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How Many Days in Barbados Do You Need?

ByMelissa

Barbados is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and endless adventures.

If you’ve never been, you might wonder how long to stay in Barbados to see and do it all. I’ve visited multiple times, some trips longer than others, and have learned a lot about how to plan your time on the island.

While longer is better, let’s get right into how many days in Barbados is enough and how to make the most of your trip.

How Many Days in Barbados Is Enough?

The perfect amount of time in Barbados is 5-7 days because it gives you enough time to go on fun adventures, including scuba diving, island tours, and plenty of other water activities.

My first trip was 5 days and while it was a good taste of the island, I left wanting time to see more. I went back and spent 7 days adventuring through Barbados and thought this was better.

How to Decide How Many Days to Spend in Barbados

These are a few factors you should consider when planning how many days in Barbados is enough:

Adventures You Want To Go On

The adventures you’re most interested in will influence your time on the island. You might need less time if you don’t want to do too many tours or water activities.

Scuba diving in Barbados is good, although it is a little expensive. If you want a more laid-back adventure, you can go to some of the amazing beaches, and if you bring your snorkel gear, it’s completely free.

There are also lots of great island tours, some of which could be done on your own if you’re comfortable getting around Barbados on your own. From caving to hiking, you’ll be spoiled with choices for activities.

I like to balance tours and free activities, especially in a place like Barbados, where there’s so much to see and do. The more adventures you want to go on, the more days you will need.

Budget

Barbados is not the cheapest, but it’s also not the most expensive place in the Caribbean. For example, when comparing Antigua vs. Barbados, I found it easier to find more affordable luxury stays in Barbados than in Antigua, so it’s possible to find a good deal.

However, costs add up quickly. Your budget will increase depending on where you stay, how you get around the island, and what you do. You can find a reasonable balance, but you can also splurge on luxury and fun activities whether you stay on the west or southern coasts. 

When You Go

The time of year you visit may affect how many days in Barbados you set aside. The dry season is from December to April, with lots of sun and almost no rain. The rainy season, which coincides with hurricane season, is from July to November, and it’s usually hotter and more humid. Both of my visits were in the rainy season and I lucked out with little to no rain.

You can choose to schedule your trip around some of the best festivals in Barbados. The Barbados Food & Rum Festival is in October and is one of the most popular festivals, especially for foodies. Then there’s the Oistins Fish Festival, which happens over Easter Weekend. Plus, Rihanna comes home every year to attend the Crop Over Festival in August.

Sample Barbados Itinerary

Let’s review the best use of your time beyond the classic Barbados 5-day itinerary to help plan how long in Barbados you need. Here’s how to spend 8+ days in Barbados:

Woman lying down on the sand wearing a green bathing suit and a hat over her face, at Carlisle Bay on a bright, sunny day with boats and restaurants at a distance. The beach has beautiful turquoise water and soft white sand.

Day 1: Carlisle Bay

Carlisle Bay needs to be high on your list if you only have one day in Barbados. Carlisle Bay is a small region on the island’s southwest side with some of the best beaches.

This is where you can find white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, and it’s one of the best places to swim with sea turtles in Barbados.

Day 2: Island Tour

I recommend doing a tour of the entire island early on in your trip because it’ll give you a lay of the land, and you’ll be able to see a lot and know if there’s any particular area of the island you want to see even more of. The east side of the island is stunning and perfect for nature lovers.

You can join one of the Barbados island tours or just rent a car and drive around the island yourself. My island tour even included snorkelling, so it was even better than a land-only tour.

Day 3: Harrison’s Cave

Harrison’s Cave Barbados is a breathtaking limestone cavern in an Adventure Park in the central uplands of the island. Given its reputation and beauty, you should plan for a trip to Harrison’s Cave when deciding how long to spend in Barbados. I skipped it on my first trip and I was so glad I didn’t skip it again on my second trip. It’s such a cool place!

You can book a tour that goes there or go on your own. If you don’t go on a tour, book in advance during high season because entry is limited. They can only fit as many as the tram fits. 

You can also enjoy ziplining at their Adventure Park if you want to keep the adventure going strong. 

Day 4: Animal Flower Cave

Animal Flower Cave is another must-see spot on the island’s north end. It’s the only sea cave on the island that tourists can access, and it’s one of the most beautiful spots. It’s famous for its sea anemones, rock pool that you can swim in, and unique cave formations.

I love it so much I’ve visited it multiple times. 

Day 5: Scuba Diving/Snorkelling

One of the best things about Barbados is the warm waters and marine life, so diving and/or snorkelling are must-do activities.

The scuba diving in Barbados is out-of-this-world, with some incredible shipwreck dives and other good spots for divers of all levels. For those not interested in going deep underwater, the snorkelling in Barbados doesn’t disappoint as long as you stick to Carlisle Bay.

While you don’t need to join a snorkelling tour to have a good time, there are great Barbados snorkelling tours that’ll take you to some hidden gems and come with equipment, a guide, and everything else you need. I’ve done tours and gone on my own, enjoying them both.

Day 6: Food Tour

Barbados is a Caribbean culinary hub with some really good food. Better than some other islands. Many local dishes revolve around fresh fish, but there are a lot of good meat and rice meals. The most popular dish in Barbados is flying fish and cou cou. It’s delicious!

If you want to find the best restaurants and local hangouts, you might consider a food tour in Barbados. They include a variety of tastings across several restaurants, some of which I wouldn’t have found without it.

Day 7: Boat Tour

I’ve visited Barbados twice and taken several boat tours on both trips, which was a highlight of my travels. I recommend a boat tour towards the end of your journey because it’s a great way to wind down an action-packed holiday.

There are many boat tours in Barbados, ranging from snorkelling adventures to relaxing cruises. It’s hard to go wrong with how beautiful the Caribbean is around the island.

Day 8+

If you need some more activity ideas when planning how many days for Barbados, here are a few more suggestions:

So, How Long Do You Need in Barbados?

A shorter trip gives you a great introduction, but spending at least a week lets you dig deeper. You can explore Harrison’s Cave, snorkel with sea turtles at Carlisle Bay, relax on some amazing beaches, and go on a boat tour.

Compared to other tropical destinations, like Aruba vs Barbados, Barbados offers a broader variety of adventures, which makes a longer stay even more worthwhile.

Travelling to Barbados? Read more:

Melissa is the founder of My Beautiful Passport. A Canadian who has explored 20+ countries on 4 continents, she enjoys combining soft adventure and affordable luxury. Through sharing her own experiences, travel tips, and destination itineraries, she helps others plan their unique adventures whether it be at the beach, in the city, or in the mountains.