If you are looking for an upmarket family beach holiday then Barbados’ West Coast is an ideal choice. The area has a sophisticated charm and will appeal to families who appreciate great service and a friendly welcome.
The beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados is a treasure-trove of stunning coral, gorgeous sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery and with a pace of life to suit every family holiday.
It is perhaps the most close to home of the Caribbean islands in terms of its British influence – take in a cricket match or join in one of the many festivals, but without the threat of British weather!
Take a closer look at some of our recommendations for a luxury family holiday in Barbados by selecting a hotel on the right, or send us your requirements by clicking below:
What to do in Barbados
Those who enjoy making a splash will love a family holiday in Barbados. Try your hand at snorkelling or diving and marvel at the spectacular coral reefs or if you prefer, there are plenty of options including jet skiing, sailing and kayaking.
Beach lovers can chose from numerous palm-lined beaches with those on the west coast being more suited to family holidays given the calmer waters. For older children or those with a sense of adventure, take your surf boards to the south coast and ride the waves!
Cricket is a favourite pastime in Barbados and you can enjoy the sport of Kings at Garrison Savannah. Barbados is easy to explore, being just 14 miles from east to west and 21 miles long. The roads aren’t fantastic but they do drive on the left! Learn about the history of Barbados at the plantation houses and historic buildings and take in Gun Hill Signal Station, a military outpost (with stunning views of the island) that dates back to 1818.
Barbados has its own Wildlife Reserve that is well worth a visit, not least as many of the animals are enjoying their natural habitat and they are allowed to roam freely and interact with one another and even with the visitors!
For those looking for evening entertainment, St Lawrence is the place to head for with many venues popular with the party crowd. Babysitting services are generally easy to find so you can you head out for an evening without the kids – or if your family holiday requirement all about spending quality time together, we recommend the peaceful and relaxed west coast. For a special meal, we recommend The Tides restaurant in Holetown and the world-renowned Cliff Restaurant in St James, where you can dine and watch the sea life swim gracefully by
Shopping in Barbados
Head for Bridgetown if you’re looking for fashionable shops, whilst there are plenty of souvenirs and locally-produced arts and crafts to be found all over the island. Barbados is duty free, so remember to take your passport and your flight document.
Eat Like a Local
For a truly cultural culinary experience, don’t be afraid to eat with the locals at one of the many fish-fry venues or even try a take-away from a mobile vendor, where the truly local flavours can be found. Seafood is in abundance in Barbados, including barracuda, king fish, snapper and yellow fin tuna. Watch out too for mahi mahi – except that it’s called dolphin by the locals!
Weather
The weather in Barbados is typically Caribbean and if you’re taking a family holiday there you will probably want to avoid the rainy season that runs from Juy to November, although Barbados doesn’t experience much more than a few brief, heavy showers. Otherwise it’s sunny and warm all the way and cooling winds come in off the coast. Easter is a great time to visit.