Celebrate the New Year in Barbados
This Caribbean island may only be 167 square miles, but it packs a bold punch when it comes to seafood, long white beaches, and vibrant culture.
Surfing Lessons with Zed’s
This was my first time up on the board, and it was truly an “I feel like a total badass” moment. Yes, I was being pushed into the wave by my instructor, but details aside the instructors give you the confidence to stand up and stay steady. Also, there are a ton of sea turtles hanging out it Freight’s Bay (where you go to surf) in case you end up just watching your friends hang ten.
Kitesurfing with the Kite Sirens
The Kite Sirens are a group of powerful female kiters, smaller though they may be — they don’t let the wind take them for a ride, they take the wind for a ride. Andrea and Caroline taught Collin and I how to ride the Barbados surf. These ladies know how to ride, and while there are many teachers available on the island, they’ve mastered giving personalized training sessions that will get you to the next level.
But, no matter how idyllic the beach is, there are always predators. Read more about my encounter with the Portuguese Man O’ War and my first kitesurfing experience here: Learning to Kitesurf in Barbados.
Mount Gay Rum Distillery Tour
The legal drinking age is 18 in Barbados, but any age can attend this tour and it’s $25 pp. Whether you’re a rum fan or not, this trip was worth the knowledge we got on rum distilling and the history of Barbados as a whole.
Flower Forest Botanical Gardens
There’s no Botanical Garden that goes unseen by me when we’re travelling. This one did not disappoint, and was worth the hike to the middle of the island. There’s a viewing spot where you get a rad 360º of the island, and some really crazy fleurs you’ll want a macro lens on hand for.
Where to Dine
Oistin’s Fish Fry Every Friday and Saturday night hundreds of locals and visitors flock to Oistins for the fish fry. It’s an absolute MUST while you’re in Barbados, and an opportunity to enjoy tasty local fish (fried, grilled, caked, kabobbed, …) along with our favorite local treat and savior of waistelines: breadfruit. The harmonious sounds of island music fill the air, and the locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming. We ate here three times during our short stay because we loved one particular shrimp and breadfruit dish so much.
Buffy’s Dive Bar The owner of the establishment will be there to pour you a drink, which are very cheap and very refreshing.
Ocean Spray Apartments
These apartments sit directly on Barbados’ beautiful coastline – a mix of black rocky fields and bright white sands – and conveniently close to Surfer’s Point and a long strip of deserted beach that’s ideal for learning how to kitesurf. The rooms are quaint, don’t expect luxury, but do expect a warm greeting and some amazing food from the restaurant on-site. We felt like locals staying here because of it’s location amongst residences and away from the tourist meccas.
