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Dive
Centers - Accommodations - General Information
- Getting There - Entry Requirements - Travel
Tips
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Dive
Centers & Accommodations
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General
Information
 Barbados
is a beautiful tropical island with many activities
available. There is night life, music, history,
art, and some of the best restaurants to be found
anywhere. In addition to scuba diving, water activities
include surfing, fishing, windsurfing, kayaking
and more. But what makes Barbados such a wonderful
place, and the reason why so many visitors keep
returning to the island year after year, is the
people. Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and
friendly, always ready to greet you with a sincere
smile.
Whether new to diving or a seasoned pro, you will
be amazed by underwater Barbados. The fringes and
reefs found off this island blossom with healthy
sponges, coral, plant life. There are a number of
reefs, each one unique in its own special way.
The barrier reefs, located 1/2 - 2 miles from shore
contain large coral heads which form the habitat
for thousands of beautiful fish. Larger organisms
are also found on these reefs, feeding on the smaller
fish. The Hawksbill turtle can also be found on
these reefs. Fringes and patching reefs are found
closer to shore and have smaller coral formations
and more abundant plant life then the barrier reefs.
These reefs are home to Sea Horses, Frog Fish, Giant
Sand Eels and many other marine creatures.
Wrecks form fascinating habitats for marine life
and Barbados has several excellent sites for wreck
diving. Carlisle Bay, with 200 reported wrecks,
and the Stavronikita, located at Folkstone Marine
Park are two of the most popular sites.
Getting
There
Air
Travel
International Airport
Barbados (BGI) (Grantley Adams), 13km (8 miles)
east of Bridgetown, near Christ Church.
Flight times to Barbados
Brussels - 9hr
Caracas - 2hr 30min
Frankfurt - 9hr
London - 8hr
Miami - 3hr 40min
Montreal - 5hr
New York - 4hr 20min
San Juan - 1hr 30min
Toronto - 5hr
Scheduled flights to Barbados
From USA
Air
Jamaica
American
Airlines
Caribbean
Airlines
US
Airways
From Canada
Air
Canada
Caribbean
Airlines
From Europe
British
Airways
Caribbean
Airlines
Virgin
Atlantic
From within the Caribbean
Air
Jamaica
Caribbean
Star
LIAT
In addition, there are several charter airlines
which service Barbados. See your travel agent or
contact the Barbados
Tourism Authority
Departure Tax
Bds$25 for all departures. Passengers in transit
who will be remaining in Barbados for less than
24 hours and children under 12 are exempt.
Entry Requirements
Passports
Every person entering Barbados should be in possession
of a valid passport and a valid return ticket.
Visas are required for citizens from:
| Afghanistan |
Congo |
| Algeria |
Djibouti |
| Andorra |
Dominican
Republic |
| Angola |
Ecuador |
| Bahrain |
Egypt |
| Benin |
El
Salvador |
| Bhutan |
Equatorial
Guinea |
| Bolivia |
Ethiopia |
| Bosnia
- Herzegovina |
Gabon |
| Burkina
Faso |
Guatemala |
| Burundi |
Guinea |
| Cambodia |
Guinea-Bissau |
| Cameroon |
Haiti |
| Cape
Verde |
Honduras |
| Central
African Republic |
India |
| Chad |
Indonesia |
| China |
Iran |
| Comoros |
Iraq |
| Ivory
Coast |
Qatar |
| Jordan |
Rwanda |
| Kampuchea |
San
Marino |
| Kuwait |
Sao
Tome & Principe |
| People’s
Republic of Laos |
Saudi
Arabia |
| Lebanon |
Senegal |
| Liberia |
Somalia |
| Libya |
The
Sudan |
| Madagascar |
Syria |
| Monaco |
Taiwan |
| Mongolia |
Thailand |
| Morocco |
Togo |
| Macau |
United
Arab Emirates |
| Mozambique |
Vatican
City (Holy See) |
| Myanmar
(formerly Burma) |
Vietnam |
| Namibia |
People’s
Democratic Republic of Yemen |
| Nepal |
Yemen
Arab Republic |
| Niger |
Yugoslavia |
| Oman |
Zaire |
| Pakistan |
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| Paraguay |
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Applicants for visas must complete form in duplicate.
The form is to be accompanied by two (2) passport
size photographs. The fee for a single entry visa
is BDS$50.00 and for a multiple entry visa is $60.00.
Visas may be obtained from any of Barbados' Missions
overseas.
Cruise Ship Passengers
Visas are not required for passengers on cruise
ships with the exception of citizens of the C.I.S.,
Eastern European countries, People's Republic of
China, Taiwan, South Africa and Korea.
Cruise ship passengers who are "in-transit"
and stay less than 24 hours are not required to
carry a valid passport.
However, if you are beginning and ending your trip
in Barbados or are "in-transit" to take
a flight at the Grantley Adams International Airport,
you are required to possess a valid passport.
Duration of Visit to Barbados
Visitors coming to Barbados should provide proof
of adequate means of support for the duration of
their stay to the satisfaction of the Immigration
officer at the port of entry. They should be in
possession of valid return tickets.
Extension of stay
Visitors wishing to extend their stay should apply
to:
The Chief Immigration Officer
Immigration Department
Careenage House, The Wharf
Bridgetown,
Barbados
Tel: (246) 426-1011 / 1-800-268-9122
Travel Tips
Getting Around
Rental Cars
There are a number of international and local rental
agencies available. You can obtain a Barbados drivers
license for $10.00 Bds on producing a valid National
or International License. All authorised car rental
companies can issue you a drivers license if you
have a valid license.
Bus Service
Frequent, comprehensive coverage of the island,
flat rate of approx. Bds$1.50 for all trips. Although
cheap, buses are crowded during the rush hours.
All buses terminate at Speightstown.
Taxis
Taxis do not have meters and fares are regulated
by the Government. Listings are available from the
Tourist Office. Please ask the price before travelling.
ZR Mini Vans
There are many licensed "Mini Vans" that
run around the island picking up tourist and locals.
You will recognise them by their "ZR"
license plate. They have few fixed schedules but
there are many of them and service is frequent.
The rate is Bds$1.50 and is not recommended for
the nervous passenger as ZR stop frequently, often
abruptly, and move quickly to pick up the maximum
paying passengers in the shortest time.
Helpful Tips
Money
Most of the hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments
will accept credit cards. Travelers checks are also
widely accepted.
Dress
Informal, but conservative. Beach attire is appropriate
for the beach but not town, shops or restaurants.
Some hotels and restaurants stipulate jacket and
tie for men and dresses for women in the evening.
Electricity
110 volts/50 cycles. Most hotels can provide adapters
and transformers for hair dryers and other appliances.
Nude Bathing
There are no nude beaches and all beaches are open
to the public. Nudism is actually illegal. Barbados
has a history of conservative British tradition
and Barbadians are not comfortable undressing or
seeing other undress on public beaches.
Sunscreen
Barbados is a tropical island blessed with warm
temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Please remember
to use sunscreen protection.
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