Barbados Cruise Port The Best Guide to Beautiful Bridgetown

Table Of Content

• Where is the port and cruise ships dock
• Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Bridgetown
• Wander Through Two Botanical Gardens: Andromeda’s Botanic Garden and Hunte’s Gardens
• Barbados Cruise Port: Amenities, Location, What's Nearby & More
• THE BEST DESTINATIONS YOU’LL VISIT ON A CRUISE FROM BARBADOS
• Night Caribbean GemsDetails

Snorkelers and divers should hit Carlisle Bay’s famous underwater shipwreck trail. And make sure you don’t miss a visit to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, where you can mingle with the green monkeys that roam free around the island. Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison is a short 10-minute taxi ride from the cruise port. Many independent historical walking tours can be booked online and offer pick-up and drop-off at the port.

Where is the port and cruise ships dock

The location is ideal for cruise passengers, as the port is just outside of the city’s downtown core and is just 10 miles away from Grantley Adams International Airport, the main airport in Barbados. Passengers embarking on their cruise from Barbados can take a roughly 30-minute taxi or shuttle ride directly to the cruise port. Andromeda’s Botanic Garden, the oldest and largest garden in Barbados, is home to rare plant species and has 20 connected gardens over eight acres. It's located on the opposite side of the island, which is about a 40-minute drive from the Barbados cruise port, so we recommend planning the day and renting a vehicle or booking a taxi. Your Cunard ship will dock in the main cruise port, about a mile away from the center of Bridgetown. If you would prefer not to walk into town there’s a shuttle bus available that can transport you to the city center.

Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Bridgetown

The crescent bay is long and downright beautiful, with a stretch of pure white sand curving around the perfectly turquoise sea. There are plenty of beach clubs along the beach, and although they all charge for entry or at the very least just for use of a sun lounger and umbrella, the beach is completely public. You’re free to walk from end to end, and you by no means have to pay for a sun lounger if you don’t want to. The beach can get busy during the day, but later in the afternoon as the cruise passengers head back to their ships, Carlisle Bay is an even more beautiful place to be. The city even maintains a scenic walking path from the cruise port to the edge of the downtown core, so visitors can easily explore the city’s attractions, shops, and restaurants after a 20-minute stroll along the water.

Wander Through Two Botanical Gardens: Andromeda’s Botanic Garden and Hunte’s Gardens

For history lovers, there’s historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, an outstanding example of British colonial architecture that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The town is full of places to sample delicious local cuisine and strong rum as you mingle with the hospitable local people. There’s also no shortage of natural wonders to explore, from caves and spotless beaches, to warm waters perfect for scuba diving. While on a cruise to Barbados, know that there are a variety of ways to get around once you’re there.

Head west to Speightstown on the Platinum Coast to get a taste of Barbados' emerging culinary star. It's a 30-minute drive from the Barbados cruise port and well worth it for foodies. Choose from down-to-earth pubs with standard but delicious meals, or opt for a fancier night out at one of the many gourmet eateries. Like much of the Caribbean, Barbados has a tropical, oceanic climate with hot and humid conditions all year round. For this reason, it’s advisable to pack light clothes in breathable fabric to keep you cool.

Barbados Cruise Port: Amenities, Location, What's Nearby & More

For visits to Hunte’s Gardens, we recommend booking a local independent tour or creating a DIY excursion. Those seeking delicious Caribbean dining closer to the port can head into the capital city of Bridgetown to experience the local cuisine. Bridgetown has a handful of top-rated restaurants to choose from and most possess that relaxed Caribbean vibe. The moment you disembark in the capital city of Bridgetown, you enter a world where rich history and culture meet outstanding tropical beauty.

THE BEST DESTINATIONS YOU’LL VISIT ON A CRUISE FROM BARBADOS

Inorder to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departuretimes just follow the ship’s link. We walked past Lobster Alive almost every time we were docked at Barbados Cruise Port, and on our final day, starving hungry and denied entry from the at-capacity Boatyard, we decided it was time to visit. Up until that point, I’d actually been more intrigued by the strains of live jazz music which sometimes drifted on the wind out of the restaurant at sunset, than by the promise of fresh lobster. In fact, I’d never actually eaten lobster, so on that point I had no idea what to expect. The Boatyard Barbados day pass price for passengers is $35USD and includes use of a sun lounger and umbrella, a welcome drink, a boat trip to see the turtles, and the shuttle back to the ship.

In addition to unlocking some of the most popular shores in the southern Caribbean, a cruise from Barbados is also worth considering because the island is an amazing destination in and of itself. Bridgetown, Barbados’s capital and main cruise port, offers the perfect combination of Caribbean vibes and European charm. The streets are lined with well-preserved colonial buildings and brightly painted wooden houses, bustling open-air markets and quaint seaside cafes where you can watch sleek catamarans bobbing in the bay. If you venture beyond the city, you’ll find your pick of sun-kissed beaches, wild nature trails that are perfect for hiking and even an extensive network of caves you can explore.

Night Caribbean GemsDetails

Taxis tend to be inexpensive in Barbados except during rush hour, and there will be taxi drivers waiting to pick up passengers outside the cruise terminal. You can arrange for a taxi to pick you up later, or to take you to multiple destinations. There is also a shuttle service from the port into Bridgetown available for cruise passengers to take. Barbados is known for its unique culinary offerings too, from macaroni pie, cou cou, fish cakes, and other regional delicacies must be experienced while on your Barbados cruise.

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Unless you live in Barbados, you will need to fly to reach the cruise ship. Popular amongst many cruise lines including Crystal, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line. If kicking back with a rum punch in hand is a little too laid-back, you can snorkel around shipwrecks, rent a jet ski, or even visit Tortuga to swim with turtles. This may well have been the most expensive meal I’ve ever eaten in my entire living history, but it was also one of the most memorable. A special mention here for the Boatyard Beach Club Barbados, because as a crew member it is my duty to pass on this sacred information.

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Get the flying fish here, or take a break from fish to enjoy one of their beef or chicken dishes. Drive less than 45 minutes north of Bridgetown for a day among protected species and lush forest. Home to green monkeys, snakes, various bird species, and many others, kids and families will love seeing these animals walking freely through the habitat.

Barbados is both warm and dry during the winter months, which partially explains why it is such a popular winter destination for those living in the colder climates of North America and Europe. Average temperatures are about the same as during the later fall, so expect it to be roughly 75° F during the day. Wear light, comfortable clothing, and pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Humidity is also relatively low, which explains why this is such a popular time of year to visit Barbados. Since the spring months fall within the dry season, you shouldn’t have to worry about more than a few brief showers. You will also find two convenience stores within the terminal, which are helpful if you want to pick up a few snacks or bottled drinks to enjoy during your time in Bridgetown.

Animal Flower Cave is a magical spot underneath the cliffs at North Point in St Lucy, named after the sea anemones you can find outside- known locally as ‘Animal Flowers’ which is a much cuter name in my opinion. On a calm day it’s possible to swim inside the cave (which is deceptively deep), or just view the rough Atlantic seas from inside, with the cave walls forming a natural picture frame. This is a brilliant tour which encompasses all sides of life in Barbados, with stops at Animal Flower Cave and Bathsheba, as well as Rihanna’s childhood home, and the very first English settlement at Holetown. The owner flies his little private airplane back and forth to the Grenadines a couple of times a week, to collect lobster and fly them back to Barbados- where they’re served fresh on a plate to customers of Lobster Alive. Bridgetown really does have some beautiful architecture, plenty of which is English in shape and structure but Caribbean in its pops of colour.

An old bridge crossing the Careenage river was discovered by the English, and the new English colony eventually became known as Bridgetown. There is a Tourist Information Desk conveniently located at the Cruise Terminal, usually maned all day, where you can get maps and brochures. Today, the festival is marked by bright colors, food, concerts, parties, music, performances and more. If the stars align, you might even get to see the main event, the Grand Kadooment. The Grand Kadooment is a massive 10 km parade north of Bridgetown, with up to 15,000 participants singing, dancing and serenading parade-goers. Welchman Hall Gully is a great location on the island for a hike like no other.

Besides the mentioned attractions in Bridgetown within walking distance or close by on a taxi (easy and affordable), there are many other attractions to explore in Barbados. At the end of the bridge, the Independence Arch is a famous landmark and a great photo op. Immediately after, on the left, is the seafront greenery of Interior St. Mary's Church and on the right is where you could have a refreshing drink or a light lunch before the Covid pandemic. Unfortunately, popular places like the Marina Bar and the Waterfront Café have closed down. For those that enjoy walking, the path from the exit of the Cruise Terminal along the ocean up to the historical downtown and the Careenage (an interesting area of Bridgetown) is both safe and pleasurable.