5 Safe Outdoor Activities To Do In Barbados This Winter
With the ‘stay safe’ message in everyone’s minds this year, lots of people will be looking for a winter holiday destination where they can take part in safe outdoor activities. One such destination is the island paradise of Barbados which continues to be one of the safest places in the world to take a vacation. Here, we’ll look at some of the many outdoor activities you can safely take part in on this beautiful island.
- Great walking trails
As Barbados is only 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, taking part in any reasonable walk will give you the chance to see a lot of the island. And despite its tiny size, there’s a great deal to see. Some of the best walking trails are along the east coast where, over the millennia, the giant rolling waves of the Atlantic have created a coastline of jagged cliffs, beautiful bays and picturesque rock formations.
One of our favourite trails is the Tent Bay Circular, a four-hour walk commencing and ending in Bathsheba. You’ll get to see the fabulous bays pounded by barrel waves, pass through tropical jungle, climb Hackleton’s Cliff to get magnificent views of the island and then descend through quaint farmland and tiny villages as you make your return.
- Jeep safari
If you want to explore the hidden gems of Barbados without having to put in the legwork, the best solution is to take a Jeep safari. These are very safe tours as you can book a 4 x 4 safari just for you and your travelling companions. Additionally, the tour driver sits inside the Jeep while the passengers sit in the open-sided rear.
Up to six hours in length, you get to see lots of the island’s culture, history, nature and landscape, with stop-offs at some of the most fascinating places. However, be prepared for some off-road driving which can be an experience in itself.
- Reef and shipwreck diving
Unlike the Atlantic-facing east coast, the Caribbean seas to the south and west of Barbados are calm, shallow and have visibility of around 100 feet, making them ideal for diving. For those with an interest in undersea exploration, there’s a great deal to see around the island’s coast. The highly colourful coral reefs not far from the shore are home to an abundance of captivating sea life, including sea horses, turtles, stingrays, barracudas, octopi and squid.
For the more adventurous, there are also many shallow-water shipwrecks around the island, ranging from the 365ft Greek freighter, Stavronikita, which is only 400 yards from the coast, to the Berwyn, a 70ft, WWI French tug which is a mere 10 feet below the surface. The Berwyn is one of several wrecks purposely sunk in Carlisle Bay as part of a conservation programme to help create an artificial reef.
There are many diving trip companies in and around Carlisle Bay that will offer COVID-secure diving experiences catering for bubbled groups of travelling companions.
- Golf
As a non-contact sport that takes place among acres of outdoor space, golf is one of the safest sporting activities you can do. Add to this the fabulous weather and the spectacular courses in Barbados and you’ll soon discover why the island is a golfer’s paradise.
For exceptional golf, make sure to book a round at Royal Westmoreland Golf Club. Set among 750-acres of lush tropical landscape and with magnificent views of the coast, the championship-standard, Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course is a par 72, 7,045-yard experience not to be missed. Of course, you’ll also find a pro shop, club and buggy hire, changing rooms, driving range, practice greens and both a clubhouse and halfway house for refreshments along the way.
- Water activities
Away from others and on or in the sea, water activities are some of the safest things you can enjoy on your holiday. There are many different types of activity you can take part in on the island, these include surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkelling and jet skiing. You’ll find plenty of local businesses hiring out equipment and, if needed, offering lessons. Alternatively, you can hire a boat to go fishing or book a private catamaran tour to explore the island’s wonderful coastline with your travelling companions.
Where to stay
Generally, it is safer to stay in a villa or an apartment as these provide better scope for social distancing, having their own kitchens, private entrances and terraces and, in some cases, private pools.
Royal Westmoreland offers luxury villa and apartment accommodation on a private, gated estate. With only 250 properties spread across 750 acres, it also provides low-density occupancy. The resort also features first-class dining and fitness amenities, championship-standard golf course, members’ beach club, concierge and housekeeping services.
Special Offer
For those intending to visit Royal Westmoreland during this time, we recommend our Elite Package Special Offers. These include airport fast track and a meet and greet to make your arrival in Barbados safer, as well as a food pack and food and beverage credit which can be helpful while waiting for the result of your post-arrival Covid-19 PCR test. Additionally, you’ll also be given the use of a golf-buggy to travel around the estate during your stay.
