You haven’t really experienced Barbados until you’ve explored it from the air. These air-conditioned helicopters can accommodate parties of…
Excursions in Barbados
Bajan Helicopters
You haven’t really experienced Barbados until you’ve explored it from the air. These air-conditioned helicopters can accommodate parties of up to five people. View the rugged east coast with its sharp cliffs and pounding surf. Then fly over to the gentler west coast with its calm waters and soft, sandy beaches. The blues and greens of the water are much more intense from the air, so bring your camera or video recorder and capture the experience. (246-431-0069)
www.barbadosbeachhouse.com/barbados_activities_helecopter.php
Fishing Charters Barbados, Inc
Fishing Charters Barbados has a small fleet of fully equipped boats ranging in length from 36-45 feet. Fishing charters include transportation, snacks and beverages (soft drinks, beer, rum), ice, all equipment, and an experienced crew. Specialized tours are also available, giving you a unique perspective on Barbados. (246-324-1688)
Tall Ships Cruises
Vacationers have lots of options with Tall Ships Cruises. For families, the most fun is probably the Jolly Roger, a pirate-themed lunch cruise. The Harbour Master is a 100-foot long ship, four decks high, with a water slide. The lunch time cruise is a narrated tour of historical and cultural highlights with stops for snorkeling and swimming, while the dinner cruise has more of a party vibe with an entertaining show. The most relaxing trips are aboard Tiami catamarans – the lunch cruise makes three snorkeling stops, and the cocktail cruise is timed to capitalize on the magnificent Caribbean sunsets. (246-430-0900)
www.10best.com/…/barbados/barbados/st…/tall-ships-cruises
Barbados National Trust Sunday Hikes
The Barbados National Trust owns and operates many of the island’s important historical sites. Every Sunday, January through March, they offer two, free guided tours through some of the most beautiful sections of the island. An early bird hike is scheduled at 6:00am in addition to the 3:30pm outing. Tours cover about 5-14 miles and last for roughly three hours. Groups are divided into slow, medium and fast walkers. Call for routes and meeting locations. (246-426-2421)
www.barbadosnationaltrust.org/index.php?option…id
Atlantis Submarine
Want to view shipwrecks and coral but don’t like to get wet? A tour aboard the $3 million, 28-passenger submarine Atlantis is just the ticket! Your visit begins with an informational video; then you board the sub, submerge to a depth of 130 feet, and begin a narrated tour of a shipwreck, sponge garden and coral reef. Divers accompany the sub and feed the fish so you get to view many colorful species at close range. After your trip you are even awarded a dive certificate! This is family-friendly entertainment, but children must be at least 3 feet tall to participate. (246-436-8929)
www.barbados.atlantissubmarines.com
Highland Adventure Centre Tours
This center offers hiking and mountain biking tours that allow you to experience the beauty and history of Barbados first-hand. Tour cane fields and old plantations and view the rugged Atlantic coast. Fees include hotel transport, a professional guide, use of bikes, and free refreshments. (246-438-8069)
www.visitbarbados.co/event/highland-adventure-centre.html
Island Safari
This tour operator uses Land Rovers to explore areas of the island that tour buses can’t reach. Tours explore the central and eastern coasts, including Gun Hill, Blackman’s Gully, Cotton Tower and Joe’s River Forest. Fees include a two-hour stop at secluded Chubb Bay for swimming and a Bajan lunch complete with wine and rum punch. Each vehicle can comfortably seat up to nine passengers. Several different tours are available. (246-429-5337)
www.islandsafari.bb
Adventureland 4×4 Off-Road Island Tours
Adventureland offers a variety of tour options that promise to get you away from the crowds. The most popular is the Congaline Adventure, a full-day Land Rover tour of several off-the-beaten-path destinations, which includes lunch and beverages. The Turtle & Shipwreck Adventure is a trip via catamaran to a natural cove where you can snorkel and swim amongst hawksbill and green sea turtles and shipwrecks. The Mini-Buggy tour is a guided off-road experience in two-seater vehicles. Private tours are available, and you can also charter a catamaran or rent a Land Rover for the day. (246-418-3687)
www.islandsafari.bb/4-x-4-jeep-tours/adventureland.html
Seasports in Barbados
West Side Scuba Centre
This full-service dive center offers all levels of instruction, as well as equipment, video and underwater camera rentals. They lead tours of reef and wreck dives, including night dives, and will provide transport to the site. (246-432-2558)
www.westsidescuba.com
Bell Buoy
This reef lies 20 to 60 feet under the water, making it a great spot for novice and intermediate divers. The reef is dome-shaped and home to brown coral tree forests and angelfish, blue chromis and parrot fish. The shallow depth of the reef allows plenty of light to filter down, making it an excellent choice for underwater photography.
www.barbados.org/divesite.htm
Dottins Reef
This coral reef is located off the coast from Holetown. It’s a terrific spot to find many varieties of tropical marine life, including barracudas and turtles. The dive depth is 40 to 60 feet.
www.barbadosdiveshops.com/dive-sites/dottins-reef
Silver Bank
This 60- to 80-foot dive is appropriate for intermediate to advanced divers. The coral reef attracts beautiful tropical fish and sea fans. The Atlantis submarine operates in the area, and fish are attracted to it, thanks to the frequent feedings they receive!
www.10best.com/destinations/barbados/barbados/st…/silver-bank
Stavronikita
This 365-foot Greek freighter was sunk to form an artificial reef. The wreck lies in roughly 120 feet of water, and butterfly fish and tropical corals abound. It is possible to fully explore this huge ship.
www.barbados.org/diving/exploresub/stavronikita.html
Carlisle Bay
This marine park is located in a natural harbor and is well suited to beginners since many of the wrecks sit in only 25 to 60 feet of water. Seven ships have been submerged here, including the Berwyn, Eilon, C-Trek and Fox. In addition to old cannonballs and anchors, divers can expect to see frogfish, seahorses and eels.
www.barbados.org/carlisle-bay-barbados.htm
Hightide Watersports
This dive operator features a variety of exciting adventures. One- and two-tank dives are possible, including night reef dives and dives to explore wrecked ships. Instruction is available, and they will transport you to the dive site. The company also offers a variety of other watersports such as kayaking, banana boats, water skiing, sailing and snorkeling.
246-432-0931, 800-970-0016
www.divehightide.com/contact.shtml
