One Day in Barbados Itinerary + Top Tours

Barbados is a beautiful Caribbean island with so much to see and do. The entire country is only 432 km2 (or 167 square miles) in size, but every corner of the island is packed with natural beauty.

I’ve spent more than a week in Barbados and haven’t seen everything the island has to offer, but it is possible to enjoy some of the country’s top sights in just one day.

If you only have one day in Barbados, this is how you should spend it and tours you can join that include these items.

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Visit Harrison’s Cave OR Animal Flower Cave

Once your early flight or cruise arrives, you are going to want to start the fun. Pick up a rental car, hire a taxi, or book a tour going to either Harrison’s Cave or Animal Flower Cave. I love them both for different reasons and visiting either will be a great start to your Barbados one-day itinerary.

You’ll have to pick just one of these caves unless you skip other items.

Harrison’s Cave

Harrison’s Cave is a large subterranean cave full of flowing streams of water and unique rock formations. You can ride an electric tram a few kilometres underground, captivated by its stalactites, stalagmites, and underground waterfall.

Known as one of the “7 Wonders of Barbados”, it’s touristy but I enjoyed it. Especially when they turn the lights off for a moment for you to see how dark it gets!

If you fall in love with this adventure park, you can also do some ziplining and bird watching. There’s a reason this place is ranked in the top things to do in Barbados.

Animal Flower Cave

Climb down a staircase into an oceanfront cave where you can swim in its natural pool. And see the Animal Flower plant that the cave takes its name from.

Located at North Point, you can experience sweeping views of the ocean as it meets the rocky cliffs of Barbados, and enjoy a meal with a view at their cliffside restaurant.

One of the coolest places to swim on the island, I’ve been to Animal Flower Cave multiple times. It surprises me when some people choose not to swim.

Explore Bridgetown

When looking for what to do in Barbados in one day, don’t skip Bridgetown. Bridgetown is both the capital of Barbados and the country’s largest city, making it the perfect place to explore for one day. And the best way to acquaint yourself with Bridgetown is to do a walking tour of the city.

You can choose either a self-guided tour or book a food walking tour with a local guide. Walking tours are a great way to learn more about the history of Bridgetown, and Barbados as a whole, while discovering hidden gems and historical sites you might not be able to experience otherwise.

During my visit, I did a self-guided walking tour of Bridgetown and a walking food tour. 

Snorkel in Carlisle Bay

While there are plenty of great beach options throughout Barbados, I recommend the beaches in Carlisle Bay. Close to Bridgetown and the cruise port area, it is an easy and relaxing way to spend a day in Barbados.

Known for its calm and clear waters which are ideal for snorkelling, you can swim with turtles and small schools of fish. Make sure to pack your snorkel gear, rent some, or book a snorkel adventure.

In addition to seeing sea turtles, there are 5 shipwrecks that you can see while snorkelling. I snorkelled to all of them during my visits to Carlisle Bay.

Don’t want to snorkel? Go for a glass-bottom boat tour, lounge on the beach, or try scuba diving in Carlisle Bay instead.

Dinner at Oistins Fish Market

If you’ve got time for dinner before ending your day in Barbados, you should check out Oistins Fish Fry. It’s in the town of Oistins, so you’ll already be part of the way to the airport.

On Friday nights, the town hosts a fish fry where you can enjoy a variety of fish including swordfish and marlin, and classic staples like tuna and chicken. The fish fry is a very informal event that is an amazing opportunity to try local dishes and meet new people. The fish was so fresh and the vendors were so nice during my visit to Oistins Fish Fry.

Friday night is the best night, but the market is open the rest of the week. Just with fewer vendors. I love going on off nights to try places too busy on a Friday, like Pat’s Place. Make sure to try their mac pie!

3 Best Day Tours in Barbados

When you’re short on time, don’t want to rent a car, and want all the logistics covered, these are the best tours to make your 1 day in Barbados unforgettable:

Barbados Island Tour with Monkey Feeding and Swimming with Turtles – Full day tour includes Cherry Tree Hill lookout, Bathsheba, watching monkeys eat their breakfast, and swimming with turtles and shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay (my favourite island tour I did)

Barbados Luxury Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar – Half-day tour from Bridgetown on a pontoon boat that an open bar, a traditional style lunch, and an opportunity to snorkel, swim, and relax (I loved this boat tour; others on the boat chose this for their only day in Barbados)

Private Customized Tour of Barbados – Private half-day tour of the island tailored to your interests or choose to follow your guide’s suggestions including pickup/drop off from your hotel, the airport or the cruise port

Looking for something else? Find the perfect tour option for you:

Where to Eat in Barbados

Of course, your day in Barbados would not be complete without food! Barbados is considered a foodie’s paradise, and many of the restaurants throughout the island are known for serving delicious, fresh foods that incorporate local specialties as well. It’s one of my favourite islands for food!

Here are some great places to eat in Barbados:

Cuz’s Fish Shack – a classic Barbados spot that offers affordable and amazingly fresh seafood from an unassuming stand on Pebbles Beach. The fish sandwiches are so good, that I ate at Cuz’s Fish Shack twice during my trip. And twice again on my second visit after a day of diving. Try it with hot sauce to level it up. Don’t miss this must-eat place in Barbados!

Tim’s Restaurant – a local favourite in Bridgetown (I love their mac pie)

Irie Foods – Jamaican food in Oistins

R.A. Mapp – a rotisserie chicken spot in Bridgetown

Final Thoughts on One Day in Barbados

If you only have one day to explore this beautiful island, it can feel overwhelming to try and decide what to do

Although you could spend multiple days exploring the island, one day in Barbados is perfect to see some of the top sights and get a taste of what this island country has to offer.

Whether you want to enjoy the beach and be outdoors, experience Barbados’s rich history first-hand, or indulge your inner foodie, you’ll love it here. I’ve been twice and want to go back more!

And if you decide to stay longer, you can see how to spend 5 days in Barbados or more.

Happy travelling!