How to do Barbados like a celebrity

Dine at the most celebrity-visited restaurant on the island

We think there’s no other restaurant in Barbados quite like the Cliff restaurant. True to its name, it perches over a picture-perfect cove, where resident stingrays and tarpon glide through the water. In the evenings, it’s all about torch-lit decks and unrivalled sunset views, so it’s really romantic. FYI, it’s also the most celebrity-visited eatery on the island, so don’t be surprised if you come across a few famous faces. The menu is nothing short of mouth-watering, either. You can order Thai red curry mussels for your entrée, and then tuck into chargrilled swordfish, finishing it off with a signature fruit tart. Make sure you book ahead of your stay and dress to impress, though – it’s a VIP affair.

Swim with turtles in the Caribbean Sea

It goes without saying that Barbados has some of the best places to snorkel in the world. While you’re there, bury your toes into the talcum-white sands at Hastings Beach. With a shoreline that’s only disturbed by swaying palm trees, it has a real desert island feel. This is one of the top beaches to grab a snorkel and go swimming with turtles, too. The rich waters are home to the big three – hawksbills, leatherbacks and green turtles. Plus, these turtles come to nest in Barbados for most of the year, so it shouldn’t be too hard to spot them. Another popular place to swim is Carlisle Bay. It lies in the centre of a UNESCO-protected site, so marine life is guaranteed. Here, you can sign up to catamaran trips – very Simon Cowell-esque – where you’ll get to go diving. You’ll find lots of sunken shipwrecks beneath the surface, and they’re full of life, too. Expect shoals of brightly-coloured fish and turtles drifting through the waters.

Play golf where Tiger Woods got hitched

Barbados prides itself on its world-class golf courses. And nestled in the heart of Sandy Lane, no less, you’ll find three spectacular places to hit the fairway. They all come with front-row views of Barbados’ platinum-coloured coastline, too. In fact, Tiger Woods loves Sandy Lane so much, he decided to get hitched there back in 2004. The Old Nine golf course takes the crown here, though. It’s the oldest and most prestigious course on the island, with tight, tree-lined fairways and small greens. Make sure to pack your best golf attire – this place is hot on looks. If golf isn’t your thing, though, there are still plenty of things to do here. In the grounds of Sandy Lane, you’ll find an unbeatable spa to unwind in, and little ones can get involved with all-day-long activities at the Treehouse Club. Alternatively, make tracks for Sandy Lane Beach to practise watersports, including parasailing, jet skiing and banana boats. Or, just chill out with a cocktail on your beach towel.

Go deep underground and visit Harrison’s Cave

Harrison’s Cave is one of the top attractions in Barbados, topping many holidaymakers’ itineraries. This gigantic limestone underworld was first discovered in 1974, and is now known as one of the Seven Wonders of the island. And when you get inside, you’ll understand why. The sightseeing checklist ticks off spiky stalagmites and stalactites, glistening streams and plunging pools, to name a few. The main reason visitors flock underground is for the Great Hall. It’s a magnificent, 100-feet high chamber, featuring a tall and tumbling waterfall – it’s definitely worth a snap or ten for Instagram. Tour-wise, you’ll get to ride on a solar-powered tram, as well as exploring some of the caves on foot.

Thinking about the next destination for your own royal tour of the Caribbean? Why not find out about Jamaica, and how you can get VIP treatment.

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Have a scroll through our holidays to Barbados.

Author: Olivia Hunt