Covering a total land area of 167 sq miles, the island of Barbados is one of the smaller Caribbean nations. Measuring just 14 miles at its broadest point, one would think that there would not be much to do or see here. However, this is not the case. For such a small country, it is amazing how many activities and attractions can all fit in a single place. Primarily known for its gorgeous shoreline, Barbados today is not just a beach paradise, but rather it is a great place to get up and personal with a truly magnificent West Indian culture.

The beaches in Barbados are exceptionally stunning with near picture perfect beauty. The ideal places to relax or play; come here for a simply unforgettable vacation. All the beaches in Barbados are open to the public, which means that everyone gets a chance to enjoy their incredibly breathtaking beauty. On the west coast of the island lie Brighton Beach, Paradise Beach, Brandon's Beach, Mullins Beach and Paynes Bay, while on the southern coast Sandy Beach, Casuarina Beach and Silver Sands Beach are the prefect places to have some fun in the sun. On the eastern and southeastern coast the beaches tend to be more secluded, but the waves here can get quite rough and are not the best for swimming in.

With such wonderful beaches, it is no wonder then that one of the most popular activities in Barbados has to be snorkeling and diving. The underwater visibility here is fantastic and with more than 50 species of fish found living off the coast. Hawksbill turtles, lobsters, octopuses and moray eels can also bed found here amidst the wonderful coral reefs. Sunken shipwrecks add to the underwater adventure presenting divers with many wonderful sights.

If you are an avid fisherman, then Barbados is a great place to catch a bite. Charter a fishing boat and head out into the open seas to angle in a wide variety of game fish that come in all shapes and sizes. For the more adventurous try your hand at windsurfing. With some of the best windsurfing in the region found here, come to Silver Sands Beach. Windsurfing season lasts from November and April, with surfers coming to Barbados from all over the globe.

If you prefer to stay on land, then head out to the local golf courses here, which have the distinction of being called some of the finest in the region. The Sandy Lane Hotel course, The Royal Westmoreland Golf and Country Club and the Barbados Golf Club are all great places to sharpen your swing! Hiking, horseback riding, cricket and tennis are also popular things to do in Barbados as well.

If you prefer to just chill out and relax, there’s plenty of shopping, markets, art galleries, gardens, and monuments to visit. Barbados also has some fine dining cuisine. However, some of its most notable specialties can be found in almost any food stall or shop in the market place. Try the flying fish, pepperpot and fish cutters to taste authentic Barbadian cooking.