Sightseeing: Beaches: Beach Picks
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Let us guide you to the Top Best Snorkeling Beaches & Free Diving Spots in Barbados and the Caribbean with an abundance of marine life, crystal clear waters and excellent visibility down to (75 - 100ft) most of the time.
The Fun Barbados guide has put together a list of beaches with waters and sea conditions best suited for snorkelling, featuring both shallow reefs close to shore and reefs which require a bit of swimming and diving getting to.
The western coastline provides great snorkeling opportunities with two major Marine Parks; Folkestone Marine Park on the west coast and Carlisle Bay Marine Park on the south-west coast. Both areas are marked by buoys and features fringe reefs and sunken barge, which attract an array of sea life.
Some of the marine life seen while snorkeling in Barbados include, coral reefs, sea fans, barrel sponges, snapper, chub, parrot fish, trunk fish, Angelfish, parrot fish, barracudas, sea turtles and many other colourful tropical schooling fish.
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Safety precautions & Tips
- Use brightly coloured gear and buoy markers/dive flags when snorkeling for your own safety.
- Obey the safety flags placed on the beach by lifeguards.
- RED FLAGS mean: Dangerous, no swimming
- YELLOW FLAGS mean: Caution, swimming conditions risky.
- No feeding of fish
- No touching marine life or damaging coral reefs
- Watch out for sea urchins and stingray when walking on shallow reefs
- Don't wear jewelry or shiny objects when snorkeling. (Some fish are attracted to shiny objects)
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Below we've listed the Best Snorkeling Spots in Barbados for you to choose from.
Click on name of Beach for more information
Best snorkeling beaches on the West coast
(Listed from North-west to South-west)
Mullins Bay Beach: West Coast - St. Peter
Calm clear waters with lots of beach activity and watersports.
FEATURES: Circular reef close to shore with a variety of sealife
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Speightstown bay and Mullins bay.
Folkestone Beach & Marine Park: West Coast - St. James
Calm clear waters with beach activity, can be busy at times. Has a picnic area.
FEATURES: Large flat sandy reef with coral heads, a forest of gorgonians and an array of reef fish.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Folkestone & Holetown.
Holetown Beach: West Coast - St. James
Calm clear waters with lots of beach activity and watersports, can be busy.
FEATURES: Flat reef with corals, turtles and lots of schooling fish.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Holetown & Folkestone.
Sandy Lane Beach: West Coast - St. James
Calm clear waters.
FEATURES: A variety of stony corals and fish life including turtles.
BEST SNORKELLING: Sandy Lane Resort area.
Paynes Bay: West Coast - St. James
Calm clear waters, popular with some beach activity.
FEATURES: Lots of variability in marine life, good coral  formation and plenty  schools of fish.
BEST SNORKELLING: Paynes bay area.
Batts Rock Beach: West Coast - St. James
Calm clear waters with little beach activity, but great for picnics.
FEATURES: Small barge surrounded by fringing reef and a shallow dome shaped reef with hard corals, goronians and friendly schooling fish.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Batts Rock & Paradise beach
Brighton Beach: West Coast - St Michael
Calm clear waters with lots of beach activity and watersports.
FEATURES: Healthy and pretty reef with extensive coral gardens, plenty sea life, reef fish, turtles and a wreck about 100ft off the reef.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Brighton & Freshwater bay
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Best snorkeling spots on the South coast
(Listed from South-west to South)
Carlisle Bay Beach & Marine Park: South Coast - St. Michael
Mostly calm clear waters with lots of beach activity & watersports.
FEATURES: Six wrecks surrounded by lots of tropical fish, old anchors and cannons.
BEST SNORKELLING: Carlisle bay marine park.
Graves End Beach: South Coast - St. Michael
Small to medium waves with some undertow. Great surfing!
FEATURES: Shallow barrier reef with lots of fish.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Graves End and Hilton beach.
Drill Hall Beach: South Coast - St. Michael
Small to medium waves with some undertow. Great for picnics and surfing!
FEATURES: Inner reef with lots of marine life.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Drill Hall and Graves end.
Palm Beach / Amaryllis: South Coast - Christ Church
Mostly calm clear waters.
FEATURES: A wreck, an artificial reef and a sloping reef with sea fans, turtles, eagle rays and nice coral formations.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Coconut Court and Drill Hall.
Hastings Beach: South Coast - Christ Church
Small to medium waves with some undertow.
FEATURES: Two fringe reefs with little marine life, lots of gorgonians, hard coral and lots of reef fish.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Hastings Rocks and Coconut Court beach.
Worthing Beach / Sandy Beach: South Coast - Christ Church
Small to medium waves with lots of beach activity and watersports.
FEATURES: Fringe reef with reef fish, Elkhorn and star coral.
BEST SNORKELLING: Worthing area.
Dover Beach: South Coast - Christ Church
Small to medium waves with some undertow, lots of beach activity and watersports. Some surfing done here.
FEATURES: Shallow inner reef with lots of marine life.
BEST SNORKELLING: Between Dover area/St Lawrence area and Maxwell beach.
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Book your Rent-a-car or scooter and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Barbados and its pulsating Nightlife. Remember to take some time out to explore the many sights, activities and tours Barbados has to offer.
Note: Seasonal weather can cause a change in conditions