Barbados snorkeling is popular because of the thousands of species of fish, sea turtles, coral reefs, and other life that can be seen right below the surface of the ocean. There are over two dozen diving sites on the west coast of Barbados, extending from Bridgetown in the north all the way to St. Lawrence Gap on the southern part of the coast. These sites offer the best snorkeling in Barbados. Many all inclusive resorts and villas in Barbados offer Barbados snorkeling excursions. Diving in Barbados is especially popular because of all of the shipwrecks that have occurred throughout Barbados history.
One of the best sites for snorkeling in Barbados is Dottins Reef, near Holetown. The site is characterized by huge coral reefs that attract bright and colorful fish that aren’t particularly afraid of people. If you plan to go diving in Barbados, the Dottins Reef offers a dive of 40 to 60 feet.
Snorkeling in Barbados is different from other places in the Caribbean because of all of the sunken ships near the west coast. Sunken ships such as the Fox, Berwyn, and the more recently sunken Bajan Queen attract all kinds of marine life, particularly butterfly fish. The Greek freight ship, Stravronikita, offers some of the best snorkeling in Barbados. Although the ship sunk years ago, you can still get a good idea of how the ship looked by viewing it under the water.
Barbados snorkeling enthusiasts often recommend Bell Buoy on the west coast for the best snorkeling in Barbados. This enormous coral reef forest is home to thousands of schools of fish as well as barracudas and sea turtles. You’ll see fish right up at the surface of the water, with more species 15 to 60 feet down into the water. If you don’t have any experience diving in Barbados and want to become certified, there are weeklong certification courses available in Bridgetown, St. Peter, and Christ Church. The lessons will cover everything you need to know to become a certified diver, including proper breathing techniques, safety measures, and lessons on the proper equipment for diving. Lessons range between 300-400 Barbados dollars.
Snorkeling in Barbados is easy thanks to the numerous options for transportation. Carlisle Bay, a well known Barbados snorkeling site, is less than an hour’s drive from Bridgetown. With a rental car, you could be on your way to diving in Barbados just hours after touching down at the airport!
Barbados snorkeling is one of the most popular pastimes in the Caribbean. The chance to see an underwater world of coral, rare fish, and sea turtles is the main reason why so many people decide to go snorkeling in Barbados.
