8 best outdoor things to do in Barbados

Outdoors in Barbados

Nature · St Thomas

1.Harrison's Cave

Combine it with Hunte's Gardens or Welchman Hall Gully, both nearby in the central parishes.

Time needed

1.5 hours

Cost

Expensive

• Kids
• Rainy day
• Nature
• Iconic

Beach · Bridgetown

2.Carlisle Bay

Snorkel the wrecks early in the day, before the catamarans arrive.

Time needed

Half a day

Cost

Free

• Free
• Outdoors
• Nature
• Kids

Waterfront · Bathsheba and the east coast

3.Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl

Visit in the afternoon, when the sun lights the boulders; bring sandals for the rock pools.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Free

• Free
• Views
• Photo spot
• Nature
• Couples

Nature · St Lucy

4.Animal Flower Cave

Cave access depends on the sea; visit when the swell is low and wear shoes with grip.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Mid-priced

• Nature
• Views
• Kids

Zoo · St Peter

5.Barbados Wildlife Reserve

Arrive around the afternoon feeding time, when the green monkeys are most active.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Kids
• Nature
• Outdoors

Garden · Bathsheba and the east coast

6.Andromeda Botanic Gardens

Combine it with lunch in Bathsheba and the boulders on the beach below.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Nature
• Outdoors
• Couples

Garden · St Joseph

7.Hunte's Gardens

Visit on the way to Bathsheba from the west coast; it is a short drive from Harrison's Cave.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Mid-priced

• Nature
• Couples
• Photo spot

Beach · St Philip

8.Bottom Bay

Bring water and snacks, as there are no shops, and keep to the shallows when the surf is up.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Free

• Free
• Couples
• Photo spot
• Nature

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 8, 3 free, 4 mid-priced, 1 expensive. Book ahead for Harrison's Cave. The longest visit is Carlisle Bay; group the rest by area to save travel time.

• Harrison's Cave: Tram tours can sell out when cruise ships are in port; book a time slot online.

How to fit them into 4 half-days

Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.

• Half-day 1 (St Thomas): Harrison's Cave, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 2 (Bridgetown): Carlisle Bay, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Bathsheba and the east coast and St Lucy): Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl → Andromeda Botanic Gardens → Animal Flower Cave, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 4 (St Peter, St Joseph and St Philip): Barbados Wildlife Reserve → Hunte's Gardens → Bottom Bay, at least 4 hours.

The best months to be outside

• February: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds. Among the driest months, with peak-season crowds on the west coast.
• March: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds. Dry, sunny and breezy; Easter often falls in March or April and fills hotels.
• April: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 6 rainy days, busy crowds. Still dry and sunny, with prices starting to drop after Easter and mid-April.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• Speightstown — Historic port town in the north with old warehouses, a fishing jetty and quiet beaches
• Bridgetown — The capital's harbour, Parliament Buildings and Broad Street shops
• Bathsheba and the east coast — Atlantic surf, giant boulders and quiet guesthouses on the wild side of the island

More of Barbados

All things to do in Barbados · Where to stay · When to go.

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