Tours 4 in the Caribbean

We were recently invited by the Barbados Tourism Authority to visit their country on a familiarisation trip with the aim of promoting Barbados as a sporting destination. 


Sean Bishop, one of our long haul sports tour managers, travelled there to discover why the Island is renowned as one of the most popular sports tour destinations in the world.

I am fortunate to have travelled extensively around the world and this recent trip to Barbados is certainly a highlight.  Prior to arriving in Barbados I had images of turquoise seas, luxury hotels and friendly people.  I wasn’t disappointed.  It is blessed with sparkling coastlines, natural beauty and people with an incredible amount of charm and hospitality. The west coast, my first stop, is famous for its powdery beaches and clear blue water, luxury resorts and golf courses. The South Coast is a hub of activity with vibrant nightlife and fishing villages. However, it was the east coast that really impressed me with acres of sugar cane fields, thick forests and trees, and an incredible raw coastline. 

Sports Facilities

Barbados is an ideal destination for a sports tour, particularly cricket, football and hockey.  Their passion for cricket is infectious and I was fortunate enough to bump into cricketing legend Joel Garner on the south coast one night. There are numerous cricket pitches dotted across the Island, including  the University of West Indies (UWI) and the famous Kensington Oval.  

There are also suitable facilities for football, hockey, netball, rugby and swimming.  This includes an impressive all weather football pitch at the UWI and a water based astro turf at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium that hosts the annual Bank’s Hockey Festival. This facility also boasts an impressive outdoor Olympic sized swimming pool that is ideal for winter swimming training camps. 

We can also offer adult rugby tours, with Barbados Rugby Club playing their matches at the Garrison Race Track, a bustling hotbed of sporting activity. As you can expect, the social element of the club is thriving and you can be sure of a good welcome. Ex-pats have traditionally dominated the rugby scene, however they have started developing a youth programme in the schools which will reap dividends in years to come.

For a country with a population of under 300’000, there is a healthy provision of sports facilities and while not all will match the quality of the UK, they is more than suitable for school and club tours. There is planned investment in more sports facilities and sporting events so this will only improve. 

Activities

The majority of tourists that go to Barbados do not venture far from their hotels on the beach, however there are a myriad of activities to do on the island.  On my trip I experienced an Island Safari Tour, Surfing, Aerial Trek Zip-lining, Mount Gay Rum tour, Segway experience, Harrison’s Cave and a Catamaran Cruise.  All were fantastic experiences but the highlights for me were the Catamaran Cruise, Island Tour and the Surfing. The Island tour takes you to the Eastern and Northeastern side of the Island, where you are driven in a 4x4 off road to some of the least seen but magnificent locations.   

Barbados is the eastern most island in the Caribbean and contrary to what many people think, is surrounded entirely by the Atlantic sea. It therefore enjoys good swells and perfect conditions for surfing. The East coast is particularly good but for beginners the south coast is ideal and this is where I headed for an afternoon surfing at Zed’s surf school. A few of us hooked up with Jason at a beautiful spot, with the original name surfers point.  After an afternoon surfing all you want is lots of food and drink and we were treated to a barbecue on the beach, enjoying Marlin and ice cold banks beer, the local favourite. We even got to try grilled Octopus, not to everyone’s taste but I liked it.  

The Catamaran cruise was the highlight of the trip, setting off from Bridgetown mid afternoon and enjoying the afternoon sunbathing and snorkling with the sea turtles in the clear blue sea. We then enjoyed a buffet dinner, drinks (rum punch is a local favourite!) and a typical Bajan sunset before heading back to Bridgetown.

The nightlife is also not to be missed.  I was lucky enough to experience a Friday night at the Fish Fry at Oistins, a bustling fish market on the south coast.  Listen to calypso tunes while enjoying fresh seafood and steaks at the numerous outlets. St Lawrence Gap is also very popular with tourists, where there are numerous bars and restaurants lining the streets.

Accommodation

There are a wide variety of hotels on the Island, from the 3* hotel options in St Lawrence Gap to the luxury options on the West Coast. Our accommodation options are based on the West Coast or along the South Coast and St Lawrence Gap.  Those groups that want to be close to the action will stay on the South coast near the action, or if you would rather be in a quieter location then the West Coast is ideal.

Barbados Sports Tours

Barbados is an ideal long haul sports tour destination, suitable for schools, clubs and universities with plenty of activities to do, excellent weather, good quality accommodation, and an alternative to our more expensive long haul options such as Australia and South Africa. A sports tour to Barbados can be the catalyst for a longer holiday and some groups and supporters will add an extra week on to their visit. Whether for recovery or preparation, this makes sense as it is a special holiday destination.   

We will organise flights, accommodation, transport on the Island, and can recommend activities for you to do. Our local tour representative has handled numerous school sports tours over the years and has also coordinated the Sir Garfield Sobers Schools International Tournament since 1992.

We can also offer tours to Antigua, Grenada, St Lucia and Jamaica.

7 night packages to Barbados in 2011 are available from £1,175 per person, get in touch with us today to find out more: 0800 043 3887 or email info@tours4.com