bit bougie - tips for Barbados for Feb half term ? Booked in 2019 !

[TrevorOptions]

Going this year thanks to the covid. Seems crazy now honestly. The kids are 12 and 15 and lazy as sin.

I have heard that some things have closed down since covid. We're staying half board in a nice hotel near Bridgetown on the beach. I get the impression that there's not much night life if not in a hotel complex. We can chill at our hotel as have a small apartment.

Anyone been recently and can suggest things I must do. So far ....

snorkelling - is it worth buy a decathlon mask each?
Hunter's Gardens
Ossin fish fry tho patchy reviews.
Cricket museum for dh.

We can all swim but haven't done proper swimming for years, though the kids think they can. No scuba.

Not sure how much engagement I will get out of the kids, but I want to make sure I have a great time at least.

I'm sure you'll have a great time and they'll enjoy the beach … a catamaran trip would be good, Island Safari trip also fun, they might like Animal Flower cave too. Where are you staying?

Last went in 2018 so can’t update on things open. Loved our holiday their enjoy.

We went in 2010 pre kids. It was loveky. I wouldn't go back tho. Very quiet and other than nice beach and weather (although we had heavy rain most days at some stage) ossins fish bar was great, only on on a Tuesday from memory. I'm honestly not sure I would book again tho with family as it was more a chill out/ honey moon destination.

thanks all - staying nr the Hilton, on the edge of Bridgetown. Ok so will have a look at..........

a catamaran trip
Island Safari trip
Animal Flower cave

when we booked the kids were younger and we could have swam all day. Now it's a bit trickier. Maybe if I book one thing to do a day then the rest of the time they can chill.

Hmmm best thinking about Roaming Charges !

any more any more?

You can get Digicel SIM cards for phones.
I'm sure they'll like Carlisle Bay close to where you're staying.

Jump on a reggae bus up to Holetown for an afternoon. The buses are great but can be a bit fast 😂
Holetown has some good bars / restaurants on the beach - take your swimming stuff! (we went in Feb 2019 to watch England play cricket)

Driving is easy ( left and everyone is super courteous) definitely think about getting a car some of your stay. It's a small island and easy to explore. The beaches north of Holetown are lovely ( Haywoods is my fav). You will miss out if you don't explore.

The boatyard beachclub near the Hilton is great value and includes a turtle snorkle boat trip.

Oistons isn't great for kids- if you do go go on Sat not Friday.

Surf lessons at Dover beach are fun.

Animal flower cave was underwhelming. The Wildlife Reserve was fabulous - make sure you go for feeding time.

Chefette (which does free island wide delivery) was a total lifesaver for us with hungry teens to feed. Great quality food and great prices- their pistachio ice cream was delicious.

Eating out and groceries are expensive but if you buy local / carribean produce it's much more reasonable.

Take instant coffee if you have a kitchen- nescafe is about £20 a jar!!

A catamaran trip is expensive but will be a highlight of your holiday.

It will be fab one of our best holidays - the people are so friendly end it's such a safe and happy place.

You’ve had good suggestion so far… One thing I’d add though is that the sea (especially the East coast) can be deceptively dangerous, so take care with overconfident swimmers.

I went last year with kids.Didn't notice anything being closed.

I think if you just stay in your hotel it might seem a bit pool/ beach boring as anywhere is. Getting out and about is key.

It's easy to see beautiful tropical fish close - we all had snorkles. You need to do some research about where is good.

It sounds like your not that keen - I think you need to give your head a wobble, join a few facebook groups for ideas and embrace it as going to be a fabby holiday the like of which your dc have never had before. I wouldn't class it as bougie it will be a great experience.

There is no swimming on the east - but it makes for a beautiful day trip - the Botanic gardens on the east coast were beautiful and the coastline dramatic!

Cool Runnings catamaran is fab.

Holetown beach, Zaccios beach bar and Surfside if they like watching football.

I have just cancelled my trip as our mortgage is doubling. It's mad to spend money we can't really afford on A FANTASTIC HOLIDAY. Sob.

Go with the Catermans that take 12-16 people ( you need to check this before you book). You will pay a bit more but it's lush. Some of the bigger boats take lots more which can be a bit too party.

You'll have a fabulous time. We went 10 years ago so I'm sure lots has changed since then.

We loved the east coast for it's dramatic coastline. Foul Bay was stunning but definitely don't be tempted to go into the sea. We hired a car for the day and pootled around the area.

I wouldn't bother with the cave.

Enjoy - the people are lovely and the island is great for exploring. The sea is stunning as you'd imagine.

Just picking up on the decathlon masks question, we have these and they are amazing. much easier for kids to use than normal masks snorkel in my view

We went just before covid and did -
Cool Runnings Catamaran
Junkyard beach club
A day trip out somewhere on a bus, I can’t really remember what we did apart from visiting a church and a little market but loved the scenery.
We loved the Oistins fish fry.

Be prepared for food and meals to be expensive. Easy to get around on the reggae buses.

Wooooo! Wowzers thanks all. This has cheered my Friday right up.

Gonna check all the options now

I have a feeling Cool Runnings might have closed since Covid - but check that out.

There's a group on Facebook called Barbados for Travellers which would really be worth joining.

• boat trip
• Oistens
• Holetown
• Animal Flower Cave
• Chefette
• Bathsheba
• walking tour of Brigetown
• Speightown
• Dover Beach/ Rockley Beach
• Harrison's Cave
• Rum tasting
• Rum cake tasting
• Drink mauby
• Eat Macaroni pie, flying fish and bakes
• reggae bus for entertainment

Check out Marvin Sobers' boat

here

He'll take you out fishing and swimming with the turtles. A small, glass-bottomed boat that leaves from the beach at Holetown.

We took teens we did snorkelling and swimming with turtles, Concorde museum, polo - this was free farmers market, beach, paddle boarding, shopping, Ostins our teens loved it possibly there best holiday.

11 awesome nights.

this was 2018

We stayed in an Airbnb near hometown just by the polo club and 1 Sandy lane. We did have a hire car so could explore.

Thanks so much for the help. I gave my head a wobble, looked up your suggestions, bought a map and book and am proper excited ! The Barbados for travellers fb group is great. I've gathered to take tea, coffee, sunscreen, MOZZIE spray and gin. And most genius suggestion - insulated flasks to keep beer / water cool. Lucky we have a suitcase each.

Will post the itinerary once I've finished it.

We got caught out by the sun! Went for a walk when we got there and got quite badly burnt. So be aware it's a bit deceptive esp going in Feb when you're desperate for a bit of heat! (Older now and more sensible but thought it was worth saying!)

Catamaran trip is a must and will be a highlight.

Hunte's Gardens
Yes to snorkeling if you are next to a reef. That was the highlight snorkeling everyday on Paynes Bay.

I can't wait to go again! Have a lovely time listening to the frogs at night :)