The easternmost of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados is located just to the east of the Windward Islands. Lying on the boundary of the Caribbean and South American Plates, it lies just outside the Atlantic Hurricane Belt, and is circled by coral reefs. Limestone deposits topside and underwater form stacks and chimneys, caves, and arches, making for some of the most exquisite geology to be seen anywhere. Finally, Barbados is host to green turtles, leatherback turtles, loggerhead turtles, and hawksbill turtles, all of which nest on the beaches. With beautiful blue water and Caribbean marine life in abundance, this is one place you've got to dive. Here are just 7 top reef dive sites on Barbados to whet your appetite for more.
Boot
Located just off Sandy Beach, Boot is a great place to encounter sea turtles, eagle rays, and an abundance of tropical fish. Not only is the reef itself spectacular, there is a small sunken Coast Guard boat covered with coral and sponges to explore. Depths vary from 40 to 80 feet.
Highwire
A little deeper, offering depths between 70 and 120 feet, Highwire is located between Close Encounters and Mount Charlie, just off Dover. Underwater cables suspended above the reef add an element of excitement, and the macro life here is fantastic.
Victors
Situated just off Fitts Village, Victors offers depths between 50 and 120 feet. Covered in soft and hard corals that create a brilliant tapestry which acts as a backdrop for the multitudes of fish and other creatures you'll encounter, Victors Reef is a great place to encounter rays, turtles, and other big marine life. Nearby, the wreck of the Stavronikita, a 365 foot Greek freighter, rests at a depth of 120 feet, with her stern accessible at 100 feet and her bow accessible at 70 feet.
Dottins
One of the most popular reef dives Barbados has to offer, Dottins is located just off Holetown and features depths between 40 and 100 feet. Covered in lush coral and sponge growth, this reef is one of the best places to encounter sea turtles. In addition, watch for schooling yellowtails, bar jacks, and barracuda, not to mention plenty of smaller fish.
East Coast
Located on the Atlantic side of Barbados, the aptly named East Coast dive area actually features about 10 different sites, most of which are weather dependent. If you hope to encounter sharks and other big marine life, this is one of the best places to do just that! Your best chances of diving the East Coast of Barbados are during the summer months.
Johnsons
A favorite site with photographers, not only for the corals and macro life to be found here, but for the barracudas, parrot fish, turtles, and schooling tropical fish, Johnsons Reef also features fantastic barrel sponges and tube sponges that hide many surprises. Located just off Paynes Bay and featuring depths between 70 and 80 feet, this is one of the most popular dive sites on Barbados.
The Muff
Not only are there fantastic corals and sponges to be seen at The Muff, there are also large fish such as barracudas and blackjacks, horse eye jacks, and even the occasional small shark. Watch for rays, eels, and other creatures here as well. The Muff is located just off Worthing and features depths between 60 and 130 feet.
In Barbados, there are two seasons - the wet season, which lasts from June to November, and the dry season, between December and May. The climate here is one of Tropical Monsoons, and gentle breezes abound all year. There are many wonderful places to stay, and plenty of topside attractions to keep you occupied during surface intervals. Visit during the dry season for better visibility, but if you want these dive sites more to yourself, come during the rainy season. Either way, you'll encounter fantastic marine life and enjoy a relaxing getaway.