Barbados Holidays with Kids: 5 Things to Do
Holidays in Barbados are rich in cultural and visual delights, from the pristine underwater world to lush slopes, historic churches, spectacular plantations, and of course, the beaches.
Barbados is a great island to spend a vacation with children. Safe beaches, especially along the west coast, and numerous activities and attractions make for a vacation for the whole family. Underwater trips, wildlife reserves, nature sanctuaries, horseback riding, and water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming lessons are available.
Some hotels offer Kids’ Club facilities, allowing parents to spend time alone without worry, and babysitters are easy to find for around $ 20.00 BDS ($ 10.00US) an hour, plus transportation home.
The following 5 Barbados attractions are great for both adults and children. Make sure the kids are well protected from the sun and heat and everyone will have a great time.
1 Barbados Wildlife Reserve
As you enter the gates of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, you are in a mahogany forest full of vervet monkeys, ducks, turtles, tortoises, peacocks, otters, raccoons, agoutis, deer, macaws, porcupines, flamingos, parrots and pythons. With over a mile (2 km) of trails winding through the forest, a trip through the reserve is a journey of discovery and wonder.
All animals except pythons and parrots roam freely in the forest. The animals are in their natural environment, so unlike a zoo, you have the unique opportunity to see them behave naturally, with no barriers between the two.
Brought to the island from Africa in the late 17th century, vervet monkeys are one of the reserve’s biggest attractions. The best time to see them is in the late afternoon when they go out to eat.
There is a collection of exotic orchids, an iguana sanctuary, an aviary, and an information center where you can learn about the habitats and history of the animals.
There are plenty of places to sit and rest, and just watch the animals, and an on-site cafe and shop where you can buy a snack and cold drink, which you may need as it can get quite hot.
The Wildlife Reserve entrance fee includes admission to the adjoining forest and Grenade Hall signal station, so be sure to visit once you’ve completed your tour of the reserve.
Telephone 246 422 8826
2 Grenade Hall Forest & Signal Station
Built in the 19th century, the signal station, one of the six towers erected at strategic points around the island. Restored to its original state, the interior of the tower now houses a number of exhibits and historical artifacts.
Grenade Hall Forest encompasses a coral stone path with educational resources along the way that provide an opportunity to learn and appreciate the natural environment.
Telephone 246 422 8826
3 Cruise ship captain of the port
The MV Harbor Master is described as a “floating entertainment center”. The Bajan Village Life lunch cruise recreates the spirit of Barbados with crew members dressed as historical figures providing entertainment.
At the beach stop, kids can swim or snorkel the reef, or for the more daring there’s a 70-foot waterslide. On the return trip there is a live calypso band to dance and party.
Telephone 246 430 0900
4 Harrison’s Cave
This spectacular cave, located in the parish of St. Thomas, is a must-see at any Barbados party.
The tour begins with an audiovisual show that documents the geological history of Barbados and the wonders of the cave.
After the show, you’ll board a tram for a spectacular journey through vast caverns, with waterfalls thundering over the ledges into crystal-clear pools and thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.
Telephone 246 438 6640
5 swim with the turtles
Swimming with turtles is an incredible experience for both adults and children and will undoubtedly be the highlight of your vacation. Barbados is home to a large population of hawksbill and leatherback turtles. Once endangered by overfishing, these large creatures are now protected and monitored throughout the island.
Turtles are sociable and tend to stay in the same area, following a constant routine. They can be seen playing and feeding along the coastal reefs. In some areas, they are relatively docile and have become used to humans. You can swim with them as they feed among the corals. A good way to do this is with a sailboat ride and a snorkeling picnic.
A Barbados vacation is great with or without children. The island is rich in history; home to more great restaurants than you could cover in a month, it has enough sports and activities to keep the whole family busy, and it has some of the friendliest people in the entire Caribbean.
For more activities, see the article “Holidays in Barbados with children: more things to do”.