Watersports reign supreme on Barbados’ scenic coasts, offering unparalleled conditions including underwater visibility of 70 to 80 feet and annual water temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. Enjoy scuba, snorkeling and diving that afford a treasure trove of marine life and underwater sights. Set sail aboard a deep-sea fishing charter. Descend in an exploratory submarine. Or experience the ever-powerful Atlantic waves of the east coast that provide one of the world’s finest surfing arenas or the steady trade winds and breezes of the south coast’s popular windsurfing haven. Our local watersports shops are filled with experienced employees, well-versed in the nuances of Barbados’ water worlds.
Waterskiing and Parasailing: The west coast’s placid waters are ideal for water-skiing; and, for the more adventurous, harness a parasail to fly sky high.
Windsurfing: As ideal conditions prevail between November and June, the Windsurfing World Cup Championships are held at Silver Rock Beach, on the southeast coast. Intermediate and skilled windsurfers enjoy activities at Silver Sands Resort, at the onsite facility, Club Mistral.
Fishing: Charter companies offer deep-sea fishing excursions to capture prized catches from barracuda to kingfish; and Barbados Game Fishing’s annual competition attracts regional boats and anglers from Europe, U.K., Canada, North & South America.
Surfing: The fantastic rolling surf of our east coast makes Barbados a mecca for surfers. The Soup Bowl at Bathsheba in St. Joseph is the location for local and international surfing events. Surfboards are available for rent from surf shops on the south coast.
Diving & Snorkeling: Known as the "shipwreck capital" of the Caribbean, Barbados offers a number of unique and interesting diving and snorkeling features that include a number of accessible sunken ships and a host of beautiful coral formations and marine life. The west coast has two designated snorkeling areas, both part of the Folkestone Marine Park and the south coast’s best snorkeling area is the Carlisle Bay Marine Park. The diving is easily accessible and not particularly technical, and the island’s facilities are excellent, including a decompression chamber situated near Bridgetown and ten well-equipped dive centers found on the west and south coasts. Visitors can also explore with a submarine expedition or try "Snuba," a new underwater sport combining elements of both snorkeling and diving for a more comfortable experience.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing: Barbados is blessed with steady trade winds, beckoning waves and crystal clear water that make it ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The south coast is the place to be and the best time to hoist a sail is normally December through mid-March.
