Best Dives of Barbados

Barbados, a tiny island just 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, offers remarkable contrasts, from its boulder-strewn northern coast to its serene Caribbean leeward coastline. Inland, hilly forests slope down to golden fields of sugarcane, corn, sweet potatoes, and yams. Stunning white sand beaches rim the island. The easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados boasts a unique range of natural and historic attractions, from its exquisite plantation "Great Houses" to vast caves filled with prehistoric formations. Its quaint colonial capital, Bridgetown, surprises visitors with upscale shopping and gourmet dining. Despite 30 years of independence from Great Britain, Barbados still exudes a British atmosphere. A statue of Admiral Nelson graces Bridgetown's Trafalgar Square, and afternoon tea remains a custom for many hotels. Good diving and snorkeling exists off the southwestern shores. Gorgeous reefs flank the rocky east coast, but pounding seas and strong currents usually limit ­access to this area. Based on the classic, Best Dives of the Caribbean, this guide zeroes in on the best dives of Barbados. It includes the latest and best dive and snorkel sites, each rated for visual excellence and marine life. The author's knowledge of the Caribbean sites is unparalleled. From sunken planes and snorkel trails to blue holes, the best destinations beneath the waves are covered. Also included are places to stay and eat, activities and practical information for visitors. "I have bought both editions of this book, mostly because the first edition got so dog-eared that I wanted a clean one for vacation last year. The book is a marvelous source of information for both the snorkeler and the diver. The authors divide the book into chapters on individual islands, starting out with a brief but interesting history of the island, a topographical description, relative location map, best time to go, weather, and proximity to other islands. They then rate the island's diving locations, awarding from 1 to 5 stars, and provide another larger map visually locating the sites. Each site is described in detail, with info on depth, sea life, currents, visibility, photo ops and difficulty level. As if that weren't enough, they include some (but not enough!) beautiful photos, and end each chapter with yet more info on dive operators (detailed), beaches, other activities, dining, accommodations (with rates, addresses and phone numbers), medical facilities, documentation requirements, currency, driving, local customs, departure taxes, etc. I've been exploring the Caribbean for almost a decade now; I take this compact book with me everywhere. My only complaint: I wish they covered more islands!" -- (Suziekew). "The third edition of Best Dives of the Caribbean is packed full of dive-vacation planning information. It tells what time of year to go, the most popular dive sites with details on what to expect, depths, average sea conditions-- I get seasick if it's rough and prefer diving where the sites are ten minutes or less by boat, or better yet accessible from the beach. Indeed, some of the other one-destination guides are more suitable for the coffee table, but they don't tell me anything about the dive resorts, the cost. I would not consider planning a dive-vacation to the Caribbean without consulting this gem of a travel guide. The dive resort write ups are detailed and give rates and package deals. Any, the author gives an email for additional questions." -- Janice Brink. Diver-friendly resorts and hotels are featured, along with many recommended outfitters for learning, improving and mastering your diving skills. A list of decompression chambers is given. Landlubbers will appreciate the sightseeing sections. Color photos enhance the text. Maps show dive site locations. A must-have for divers, snorkelers, or those who just love to float in liquid turquoise. -- Brenda Fine, Travel Editor, NY Law Journal