Barbados continues to be a great favourite with the British with many people returning year after year – the reasons why are simple. Barbados and its fantastic range of hotels offer a level of comfort and style which cannot fail to impress whether you're a regular visitor or experiencing the Caribbean for the first time. At the same time, Barbados has managed to retain it's own truly tropical and unmistakably ‘Bajan’ atmosphere.

Although only 21 miles long by 14 miles wide, Barbados is an island of contrasts. Just a few miles take you from the tranquillity of the Caribbean west coast, with its luxury hotels and palm fringed beaches, to the dramatic cliffs and wild Atlantic rollers of the eastern coast.

The interior has its own beauty as well. Green and lush, the spine of the island rises to more than 1,000 ft at Mount Hillaby while the rolling hills of the northern tip earned it the name Scotland District, from early settlers.

There's just something about Barbados that captures the heart of all its visitors. It is not just the wonderful year round climate, sandy beaches nor the many historic or cultural attractions. It’s a combination of all these, but above all, it is the warmth & friendliness of the Bajans themselves. It's a place for all the family to enjoy. There's plenty of sightseeing and shopping for those that like some activities, but there's also mile after mile of white sand beaches. Although you can find many luxury hotels here - after all it is the chosen annual holiday destination of Michael Winner - you will also find family friendly choices too.

Barbados has long been the best kept dive secret of the Caribbean. The reefs and wrecks off the coast are potential treasure troves, as the nutrient rich waters teem with flora and fauna, and the wrecks hide the bounty of the pirates that once frequented these waters.

The dive sites range from the barrier reef, which is located between 0.5 and 2 miles offshore and literally hundreds of wreck sites. Further inshore from the main reef lie patch reefs, which are home to a variety of sea life including seahorses and frogfish. The West Coast features areas where Green and Hornbill Turtles may be seen. Many people are extremely surprised by the excellent diving on Barbados; it exceeds that of many other islands.

Dive Sites
SS Stavronikita - a 365ft Greek freighter that was deliberately sunk to form an artificial reef, this wreck is now home to numerous fish and corals within a marine park. The Stavronikita lies in 120ft of water with the stern at 100ft and the bow at 70ft.
Friars Crag - a 100ft Dutch freighter that was sunk in 1984 and lying in 55ft of water. A magnificent reef is located nearby ... enjoy wreck and reef diving in one incredible experience!
Carlisle Bay - This historic bay is the site of numerous wrecks(200) and is therefore an ideal dive location. There are four wrecks that are of particular interest - the Berwyn, Eilon, C-Trek and Fox. At this dive site divers can look for tropical fish, eels, frog fish, seahorses and more! Ideal for beginners.
Pamir - this wreck, located to the north of the island is 165ft long and 60 ft deep
Bell Buoy - a dome-shaped reef varying from 20 - 60ft, it is popular for its brown coral forests, sloping corals and schools of fish.
Shark Bank - a coral reef reaching depths of 135-145ft. Divers will see parrotfish and turtles, but probably not sharks!
Maycocks Bay - a unique site with several large coral reefs divided by stretches of white sand! Rays and barracudas frequent these waters.
Dottins - a popular reef that is home to corals, turtles, barracuda and thousands of tropical fish!

Getting There

Barbados is one of the easiest destinations in the Caribbean for British divers. There are frequent non stop scheduled services and a number of charters to choose from. Flying time is approximately 8hrs 20mins. British Airways flies around 9 times a week from Gatwick. Virgin Atlantic has daily departures also from Gatwick and bmi flies twice a week from Manchester.

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Barbados, sophisticated and well developed, has the best range of accommodation in the Caribbean. Eating and drinking out can be expensive, service and standards tend to be good. The popular South Coast is livelier with lots to do compared to the quieter and more sophisticated West Coast with its calm palm fringed beaches.

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