Explore & Discover Barbados Land & Sea Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. On 5 July 1628, sixty-four settlers led by Charles Wolverstone arrived in Barbados and chose Bridgetown as the best location for a port, despite its unhealthy swampy land. The town was named after the Indian Bridge, built by the Amerindians. John Swan planned Bridgetown's main streets, with Swan Street named after him, and Broad Street named for its width. Early streets were poorly maintained, so a 1656 law fined property owners 100 pounds of sugar if they failed to keep the area clean. The swamp was later filled and replaced by a canal called the Careenage, where ships were repaired by careening.

   Passes by

2. The Garrison Historic Area is one of Barbados’ most important heritage sites, with origins in the seventeenth century when British forces used the island as a strategic military base. To reduce the burden of housing soldiers, Barbados requested a permanent garrison, which was approved in 1780. Construction began near Charles Fort and St. Anne’s Castle, and the site expanded from 16 to 64 acres, becoming the largest British garrison in the Caribbean. Many buildings were made with London bricks carried as ship ballast, and about 60 original structures remain. The Garrison Savannah evolved into a military parade ground, the birthplace of cricket in Barbados, and a famous horse racing venue. On November 30, 1966, Barbados gained independence under Premier Errol Walton Barrow at the Garrison. Today, it remains a symbol of the island’s military history, culture, and national heritage.

   15 min

3. Visit Rihanna Drive, the neighborhood street in Bridgetown where internationally renowned singer and entrepreneur Rihanna spent part of her childhood. Guests can see the exterior of the modest home where she lived before rising to global fame and learn about her journey from a young girl in Barbados to one of the world’s most successful music and business icons. This stop offers a unique connection to Barbados’ modern culture and celebrates the island’s contribution to the global entertainment world. It is a memorable photo opportunity for fans and visitors interested in experiencing a personal piece of Rihanna’s Barbadian roots.

   10 min

4. Rising approximately 850 feet above sea level, Cherry Tree Hill offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Barbados. From this scenic vantage point, visitors can admire the rolling landscape of the Scotland District, a unique region that covers much of the parish of St. Andrew. The district is named after Scotland's patron saint because its rugged hills and valleys reminded early Scottish settlers of their homeland. It is believed that the name Cherry Tree Hill originated from the abundance of cherry trees that once grew in this area. Today, the road is lined with majestic West Indian mahogany trees, introduced to Barbados following the Treaty of Paris in 1763. As the journey descends upon the hill, the towering mahogany gradually gives way to expansive fields of swaying sugar cane, creating one of the island's most picturesque and memorable landscapes.

   10 min

5. The historic Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, built in 1727, is a remarkable symbol of Barbados’ rich sugar-making heritage. Once one of many windmills that powered the island’s thriving sugar industry, it is now recognized as one of the last two functioning sugar windmills in the world. The mill continued grinding sugarcane for commercial production until 1947, when it was entrusted to the care of the Barbados National Trust. Today, this beautifully preserved landmark offers a fascinating glimpse into Barbados’ past, showcasing the impressive engineering behind sugar production and its important role in shaping the island’s history and culture. During this excursion, we make a scenic stop at Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill for photographs and to admire the historic structure, entry to the mill is not included.

   Passes by

6. Bathsheba, located on Barbados’ rugged east coast, is one of the island’s most scenic coastal villages, famous for its dramatic landscapes, powerful Atlantic waves, and distinctive coral rock formations. According to local tradition, the village was named after the biblical Bathsheba, whose legendary milk baths were said to resemble the white, foaming surf at the famous Soup Bowl. Today, Bathsheba is recognized internationally as one of Barbados’ top surfing destinations, attracting surfers from around the world with its strong Atlantic swells. The area is also popular with photographers, sightseers, and nature lovers who come to admire its breathtaking coastline and refreshing ocean breezes. Despite its popularity, Bathsheba has preserved the charm of a traditional Barbadian fishing village, with colorful seaside cottages and a peaceful atmosphere that showcases the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

   15 min

7. Worship at St. John’s Parish Church has taken place on this site since 1645, making it one of Barbados’ oldest Anglican places of worship. The original wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1676 and replaced with a stone structure. After suffering damage from the hurricanes of 1780 and 1831, the present church was built in 1836 and remains an important center of faith and heritage. The churchyard is also the final resting place of Fernando Paleologus, a former church warden and planter who died in 1670. A descendant of the Byzantine imperial family, Paleologus was related to the brother of Emperor Constantine XI, the last emperor of Constantinople. After his family lost the throne to the Turks, he settled in Barbados. Originally buried beneath the choir, his tomb was moved to the churchyard after the 1831 hurricane. Today, St. John’s offers a fascinating connection to Barbados’ religious, architectural, and international history.

   20 min

8. Set sail with Tranquility Cruises for an unforgettable Turtle and Shipwreck adventure along the beautiful coastline of Barbados. Enjoy a comfortable cruise featuring spacious decks, onboard washrooms, a bar, glass-bottom viewing area, and seating for relaxation. Explore the underwater world with provided snorkel gear, masks, and life vests as you discover a historic shipwreck, swim with sea turtles, and admire colorful tropical fish. Children can enjoy the onboard waterslide for added fun. Departing from Carlisle Bay, a stunning coastal destination known for calm turquoise waters and vibrant marine life, this 80-minute cruise offers the chance to explore the famous marine park, home to shipwrecks, turtles, rays, seahorses, and other fascinating creatures. Every trip offers a unique experience, as marine life sightings may vary. All visitors must complete a liability waiver before boarding the vessel.

   1.3 hAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 29 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 4Island Overview

  The tour gave an overview of the island. Driving around the island and making short stops, enabled us to see some of the island. It also gave ideas of places we might want to go back to visit. The disappointing part was that the swim with the turtles had to be postponed due to poor visibility. However, that was not the fault of the tour operators. The best part of the tour was Lisa, our tour guide. She was personable, knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor. She is also a good driver considering some of the narrow and hilly roads she had to maneuver. We give Lisa 5 stars!

  Dean_OApril 2026via Viator

• 5Wow!

  What an amazing day! All thanks to Omar our driver.He takes the greatest of pride in both his country and his job. It was a pleasure to spend the day with you. Many fantastic locations, Cheery Tree was beathtaking, the windmill,church and the great Mushroom rock were a sight to behold . I enjoyed listening to information about Barbados and all the different parishes. Savvy on the beach was amazing, snorkeling with various different fish amongst the shipwrecks. Money well spent . Forming great memories

  Claire_EApril 2026via Viator

• 5Great Excursion!

  Chris took us on a great tour of the island. A++ The boys took us snorkeling to the shipwrecks, A++ as well. Great excursion especially the personal small group for our island tour. Chris was extremely informative. The boys were very entertaining.

  Sherpa23033348915January 2026via Tripadvisor

• 4Driver was great! Vans AC...

  Driver was great! Vans AC was at a minimum. Was disappointed that on the boat excursions first stop , because some people saw turtles while snorkeling, the guys in charge felt that we didn’t need to make the actual turtle stop. So most didn’t see turtles.

  Marita_WAugust 2025via Viator

• 5Great excursion

  Even though the weather prevented us from doing the sea part of the excursion. We still had an excellent sightseeing and beach time. Kwame was our tour guide and he was nice and very funny. Loved the parts we did see and they partially refunded us without me even asking because the weather prevented us from going on the boat. So I highly recommend this excursion

  Jamal_PAugust 2025via Viator

• 5The lad portion was a...

  The lad portion was a nice tour of the island. The snorkeling trip was the best we’ve ever been to! The tour guides were great! We saw so many beautiful fish and several turtles. The shipwrecks were nice and close.

  Danielle_OJuly 2025via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Diamond Valley

• Its from-price is 34% below the median of the 32 day trips we list in Diamond Valley.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 25 of 32.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Diamond Valley

Diamond Valley lies in the south-east of Barbados, the easternmost Caribbean island, a coral island of sugar-cane fields, gentle hills and beaches.

Diamond Valley sits in the parish of St Philip, on the south-east side of Barbados, a coral-limestone island roughly 34 kilometres long and the easternmost of the Caribbean islands. Crane Beach, a wide beach of pale sand backed by cliffs, lies on this coast. The land is gently rolling, with sugar-cane fields, gullies cut into the limestone, and villages of painted wooden chattel houses. Calm beaches face the Caribbean Sea along the west coast, while the Atlantic side to the east is rougher, with strong surf and rocky headlands.

See all 49 experiences in Diamond Valley