10 Adventurous Things to Do in Barbados, a Star of the Caribbean
We can promise you one thing: Barbados will live in your dreams long after you’ve left. For many moons, you’ll imagine sugary soft beaches gilded by gently swaying palm trees, turquoise waters glimmering under the golden sun, and the soothing rhythm of calypso music dancing through the air. Here, the sea sparkles like a jewel, and the sunset feels like a brushstroke of fire across the sky.
And, yet, beneath all that beauty lies a bold, adventurous spirit. It’s not just about hammocks and rum punch (though there’s plenty of that, too). Barbados invites you to dive a little deeper into its caves, surf, and wild green heart. Here, you can hike through a tropical forest, horseback ride through the shallows, and float beside a family of sea turtles in clear blue waters.
Ready to explore ten adventurous activities that go beyond your favorite beach towel? Here’s how we love to experience this Caribbean island in living color.
Dive with Sea Turtles in Carlisle Bay
Snorkeling in Barbados is always a good time but, if you want an unforgettable experience, head straight to Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown. The bay’s calm, and the shallow waters make it the perfect spot to swim with some sea turtles that practically glide right up to you.
You can book a trip with Seaduced Barbados or El Tigre Catamaran Cruises. Both offer small group snorkel tours with knowledgeable guides and a stop at one of the many shipwrecks in the bay. You’ll also see more than turtles, like stingrays, tropical fish, and colorful coral reefs just beneath the surface. Plus, these tours often come with rum punch and lunch on board. Talk about a win-win.
Go Off-Roading Through the Island’s Rugged East Coast
The rugged coastline around Bathsheba is the island’s wild side, filled with craggy cliffs, crashing waves, and hardly a resort in sight. And what better way to explore this area than bouncing through muddy trails and steep gullies in a 4×4?
Island Safari Barbados runs half-day and full-day off-road tours in open-sided Land Rovers that tackle terrain you’d never brave in a rental car. The tour guides are full of fun, informative commentary (with plenty of jokes), and some of the stops include hidden lookout points, crazy rock formations, and even a few local snacks. This is adventure with a side of culture you wouldn’t see on your own.
Learn to Surf at the “Soup Bowl”
Although Barbados is known for its calm west coast beaches, over on the Atlantic side, you’ll find some serious waves and gain some serious surf cred, if that’s your thing. The Soup Bowl in Bathsheba is a legendary spot in the surfing world and, even if you’re a beginner, you can still ride your first wave here.
Book a lesson with Barry’s Surf Barbados or Zed’s Surfing Adventures, both of which cater to every level. The instructors are laid-back but thorough, and they’ll get you up on the board. (Don’t worry if you wipe out a few times; it’s all part of the fun.) Between the rush of catching your first wave and the views of the jagged coastline and crashing surf, this could easily become the highlight of your trip.
Explore Harrison’s Cave by Tram or On Foot
If you like your adventures a little more subterranean, Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park delivers. This massive limestone cave system is a surreal underworld of towering columns, flowing streams, and crystal-clear pools.
You can take the classic tram tour, which glides you through the cave’s main passageways while a guide explains the geological magic around you. But, for something a little more hands-on, try the Eco-Adventure Tour, where you can strap on a helmet and a headlamp, and explore some of the less-accessible chambers on foot. It’s cool, as in, much cooler underground, and it feels like you’re discovering a hidden world beneath the island.