13 of the best · Barbados
Catamaran cruises with turtles and shipwrecks, sport fishing, paddle-boarding on Carlisle Bay, wreck diving and surf schools.
Our 13 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Barbados.
Turtles and shipwrecks, 36 guests at most
Lunch cruises and sunset trips on the El Tigre and El Tigre II schooner catamarans, with snorkelling with turtles and over shipwrecks.
#28 Prior Park Terrace, St. James, BarbadosExplore View on map
Nine wrecks within a mile
A PADI 5-Star dive centre at the Hilton on Needham’s Point, with wreck diving in Carlisle Bay, snorkel safaris, freediving and courses.
Hilton Barbados, Needham’s Point, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
Catamarans and wrecks.
The back story
How the west-coast catamaran trips work, from lunch cruises with turtles and shipwrecks to sunset sails and private charters, and how to choose one.
The back story
The wrecks of Carlisle Bay for beginners, the Stavronikita for advanced divers, and the island’s dive centres.
Turtles and wrecks.
Never more than 14 aboard
Small-group sail, snorkel and lunch trips, sunset sails and private charters, with never more than 14 guests aboard.
Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
Turtles and shipwrecks, 36 guests at most
Lunch cruises and sunset trips on the El Tigre and El Tigre II schooner catamarans, with snorkelling with turtles and over shipwrecks.
#28 Prior Park Terrace, St. James, BarbadosExplore View on map
Lunch, sunset and private sails
Lunch and sunset catamaran cruises with snorkelling at the shipwrecks and swimming with turtles, plus private charters.
Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
From the team behind Primo
The boutique catamaran run by the owners of Primo Bar & Bistro in St. Lawrence Gap.
St. Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, BarbadosExplore View on map
Dive centres.
Nine wrecks within a mile
A PADI 5-Star dive centre at the Hilton on Needham’s Point, with wreck diving in Carlisle Bay, snorkel safaris, freediving and courses.
Hilton Barbados, Needham’s Point, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
Small groups since 1993
A family-run dive shop founded in 1993, with small groups of no more than 12 on the boat and dives on reefs and wrecks.
Mowbray, Hastings, Christ Church, BarbadosExplore View on map
On the bay.
Paddle-boarding on Carlisle Bay
A stand-up paddle-boarding school at the Barbados Cruising Club on Carlisle Bay, with lessons, tours and rentals, open daily.
The Barbados Cruising Club, Aquatic Gap, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
Sport fishing.
Big-game fishing from Bridgetown
Sport-fishing charters from The Wharf in Bridgetown.
The Wharf Road, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
Learn to surf.
Surf lessons with Barry
A surf school offering lessons for beginners and improvers.
Salt Ash Apartments, Dover, Christ Church, BarbadosExplore View on map
Lessons and boards
A surf school on the south coast with lessons for all levels.
Hastings Main Road, Christ Church, BarbadosExplore View on map
Learn to surf on the south coast
A surf school at Atlantic Shores in Christ Church, with lessons from professional coaches.
Seaside Drive, Atlantic Shores, Christ Church, Barbados BB17135Explore View on map
Never touch or feed the turtles, and follow the crew’s briefing.
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