5 things you probably don't know about Barbados

1. Barbados has never changed hands

It is the only Caribbean island never to have changed hands.  It remained a British colony from 1625 until becoming a republic in 2021.

2. It rose straight out of the ocean

Barbados was formed over time by the slow emergence of a coral reef that was pushed up by tectonic plate collision. This process resulted in an island that is, for the most part, a solid mass of coral limestone.

Look for evidence of this as you travel the island.

Compactly populated yet still amazingly peaceful

Barbados is the most densely populated island in the western hemisphere. However, you can easily find yourself being the only person on a stunningly beautiful beach watching the turtles from the shore.

Three species of turtles nest here.

Leatherbacks, green turtles, and hawksbills all come ashore to nest on Barbadian beaches—one of the few places in the region where you can see all three.

Clean accessible water for everyone

Barbados was the one of the first Caribbean island to have piped water.

Ask Mike to tell you fascinating stories of daily life in Barbados; they are part of the island’s social history.

Want to learn more?

Join us on a Real Barbados Tour and discover the island’s landscapes, culture and the people who make it unique.