Barbados - On the Water

PO Box 3119, St. James, Barbados, W.I.
Tel: 1 (246) 434 3434 E-mail: info@skyviews.com

Barbados - On the Water

Barbados is very fortunate. The water temperature doesn't go below 79ºF (25ºC), the West Coast is calm and the Trade Winds blow consistently keeping things cool. The East and South East Coasts facing the Atlantic Ocean have consistently good conditions for windsurfing, surfing and boogie-boarding. If you like sportfishing, there are plenty of big fish. As a result, time spent on the water either relaxing or being energetic is time well spent. Party Cruises have always been very popular with visitors and Barbadians alike. There's plenty Calypso music, plenty to eat and drink. There are cruises during the day and at night up and down the tranquil West Coast and the difficulty is getting people to leave the boats when they arrive back in port! Catamaran cruises are equally popular, though more personalised and more peaceful. The daytime Cruises usually stop so people can have a swim or engage in watersports. All types of watersports are on offer in Barbados including Wave Runners, water-skiing, kneeboarding, banana-tube rides, tyre-tube rides and Hobie Cat rides. There's even Parasailing for those who want a bird's eye view. Operators are on all the main beaches and after quick negotiation rides can be organised. Many hotels have an on site operator, so ask at the activities desk for details and tips. There's an annual Mount Gay Trans Atlantic Yacht Race from the Canary Islands to Barbados during November/December. Many competitors berth in Carlisle Bay turning it into a giant Marina. However, in October 1997, 30 teams ditched the sails and entered the Trans Atlantic Rowing Race. The race was a remarkable success.