Barbados snorkeling tour: Turtles, rum & Harrison's Cave

Snorkel with sea turtles and explore Barbados' underground caverns in one week

A 7-day all-inclusive tour of Barbados based at Accra Beach Hotel, with snorkeling stops to see sea turtles and shipwrecks, guided visits to Harrison's Cave and St. Nicholas Abbey rum distillery, and time at white sand beaches. Accommodation, all meals, airport transfers, boat rides and entrance fees are included. A professional guide leads the island exploration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and hotel transfer

• Arrive at Bridgetown
• Meet team and transfer to hotel
• Dinner at Accra Beach Hotel

Day 2: Barbados island scenic tour

• Explore historic Garrison in Bridgetown
• Visit Holetown and Speightstown
• Tour Animal Flower Cave
• View from Cherry Tree Hill
• Enjoy rum punch and Caribbean buffet
• See Scotland District and Soup Bowl surf spot
• Visit St. John’s Parish Church
• Guided plantation house tour
• Return to Accra Beach Hotel

Day 3: Catamaran snorkel cruise

• Meet guide at hotel lobby
• Snorkel at sea turtle bay
• Optional second snorkel stop
• Sail along west coast
• Lunch buffet on beach
• Swim after lunch
• Sail back to port
• Return to Accra Beach Hotel

Day 4: Leisure day and spa

• Relax at the beach
• Enjoy spa treatment at hotel
• Participate in rum tasting tour
• Dinner at Accra Beach Hotel

Day 5: Harrison's Cave and gardens

• Visit Harrison’s Cave and ride tram
• Explore Hunte’s Botanical Gardens
• Enjoy light refreshments
• Return to Accra Beach Hotel

Day 6: Historic sites and views

• Tour St. Nicholas Abbey plantation house
• Visit North Point for views
• See Animal Flower Cave exterior
• Whale watching from North Point (seasonal)
• Return to Accra Beach Hotel

Day 7: Departure and airport transfer

• Checkout from hotel
• Meet driver for airport transfer
• Fly to Miami

The experience

The itinerary splits between guided excursions and beach time. Day two takes you across the island, from Bridgetown's UNESCO Garrison through Holetown and Speightstown to the Animal Flower Cave in the north, with stops at Cherry Tree Hill for panoramic views and a Caribbean buffet on the east coast. Day three is the catamaran snorkel cruise, departing the hotel at 8:30 am. The guide picks snorkel stops based on conditions, but typically includes at least one site in the bay where sea turtles gather, and sometimes a second stop to see sunken shipwrecks. Lunch is a full Bajan buffet served on the west coast before the sail back. Day four is yours to spend at the beach or book a rum tasting tour at the hotel.

Harrison's Cave, one of Barbados' Seven Wonders, gets its own day with an electric tram ride through underground caverns lit by dramatic lighting and filled with stalactites, stalagmites and emerald pools: the tram journey runs 35 to 45 minutes with expert narration. Afterward you walk through Hunte's Botanical Gardens before returning to the hotel. The final full day visits St. Nicholas Abbey, a Jacobean mansion built in 1658 that now operates as a plantation house museum and rum distillery, then heads north to North Point for views of the island and whale watching during migration season (December to April). The tour ends with airport transfer on day seven after breakfast.

All seven nights are at Accra Beach Hotel with breakfast, lunch and dinner included each day. Airport transfers, the catamaran boat ride, professional guide services and entrance fees to the major sites are part of the package. You'll need to arrange your own travel insurance and cover personal expenses.

What’s included

• Accommodation at Accra Beach Hotel for seven nights.
• airport transfers on arrival and departure.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• catamaran boat ride with open bar.
• entrance fees to Harrison's Cave, Hunte's Botanical Gardens and St. Nicholas Abbey.
• electric tram through the cave caverns.
• snorkeling equipment and guided stops for sea turtles and shipwrecks.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (31 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 29 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Across Caribbean Excursions

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided itinerary that moves you through Harrison's Cave, rum distillery, and snorkeling sites each day while your family stays in one hotel base. Choose it when you prefer a set schedule over building your own route.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 29 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly happens on the snorkel day, and will I definitely see sea turtles?

The catamaran departs at 8:30 am from the hotel and the guide selects snorkel stops based on water conditions that day. At least one stop is typically in the bay where sea turtles are found. Sometimes a second stop visits sunken shipwrecks. The guide chooses the best sites for visibility and marine life on the day you go, so the exact stops vary, but turtle sightings are a regular part of the cruise.

Is the Animal Flower Cave entrance fee included, or do I pay separately?

The Animal Flower Cave is visited on day two as part of the island tour, but the entrance fee is not included in the package price. You can choose to enter or skip it and enjoy the views from North Point instead.

How much time do I actually spend at the beach during this week?

Day four is entirely free time at the beach or for optional activities like a rum tasting tour at the hotel. The other days include guided excursions, though most end back at Accra Beach Hotel by afternoon, leaving time for a swim before dinner.

What is St. Nicholas Abbey, and why is it worth a full day?

St. Nicholas Abbey is a plantation house built in 1658 and one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. It now operates as a museum and rum distillery, so you tour the historic house, learn how rum is made, and visit the grounds. The day also includes North Point, famous for humpback whale viewing during migration season and panoramic views across the island.

Does the tour include the rum punch I keep hearing about?

The catamaran snorkel cruise includes an open bar, and rum punch is recommended as the drink to try while sailing the west coast. The rum tasting tour on day four is optional and booked separately at the hotel.