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Dive Centers - Accommodations - General Information - Getting There - Entry Requirements - Travel Tips

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General Information

Barbados Scuba Diving Travel and AccommodationsBarbados 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.
Barbados Scuba Diving Travel and Accommodations
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  
Paraguay  


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.

 

 

 















Rates & Services as well as travel regulations are subject to change without notice.

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