Planning on visiting Barbados? If so, then choosing your flight and resort aren’t the only things you should consider.
Tours and activities that venture off the resort and into the culture and surroundings — natural or man-made — are the only way to truly see and experience the island. The alternative is to return home with memories and stories of only the beach and buffet. And as any tourist knows, that isn’t really TRAVELING. Nor is it a fulfilling way to actually SEE the Caribbean.
So, for inspiration, here are our Favourite 5 Things To Do in Barbados. Consider adding them to your itinerary on your next visit to the island and see if they end up as your favorite things, too.
Bajan Bus
Located in St. Michael. This open bus is lovingly restored as part of the earliest means of transportation in Barbadian history. It is the perfect way to see the best of Barbados and offers a wide range of sightseeing, tours, and private charter options. Visit some of the most beautiful beaches on the island or experience a variety of authentic local rum shops.
The #1 Bajan Bus is also available for private charters and rentals catering to your ideal excursion, whether you are simply looking for a fun family outing, a picnic, perhaps an unforgettable wedding island-style or even just touring this beautiful island.
The #1 Bajan Bus offers a friendly and upbeat tour guide, a professional and experienced driver, seating capacity for up to 30 persons, a round-the-bus sound system for the ultimate Bajan experience, and drink and food packages based on your needs.
Atlantis Submarines
Located in St Micheal. Experience the award-winning Atlantis submarine tour which is one of the most highly recommended attractions in Barbados for adults and children (min. height 3 feet.).
Sit back and enjoy the brief boat ride to the Atlantis dive site along the scenic coastline, as the professional crew welcomes riders and gives a safety briefing. The vessels tie up alongside each other, enabling an easy transfer from the Ocean Quest to the Atlantis Submarine. After securing the hatches and being seated in the air-conditioned comfort of a real submarine, the call is made to: “Dive!” Participants are now fully submerged in the aquamarine Caribbean Sea with large viewports all around, as curious exotic fish peek in at you and sea fans sway.
This unique “must-do” undersea voyage can take you to a shipwreck and to depths of 150 feet, which in the past has been reserved only for scuba divers. A knowledgeable co-pilot narrates the 40-minute adventure and will help you to identify the amazing sights. Create amazing unforgettable memories as you are piloted among an array of colorful coral formations, and tropical marine life. Upon re-surfacing, riders transfer back onboard the Ocean Quest for the return to Shallow Draught.
A beverage is provided during the tour. At least 10 people are requested for a voyage, with a maximum capacity seating of 48.
Adventureland Tours
Join Adventureland 4×4 Jeep Tours in Barbados as they take you on the ultimate in Jeep adventures & 4×4 Off-Road Island Tours. Explore and absorb the splendor of the island as Adventureland explores the heart and soul of Barbados.
Tours take guests off-roading, across hills and bridges, through gullies and grasslands, and ultimately to an unforgettable snorkeling adventure that includes viewing Hawksbill turtles and the shallow shipwrecks of Carlisle Bay. This tour is a great way to explore some of the island’s hidden secrets.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Located in St. Peter. This is the animal kingdom of Barbados, where you can stroll freely among animals feeding and playing in their natural environment. Here you can see agouti, armadillo, Brocket deer, pelicans, and caimans. Monkeys are most abundant at afternoon feeding time. Reptiles include snakes, iguanas, turtles, and tortoises. parrots, flamingos, and peacocks share the premises, adding bright splashes of color. Only the more dangerous animals, such as pythons are kept enclosed.
Visitors arriving by 2:00 pm can view the monkeys being fed, and a special treat is watching the babies during feeding!
Andromeda Gardens
Located in St. Joseph. Previously farmland, this garden was created from scratch with many trees, palms, and other plants collected from across the globe. The variety of plants in this historic garden is unparalleled and simply wonderful – a true horticultural delight.
Have patience and you will see hummingbirds. Stay late and you’ll see our resident monkeys looking for food, playing, or even fighting. Relax by the pond and watch the dragonflies. Feed the fish with your children – always a joy! Children with paying parents are free and adult tickets offer families unlimited return visits to the gardens for three weeks. After feeding the fish, why not feed yourselves? The café offers simple, but well-executed food – Bajan fish-cakes, sandwiches with homemade bread, organically grown salads (when available) or just treat yourself to a cup of excellent coffee and a slice of cake.
Andromeda Botanic Gardens is simply a work of creative genius. Creativity extends to the recently opened Andromeda Gallery Lounge which provides an opportunity for local artists/craftspeople to display and sell their work. Mahogany sculptures, hand-made soaps, perfumes, bags, art, and photography are all available at the Gallery Lounge. This is an amazing botanic garden and so much more!