luminous cavern makes a spectacular excursion. Completely lit, one can see every part from a special train which takes the visitor on a mile-long ride underground. Stalactites and stalagmites are in abundance, among underground scenery boasting a crystal-clear waterfall and deep emerald lakes. It is open every day 0900-1600.

Flower Forest
A 50-acre botanical garden in which can be found almost every plant that grows on Barbados. The grounds offer pleasant walks and spectacular views of Chalky Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Hillaby.

Bathsheba
Small pastel-colored houses cling to the chalky cliffs that rise above the Atlantic. This is the ideal destination for any diver or lover of watersports.

Potteries
This village is famous for its ceramic artworks.

Gun Hill Signal Station
Notable both for its splendid view of St George’s Valley and for the lion carved out of a rock by a British soldier in the days when Gun Hill was an army look-out point.

St George’s Church
18th-century, and worth a visit for its wonderful altarpiece.

Platinum Coast
This beautiful stretch of coast is also known as Millionaires Row. There are fine beaches of white sand and clear, turquoise waters.

Speightstown
Typical West Indian village, with attractive wooden houses, shops and old churches.

Animal Flower Cave
A cavern carved out by the sea with coral rock tinted almost every imaginable color.

Farley Hill
Once a fine plantation house, now in ruins, still covered in hibiscus and poinsettias.

St Nicholas Abbey
Another plantation house, graced with Persian arches and well-kept gardens.

The Atlantic Coast
Take the inland road through sugar-cane country with little churches and tiny towns with pretty houses. See the dramatic view from Crane Beach.

Sam Lord’s Castle
Once an old plantation house, but now a hotel, beautifully decorated with furniture made from Barbados mahogany.

Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Wildlife, some indigenous and some introduced to the island, roams free in a mahogany forest. Animals that visitors may expect to see during their visit include green monkeys, tortoises, deer, wallabies, pelicans and otters. There is also a screened aviary where peacocks, turkeys, toucans, macaws, lovebirds, parrots and an iguana may be viewed.

Mount Gay Rum
There are 1000 rum bars in Barbados. The largest rum manufacturer of all is situated in the west coast. Taste tests are a standard component of any visit here. There is also a restaurant with good grub designed to soak up any excess alcohol.

Activities

Watersports
Barbados is fringed by coral reefs which host a variety of marine life and offer excellent scuba-diving and snorkeling. Sea horses, frog fish, giant sand eels and the hawksbill turtle are among the creatures to be found around the island. Visiting the barrier reefs half a mile to two miles away from the shore is a must. Dive operators will provide equipment, advice and guided tours. Carlisle Bay near Bridgetown has 200 wrecks and is a good venue for beginners. Folkstone Marine Park features the popular wreck of the Stavronikita. The best conditions for windsurfing, jet-skiing, parasailing and water-skiing are on the south and west coasts. Crane Beach on the southeastern side is a pink-tinged stretch of sand that is ideal for bodysurfing but too rough for swimming. There is also good, regular surfing at the Soup Bowl, South Point and Rockley Beach. All watersports are easy to arrange.

Fishing
Boat chartering is available for game fishing, spin fishing and inshore fishing. Game fishing tournaments are held regularly, with the highlight of the deep-sea season being the Mutual/Mount Gay International Tournament in April.

Golf
There are three 18-hole courses (Royal Westmoreland, designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior, Sandy Lane and the Barbados Golf Club) and three 9-hole courses (Rockley, Almond Beach Village and Belair). Reservations are usually required and instruction is available at all levels.

Spectator sports
Cricket is the national obsession and can be enjoyed virtually all year round, both at national and club level. Test matches and the Inter-Caribbean Shield competition are played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. Many of the great names of West Indian cricket are from Barbados, most notably Sir Garfield Sobers. There are 20 horse racing meetings at the Garrison Savannah during the year’s two main seasons (January to March and May to October), the highlight of which is the Sandy Lane Gold Cup Race, held on the first Saturday in March. Polo is played to a high level throughout the year.