Barbados diving, accomodations, and dive operators?

[KathyV]

We've taken quite a few dive vacations in the Carribbean over the years, both land-based and livaboards but we have never been to Barbados. We are planning on taking a vacation this fall (late October or early November) and I was looking at a hotel-dive package being offered by the All-Seasons Europa hotel and Hightide Watersports.

Does anyone have information about Barbados, the diving, or this hotel and dive operator? Do you have other suggestions for a trip to Barbados?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[decompression]

A few years back I was working in Barbados and managed a fair bit of diving. I found the vis poor compared to most of the Carribean I've been to (15-25 ft). Carlisle bay has many small wrecks for divers and snorkellers, it's shallow and poor vis but varied small life (schooling fish, seahorses etc). The one great dive was the Stavronika, a must do wreck. Usually lots of turtles nd the usual reef fish, sorry no info on that resort but there are lots of choices for dining and an awesome fish market/ easy going night life area. Try the Bajan hot sauce, yum.

 

[KathyV]

A few years back I was working in Barbados and managed a fair bit of diving. I found the vis poor compared to most of the Carribean I've been to (15-25 ft). Carlisle bay has many small wrecks for divers and snorkellers, it's shallow and poor vis but varied small life (schooling fish, seahorses etc). The one great dive was the Stavronika, a must do wreck. Usually lots of turtles nd the usual reef fish, sorry no info on that resort but there are lots of choices for dining and an awesome fish market/ easy going night life area. Try the Bajan hot sauce, yum.

Thank you, but it doesn't sound like the diving is very spectacular - except for the wreck and the turtles. Maybe we will have to consider another location. Thanks again!

 

[diver 85]

Thank you, but it doesn't sound like the diving is very spectacular - except for the wreck and the turtles. Maybe we will have to consider another location. Thanks again!

Have you been to Dominica??...We went in '09 & found it to be great diving(plus the best topside activities---Falls, gorges, hot sulphur springs, rain forests etc etc to do in the afternoons/evenings) -- in fact the best in over 50 trips to the Caribbean......Stayed @ Castle Comfort Lodge, just south of Roseau......good Lord willing, will get back again......good luck.....

 

[Hawkwood]

We were in Barbados in January this year. We have dived all over the Caribbean and found Barbados to be highly under-rated as a dive destination. We had spectacular dives. The visibility is dependent on the currents - current equals visibility. If you are looking for the big pelagics, you will be disappointed, however.

We used Eco Dive Barbados: Barbados Diving: Eco Dive Barbados. Small boat, maximum of 6 people. Andrew Western is one of the best operators we have encountered.

 

[KathyV]

We have visited and dived Dominica and stayed at Comfort Castle. It was a great trip, maybe I will look into going back there! Thanks!

 

[Jeeptrick]

Underwater photos from Barbados
Barbados underwater - a set on Flickr
Sorry I don't know the hotel and I have made a little over 750 dives around the island
with Dive Barbados Blue – Scuba and Snorkel with PADI’s Best at the Hilton
The sea is warm 81/83 avg. temps, I find vis is fine I don't want see anything from 100ft away, I want to see it from
5ft away. There should be links to stay and dive deals on the BB website if your not booked already.
Oistens fish fry on friday nights is a must do activity. Great food for great price plus
entertainment and best people watching. I like Moe's beside the stage to north.
Rent a car and drive around the whole island in a day with stops of interest.
They have great golf courses. The Crane beach has sand like talcum powder and
great waves for body boarding.
Weather is a bit better in November, Sept. is still storm/rain season.
Boardwalk along south coast/Hastings area is beautiful and has great views of sunset.
learn more here; ! Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia - Official site of the Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia.
I call Barbados my home and non-native land, love it, people are amazingly friendly
It is very real, you will see Chattel house villages surrounded by million dollar houses.
Politically stable, low crime, two Barbados dollars to one US or Canadian.
PM me if you have any questions.
Daniel

 

[cnar]

Your best option is to ask the dive operators as there is also diving on the East side of the island in the Atlantic ocean. I've had experience with 2 operators during my short diving career, The dive shop and Underwater Barbados and they are both good operations with pros and cons similar to any other in the world. These 2 operators are located on Carlisle bay where visibility is usually good and the sea is abound with wrecks. Being a marine reserve you will find everything from Barracuda, rays, eels, sea horse, scorpion fish and of course turtles. But carlisle bay is someplace you have to dive a number of times because of the number of wrecks and the sites under water.

The east coast is usually where some shark species are seen so I've been told. I know of a few persons who skin dive for lobster and because of sharks they do not spear fish in the area.

See the link below it shows the dive sites as listed by the dive shop.

Barbados Diving: The Dive Shop Ltd. - SCUBA in Barbados since 1965!

 

[UtahGetMe2]

I went to Barbados in 2011 and did a couple of dives. I thought the Stav was an amazing experience and is my favorite dive to date. Here is my trip report if you'd like to check it out: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/lesser-antilles/374051-barbados-trip-report-2011-a.html