Barbados shore diving

[kirkryan]

Hey guys! I am looking for some insider information on some good shore diving along Barbados. My Brother is not a certified diver so I am going to introduce him to the serenity sport of freediving. We should be going the first week of January so if anyone has any info that would be great!!

-Cheers

 

[shellim123]

Maybe you should take him to do an intro to diving with Barbados Blue. I did that and it was so much fun! "G" is great!

 

[RICHinNC]

Two places good to shore dive....one better than the other.

Carlisle Bay is the absolute best place. There is no boat traffic and there are 8 wrecks to check out. Go out of Oistins on the main road, past MOJO's bar, past the OPA restuarant and in about 4 miles you will see on the left a big gazebo...band pavillion...blue in color. Parking is available by it. There are benches to lay your gear out on and prepare it. The pavillion is right across the street from the Prime Ministers office.

The second place is Folkestone park. The down side there is boat traffic. You had better have an SMB and be very alert.

The biggest deal is where will you get your tanks. There is a dive shop about one more mile down the road on the left....but I was just there and his compressor was busted good.

good luck

 

[kirkryan]

Hey guys. I posted this in the travel section but figured it might get more views up here. Does anyone know any good spots to shore dive in Barbados. I will most likely be freediving so nothing deeper than about 18m preferably. Any other random info would be helpful too since I have never been there. Should be going around the begining of January.

Thanks

 

[shellim123]

We went there in October and dove with a LDS--Barbados Blue! They were awesome. There are tons of wrecks and you can go up a spiral staircase in one of them and there is an air pocket! Really cool

 

[Carribeandiver]

Does anyone know any good spots to shore dive in Barbados. I will most likely be freediving so nothing deeper than about 18m preferably.Thanks

I tell ya who would know, firsthand. Ask Tanya Streeter, she has been everywhere freediving. But then again, 18m is probably too shallow for her. She will know some 118m spots though.

 

[RV]

there's a national park with shore diving just south of bridgetown.

 

[RICHinNC]

Not sure if this is the same guy ...def same question....but here goes again.

There are two primary places that are good for shore diving. One being better, and safer than the other.

The best place IMHO is Carlisle Bay. Go North out of Oisins on the main road with the ocean to your left...past Mojo's Bar, past the OPA restuarant and on the left you will see a huge blue pavillion (gazebo like structure). Directly across the street on the right is the Prime Minister's office.

Parking is right by the pavillion but you have to run over the curb to get to it.

Carlisle Bay is roped off so there is no boat traffic and there are 8 wrecks withiin the roped off area. Great for shore diving and for those doing warm water for first time.

.
The second place is Folkestone Park. It is good but you need to be very careful of boat traffic when surfacing or swimming out. Be sure to have an SMB.

You can probably just dive off the beach anywhere you like as there are no rules against it to my experience or knowledge.

The fun part will be getting tanks. Since I dive with him every time I go there, John Moore of Dive Barbados rents me tanks.....but he is way up north and hard to find if it is your first time.

I would recommend the Sea Foam Haciendas as a great place to stay with a great beach. Check them out at www.seafoamhaciendas.com .

If you need a cab driver, call Michael Gooding at (246-423-5279....or 246-235-5985) You dont need to dial the 246 when in country. If you have no one to meet you at the airport....call him from the states and he will make a sign and be there waiting for you when you get off the plane. Honest guy.

If you plan to rent a car I would recommend Leisure Car Rental....say hey to Shonnell for me.

Do a search for Barbados 2006 and read my last trip report.
pm me if you have any questions

 

[kirkryan]

Sorry to make you write that out again RICHinNC. I should have let you know I got your reply in the other forum. I'll check those places out for sure. I won't need tank fills though cause I'll be freediving/breathhold diving. Tanya, if you're out there and know of any good spots it would be much obliged. shellim123, I'll check them out too but I would prefer to shore dive to save the cash!!