Barbados

Like a charm dangling from a bracelet, Barbados lies in the Atlantic Ocean 100 miles east of the Windward archipelago. But the diving here is pure Caribbean, with fringing and banking reefs encircling the entire island. Diving is concentrated on the leeward west and south coasts, where hard corals grow thick along the crest of the reef, and orange elephant ear, convoluted barrel sponge and rope sponge cascade down the drop-off of the outer reef. A full range of Caribbean tropicals populate Bajan waters, along with an unusually high concentration of hawksbill turtles. The island's best-known and most spectacular dive site is the wreck of the 365-foot Greek freighter Stavronikita, home to barracuda, moray eels and a vibrant coat of bright yellow tube sponge, delicate pink rope sponge and crimson encrusting sponge.

Dive conditions

Visibility is a dependable 60 to 70 feet around Barbados, sometimes peaking at 100 feet, especially between July and October. Water temps are fairly constant, ranging from high 70Fs in winter to low to mid-80Fs in summer.

Topside at a glance

Barbados is one of the most popular destinations for non-diving tourists in the Eastern Caribbean, and for good reasons--first-class hotels, beaches that approach perfection and enough topside attractions to pack a fast-paced week of touring. The Barbados National Trust manages historic properties and environmentally sensitive areas around the island and leads guided hikes in the countryside. When the hike is over, you'll find plenty of nightlife, from bamboo beach bars to tropical restaurants and nightclubs featuring the island's contagious live local music.

By the numbers

Area - 166 square miles.
Population - 264,000.
Currency - The Barbados dollar, which is tied to the U.S. dollar for a constant exchange rate of BDS$1.99 to US$1.
Departure tax - BDS$25 or US$13.

Phone: 630-941-0355 · FAX 630-359-4024
e-mail: lisa@changeofscene.com