I dove with West Side Scuba Center. They're a pretty nice shop. The staff is friendly, and seemed to be fairly competent, as far as warm water dive shops go. Divemasters seemed capable in the water and had an idea what they were doing. And its employees didn't try to sell me weed, unlike my experience at another dive op on the island. Most of the dives we did were on the reefs, they didn't dive the wrecks as often as I'd have preferred. However, I'm sure if enough people on the boat asked for something else, they could be convinced to change destinations. The typically do a 2-tank dive trip in the morning, and a 1-tank in the afternoon. They'll also do a night dive if enough people are interested. Like any other dive shop on the island, they'll pick you up at your hotel and drive you and your gear to the shop for free. Just be sure to make the arrangements with them in advance.Their main...
Cricket
by Gillybob
Cricket is by far the most popular sport on this Caribbean island. The Barbados Cricket Association administers cricket on the island and arranges many tournaments. The national team play in inter-regional competitions throughout the Caribbean, including the Carib Beer Cup and the KFC Cup. Players who prove themselves during these competitions may be selected for the West Indies cricket team, which plays international cricket.Barbados’ reputation in cricket and as a cricketing destination, attracts many visiting teams to its shores. International test matches, especially those against England and Australia, bring several thousand visitors to Barbados.
A visit to Barbados for cricket fans is incomplete without a visit to the Kensington Oval - home to Barbadian cricket and where many international test matches are played. The stadium was completely rebuilt in 2006 for the 2007 World Cup.
1 more image
Bathsheba Surfing
by grandmaR
There's a competition at the end of November, but there is apparently good surfing on the Atlantic coast most of the time. This area is called the Soup Bowl. We were in Barbados staying at the Edgewater Inn in Bathsheba at the time of the surfing competition in 1996 (photos 3 and 4). We saw surfers there again ten years later. Because it is on the Atlantic, with a long fetch to the nearest land, the East Coast is home to the most consistent breaks on Barbados. When the waves meet the Continental Shelf the swell rumbles across the reefs to create world class waves that are for the more experienced surfer. It also makes swimming very riskyNot being a surfer, I would not know, but I found this quote.The New York Times wrote in March '09: “'I’ve been going for over 20 years, and I’d put Soup Bowl as one of the top three waves in the world,' said Kelly Slater, the Tiger Woods of surfing, who...
4 more images
Folkestone Snorkeling
by grandmaR
About one mile north of Holetown is the government-run Folkestone Marine Park. This is basically an underwater park with exhibits, and beach facilities. I was told that there was an underwater trail there. I was also told that it had been destroyed in the last hurricane.Neither the people in the gift shop or the folks at the aquarium knew anything about the underwater trail, and I never found it. It was probably out farther than I went.The Barbados website says:Snorkelers will prefer to swim around the inshore reef found in the Recreational Zone of the Park. This reef is found about one-third of a mile offshore and is home to numerous fish and other marine life, including sea anemones, sea lilies, corals and sponges. Before we went snorkeling, we went through the interpretive center and museum with marine and coastal environment displays, exhibits of the island’s fishing industry and a...
1 more image
for the more energetic type
by mrscarolinesanyang
There are lots of activities to choose from, just 100 yards along the beach. Everything from glssbottom boat trips, banana rides/doughnut rides, snorkling, horse riding. You can book full day boat trips either for leisure, sun bathing, or sea fishing. Prices can be negotiated, the more people the cheaper per person. See if any other guests fancy joining you. All food and drink are supplied, even what you request, if you give 24 hours acvance booking.
All safety equipment is supplied ie. life jackets. As are fishing rods etc. You only need to remember you sun protection cream and your camera. The captain of the boat we hired even came to the hotel the night before our trip, and left sea sickness pills for us in reception.
Water sports
by claire1011
Lots of watersports on the beach areas, local guys will pull up on there jetskis tel you how much for an hour take it or leave it.Also get locals using aloe vera to massage your body while sunbathing,sometimes they are pests but if your friendly enough they soon get the message and leave you alone, unless you want one of course.
See a game of Cricket
by percy961
Get yourself down to the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown to see a game of cricket. Its a great way to meet the locals, they love taking about cricket.I went to watch the cricket at Kensington Oval to watch Barbados play England 'A' in the Busta cup and have a few cold beers in the "Garfield Sobers " bar....A great experience.
Escape the Sun
by Hewer
Going to the cricket is great in Barbados. They are a knowledgeable crowd and really get behind their team.If you get to go to a regional or international cricket match, remember that it can get pretty hot sitting there all day. If you want to escape the sun, try to get seats on the western side of the ground so the grandstand will protect you. It will be easier for you to watch the game too!Every cricket ground in the world runs north-south so in any case, you have a good vantage point sitting on this side.
Cricketing Icons
by Hewer
If you're attending a cricket match, keep your eyes peeled and you may just see a familiar face. Barbados produced many of the big stars of the past, such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner, Gordon Greenidge and the late Malcolm Marshall.After the day's play had ended between Pakistan and the West Indies, the guys and I ran into Joel Garner having a quiet beer by himself at the back of the grandstand (quiet until we came along anyway ;-) He was friendly and asked us about our trip and seemed like a really genuine, down to earth guy.
Cricket
by Hewer
Cricket is far and away the number one sport in Barbados. The atmoshere at international cricket matches is incredible. The locals are very animated and knowledgeable about their cricket. The premier venue for this sport is Kensington Oval. Barbados will host the cricket World Cup final in April 2007.Barbados hosts at least one test match per year, usually between March and May. There are numerous inter-island matches held there from October to March also. Schedules aren't announced very far in advance (a few months at most). There is no need to book tickets in advance, except perhaps when Australia or England are playing (click on the picture to see why).The hours of play are 10:30am - 5:30pm for test matches and one-dayers.
Sign in with Facebook
Comments