In December 2023, we visited Barbados as part of a Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette. As with every port on the itinerary, I’d planned ahead to fit in a dive. Barbados has a reputation as the wreck diving capital of the Caribbean… and I wasn’t about to miss the chance to see it for myself.
With its mix of calm, warm water, thriving reefs and historic wrecks, Barbados is a brilliant destination for divers of all levels. Add in turtles, rays and incredible visibility, and it’s a day underwater you won’t forget.
Barbados stands out in the Caribbean as the only coral limestone island, which means the entire coastline is fringed with coral reefs. The water here stays around 27–29°C all year and visibility can be excellent… often 20–30 metres.
The marine life is just as inviting. You’re likely to see hawksbill and green turtles, stingrays, spotted eagle rays, colourful reef fish and sometimes even seahorses hiding among the corals. It’s a relaxed, scenic kind of diving that feels accessible yet full of surprises.
Barbados has earned its name as the wreck diving capital of the Caribbean. Scattered along the south and west coasts are a variety of wrecks, ranging from shallow and beginner-friendly to deeper, more advanced options.
Carlisle Bay – Six Wrecks in One Dive
One of the most famous sites is Carlisle Bay, where six historic wrecks sit close together in calm, shallow water. It’s a brilliant site if you’re short on time but want to see a lot in one dive. With good visibility and plenty of life on and around the wrecks, it’s an ideal choice for beginners and experienced divers alike.
Reefs and Drift Diving
If wrecks aren’t your thing, Barbados also offers plenty of natural reefs. The south and west coasts have some beautiful drift dives over colourful coral gardens, with both shallow and deeper sites to suit all skill levels. Keep an eye out for rays, turtles and schools of reef fish as you drift along.
This was just a day stop on the cruise, so I booked ahead online to make sure I could dive. Unfortunately, the first dive centre I booked with, G Fish Watersports Barbados, really let me down. Despite confirming my booking by email, they were nowhere to be seen on the day.
We took a taxi from the port and arrived at the shop at the agreed time, but it was closed. We waited for quite a while, hoping someone would show up, but no one did. I tried getting in touch, but there was no response. It was very disappointing, especially as other dive boats were already heading out and we were wasting precious time.
Not wanting to miss out completely, we walked down the beach and came across Barbados Blue Water Sports, who were busy loading their boats. Thankfully, they had just enough space to fit us on their morning dives. The team were brilliant. Professional, welcoming and clearly well organised, with good kit and proper boats. They saved what could have been a wasted stop and turned it into one of the highlights of the trip.
The diving itself was just as good as promised. Calm conditions, clear water and plenty of turtles and fish made for a fantastic couple of dives. After packing up our kit, we even had time for a quick beer at one of the little beach bars nearby. They’re not the cheapest, but sitting with a cold drink in hand, watching the sea and soaking it all in before heading back to the ship was the perfect way to end the day.
A big thanks to the crew at Barbados Blue Water Sports for making it all happen. If you’re stopping off in Barbados, I’d recommend going straight to them.
With its mix of wrecks, reefs, warm water and laid-back vibe, Barbados is a Caribbean dive destination that truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re stopping off for a day like we did or planning a longer stay, the variety of dives here means you can make every day feel different. If you enjoy wrecks, turtles, rays and relaxed, easy diving, Barbados is definitely worth a spot on your list.
