Is flying long-haul really worth the hassle for a family holiday? Cathy Toogood finds out on a child-friendly break to Barbados
Mummy, why do we live in England?” my 10-year-old daughter asks incredulously as we lounge on a swimming platform in the Caribbean Sea.
We’re taking a breather from snorkelling, recounting the shoal of squid we’d watched bobbing beneath us, the spotted peacock flounder camouflaged on the sandy bottom and the vivid yellow trumpetfish that had sashayed by our toes – not forgetting the lone black-and-white-striped banded butterflyfish dancing between a group of translucent yellow grunt fish feeding off the coral.
As we gaze towards the palm trees on the shore, with the sun on our backs, I struggle to come up with an answer that will satisfy a 10-year-old who is having the “best day of her life”, so instead I instigate diving back in for more.
We’re snorkelling off the shores of Holetown on the west coast of Barbados. Taking in as much of the colourful underwater world as possible is my daughter May’s priority, as her ambition is to become a marine biologist.
The next morning, we kayak to a spot we’ve been told is popular with sea turtles. Along with her seven-year-old brother Zac, and my husband Ed, we paddle towards an area where tourist catamarans stop, hopeful for a sighting. And sure enough, after just a few minutes in the water, we make out the shadow of a turtle in the distance, gliding towards the surface for air. Then two more scuttle on the sand below us. Our elation is only broken by Zac asking: “Is that a shark, mummy?” as a tarpon bigger than him darts past.
Catamaran cruise in Barbados
Perhaps an easier way to see turtles, and an excursion we try a few days later, is a sunset catamaran cruise with Cool Runnings (coolrunningsbarbados.com). On this four-hour sailing, we swim with turtles in Carlisle Bay and snorkel over the eerie shipwrecks of the Bajan Queen and Eillon, which are shrouded with barnacles and have trumpetfish flitting around them.
As with most things on the island, the atmosphere is laid-back and jovial – plentiful rum punch is offered on board and the night ends with both children learning Bajan dance moves from the crew.
Caribbean wildlife
The mesmerising underwater world is a highlight on our trip, but it’s just one of a number of activities that make Barbados so special for families.
Without even looking for it, we see plenty of impressive wildlife on land. Snails as big as our hands slither along the path on our way to dinner one evening (“imagine stepping on one,” shudders Zac); a red, orange, black and fluorescent yellow caterpillar basks on a sunlounger on our terrace; mongoose skitter across the grass while we tuck into lunch; and a green monkey appears in a tree as we head for an afternoon swim.
Spotting ghost crabs provides plenty of entertainment, with the kids competing to see the most as we stroll at sunset along the boardwalk near Accra Beach.
At Harrison’s Cave, a tram tour reveals another impressive landscape. Our guide, Sandra Reid, describes the subterranean setting of the caves with waterfalls, glistening pools, stalactites and stalagmites as “nature at its best”.
“Nature is not one to be hurried,” she adds, as she explains that stalactites grow by less than two millimetres a year. She also brings to life the bravery of the cavers who discovered this natural wonder in the 1970s as she turns off all lights while we’re down in its depths, giving us a taste of the conditions they experienced.
Above ground 15 minutes later, our blood is similarly pumping in Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park, where we fly above the trees on a 36m-high zipline course. Zac is nicknamed ‘little lion’ by the crew because he insists on leading the group, despite being the youngest, and forces me to smile bravely too.
Family activities in Barbados
We split our family trip between staying on the tranquil west coast of Barbados and the lively south coast, but as it’s such a small island we also spend a day driving around. We chat to fishermen catching garfish in the north and picnic in the shade of palm trees on Bathsheba Beach in the east, where enormous rock formations are scattered in the water. Zac suggests the chunks of rock came from giants, but we discover they’re actually formations that have come off ancient coral reef.
Coral reefs and the life around them is a key theme of conversations on our trip. The children confidently quiz staff at our hotels’ watersports centres to find out exactly which fish we’d spotted and to learn more about them.
“The world slows down when your head is below the water, Mummy”, says May. In our ever-busier family life, these slower moments are precious.
Book it: Gold Medal offers seven nights’ all-inclusive in a Classic Room Poolside Garden View at Sea Breeze Beach House from £2,241 per person, based on two adults and two children sharing, including flights from Heathrow on August 21, 2025.
goldmedal.co.uk
Top tips for families travelling to Barbados
Rebecca Bryson, head of sales, Caribtours
❂ Barbados is perfectly suited to multigenerational family groups – there is all kinds of accommodation, from all-inclusive resorts with fun kids’ clubs to villas and selfcatering multi-room options.
❂ Clients can choose between family-friendly resorts just a short transfer from the airport or head to the west coast, where the calm seas and beautiful beaches are perfect for little ones.
❂ Barbados is famous for its food, including specialities such as lobster, flying fish cutters and macaroni pie.
❂ The island is small enough to explore with ease. Hiring a car is a great way to see sights such as its rum distilleries or Bathsheba Beach.
❂ Recommend clients book early if they’re looking to travel in the school holidays.
Family-friendly hotels in Barbados
The Sandpiper
Clients will be charmed by this small, family-owned hotel on the west coast. Old-school luxury is the name of the game with fresh flowers and artworks in the rooms. There’s also a mocktail menu with drinks invented by children who have stayed, and daily tennis coaching (apart from Sundays). It’s in an excellent spot for swimming and snorkelling and non-motorised watersports are free for guests. Garden View Rooms start from £482 per night in low season, including breakfast.
sandpiperbarbados.com
Sea Breeze Beach House
Families can relax at this laid-back all-inclusive on the south coast. With three pools (one adult-only), a kids’ club, places to eat (including fine dining) and complimentary non-motorised watersports, guests could spend their entire break sitting in the sun. But recommend a visit to Oistins, a seafront village five minutes’ drive away via the hotel’s free transfer, for its Friday night ‘fish fry’. A Classic Poolside Garden View Room starts at £585 per night in low season, with all-inclusive dining.
sea-breeze.com
PICTURE: Iana Ianakieva; Shutterstock/Paula Mendanha
