Surfing in the Caribbean
Barbados had not been on Charlie’s bucket list. As a surf destination it is often overlooked. The reason she went to Barbados was a work conference. When she did her research for accommodation, she noticed that there was indeed surf. She decided to stay a few more days after the conference to explore the island and check out the waves.
- Language: English
- Currency: Barbados Dollar (US-Dollar accepted)
- Time Zone: GMT-4
- Electricity: 115V
- Plugs: Same as US (Type A & B)
- Healthcare: International Travel Insurance needed
- Emergency Telephone number: 211 (Police), 511 (Ambulance), 311 (Fire brigade)
- Getting there: Flight to Bridgetown
The island of Barbados
Barbados is an island in the Southern Caribbean and a former British Colony. It became independent in 1966 and since 2021, Barbados is a Republic. There are plenty of cultural and architectural elements that remind of English traditions. The population however is mostly of African descendance and those elements too are visible in the culture. The white population is referred to as “Bajan whites”, with “Bajan” meaning “Barbadian” or “from Barbados”. English is the official language in Barbados, however Charlie noticed that Bajans are sometimes difficult to understand because of their accent.
The most important information for you is probably that they’re driving on the left side of the road, same as in England.
Culture and Religion in Barbados
The main religion in Barbados is the Anglican church, hence Christian, and to this day, the island is politically organised in parishes even though the church does not rule the country. There are other Christian religions present such as the Pentecostal or Roman-Catholic church, and there is nowadays also almost any other religion present on the island. However, Religion did not seem to have a huge impact when Charlie was there. Local culture is more determined by the African origins and the circumstances of the Caribbean.
Charlie was there in November and the Bajan flag was visible everywhere because that is the month when independence was achieved. There are big celebrations and a military parade on November 30th every year. The military character as a former colony is still very present on the island and you will notice fortresses and historic canons in almost any part of the island. If you pass by the garrison in Bridgetown, you might also see the marching of soldiers
In February, Barbados offers carnival celebrations in Caribbean style that remind of the Brasilian Carnival in Rio. Colourful costumes, masquerades and stilt walkers are part of Bajan celebrations and stem from the African origins of the population.
Coming back to religion, it was Jews that had the biggest impact on Barbados. They originally came in the 12th century, long before the European colonisers, and there are still traces and a museum in the place of the first synagogue in Bridgetown. Those jews came from Brazil and brought the knowledge of sugarcane and agriculture to the island. To this day, sugarcane production is one of the main pillars of the Bajan economy and made it one of the richest colonies in the 17th and 18th century. With sugar also comes rum which is said to have been invented in Barbados. Although Charlie is not sure whether this is true. Rum however, is not to be missed on the island. You can visit the rum distillery and see the advertisements everywhere. The standard drink you will be offered is a rum punch.
There are some monuments that still stand for the sugar cane production in the early days: windmills. There is only one that is still perfectly intact in the centre of the island, the Morgan Lewis Windmill, most of the others are merely the stomp of the windmill. They are part of the national heritage and land owners are not allowed to remove them.
The friendliest people in the world
The main thing Charlie noticed is that Bajans are incredibly friendly. You will be greeted in the streets wherever you are and you will feel rude if you don’t greet them back. If you’re waiting at a bus station or simply look as if you need help finding directions, people will walk over to you and offer their help. You don’t even have to ask. At first, it made Charlie feel uncomfortable that strangers talked to her in the streets because in other places, they usually beg for money or try to steal from you. Not in Barbados! The people are simply friendly and chatty!
One of the locals Charlie had met at the conference, Jaleesa, took her in her car to the local markets and explained why they have this tradition to greet everybody. They usually grow up in small communities on the island where everybody knows each other. If you don’t greet your neighbours as a child, you will be in trouble when you get home.
Sports in Barbados
The biggest sport in Barbados is cricket. The main stadium is Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. There are also horse races on the track near the garrison and a yearly marathon that attracts tourists.
Locals often play a popular game in front of their houses: road tennis. It is similar to ping-pong, however played on the floor instead of a table. You will see rectangular shapes drawn on the floor. In front of some houses, there are even floodlights to allow a match after dark.
Around the island, you’ll find several golf courses, although those seem to be more for tourists than locals.
Surfing however is a sport that loved by both, tourists and locals.
Surfing in Barbados
Charlie was in Barbados in November and the conditions were good all through her stay, some days a bit bigger, other days a bit smaller. She stayed in an AirBnB that belongs to Dread or Dead Surf School and it was only a 15 minute-walk to the surf at a spot called Brandon’s or Drill Hall Beach. It is the most consistent break in Barbados and in the South West of the island between Hastings and Bridgetown. The main wave season is between November and March. You can surf small longboard waves between June and September too, however they require a lot of paddling. It looks like a beach break at first, but it really is the reef that makes it consistent. There are rocks when you get in the water. Those rocks aren’t sharp and you can walk barefoot if you’re careful.
The line up wasn’t busy at all and the other surfers were very friendly and supportive. Most of them were locals, however expats from the USA or Canada. There were a few tourists too in the water.
Another surf spot Charlie was recommended, but didn’t go is Freights Bay on the south coast a bit further east of the town Oistins. Apparently, it is the best place for beginners. You will also find surfable waves along the south coast between Hastings and Oistins.
The main surf beach where the waves get big and competitions are held is Soup Bowl in Bathsheba on the east coast of Barbados. The swell comes from the open Atlantic and creates waves of up to 10 feet on some days. Charlie didn’t surf there and there were no surfers in the water when she checked it out. The options for accommodation, surf hire and surf lessons however seemed richer along the south coast of Barbados.
Charlie even saw a few surfers on the west coast of Barbados, however those are rare occasions in the year. The North coast is too rough because that is where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean sea meet and create messy movements of the water. It would be very dangerous to get in the water at all.
Accommodation in Barbados
All along the West and South coast of Barbados are hotels, guest houses and resorts for any size and budget. The most luxurious hotels are on the West Coast. There are a few on the East coast too, however they’re far fewer. There, you’ll also find vacation homes to rent.
Most hotels have a pool and beach access, however no beach in Barbados is private as this is forbidden by law. Hotels are allowed to put sunbeds on the beaches, but they can’t restrict access.
Charlie stayed in an AirBnb owned by a surf business as she prefers the low-key accommodation that brings her closer to the locals. The location in Hastings was perfect as it is well connected in all directions, within walking distance to the surf break and the board walk with bars and restaurants.
Charlie had a peek into the resorts too. As part of the conference she attended, she got to spend a day at the 02 Beach Club and Spa, a 5-star all-inclusive resort in Dover on the South coast. If that is within budget, it is certainly recommended for a stay in Barbados.
For her last day, Charlie had booked a day pass for the Hilton. She had to check out of her AirBnB in the morning and her flight wasn’t until 9 p.m. in the evening. The Hilton was within walking distance and also seemed to be the most budget-friendly day pass. Charlie paid USD 70 for the day and received a lunch voucher of BBD 60 in return (equivalent of USD 30). She got to enjoy the pool and the beach, a lunch, live music and a beautiful sunset before heading off to the airport.
Charlie also spotted a beautiful boutique hotel in Oistins one day when she was looking for a place to have lunch around there. Café Luna showed up on the map and turned out to be at the roof of the hotel. That looked like a cute little hotel that Charlie could see herself staying in one day.
Currency in Barbados
The local currency in Barbados is the Barbados Dollar BBD which is tied to the US-Dollar. For every USD you get 2 BBD and they also accept USD in Barbados. Charlie couldn’t see a money exchange at the airport and it was no problem at all. You can pay by USD and get the change in BBD. That way, you can change money without paying commission either.
The prices you see advertised in Barbados are usually in BBD, on rare occasions they will be in USD. If that is the case, it is clearly marked. You can usually pay in either of the two currencies and card payments are also widely accepted. The only place you really need BBD (and ideally in exact change) is when taking the bus in Barbados.
Mobile connection and internet in Barbados
Chances are that your data and phone connection on your SIM card from home will be expensive to use in Barbados. The biggest local providers are Digicel and Flow, however there is no shop at the airport to buy a sim card. The best option is to get an eSim with data allowance for the Caribbean. Charlie used Ubigi which worked very well all throughout her stay.
The Wi-Fi is good too in Barbados, Charlie didn’t have any troubles connecting and the signal was always good. Coffee shops and restaurants usually offer free Wi-Fi too.
Photography in Barbados
If you are like Charlie walking around with the camera trying to capture everything, you should know, that Bajans like to be asked before you take a photo of them. Most of them are super positive and even ask you to take a picture of them before you have to ask. They simply like to be asked that’s all.
This is likely related to the history of slavery on the island. When Charlie was there, she visited an exhibition that was inspired by historic postcards. Those postcards showed locals working the fields and were used commercially. However, the people in the pictures hadn’t agreed to this use of their photos and their lives. Taking photos might be perceived like an objectification of the person. That is why they like to be asked.
