Returning to Barbados: Our Family Trip in October 2026
Some destinations are simply places you visit.
Others become part of your story.
Barbados has always been one of those places for me. My husband and I were married there in 1999, so the island holds memories from one of the most meaningful chapters of our lives. This October, we will be returning to Barbados with our family—and I am incredibly excited to experience it again, not only as a traveller, but also through the eyes of a travel advisor.
We will be staying at The Club Barbados Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort located on the island’s beautiful west coast.
While we are there, I will also be touring Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados. These visits will allow me to see the accommodations, dining, amenities and overall feel of each resort firsthand so I can provide more informed recommendations to my clients.
This trip will be a family vacation, a return to a place that means so much to us and an opportunity to deepen my knowledge of one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands.
Our Stay at The Club Barbados
The Club Barbados is an all-inclusive resort located along the island’s west coast, an area known for calmer Caribbean waters and beautiful sunsets. The resort has a relaxed, social atmosphere and welcomes guests aged 16 and older, making it a good option for couples, groups of friends and families travelling with older teens or adult children.
The property offers Caribbean-inspired rooms and suites, pools, dining, bars and an oceanfront setting. I am looking forward to experiencing the resort personally and seeing how it may fit different types of travellers.
For me, one of the most valuable parts of travelling as an advisor is being able to move beyond the photographs.
A website can show me what a resort looks like, but being there allows me to understand how it feels.
Is it easy to navigate?
Is the atmosphere peaceful or lively?
How far are the rooms from the restaurants and pools?
Where are the quieter areas?
What type of traveller would feel most comfortable there?
Those are the details that help me make more thoughtful recommendations.
Touring Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados
I am also especially excited to tour Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados during this trip.
The two adults-only, couples-focused resorts are located beside one another and offer a “stay at one, play at two” experience. Guests can access the dining, entertainment and amenities across both properties.
Sandals Royal Barbados includes features such as multiple pools, water sports, a spa and even a bowling alley. Both resorts also offer access to a large selection of restaurants across the two properties.
Touring both resorts will help me better understand the differences between them.
Although neighbouring resorts may share amenities, they can still have very different personalities, room styles and locations within the overall property. Seeing those details myself will help me guide honeymooners, anniversary couples and other adult travellers toward the option that best suits them.
What Travellers Should Know Before Visiting Barbados
Barbados offers beautiful beaches, warm hospitality, history, culture and plenty to experience beyond the resort.
Here are a few helpful things to know when planning a trip.
Currency and payments
The local currency is the Barbadian dollar. It is pegged to the US dollar at approximately BDS$1.98 to US$1. US dollars are also widely accepted, along with major credit cards at many businesses.
It is helpful to confirm which currency a quoted price is in, especially when shopping, dining or taking a taxi.
Drinking water
Tap water in Barbados is considered safe to drink. The official tourism authority describes the island’s public water supply as reliable and safe.
Travellers who prefer bottled water will still find it readily available, but it is reassuring to know that brushing your teeth or having water at a restaurant should not be a concern for most visitors.
Driving and transportation
Vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Barbados. Seatbelts are compulsory, and visitors should become familiar with local road rules before renting a vehicle.
Travellers who are not comfortable driving can use taxis, arrange private transportation or book guided island tours. Public transportation is also available.
Passports and entry requirements
Visitors must travel with a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. The passport must be valid for the duration of the stay. Entry requirements can change, so travellers should always verify the latest rules before departure.
Weather in October
October falls within Barbados’ wetter season, when temperatures are generally warm and rainfall is more likely. However, tropical weather can change throughout the day, and showers do not necessarily mean an entire day will be lost to rain.
October is also part of the Atlantic hurricane season. Barbados sits outside the main hurricane belt, but travellers should still purchase appropriate travel insurance and remain aware of weather updates before and during their trip.
I always recommend packing light clothing, comfortable footwear, sunscreen, a hat and a compact rain jacket or umbrella.
Swimming With Sea Turtles in Barbados
One experience I am particularly excited about is the possibility of swimming with sea turtles.
Barbados is home to both hawksbill and green sea turtles, and turtle sightings are possible in several areas around the island. Holetown, Dover Beach and Carlisle Bay are among the locations associated with turtle snorkelling experiences.
Carlisle Bay is especially popular because visitors can snorkel around marine life and several shipwrecks within the bay.
Many catamaran and glass-bottom-boat excursions include opportunities to snorkel in areas where turtles are frequently seen. Of course, they are wild animals, so no ethical tour operator can guarantee an encounter.
It is important to observe turtles responsibly by giving them space, avoiding touching or chasing them and following the instructions of local guides.
Seeing one glide through the water in its natural environment would be an unforgettable experience—and I am hopeful we will have the opportunity during our trip.
What to Do in Barbados
Barbados offers much more than beautiful beaches.
Explore Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is a wonderful option for swimming, snorkelling and exploring underwater shipwrecks. Its marine park is known for clear water, sea life and accessible snorkelling experiences.
Visit Harrison’s Cave
Harrison’s Cave is one of the island’s best-known natural attractions. Visitors can travel underground to see caverns, streams and limestone formations. It is a great way to experience a different side of Barbados beyond the coastline. Sandals also lists the cave among the popular excursions available from its Barbados resorts.
Discover Bridgetown
Historic Bridgetown offers shopping, architecture and an opportunity to learn more about the island’s history. It can be combined with a visit to nearby Carlisle Bay for a day that includes both culture and beach time.
Experience St. Nicholas Abbey
St. Nicholas Abbey offers visitors a glimpse into Barbadian history, architecture and rum production. It is another popular island excursion highlighted for visitors staying in the south-coast resort area.
Explore the gardens and countryside
Barbados has beautiful inland areas that can be easy to overlook when the beaches receive so much attention. Hunte’s Gardens is one option for travellers who enjoy tropical plants, peaceful surroundings and photography.
Take an island tour
A guided island tour can be one of the easiest ways to see several parts of Barbados in one day. Visitors can experience coastal viewpoints, small communities, historic sites and local food without worrying about navigating unfamiliar roads.
Try local food
No visit to Barbados would be complete without sampling Bajan cuisine.
Flying fish is closely associated with the island, while dishes such as macaroni pie, fish cakes and freshly prepared seafood are also worth trying. Barbados is equally well known for its rum culture, and travellers may choose to visit a rum distillery or enjoy a guided food-and-rum experience.
Why This Trip Matters to Me Professionally
This vacation is deeply personal, but it is also an important opportunity for my business.
Resort tours allow me to ask questions, inspect room categories, understand property layouts and learn which resorts may work best for different travellers.
I will be looking at each property through several lenses:
Couples planning honeymoons or anniversary trips
Families travelling with older teens or adult children
Travellers who prefer a quieter resort experience
Guests who want access to activities and entertainment
Travellers who may need greater predictability or sensory consideration
Clients deciding between the west and south coasts of Barbados
Firsthand experience does not replace careful research, but it adds an important layer to the advice I can offer.
When someone trusts me with their vacation, I want to recommend more than a beautiful photograph. I want to understand what the experience may actually feel like for them.
Coming Back to Where Our Story Began
Returning to Barbados nearly three decades after our wedding feels incredibly special.
This trip will allow us to revisit a place that has always held a piece of our family’s story while creating entirely new memories together.
I am looking forward to the warmth, the sunsets, the turquoise water and hopefully a sea turtle or two.
I am also looking forward to sharing what I learn along the way—from our experience at The Club Barbados to my tours of Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados.
Barbados is already part of my past.
This October, it becomes part of our story again.
