Barbados Sports & Outdoors Tips by stiab3 Top 5 Page for this destination

Golf

There are three main golf courses in Barbados - Sandy Lane (>36 holes), Royal Westmoreland (18 holes) and Barbados Golf Club (18 holes).

Sandy Lane is truly world class but quite expensive to play at. Royal Westmoreland is exclusive and only members or people staying at affiliated hotels can play there. Barbados Golf is reasonably priced.

There are also 2 no. 9-hole course at Heywoods (Almond Beach Village) and Rockley in Christ Church.

Equipment: You can easily rent or buy clubs.

Theme: Golfing

Hockey Festival

The Banks Hockey festival is held annually in late august every year. They've had teams from the Caribbean, Europe, Britain, South America, the United States and Abu Dhabi before.

The hockey festival has been described as the biggest single annual field hockey tournament in the hemisphere. It is divided into men's, women's, veterans and mixed-team divisions.

But it's not only about hockey. There is a great social atmosphere. Lots of Banks beer to be drunk and partying to be done.

After all it is a festival!

Directions: The astroturf at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex

Theme: Other

Cricket

Cricket is the national sport of Barbados. Thousands of Barbadians, other West Indians and visitors flock to world-class matches at Kensington Oval, Barbados to watch first class and Test matches.

You can catch a good game of cricket almost any time in Barbados. It could be an international Test Match or One-Day at Kensington Oval, an exciting local First Division match, or a friendly game on the beach, an open pasture or village field. Whichever it is, prepare to cheer as the batsman drives through the covers for four, or as the middle stump gets rocked back by a fast delivery!

Equipment: You can buy gear locally but for a casual it's best to borrow some.

If you're a touring team/club then hopefully you'll bring your own gear with you.

Directions: Most places on the island but Kensington Oval is the top venue

Theme: Other

Soup Bowl and other surf spots

Soup Bowl is a world class wave on the east coast of barbados it recives year round trade wind swell and is surfable year round. It delivers a powerful wave with good barrel sections when the wind is right. A rip will take you right out into the line up, but watch out for Urchins on the inside. . . especially after a storm.

There are also many more good breaks on the island on the South and East coasts.

Equipment: You'll need a surfboard. But if you feel more comfortable on a bodyboard then go for it.

There are quite a few places on the island where you can buy/rent gear.

The water is normally between 26 and 29 degrees C so you don't need a wetsuit. A pair of baggies and a lycra top will suffice.

Theme: Surfing