Top 10 Experiences in Barbados

Wondering what to do on your luxurious holiday to Barbados? When you're not soaking up the sun on pristine white sands, here are our top 10 things to do on the island, by members of our team who’ve visited recently.

Listen to The Inspiring Travel Podcast to get on-the-ground inspiration from our Barbados Destination Manager, Kerin. 

1. Charter a luxury catamaran for the day

See the ‘Platinum Coast’ from a different perspective on a private day boat cruise.

Experience ultimate relaxation onboard with free-flowing cocktails, tailor-made to your taste, and stop-off at several snorkelling spots to encounter the Caribbean’s tropical marine life.

In the afternoon, indulge in a sumptuous lunch prepared by an expert chef, before setting sail again to find a beach bar onshore for a rum cocktail or two.

Round off your private catamaran experience with some thrilling watersports or a sunbathing session on the trampoline area located at the bow of the boat.

2. See the north and east coast

If you’re on a luxury Barbados holiday, it’s likely that you’ll be staying on the glamorous west coast or in the lively south. However, this doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to see elsewhere on the island. Far from it! An island safari in an open-top jeep is a great way to see more of the rugged landscapes of the north and east. This certainly adds to a more exciting Barbados holiday.

One of our team had this to say about their island safari experience: “We were wowed by the east coast after years of staying on the west coast. That side of the island is so completely different. It’s rugged and beautiful — like something out of Jurassic Park!”

In the Know: Bathsheba Beach is well worth a stop. It was named one of the ‘Most Beautiful Beaches in the World’ by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller.

3. Check out Oistins Fish Fry

If you’re in Barbados on a Friday evening, the fishing town of Oistins really is the place to be. Home to a fish market during the daytime, the place comes alive on Friday and Saturday evenings. Dozens of barbecue stalls open, sound systems are cranked up, and tables and chairs are placed anywhere they can fit for an authentic fish fry. 

As for what's on the menu, here are some first-hand recommendations from our team: “Try mahi-mahi (known as dolphin in Barbados), lobster, and barbecued red snapper — and don't miss out on the classic Caribbean accompaniments, like plantain and rice and peas.”

Besides the food, one of the best things to do with your time at Oistins Fish Fry is soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy the vibe and get a feel for the place by partaking in that essential holiday experience – people watching.

In the Know: Many hotels run shuttles and boat transfers – such is the feeling that this is a must-do experience whilst in Barbados.

4. Watch polo at Barbados Polo Club 

Whether you're a seasoned polo enthusiast or just discovering the sport, polo in Barbados is an exhilarating experience – and Barbados Polo Club at Holders Hill is one of the best places on the island to enjoy it. 

Set in the scenic hills of St. James, the club overlooks the Caribbean Sea, creating the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day of polo. During the January to May season, top teams from around the globe come here to compete, making it a hotspot for spectators and players alike, including famous patrons like Prince Harry.

So, whether you're watching from the sidelines or getting in on the action with a lesson or chukka, the club’s relaxed-yet-refined vibe makes for a truly special sporting experience in Barbados.

5. Encounter the beauty of naturally formed caves

A national treasure, we highly recommend experiencing life beneath the earth’s surface in Barbados. Amble through the lit pathways of Harrison’s Caves with its stalactites, stalagmites and underground pools. Elsewhere, you might like to explore the beautiful Animal Flower Cave right at the north of the island. We think this is a must-see and do activity when in Barbados.

The Animal Flower cave, in the St Lucy parish, is so named because of all the sea anemones that are found in its pools. As well as being great to look at, some of the pools are so deep you can even swim in them. Not only that, the views from inside the caves to the outside offer some real Instagrammable photograph opportunities.

Top tip from our team: "Don’t miss out on some of the best lemonade on the whole of the island at the beautiful clifftop bar and restaurant here."

6. Go rum tasting

Could you really go on holiday and not have this on your list of top Barbados experiences to do (or drink)?

Barbados is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean and the birthplace of rum. Founded in 1703, the Mount Gay Rum Distillery is thought to produce the world’s oldest rum recipe. If you don’t have time to take the tour, then a rum punch from your hotel bar is a ‘must’, or a slice of rum cake for non-drinkers.

If you're looking to go deeper, though, you can uncover the secrets of Barbados rum making at the historic Stade's West Indies Rum Distillery, founded in 1893 by George Stade. Witness the passion and craftsmanship behind their award-winning rums — Planteray Rum and Stade’s Rum — and enjoy the results for yourself in cocktails and custom tastings. Cap off the experience at their exclusive Legacy Beach Deck and Bar on Brighton Beach, Spring Garden.

Top tip from our team: "Another great distillery to visit would be St. Nicholas Abbey. As well as being a rum distillery, it's also a plantation house and museum. And if you're going there, don’t miss out on stunning views of the Barbados coastline by scaling Cherry Tree Hill.

If you can't get enough of Bajan rum, stay at Cobbler’s Cove. The hotel’s own rum punch blend is renowned as one of the best on the island — imagine a delicious blend of spices and generous measure of the local spirit.

7. Sip a cocktail at sunset

Speaking of cocktails, they are the perfect accompaniment to the legendary sunsets you’ll have the joy of watching if you spend an evening or two on the Barbados West Coast. As well as the glamour and host of luxury hotels, its sunsets are one of the best Barbados experiences you can enjoy.

From adult-only idylls like The House by Elegant Hotels to classic settings such as that of Harold’s Bar at The Sandpiper, there are dozens of spots to choose from for a quintessentially Bajan ‘sundowner’.

Our very own Natalie Russell Blackburn-Perkins visited The Sandpiper following extensive renovations and reported back: “The hotel's showstopping 60ft lap pool is the perfect spot to gaze out to sea with a cocktail in hand. And the famous Harold’s Bar has now been extended onto a large seafront terrace where guests can enjoy the signature rum punches in style.”

8. Luxury shopping in Limegrove

If you’re looking to pick up more than a few standard souvenirs while on holiday, the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown is perfect for duty-free designer names, such as Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Louis Vuitton…Bond Street eat your heart out.

This exclusive shopping centre is also a great place to enjoy a bite to eat and people watch. Our Travel Specialists who have visited Barbados on their own holidays recommend “the Lime Bar at Limegrove Lifestyle Centre for a Bajan lemonade.”

9. Sunday Brunch

Something of an institution at many Barbados hotels, Sunday Brunch is a decadent ‘must do’ experience for any foodie holidaymaker.

The most famous of them all is Sandy Lane’s incredible weekly buffet. With over 55 options available including island chicken curry, Bajan macaroni pie and mahi mahi ceviche you won’t be stuck for choice.

“Such abundance of delicious food, always of the highest quality and accompanied by service that’s second to none. I’d recommend booking brunch here as a special treat even if you’re staying elsewhere on the island.”

10. Dine in style

Alongside laid-back cookouts and buzzing fish fries, Barbados boasts an impressive collection of fine-dining restaurants — many of them internationally acclaimed. One standout is The Cliff, a long-time favourite for special occasions, where our very own Alexis dined during her honeymoon:

“We had cocktails on arrival, an incredible table with sea views and some of the finest food I’ve eaten anywhere in the world.”

Other chic options include Lone Star, an effortlessly glamorous beachfront spot with a celebrity following, and Sea Shed, known for its toes-in-the-sand vibe and fresh, Mediterranean-inspired dishes served just steps from the water.

In the Know: Demand is high for tables at The Cliff, Lone Star and Sea Shed, so it’s best to book well in advance — especially for sunset.

Top Luxury Resorts in Barbados

Ready for us to start planning your experiences?

These are just a few of our favourite things to do in Barbados, though there are plenty more activities to choose from, of course. The island is perfect for honeymoons, grown-up getaways and family holidays alike, so there really is something to keep everyone entertained.

To create your idyllic itinerary, contact us to speak to our Travel Specialists. We’ll help design your tailor-made getaway for an unforgettable experience.