The Island currency is Barbados dollars, although United States dollars are accepted almost everywhere.

Average temperatures range from 75 ̊F to 85 ̊F (24 ̊C to 30 ̊C), made comfortable by the steady and cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day.

Local Bajans will tell you that Barbados is 21 miles long and a ‘smile’ wide. Although the island is in fact somewhat wider, it is easy to see where the saying comes from. The population, some 270 000, always has a smile and a friendly greeting for visitors and neighbours alike. The island has a distinctly British influence about it which is reflected in structures like the defence force garrison buildings which oddly enough surround the island’s race course. The capital of Barbados is Bridgetown, a busy hub of activity where sports fishing boats and charter sailing vessels nestle alongside waterfront restaurants, and duty-free shops.

Dive Barbados Blue established another dive site along the south coast named Turtle Point (what else?), and here we get an average of ten turtles on each dive, including the very rare Ridley sea turtle spotted recently! One of our favourite sites, this is a photographer’s dream dive. Due to our close ties with the Barbados Sea Turtle Project and the University of the West Indies, we guarantee that our tours are ecologically sustainable and that we will in no way harm these magnificent creatures. Barbados Blue’s Divemasters and Instructors regularly report all nesting activities and rescue stranded or disoriented hatchlings.

Our dive shop is perfectly located at the Hilton Hotel on Needhams’s Point, which gives us easy access to both the south and west coasts of Barbados. We are also a 5-minute boat ride away from the Carlisle Bay Marine Park with its great snorkeling and shipwreck scuba diving. Hilton beach is the most dense Hawksbill Turtle nesting beach in the Eastern Caribbean, so you are almost guaranteed to see one while snorkeling, kayaking or diving with us. If it is one thing that separates Barbados and Barbados Blue from other dive destinations it is the fact that we dive and snorkel with more turtles than anyone else.

Visiting mariners have for years commented on the vibrancy of the blue waters surrounding Barbados. The most easterly island in the Caribbean archipelago is unlike many of the other islands in the1 Caribbean, which are volcanic. Barbados itself is an ancient coral reef with over 85% of its surface comprised of limestone. This phenomenon explains why Barbados’ topography below and above the surface is relatively moderate, and why shallow reefs can be found far offshore. Barbados’ limestone base, white coralline sand, clear oceanic waters, and its location at N13° 10 W59° 32, affect the wavelength of the light reflected. This gives us something unique, a colour, a feeling... Barbados Blue!

FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 3 - Barbados Blue Watersports

Q: How Do I Keep Water Out Of My Mouth?

Be sure that you are holding the snorkel mouthpiece in your mouth correctly by biting gently on the plastic notches in the mouthpiece. Let your lips fall around the outside of the snorkel mouthpiece completely. If you do get a small amount of water in your snorkel blow out and the water will shoot out either the top of the snorkel and/or depending on the snorkel style through the purge on the bottom.

Q: How Do I Keep Water Out Of My Mask?

Make sure that the skirt of the snorkeling mask (the plastic seal that fits your face) is flat with no hair stuck under the seal. If you are sporting a mustache you can either cut it off (yikes!) or put some Vaseline on your mustache to help provide a seal. Do not tighten your snorkeling mask too much as this flattens out the round shape of the skirt preventing a proper fit, and, keep the snorkeling mask strap in the middle of the back of your head with the strap above the ears. If you do get a small amount of water in your mask (lines on your face when you smile at the fish) blow out through your nose while applying pressure on the top of the mask frame.

Q: How Long Do You Have To Wait Between Diving And Flying?

Divers need to wait for a minimum of 12 hours after a single dive before flying. However, there is no limit, to coming off a plane into the sea. If you have questions about your schedule, please ask our friendly dive team.

Q: How Old Do You Have To Be To Learn To Dive?

Divers can begin their underwater adventure at just 8 years old in the swimming pool with PADI Bubblemaker Programme and at least 10 years old in the ocean. There is no upper age limit for diving however all divers should be in good physical health. If you have medical concerns, please contact your medical doctor and ask them about your status and diving.