Barbados - Sports And Outdoors Activities

Alongside Jamaica and Trinidad, Barbados is one of the Big Three Caribbean cricketing nations, but while success in other sports has diverted attention from the game in the other two countries, Bajans remain largely focused on cricket. More perhaps than anywhere else on earth, the game is the national passion. If you get the chance, go and catch a day of international cricket at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

The island also has a lively equestrian tradition, with races every other Saturday (except during April) at the Garrison Savannah racecourse , and at Sandy Lane in March. There are several polo fields as well, the most famous at Holder's House.

For golfers, there are two eighteen-hole public golfcourses : at the Barbados Golf Club (tel 246/428-8463) and Sandy Lane (tel 246/432-4563). Greens fees are around B$150. There is also a decent nine-hole course at the Club Rockley resort (tel 246/435-7873) on the south coast.

Some of the best and most scenic hiking on Barbados is along the beaches, particularly between Martin's Bay and Bath and between Bathsheba and Cattlewash. Organized hikes are arranged by the Barbados National Trust (tel 246/436-9033).

Watersports
With excellent diving opportunities, the island has plenty of reputable dive operators, most of whom will provide transport to and from your hotel. Prices can vary dramatically between dive shops - but expect around B$100 for a single-tank dive, B$150 for a two-tank dive and B$120 for a night dive, including use of equipment. For full open-water certification , budget around B$750. Serious divers should consider a package deal ; these may simply cover three or five two-tank dives (roughly B$400 and B$700 respectively), or may also include accommodation.

There's good snorkelling , too, again especially off the west coast, where there are plenty of good coralheads just offshore and sea turtles in the turtle grass near the Lone Star . Several of the dive operators also take snorkellers out on their dive trips for around B$20-30, including equipment. Many top hotels provide guests with free snorkelling gear.

Boat trips
There is no shortage of boat trips around Barbados, with the emphasis normally on being part of a big crowd. Most of the cruise boats charge a single price, which will depend on whether the trip includes a meal and/or "free" drinks, and live or canned music. The catamarans offer similar trips, though usually with a smaller number of passengers and less in the way of entertainment. All these boats sail out of Bridgetown's Shallow Harbour, but most will pick up guests from any of the major resorts.