Adventure in Barbados

For those who aspire for more than just a day spent upon flawless white beaches and beneath perfect blue skies, Barbados offers a number of exciting diversions to satisfy even the most adventurous soul.

Offshore, the ocean beckons with the call of a chartered deep sea fishing excursion or a diving expedition to explore the shipwreck capital of the Caribbean. Closer in, the “white horses” provide ample surfing opportunities, including kite surfing and wind surfing along the southern coast, plus world-class board surfing at Soup Bowl in Bathsheba and all along the eastern shore. And inland, the diverse terrain of the island offers a number of activities to enjoy, including biking through a dense tropical forest, discovering the water-carved caverns of Harrison’s Cave or hiking among the flora and fauna of Welchman Hall Gully, Flower Forest or the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.

TOP 5 MYSTERIES TO EXPLORE IN BARBADOS
Barbados is magical, exotic and thoroughly delightful! With both natural and manmade treasures to admire and mystify, Barbados has what it takes to stimulate and satisfy even the most inquiring mind. It’s all about discovery and going beyond the imagination to places where scenic vistas and scientific anomalies coexist, yet appeal to the romantic within us!

When we invite you to explore and discover Barbados, we really mean it! That’s because every corner of the island provides exciting opportunities to see and learn something exciting! Every nook and cranny has golden nuggets of experiences to treasure, and legends and mysteries to confound and astonish! Barbados has it all, with something to satisfy history buffs, geographers and ghost busters alike! Hard to believe? Well, check them out for yourself!

Here are just 5 of the mysteries which await you:

The Chase Vault
Erie and intriguing, the Chase Burial Vault in the southern parish of Christ Church was the final resting place of the Chase family, but the question of whether the occupants did indeed rest, has been part of Barbadian folklore for hundreds of years. Entombed were lead coffins which, according to legend, moved around the vault. In 1833, when the vault was opened for the burial of a family member, the coffins which were already entombed, were alleged to have been mysteriously and inexplicably displaced, with some even found upside down. The coffins were always set right, and the entrance sealed tightly, but It was said that whenever the vault was reopened, the coffins were never in their places, and there was no external evidence to suggest human interference. While the vault has since been abandoned and the coffins relocated, the phenomenon has defied all scientific explanation. Whether or not the coffins moved or even danced to the beat of their own otherworldly drums, we might never know, but it’s fun to speculate anyway!

Gravity at Cherry Tree Hill
Known for its breathtaking view of the Scotland District in the eastern parish of St. Andrew, Cherry Tree Hill is a must-see during your Barbados getaway. At approximately 850 feet above sea level, it is not only a gorgeous location, which showcases our magnificent countryside, but it is also the site of a mystery, which has amazed locals and visitors alike. It’s a place which contradicts the laws of gravity and vehicles don’t behave as they should. Whoever heard of a parked car rolling uphill? Well, that’s exactly what happens on Cherry Tree Hill. How is that possible? Do ghostly unseen hands propel stationary vehicles on their upward climb? Is it an optical illusion or just one of those unexplained mysteries? Come experience it for yourself!

Garrison Tunnels
What could be more thrilling and mysterious than furtive underground activity, where “murders, executions, crimes and punishments” were all too familiar occurrences? Discovered quite by chance, during the restoration of George Washington House, the temporary residence of US President George Washington on his only trip outside the US, the Garrison Tunnels are almost 200 years old. Comprising 2 miles of networking underground corridors, the tunnels lie 12 to 17 feet beneath the Garrison Area, part of Barbados’ UNESCO World Heritage Property. While research suggests that they were used for drainage and to facilitate the movement of soldiers around this military site, they are also grim reminders of the horrors of the slave trade, providing deep cover for the clandestine disposal of bodies, which were floated out to sea. If you have a penchant for the macabre, this one’s for you!

The HARP Gun
Who knows what secrets lie in the rusting carcass of the HARP gun, or what it could have achieved in the development of space discovery in Barbados? The HARP gun was intended as a satellite launcher – a HUGE cannon / gun, designed to “shoot things into space!” Built in 1961, HARP, an acronym for High Altitude Research Project, was an initiative between the American and Canadian governments. Designed by ballistics engineer Gerald Bull, who was assassinated in 1990 while working on another space gun project for the Iraqi government, the HARP gun in Barbados was able to fire an object 112 miles into the sky. It set a world record for gun-launched altitude that has yet to be surpassed. Meanwhile, the identity of Bull’s assassin remains a mystery. US and Canadian funding for HARP ended in 1967, and the space gun was abandoned at its original site at Foul Bay, in the southeastern parish of St. Philip. It still stands today as a testament to what may have been. You’ve got to see it to believe it!

Sam Lord
Straight out of the annals of Bajan history, legend and folklore, is Sam Lord himself! By all accounts a buccaneer and a rogue, Samuel Hall Lord, known as Sam Lord, is said to have acquired great wealth by plundering the ships he lured onto coastal reefs off the parish of St. Philip by hanging lanterns in the coconut trees. The ships’ captains would mistake the lights for the Bridgetown port and their ships would be wrecked on the jagged rocks. Sam Lord’s Castle, once the stately home of Barbados’ most famous brigand, was supposedly built from these ill-gotten gains. However, the speculation and indeed the mystery today is whether Sam Lord did indeed cause all the wrecks for which he is blamed. Some of the wrecks may have occurred fortuitously and other records have shown that Lord was away when some of incidents occurred and therefore he could not have been responsible.

Legend also has it that some of Sam Lord’s vast treasure was stored in a dungeon and in a network of tunnels under the beach and the castle, but this booty was never found. The castle which was a crumbling shell is now under renovations, but if walls could talk, they would have much to say about its infamous owner and the mystery and intrigue which surrounds him to this day.

BARBADOS BEACH GUIDE
Barbados is surrounded by over 70 miles of glorious palm-fringed, white sand beaches; warm, clear waters and a year round climate that is close to perfection.

Barbados law stipulates that all beaches are public so Barbadians and visitors therefore have no shortage of choice from the tranquil Caribbean Sea to the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t forget to take along your sunscreen, and remember, topless sunbathing is against the law in Barbados.

West Coast
The sea on the west coast is idyllic for lazing, snorkelling and enjoying watersports like skiing. It’s also perfect for taking a stroll especially in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

Six Mens, Mullins, Gibbes and Reeds Bay
These beaches make up a magnificent stretch of beach in St. Peter with glassy, turquoise water, good snorkelling and a variety of watersports. Mullins Beach Bar offers service right to your beach chair and just a little further north there’s the new Bombas Beach Bar. Reeds Bay in Lower Carlton is a lovely, long crescent-shaped beach with easy access and great swimming.

Paynes Bay
Paynes Bay has a beautiful white sandy beach and the calm water is ideal for swimming and snorkelling with turtles, however, it can be crowded at times. There is a well-maintained public access between One Sandy Lane and Sandy Lane Hotel with limited roadside parking.

The Garden and Heron Bay
Between Royal Pavilion Hotel and Carlton in St. Peter is a lovely stretch of beach with several little paths through which you can gain access. For a delicious lunch there is the wonderful Lone Star or for an economical light bite or just a few drinks on the beach, Juju’s. Sometimes there are turtles around.

Holetown
Holetown has one main beach and a couple of small ones further south. Folkstone Marine Park and Museum, located just past Settlers Beach Hotel has a snorkelling trail and a small museum about the marine life in Barbados.

Batts Rock
Just past the northern end of Spring Garden Highway, there is a public access to this superb beach with parking, shade and great swimming.

Brighton Beach
The Cockspur Beach Club at Brighton Beach has beach chairs and umbrellas, lunch and drinks as well as loads of watersports. Caution – the area known as the ‘hot pot’, where warm water from the rum distillery flows, sometimes has dangerous currents.

South-east and East Coast
The south-east coast gets more breezy with slightly bigger waves – perfect for body surfing and boogie boards. The east coast welcomes the Atlantic rollers – Barbados has become world renowned for surfing.

Crane Beach
A truly stunning beach with excellent body-surfing conditions. There is a moderately challenging public access to the beach by the roundabout. You can pick up a picnic lunch nearby at Cutters of Barbados, a Bajan gourmet deli. Cold drinks are also sold on the beach. L’Azure Restaurant at The Crane Resort presents a spectacular view of the beach and serves food all day including a lovely afternoon tea. There is an elevator and steps down to the beach from the res ort. Boogie boards, chairs and refreshments.

Bottom Bay and Harrismith
Bottom Bay is everyone’s dream of the perfect tropical beach – cliffs, coconut palms, a cave, 50 ft white sand, brisk breezes and aquamarine sea. A first-class picnic venue!

Harrismith has much less beach area but does have a shallow lagoon for a calm dip at low tide and is also very beautiful. Both beaches have formidable steps. A handrail has been erected on the steps at Bottom Bay.

Foul Bay
This is a long, wide, open expanse of beach on a ruggedly attractive stretch of relatively undeveloped coastline. Care should be ta ken when swimming here as the waves are big and they break onshore – there can be a strong undertow at times. There are large shady areas suitable for picnics. No chair rentals or refreshments. Refreshments can be purchased at either Cutters of Barbados, a Bajan gourmet deli, The Palms Restaurant or the Texaco Gas Station – all nearby.

Bathsheba & Cattlewash
Although these two bays on the east coast are stunningly beautiful and the sea appears to be quite inviting, swimming is very dangerous with strong and unpredictable undercurrents and no lifeguards on duty. It is best just to take a dip at low tide in the rock pools. The Atlantis Hotel in Bathsheba, recently re-opened, serves tasty lunches and punches. There is a picnic spot with tables in Bathsheba with public facilities.

Bath
The sea here is very calm and is protected by a large reef. This is a popular picnic spot with Barbadians, especially on weekends and public holidays because there’s plenty of shade, a pleasant breeze, a small playground, a car park and brand new public facilities. There is a picturesque coastal footpath that runs from Bath to Martin’s Bay. It takes approximately an hour and a half to walk there and back. No chairs or refreshments.

South Coast
The south coast is a little more choppy and breezy with some beaches having small waves for boogie boarding. Around south point gets breezier with slightly bigger waves – perfect for the action-packed waterman sports – surfing, paddle-surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can try these – boards are available for rent, along with lessons from trained professionals.

Carlisle Bay
Over a mile of wide beach and calm waters, Carlisle Bay is a spectacular, crescent-shaped bay extending from Bridgetown to the Hilton Hotel. There is good snorkelling. Hazell’s Waterworld sells good quality snorkelling gear. This is an ideal bay for distance swimming and an informal group meets at the southern end on Saturdays at Sam. Pier to pier is approximately 1.2 km. Chairs, parking and refreshments.

Hastings
With the new south coast boardwalk it is now possible to walk from Accra for a couple of miles to Hastings. This is a marvellous stretch for rock pooling at low tide. There are several small beaches along the way for swimming.

Accra Beach
One of the most popular beaches on the island with parking, good swimming and trees for shade. It’s a great place for body-surfing and body-watching. Lifeguards are on duty. Shopping and supermarkets are also very close by.

Boogie boards, chairs and refreshments, showers, locally-made jewellery and souvenirs.

Miami Beach
A favourite south coast beach. Very calm on one side, while on the other it is choppy with small waves. Picnic facilities. Parking, chairs, refreshments, showers.

Dover and Sandy Beach
These are lovely expanses of beach with good swimming conditions on either side of St. Lawrence Gap. Sandy Beach is great for families with young children because of the shallow, calm water and picturesque lagoon. Chairs and refreshments.

Silver Sands
This is a lovely white sand beach with excellent conditions for windsurfing, wave-riding and kite-surfing. Many international windsurfing events are held here due to the ideal wind and wave conditions. DeAction Beach Shop, run by world-ranked Barbadian windsurfer Brian Talma, can be found near Silver Rock beach. They offer lessons and surfboards and windsurfing and kite-surfing equipment is also for sale or rental.

Be sure to have a colourful marker whenever you snorkel to alert watercraft of your presence.