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The 10 Best Activities To Do On (& In) The Water In Barbados
There are so many underrated Caribbean islands that travelers should visit, and Barbados is definitely one of them. Located 100 miles east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the island might be known primarily for its breathtaking beaches, but that’s only one of the reasons travelers should not miss out on Barbados.
Home to a multitude of aquatic adventures just waiting to be experienced, here are just ten of the best activities in Barbados to do in and on the water. From swimming and sailing to surfing and snorkeling (and so much more), visitors can relish the best in-water activities in Barbados when they use this list to guide their itinerary.
10 Swimming At The Best Beaches In Barbados
Man catching a wave in Barbados
Swimming might be the most obvious thing to do in Barbados, but travelers shouldn’t disregard it as an awesome activity to do in the water. With so many beautiful beaches in Barbados to choose from, it might be a little tricky to decide which beach to go to for a swim, but there are a few factors to consider.
When thinking about a beach to swim at, be mindful of the intensity of the waves, skill level, and lifeguard huts.
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East coast of Barbados
: this coast has rough waters and is not ideal for beginner swimmers. -
South coast of Barbados
: waves are not as intense as on the east coast; however, swimmers should use reasonable caution. -
Safe Barbados beaches with lifeguards:
Accra, Pebbles and Dover
9 See The Most Beautiful Views In Barbados By Parasailing
Tourists parasailing in the blue sky
Ever thought about enjoying the stunning views of Barbados from hundreds of feet in the air? That’s what parasailing promises – and it’s one of the best in-water activities in Barbados. Travelers on the lookout for a thrilling adventure should add parasailing to the activities on the Barbados travel bucket list.
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Parasailing in Barbados Cost
: $150 – $250 per person. The price may vary depending on a person’s height.
As of May 24th, 2023, parasailing via Radical Parasailing is not available on the island. However, operations are set to resume in 2024.
8 Speed Along The Coastline On A Jet Ski In Barbados
A jet skier taking to the waves on clear blue waters
Jet skis are a great way to see the coastline of Barbados in a whole new way. Barbados usually has great weather, so travelers that visit the island can definitely add this activity to the roster whenever a getaway is planned.
That being said, it must be noted that even though jet skis are an awesome activity to do on the water, it is always important to operate the jet ski with care. Be mindful of other jet skiers, boats, small crafts, and swimmers.
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Average Cost of Jet Skiing in Barbados
: $50.00 – $55.00 USD for 30 min
Jet skiing is one of the best ocean activities in Barbados, so it’s easy to get carried away and lose time. So be sure to wear a waterproof watch to avoid exceeding one’s jet ski rental time.
7 Try Surfing In Barbados & Experience Some Of The Best Waves In The Caribbean
Man surfing on a white surfboard
There are so many amazing beaches in the world for catching massive surfing waves, and Barbados is home to some of them. That’s why surfing easily earns its place among the best sea activities in Barbados to try when on vacation.
The island’s south coast is perfect for beginner surfers; the east coast is ideal for middle to advanced surfers. However, surfers with a more advanced level of skill should try Tropicana on the west coast.
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The best time to surf in Barbados
:
March to October -
The best time of the day to surf
: Early morning
6 Enjoy Some Stand-Up Paddleboarding In Barbados
A man paddling and another one jetskiing.
Stand-Up paddleboarding is a water sport that has recently become very popular in Barbados. Basically, this water sport involves standing up on a board and using a paddle to maneuver through the water.
According to Trip Advisor, here are the top two Stand-Up paddleboarding tours in Barbados
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Dread or Dead
(a surf school offering surfing and SUP lessons and tours) -
What’ SUP Barbados
(this provider also offers surfing, yoga, and other services)
5 Gor For Kitesurfing Lessons In Barbados
A thrill-seeker kitesurfing with blue kite
Barbados is just one of the incredible destinations around the world for kitesurfing, but it definitely brings its own charm to the table. Not only can travelers kite surf along the coastline of Barbados, but travelers seeking adventure can also snag a few lessons.
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Average cost for private kitesurfing lessons
: $180 USD – $190 USD for 2 hours -
Average cost for group kitesurfing lessons (2 – 4
people
):$125 USD – $180 USD for 2 hours per person.
4 See Stunning Reefs & Shipwrecks By Scuba Diving In Barbados
Scuba diver in water showing the okay sign
Scuba diving enthusiasts will be in for a treat should Barbados be the destination since the island has quite a few wrecks that divers can explore – like the Friar’s Craig and the Stavronikita.
There are a number of reefs that scuba divers can check out, too, although it’s the wreck diving that most divers come for.
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Barbados water visibility
: consistent for the most part all year round -
Ocean temperatures in Barbados:
moderately warm (average around 26- 29 Celsius or 79-84 Fahrenheit year-round) - Be sure to bring an underwater camera.
3 Try Windsurfing In Barbados (Which Is Consistent Due To Trade Winds)
Person windsurfing in the ocean
Hawaii might be one of the best windsurfing destinations in the world, but Barbados is a close second. With consistent trade winds blowing over the island’s shore, it’s no wonder travelers that love windsurfing have a blast when visiting.
Plus, travelers who want to tick windsurfing off their bucket list can grab a lesson at one of the windsurfing schools in Barbados. Here are the typical windsurfing costs:
-
Surfboard rental
: $15 USD per hour -
Windsurf rental
: $30 USD per hour -
Security deposit
: typically required -
Private lessons:
$120 USD for 2 hours -
Group lessons (2 – 4 people)
: $90 per person for 2 hours
2 Book A Kayaking Tour Or Rent A Kayak & Enjoy Tranquil Coastal Views
Man in a kayak on the water
Experience the serenity of gliding across the ocean in a kayak while enjoying the views far from the shoreline. Go solo or take a guided tour to check out the cool turtle hot spots.
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Kayak tours in Barbados
: $45 USD – $50 USD per person. -
Typical tour length
: 1 – 2 hours
1 Go Snorkeling In Barbados & Explore The Underwater World
Woman snorkeling with a sea turtle
The waters of Barbados offer travelers the opportunity to explore an underwater world teeming with diverse marine life. Get up close and personal with turtles, parrotfish, barracuda, seahorses, triggerfish, grouper, angelfish, and beautiful coral.
According to Visit Barbados, while the best places to snorkel in Barbados are on the “south, west, north-west and east coasts” of the island, the west coast is perfect for snorkeling because the waters are usually very calm.
