Diving in Barbados
Watersports reign supreme on Barbados’ scenic coasts, offering unparalleled
conditions including underwater visibility of 70 to 80 feet and annual water temperatures
between 78 and 84 degrees.
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 many well-equipped dive centers found on the west
and south coasts.
The most famous of the wrecks, the Stavronikita, has created a fascinating
penetration dive for experienced divers.
Water temperature is a warm 82-84°F in the summer and 78-80°F in the
winter. Most people will find a 3mm suit adequate for diving in Barbados.
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.
Passport and/or Visa Requirements
Every person entering Barbados, including all North American citizens (Americans
and Canadians), should be in possession of a valid passport and a valid return
ticket.
EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Bds $25 for all departures. Passengers in transit who will
be remaining in Barbados for less than 24 hours and children under 12 are exempt.
Immunizations
Vaccinations are not required for entry into Barbados. Exception: Yellow Fever
vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one (1) year of age,
coming from infected areas. Check with the Centers for Disease Control on recommended
vaccinations for travel www.cdc.gov.
Culture and Customs
The Caribbean is full of people who are larger than life. Barbadians (Bajans)
are different from other caribbean personalities in many ways. They are more
spiritual and religiously conscious. They are by nature open, thoughtful and
generous. They love a party but will have time for anyone, they like people,
no matter what background, race, and disposition. They make time for quiet and
shy people and draw them out with disarming innocence and charm. They will rise
to the occasion on any occasion to shoot the breeze and laugh and joke with
the most outrageous personalities of our time. It is not at all ironic that
there are more churches per capita than most other island nations. The only
thing more numerous than churches are rum shops.
There are a few festivals to make note of. In mid February, there is the Holetown
Festival, which is a family attraction commemorating the first landing and settlement
in Barbados on February 17, 1627. The Holetown Festival combines folk, gospel
and medieval music with a street parade and fair and a torch-lit evening exhibition
by the Royal and Mounted Police forces as they perform the floodlit Tattoo.
Other activities include poetry, drama, sidewalk art shows, sports, games, local
handicrafts markets and the popular Queen of the Festival Pageant.
From the end of February through mid-March, you can take part in the Holders
Season festival. This most sophisticated festival offers an exciting season
of opera, classical, jazz, latin and caribbean music and takes place at the
historic Holders Plantation House, situated on a ridge overlooking what were
once extensive sugar and tobacco fields. The event, which is internationally
recognized and has attracted such musical luminaries as Luciano Pavarotti, is
currently focused on the development and exhibition of local talent.
Barbados is an island filled with artistic talent .... from skilled local potters
at work fashioning their wares as has been done for centuries, to modern fashion
designers, abstract artists and poets.
The people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian principles,
a sound and free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%
Electricity, Telephone and Internet Access
Electricity in Barbados is 110 volts/50 cycles (hairdryers and shavers from
North America do not need a converter but if needed can usually be borrowed
from your hotel).
The island uses solar power mainly for hot-water systems.
Barbados has a modern telecommunications infrastructure with the latest in
digital technology and fiber optics systems including international direct dialing,
facsimile transfer and satellite telecommunications which allows for the efficient
transmission of electronic data.
Internet and e-mail services, as well as express mail and courier delivery,
are also available. The international direct long distance dialing code for
Barbados is (1–246), followed by a seven digit local number.
Water Quality
The water service in Barbados is reliable and the water supply is safe and
refreshing to drink straight from the tap.
Language & Currency
English is the official language of Barbados, although the Bajan dialect can
be heard all around the island.
The Barbados Dollar is converted at the rate of $1.98 BDS to $1.00 U.S. The
Barbados Dollar is fixed to the U.S Dollar and does not fluctuate. Its rate
to other currencies fluctuates daily based on their fluctuations relative to
the U.S. Dollar.
US currency is accepted across the island, and most stores and restaurants
accept major credit cards and travellers cheques. Most Barbados hotels, restaurants
and businesses will accept credit cards. Travelers cheques are also cashable
at many outlets.
There are many commercial banks in Barbados (mostly British and Canadian) and
most have ABMs (also known as ATM's) that will accept credit cards. They all
dispense funds in Barbados dollars at the current rate of exchange.
Time
4 hours behind GMT. 1 hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the
winter and the same time as US Eastern Daylight Saving Time in the summer.
History, Art, and Culture
The history of Barbados is as rich and fascinating as the island itself. It
is believed that the island’s first inhabitants were the Amerindians,
who reached its shores around 1623 BC by open canoe from the Orinoco area of
South America, known today as Venezuela. The next 3,000 years brought the settlement
of several tribes, including the peaceful Arawaks and the cannibalistic Caribs.
At the whim of prevailing northeast trade winds, the Spanish and Portuguese
followed in 1537, calling the island “Los Barbados”— perhaps
a nod to their fascination with the hanging, aerial roots of the Bearded Fig
Tree.
By the time the first settlers–the British–chanced upon the island
by virtue of navigational miscalculations in 1627, the Indians had all but disappeared.
For the English, Barbados represented a golden opportunity to acquire a colony
with good potential for agriculture: favorable climate, rich soils and generally
flat land. These early pioneers set about the task of cultivating the land and
instigated a long period of English rule that was to last some 339 years.
The booming sugar industry and slave trade fueled the establishment of an excellent
infrastructure and Barbados’ own Parliament in 1639, making it the third
oldest in the British Commonwealth. Later, Barbados became the first country
to abolish the slave trade in 1834.
Barbados gained independence from Britain on the 30th November 1966 and has
since enjoyed over 40 years as a proudly independent nation.
Location and Size
Barbados is the easternmost island of the West Indies in the Atlantic Ocean.
The island is approximately 300 miles north of Venezuela. Barbados is 166 square
miles, divided into 11 parishes. It's captial city is Bridgetown, with a population
of approx. 99,000.
Although Barbados is a relatively small island (21 miles long and 14 miles
wide), there is much to explore so you should consider renting a car during
your Barbados vacation.
Driving in Barbados is on the left side of the road and the majority of vehicles
are “right hand drive.” The island has an extensive road network
of paved roads. A highway links the north and the south of the island. There
are a number of ways to get around the island by hired car, taxis and buses;
all are safe, reliable and convenient.
Population
Approximately 279,000