Barbados - Facts
- Barbados is the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles, situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 km (62NM) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea.
- The population of Barbados is 286,000, but only 7,000 of those live in the capital Bridgetown. It is predominantly a Christian country.
- Barbados became a republic in November 2021.
- The currency is the Barbadian or Bajan Dollar. For details see General Info.
- Barbados observes Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4).
- The climate in Barbados is considered to be moderately tropical and is generally sunny and warm with only brief occasions of intense rain. See Weather section below for more details.
- The only cruising area is along the sheltered west coast; the east coast is rocky and exposed to the Atlantic breakers and should be given a wide berth.
- While Barbados is the nearest landfall for yachts crossing the Atlantic on the trade wind route, many give it a miss heading instead for Saint Lucia, Grenada or Antigua which have a more developed yachting infrastructure. Barbados is, however, addressing this problem, and clearance and docking facilities are improving all the time.
- Yachting facilities in Carlisle Bay, Bridgetown, the main anchorage, are basic and clearing in here can be complex. Repair facilities, however, are good. For more details on yachting services see Yachting Essentials.
- There is a marine facility at Port St Charles on the NW coast of the island. Centered around a man-made lagoon, this is a deluxe development catering primarily for super-yachts, but yachts who find the approach to Barbados much better around the north end can clear in here.
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hello,
do not go to the customs wharf at the Port of Bridgetown.
it is dangerous for the boat and for the crew.
the port is not made for small boats (less than 20m).
there is no pontoon to disembark.
do not show up at the vhf.
disembark with the dinghy and walk to the passenger port.
Feedback from Darren Macgregor:
Hey folks,
Just an update on a recent arrival in Barbados from Mindelo after 16 days at sea solo sailing.
For the record, I’m not vaccinated, I’m not anti vaccine, I just haven’t had it done yet….
I arrived in Barbados after 16 days at sea, arrival in Bridgetown in the large ferry terminal commercial port. Not ideal for yachts coming alongside but manageable. No doubt there is enough on the website from many other cruisers about this situation.
My experience is to share the covid requirements. Clearly if you are double vaccinated or have a valid / recent pcr test (valid being within three days, recent being last port of call after xx duration days isolated days at sea) then entry is not a problem. It seems to take less than an hour before being released to go to the anchorage.
I had none. I was tied up for 30 hours before eventually seeing a doctor to give me a covid test. It should have been a full PcR at cost but ended, with conversation, being a lateral flow test. With that all clear I was stamped and entry allowed.
The cruise liners are busy with covid, one arriving with some 300 cases and being refused entry for passengers ( as I was told by the port authorities).
I saw several boats arrive and depart the port for anchorage all without issue if they had vaccine records.
In summary it seems, be vaccinated for clear passage.
Regards
Darren
Currently, because of covid situation, clearing is only possible in Bridgetown. (Port St. Charles sent me here).
If you have been at sea for 21 days or have a negative PCR test with you, you only need to take one test.
If you don’t have a negative test, then their protocol is to take two tests: one upon arrival, and another one in 5 days, and you are not allowed to leave until the second test.
This information changes constantly, so I would recommend contacting Barbados Ministry of Health for the most current information.
Thanks so much for this update – it’s very helpful.
For a European boat/crew clearing in/out at Port St Charles the only fee we had to pay was BBD100 to the Port Captain on departure.
Repair in Barbados is not easy. There are too few places you can buy spare parts, but MPS (Marin Power Solutions) close to the Barbados yacht club, are very helpful and try their best to get you parts. Propane is easy to fill at Rubis gas station. There is also one more place to fill gas. You can buy diesel at the fishing harbour, but the dock is not that good so jerry cans can be better. There are many jet skies that come very close sometimes, these are tourists so most off them can’t handle a jet ski.
Posted on behalf of Gijs Klumper:
Barbados is a very laid-back Island.
Security: This does not seem to be an issue in Barbados. No pirogues or boat-boys. Very little poverty. Honest fishermen and friendly people. Enjoy the local culture! I never locked the boat and at anchor never took the dinghy on board at night. Nor did anyone else. Mooring in the center of Bridgetown, a “suspect” vagabond only wanted to assist with the landlines and didn’t ask for anything. Safe haven.
Clearance: I read the noonsite info. and comments. I checked in (easy!) at Port St. Charles and checked out at Bridgetown (difficult).
We simply anchored off, took the dinghy ashore and cleared in at our leisure, no problem. On checking out one must carry cash (US$50) for harbor fees because there is no ATM and credit cards are not accepted.
And lastly, philosophically from me and concerning all the Windward/Leeward Islands. Please, please, please be color blind! White yacht-owners sticking together and off-hand distrusting the local people will NOT make this world a better place. Acting like a (valued) guest is the way to go. You will be invited to reggae/beach parties and have lots of fun. Or else you will be up all night guarding your dinghy which won’t be stolen if you had made local friends in the first place.
Shallow Draft Marina fully operational in Bridgetown. However, fully booked by rallies for all of December.
This comment was posted by “Delphinius” elsewhere on noonsite on January 28 2016:
We arrived in Barbados at 2 am after an Atlantic crossing. We went straight to Carlisle Bay and dropped anchor (and slept), then later that morning proceeded to the cruise terminal to sign in. It can be tricky to moor for yachts as it is designed for large ships. We found a decent gap by the small building on the far starboard side of the harbor, otherwise, we have heard of people mooring against tugs. The officials did not seem at all concerned that we took 12 hours to check in, and were extremely courteous and friendly.
They didn’t ask to see our boat so I guess, with a decent outboard, you could take your tender around to sign in (I have heard other reports of this but not witnessed anyone doing it). We have found Barbados to be a wonderful place with wonderful friendly locals. We are still here 20 days later!