Barbados blends British heritage, rum history and gorgeous beaches, with calm west coast water and a wild Atlantic east coast.
Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados, the easternmost island in the Caribbean, and its historic center and nearby Garrison are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ships dock at the Deep Water Harbour cruise terminal, a short distance from downtown.
Barbados has something for everyone, from soft-sand beaches on Carlisle Bay to caves, gardens and plantation houses inland. It is a friendly, English-speaking island where it's easy to get around, so it works well for first-time cruisers and repeat visitors alike.
Average daily high and low in °F, from the nearest weather station with long records: Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados. Source: Meteostat station records, 1991–2020.
Here are my favorite ways to spend a cruise day in Bridgetown. Each one opens on Viator, where you can check the times, reviews and price before you book.
Barbados' most-booked trip: sail the west coast, swim with sea turtles, snorkel over shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay, and enjoy lunch and drinks on board.
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Ride an electric tram deep into Harrison's Cave to see crystal-clear streams, waterfalls and huge stalactites.
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A full-day drive from the calm west coast beaches to the wild Atlantic shore at Bathsheba, with stops at the island's best lookouts and landmarks.
View detailsMy favorites: swim and snorkel over shipwrecks in the calm water of Carlisle Bay; ride a tram through the underground caverns of Harrison's Cave; walk historic Bridgetown and the Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; learn about the island's long rum-making history, as Barbados is often called the birthplace of rum; take in the dramatic Atlantic coastline and rock formations at Bathsheba.
Barbados dollar, fixed at two to one with the US dollar; US dollars are widely accepted.
Downtown Bridgetown is a long walk or short taxi ride from the cruise terminal, and taxis are the easiest way to reach beaches and the rest of the island.
Search sailings that stop in Bridgetown on our site, or ask me for a quote. I book it for you with no fees, and I watch for price drops after you book.
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