Barbados Shore Excursion: Sea Turtles, Shipwreck & Island Stops

Land and sea in one morning: Rihanna's street, a cliff-edge church, and turtles in Carlisle Bay

A six-hour shore excursion in Barbados that pairs a guided island tour with a boat cruise. Travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Rihanna Drive, Cherry Tree Hill, Bathsheba, St. John's Church, and the Garrison Historic Area, then board Tranquility Cruises for an 80-minute cruise where you snorkel a shipwreck and swim with sea turtles in Carlisle Bay. A licensed guide leads the land portion. Snorkel gear and life vests are provided for the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bathsheba Beach15m
2. St. John's Parish Church20m

Explore Barbados land and sea

• Visit Rihanna Drive in Bridgetown
• Stop at Cherry Tree Hill viewpoint
• View historic Morgan Lewis Windmill
• Visit Bathsheba coastal village
• Tour St. John’s Parish Church
• Explore the Garrison Historic Area
• Enjoy boat trip with snorkeling and turtle swim
• Drive through Bridgetown city

The experience

The tour starts in Bridgetown and moves east along the coast, stopping first at Rihanna Drive to see the exterior of the childhood home of the global music icon before she rose to fame. From there, the route climbs to Cherry Tree Hill, which rises 850 feet above sea level and overlooks the Scotland District: a region named for its rugged hills that reminded early Scottish settlers of their homeland. The road down is lined with West Indian mahogany trees, then opens onto sugar cane fields. A scenic stop at Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, built in 1727 and one of only two functioning sugar windmills left in the world, shows the engineering that powered Barbados' historic sugar industry.

The tour continues to Bathsheba on the east coast, famous for its dramatic Atlantic waves and the Soup Bowl, a legendary surfing spot. St. John's Parish Church, perched on a cliff overlooking the water, dates to 1645 and is one of Barbados' oldest Anglican churches. Its churchyard holds the tomb of Fernando Paleologus, a descendant of the Byzantine imperial family who settled in Barbados in the 1600s. The Garrison Historic Area, established by the British in 1705 and expanded to 64 acres, is where Barbados declared independence on November 30, 1966. Many original structures built with London bricks still stand.

After free time at Savvy on the Bay (a beachfront spot with a bar and food trucks where you can swim, relax or grab a meal), you board Tranquility Cruises for the water portion. The 80-minute cruise departs from Carlisle Bay with snorkel gear, masks and life vests provided. You'll swim with sea turtles, explore a historic shipwreck, and see tropical fish and rays. The boat has a glass-bottom viewing area, onboard washroom and bar. The tour ends with a drive through Bridgetown, the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to the port.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to the boat cruise.
• bottled water.
• a friendly, knowledgeable and licensed tour guide who speaks English.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• snorkel gear, masks and life vests for the water portion.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 93 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Beautiful (Barbados) Tours and Excursions Ltd

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout the land portion and delivers commentary on each stop. The boat cruise itself requires only that you're comfortable in the water, as snorkel gear and life vests are provided and marine life sightings are never guaranteed. If you're prone to motion sickness, the island roads can be winding and bumpy, so take precautions and let your guide know in advance.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cherry Tree Hill and why is the Scotland District named after Scotland?

Cherry Tree Hill rises 850 feet above sea level and offers panoramic views of the Scotland District, a region of rugged hills and valleys in the parish of St. Andrew. Early Scottish settlers named it after Scotland's patron saint because the landscape reminded them of their homeland.

Can I actually enter Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, or is it just a photo stop?

Entry to Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill is not included in the tour. You stop for photographs and to view the historic structure from outside. The windmill, built in 1727, is one of only two functioning sugar windmills remaining in the world.

What happens during the boat cruise, and what equipment is provided?

The 80-minute cruise from Carlisle Bay includes snorkeling at a historic shipwreck and swimming with sea turtles. Snorkel gear, masks and life vests are provided. The boat has a glass-bottom viewing area, onboard washroom and bar. Marine life sightings vary by trip.

Is there time to eat or swim on my own during the tour?

Yes, you have free time at Savvy on the Bay, a beachfront destination with a beach bar and food truck park where you can swim, relax on the beach, rent a chair or grab food and drinks before boarding the cruise.

What is St. John's Church and why is it historically significant?

St. John's Parish Church, one of Barbados' oldest Anglican churches dating to 1645, sits dramatically on a cliff overlooking the coast. Its churchyard holds the tomb of Fernando Paleologus, a descendant of the Byzantine imperial family who settled in Barbados in the 1600s after his family lost the throne to the Turks.