Best Things to Do in Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown is the southernmost port of Barbados and the island’s capital. The town is a popular cruise port offering plentiful beaches, numerous outdoor activities, and a spectacular culinary scene. If you are looking for a way to spend the day in Bridgetown, it’s likely you will find yourself on one of the island’s numerous pristine beaches, discovering the region’s caves and other natural ancient rock formations, or even sampling rum at the world-famous Mount Gay Rum distillery. 

With so many diverse attractions, we recommend planning ahead if your next cruise homeports from or includes a stop in this beautiful destination. We’ve rounded up our top member tips and suggested excursions to help you plan your next visit to Bridgetown. 

Something for Everyone

Highlights of Barbados Tour - This half-day tour will take you to some of the island’s top attractions in just a short amount of time. You will visit Cherry Tree Hill, Morgan Lewis Windmill, St. John's Parish Church, the Garrison’s area, and the George Washington House. 

Highly recommend visiting the Boatyard. $5 taxi to there, $20 to get in, and you get a beach chair, umbrella, first drink, and use of a snorkeling tour. Swimming with the sea turtles was great. Plus they give you a free ride back to the ship. - davnade

Harrison’s Cave Tour - This is one of the premier attractions of Barbados, and one not to miss! This half-day tour will bring you from the pier right to the magnificent Harrison's Cave. At the cave, you will board an electrically operated tram that will take you through the extensive system of caverns while experienced guides will give you historical information. Harrison's Cave is truly a phenomenon of nature!

So you want a beach, take your pick...too many to choose from. You want history, visit the forts, English style churches, Bridgetown cricket ground (ten minutes walk from the ship), visit Trafalgar Square. Rum factories, fruit plantations, beautiful scenery. Barbados has the lot. - johnnierainey

Great place! Toured the Island, Crater Lake, National park, MT Gay Rum Distillery! AWESOME. - twigf14

Adventure Seekers 

E-Biking Tour - On this tour you will hop on a high-performance e-bike and zip along the coastal and cliff trails of Barbados. This tour includes a driver and guide with a convenient outside pickup from and shuttle back to the port at Bridgetown. Your small group will e-bike ride to Barbados' South Coast destinations including Silver Sands Kitesurf Beach and Long Beach, as well as a laid-back one-hour stay to play in the waters of Girlie Beach. 

Take a cab to Carlisle Bay and enjoy crystal clear blue water. Take a snorkel tour right from the beach to see a shipwreck and watch sea turtles. It’s inexpensive & simply marvelous! - kevinandkim1982

Activities for Beach Bums 

Any of the beaches on Carlisle Bay are nice....starfish and sand dollars are plentiful on the ocean floor and some of the clearest water we saw on our cruise. - southernfried

Beach Day and Turtle Swim - On this exciting excursion, you'll spend the day in the sunshine at Copacabana Beach on Carlisle Bay. This destination offers calm turquoise waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities. This tour also includes a 70-minute glass-bottom boat trip right from the beach to snorkel at a shipwreck and to swim with the turtles. 

We are all about the beaches on this cruise and I researched the heck out of the beaches on this island. I was looking for something not too busy, white, powder sand, calm, turquoise waters, and not too far away from the ship....... I HIT THE JACKPOT! We went to Brandon’s Beach. This is a beach so close to the ship that we actually WALKED back to the ship. - Islandjunkie

Day Pass to Bath Beach - Does part of your group want an adventure, but part wants to sit by the beach in the sun? This day trip is for you! This package includes 2-hours of trekking and kayaking along the rugged coastline. Trained guides will take you on a kayak tour in the calm and safe waters of Bath Bay, visiting magnificent spots like the Great Rocks, Consett Bay and secluded swimming holes. For those looking to relax, enjoy your day chilling out on the beach while being pampered by an attentive staff. Stroll along the beautiful coastline, relax in a beach chair under an umbrella, or jump in the water for a swim. 

Beaches beaches beaches! The best beaches around. Gorgeous white sand and clear water. Plenty of activities or just suntan the day away. If you want to sit near the beach at a Bar, they got plenty of those too. Barbados should be your BEACH Day! - CMDale

Tasty Tours for Foodies 

Fish Lover Food Tour - This exciting (and delicious) adventure will bring you to Oistins on the south coast of Barbados. This area is an active fishing village with a dockyard, jetty, fish market, and a mix of fish food shops. You will sample excellent fish, (tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, flying fish), lobster, chicken, and more in an extremely informal setting. 

Bajan Cooking Class - This half-day, private food tour will have you donning an apron to create a specialty Bajan dish. You will be given step-by-step guidance by a local, knowledgeable chef as you learn to prepare, cook and present food Bajan-style. After the class, sit back, relax, and relish the taste and flavor of your very own work. 

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