The Oistins Fish Festival is an annual event
that takes place every Easter weekend in the scenic fishing
village of Oistins Barbados in the parish of Christ
Church, on the south coast of the island.. This free
weekend is a celebration of the hard work of people in
the fishing industry who work around the clock to provide
fresh seafood to the people of Barbados.
The main event of the festival is the Oistins Fish Fry.
Visitors can browse the stalls of the Oistins Fish Fry
and pick out inexpensive treats such as delicately battered
fried fish, fish cakes, and pudding. Be sure to wash down
your meal with a rum drink or an ice cold Banks Beer,
a common choice of beverage in Oistins Christ Church.
A large plate of food can be purchase for around $5.00,
making the Oistins Fish Festival an ideal dining
option for budget travelers.
A number of entertaining events take place at the Oistins Barbados festival, including a fish boning and grease-pole competitions. It’s doubtful that the average person can clean a fish faster than an Oistins Christ Church fisher, but if you’ve got what it takes, feel free to enter the competition. There are also traditional fishing competitions, boat racing, and crab racing.
Be sure to browse the craft stands at the Oistins Christ
Church Festival. You’ll see all kinds of handicrafts
for sale as fishing gadgets that make fishing the Caribbean
Sea a bit easier. Shopping at Oistins Barbados will probably
yield a couple of bargains on locally made jewelry and
crafts.
Stay at the Oistins Fish Festival after hours for the fresh sounds of live jazz, reggae, and calypso music. Dancing, singing, and flame swallowing competitions are commonplace.
If you’re looking for a Barbados hotel near the fish fry, the Accra Beach Hotel and Resort is an all inclusive hotel that features several pools, a luxurious spa, and a full service business center. The hotel is located right on the beach and is so scenic that many couples choose to have their wedding on the hotel grounds overlooking the ocean. The Barbados resort is only a 5 mile drive from the Oistins Fish Fry and 3 miles from Bridgetown.
The festival is a frenzy of activity and truly represents the energy that is typical of Barbados. Even if you won’t be in Oistins Christ Church during Easter weekend, visitors can get fresh fish any time of day at the lovely fishing village of Oistins.
