 
Snorkeling
in Barbados
"Easy Access To Our Underwater World"
Snorkeling in Barbados is a huge draw
for visitors to the island and is
one of the most easily accessible beach
activites for you to enjoy here. The island’s coastline features a
variety of sea flora
and fauna that will leave you feeling as though you were in
a tropical fish tank.
Some of the sea creatures you will
enjoy seeing include our coral reefs, sea
sponges, sea fans, barrel sponges and a colourful display of
tropical fish. Of course, there is also the elusive sea
creatures which everyone has so much affection for, our sea turtles.
The Caribbean Sea is pretty
much crystal-clear throughout most of the year allowing you to see
as deep as 95
feet year round; so the time you choose to enjoy your Barbados
vacation won't have much effect on your Barbados snorkeling
experience.
Where Is The Best
Snorkeling in
Barbados?
There are more than two dozen snorkeling sites around the west and
south coast of the island, so a two week holiday could be totally given
up to this beach activity alone.
However the
part of Barbados that wins hands down for the best snorkeling
experiences are found in the Caribbean Sea, along the west coast of the
island. This is
also the ideal coast to head to if you are particularly keen on
swimming with Barbados sea turtles.
Here are the top snorkeling
spots on the island, on both the west and south coasts...
 • Dottins
Reef
Dottins
Reef is a reef located off the west coast of Barbados very near to the
city of Holetown.
This Barbados reef presents excellent
snorkeling opportunities for those of you who wish to enjoy the company of
sea turtles. In addition to sea turtles, you may very well
also spot the formidable
barracuda.
Since this reef is located of the west
coast of the island it is also situated in the very calm waters of
the Caribbean Sea making it safe for everyone to enjoy.
• Bell Buoy
Reef
If you are staying on the south coast of the island and also wish to go for
snorkeling in Barbados then Bell Buoy Reef is going to be your best
choice.
This is a dome shaped coral reef located off the south coast of Rockley
and is home to a unique eco-system of brown coral forests, as well as
numerous brightly coloured fish.
The great thing about this reef is that it is very shallow and
therefore you won't have to dive down deep to view it. This makes it
great for beginner to intermediate snorkelers and divers.
This also allows plenty of light to penetrate the water and light up
the reef allowing you to get
great pictures with your waterproof camera.
Some popular fish that frequent this reef include angel fish, parrot
fish and blue chromis.
• Carlisle
Bay If
you would prefer to keep to the south coast but want to see shipwrecks, then
you should visit Carlisle Bay instead of Bell Buoy.
Carlisle Bay is a natural harbour and now even an official
marine park. This spot, specifically, has a huge collection of relics
from the old ships that were common in this region over the centuries.
Cannon balls, whole cannons and ship anchors can be glimpsed here and
you will gain some idea of the rum-drinking habits of all of the
sailors, when you see the mountainous collection of bottles here.
 • Maycocks
Bay
For the very adventurous snorkeler
Maycocks
Bay, which is more toward the northwest of the island, has coral reefs
that give the impression that they are separated by way of corridors.
This enables the enthusiastic
snorkelers to glimpse down at the sea
life, up to 100 feet in between.
If
you are looking to dive down a little further, scuba dive that is,
there are several sunken
sea going vessels that will provide an eerie experience.
You will see sea
creatures that are more at home in the slightly deeper waters.
Where Can You Get Snorkeling
Equipment in Barbados?
The best and easiest way to go snorkeling in Barbados is during a swimming with turtles in Barbados cruise. Aboard these
cruises you will enjoy a Bajan meal, buffet lunch or dinner, as well as
go swimming with sea turtles and snorkel at a Barbados reef and
shipwreck site.
The crew aboard the cruise will supply you with all the snorkeling
equipment you will need. Especially if it is your first time snorkeling
in Barbados, this will
be the best option for you.
The crew aboard the cruise will be
PADI registered and trained in water safety and this will
help provide you with extra piece of
mind, so that you can go on to enjoy your Barbados snorkeling
experience safely.
You can also obtain snorkeling equipment complimentary from
your hotel. Even though you will not be able to
snorkel a shipwreck this way, this will allow you to view the fish and
sea life living at smaller reefs nearby your hotel.
If you would prefer to purchase your own snorkeling equipment in
Barbados as opposed to renting there are a variety of Barbados
snorkeling and dive shops. Dive Barbados and Hightide Watersports are
two such companines located on the west coast of the island.
If
you’re staying on the south coast you are equally well catered for. In
fact, this is the location where you’re going to find the one of the best known
service providers for this equipment on the whole island, The Dive Shop
Ltd.
Hopefully I’ve provided you with some
idea of where and how you can go snorkeling in Barbados.
There are numerous opportunities available on the island so
you should at least give this pursuit a try as you’ll definitely won't
want to waste such an ideal chance.
Few other locations
in the Caribbean are going to be able to spoil you with the
breathtaking and beautiful experiences that are here to be
had.
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