12 Things to Do in Barbados to Occupy an Afternoon

For most visitors to Barbados, there’s only one place to head first, and that’s the beach! But as great as the country’s coastline is, it’s only a matter of time before most visitors need something else to keep them occupied during the day.

Thankfully, there’s loads to see and do on the island when you’ve got an afternoon to kill, so here are some ideas to get you started.

Boat Tours

For a unique and unforgettable way to experience the beautiful Caribbean Sea, why not take a tour on a catamaran?

There are various tour operators on the island, such as Calabaza and Silver Moon who specialise in luxury tours where you can either kick back and enjoy the view, or take the chance to swim and snorkel amongst the reefs and wildlife.

Their sunset cruises are the perfect way to round off an afternoon in Barbados and see one of the most spectacular sunsets you’re likely to ever experience.

Hunte’s Gardens

If you head further inland, amongst the hills of St. Joseph’s, you’ll find Hunte’s Garden. Only 20 minutes away from Holetown or Bridgetown, the garden is a must-visit for nature lovers.

Founded by local legend Anthony Hunte, the garden is situated in a sinkhole-like gully right in the middle of the island’s rainforest, giving it a diverse and exciting variety of plants.

Surfing

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or have never tried it before, Barbados is a great place to try out surfing.

There are loads of beaches which offer up some great surf, and if you’ve never tried it before, there are a number of surfing instructors around the island who will be happy to show you the ropes.

Scuba Diving

If you want to go one step further than snorkelling, why not give scuba diving a try? It’s a great way to see the sea from another perspective, and it’s easier than you might think for beginners to give it a go.

There are a number of trained instructors such as G Fish who will guide you through the process to make sure that you’re comfortable before heading into the ocean to explore the reefs and shipwrecks.

St. Nicholas Abbey

St. Nicholas Abbey is an old plantation and rum distillery which is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island.

There’s a guided tour around the great house and its grounds, with lots of artefacts showcasing what life was like there at the height of the sugar trade and it’s worth visiting just for the rum alone!

Harrison’s Cave

One of the island’s many natural wonders is Harrison’s Cave, a breathtaking crystallised limestone cavern.

The many columns, streams and pools of beautiful clear water make Harrison’s Cave a must-visit, and a great way to spend an afternoon after a morning soaking in the sun.

Barbados Concorde Experience

As well as regularly flying its wealthy passengers between London, Paris, New York, and Washington, D.C., Concorde also offered flights to Barbados.

Nowadays the original Concorde G-BOAE aircraft (Alpha Echo for short), is situated permanently at Grantley Adams Airport as part of the Barbados Concorde Experience exhibition.

Come and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft and the technology that made it possible and even take your seat onboard.

Mount Gay Visitor Centre

Rum is a huge part of Barbadian culture, and Mount Gay is the island’s oldest example, having first been distilled over 300 years ago.

Nowadays it’s the country’s most well-known producer of rum, and you can visit their distillery to learn their story, and of course, have a taste for yourself.

Animal Flower Cave

The great thing about Barbados is that you can easily get from one side to the other in no time at all, so if you fancy journeying up to the top of the island, head up to Animal Flower Cave.

The cave gets its name from the sea anemones which can be found at the foot on the pools, and offers some great views out across the north shore.

Andromeda Botanic Gardens

These historic gardens in the parish of St. Joseph are home to a number of unique trees which can’t be found anywhere else in the Caribbean, as well as various local wildlife.

George Washington House

Did you know that Barbados is the one and only place outside of the US that George Washington ever visited?

Well, you can visit the house that he stayed in during his visit, which is now owned by the Barbados National Trust and showcases how life was on the island back in 1751 when Washington made his visit.

 

Welchman Hall Gully

Welchman Hall Gully is a tropical hideaway which is home to a group of wild monkeys and beautiful rainforest trees and other plants.

Its shaded path offers spectacular views of the east coast and there’s even an adventure park for the kids.

 

We’ve only just scratched the surface here, so make sure to come and experience Barbados for yourself with us here at Royal Westmoreland.