Surrounded by miles of magnificent white sand beaches, protected by coral reefs and brushed by the constant breeze of the trade winds, Barbados is a swimmer's paradise. The west coast beaches are calm and lapped by the Caribbean. The south coast has small to medium waves that are great for windsurfing and boogie boarding, while the southeast coast has big waves and is only suitable for strong swimmers. Because of its location, tropical storms and hurricanes common to other Caribbean islands generally miss Barbados. As a coral island, Barbados is home to a vast array of caves and underground lakes, which provide some of the purest drinking water in the world. The island is also home to rainforests, marshes and mangrove swamps, along with pastures and sugarcane fields. It has a diverse and interesting landscape, making it a fascinating place to explore. Attractions on the East Coast include Bathsheba and the Bathsheba Pools, the Soup Bowl, a top destination for surfers, the beautiful Andromeda Gardens and Turner's Hall Woods Nature Reserve. Mount Hillaby, the highest point on the island, is here. All of the detailed information you need is in this guide about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique. Barbados is unique and fascinating, a melange of Africa and Britain in the Caribbean. The easternmost of all the Caribbean islands, Barbados is uniquely situated so as to avoid virtually all hurricanes. Its 166 square miles of forests, cliffs, fishing villages, wildlife, nightlife, and beaches are surrounded by miles of coral reefs teeming with an incredible array of sea life and shipwrecks. Some of the best sailing in the Caribbean is here, with southeasterly trade winds to carry you across the water. This is a land rich in history and culture, with an abundance of wildlife, beauty and nature. With 500,000 tourists visiting per year, Barbados is a major attraction with very little guidebook competition. We detail the best diving spots, all types of accommodations, dining, tours, local lore and festivals, services. Extensive background on the history, government and economy of the island is provided as well. The author has been a regular visitor for over 20 years. Filled with inside information on which festivals are worth your time, where to find the best Bajan music, classes that will teach you the local cooking and artistic styles, No other guides take the Adventure Guide perspective that we do, immersing you in the local culture and in the active things to do on the island. Today's traveler is eager to explore--not just sit on a beach. "[Adventure Guides] aim to deliver content... Moderately-priced and truly user-friendly, they are packed with information that other series rarely cover." Library Journal "Bursting with relevant and exciting information... " Booklist "Highly recommended... " Library Journal
