Why August is a Great Time to Visit Barbados
August marks the end of the school year and this makes it the most popular time to go on a family holiday. While most people think of heading off to Europe for their summer vacation, August is actually one of the best times for families to visit Barbados. Here, we’ll explain why.
Best holidays at the cheapest prices
As anyone with school-age children will know, as soon as the summer term ends, the prices of holidays to Europe and America rocket. For those destinations, it is high season and so every hotel and airline put up their prices. This can make it extraordinarily expensive for parents.
However, in Barbados, which is typically a winter destination, August is part of the low season. This means there is less demand for air flights or accommodation and, as a result, there are bargains galore on offer. So instead of making do with a jam-packed resort in Greece or Spain, you could stay in one of the luxury apartments or villas on the prestigious west coast of Barbados.
What is Barbados’ weather like in August?
During August, Barbados is at its hottest, with an average of 9 hours sunshine a day and temperatures at a balmy 31°C. However, it is the wet season which means the island does have more rain during summer than the rest of the year. That said, the rain comes in short bursts which, in the baking heat, can bring some much-needed relief. A few minutes later and the sun will be back out, smiling as normal and the rain will have drained away into the porous coral limestone that the island is built from.
What is there to do in Barbados in August?
Barbados is brimming with great things to do in August but with the added benefit of it being less busy. The west coast of the island has some of the world’s best beaches with soft white sands and crystal-clear seas fringed with shady palms. You can choose from remote beaches where you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our beautiful coastline, or you can pamper yourself on a more developed beach. Here, you’ll find exclusive beach clubs offering sun loungers and parasols, chilled drinks and great quality food. Alternatively, just park your towel on your favourite spot and grab a drink and lunch from a nearby beach bar.
There are also plenty of water activities to enjoy, these include snorkelling with turtles, windsurfing and wakeboarding, catamaran tours, canoeing, fishing and much more. There’s even a tourist submarine and a pirate ship to go on.
Off the beach, there are plenty of great places to visit. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Site of old Bridgetown, the awe-inspiring Hunte’s Gardens and RHS award winning Andromeda Gardens, and natural wonders such as the Animal Cave, Welchman Hall Gully and the giant waves of the Soup Bowl at Bathsheba. There are also lots of ‘off the beaten path’ excursions you can take, including jeep safaris, pony trekking and hiking tours.
Any visitor to Barbados will also be thrilled by the delicious food and drink the island has to offer. We have some exceptional fine dining restaurants along the west coast, such as the renowned The Cliff and Cin Cin, which are perfect for family celebrations. Alternatively, discover our traditional street food shacks, selling divine Bajan dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Oistins Friday Fish Fry is one of the best places to find them. We also have the world’s finest and oldest rum, made on Barbados for 300 years – make sure you visit the Mount Gay Distillery’s visitor centre to enjoy a cocktail or two.
And if you do bring the family for August, remember to check out the annual Crop Over festival. Dating back to the 1700s, it’s the biggest festival of the year, celebrating the end of the sugar cane harvest. It ends with a fantastic grand carnival parade and street party, which this year is on 5th August. The parade goes from the National Stadium to Spring Gardens where you’ll find fantastic live music and lots of great food and drink.
Summing up
August can be the best time to visit Barbados. During this time of year, it’s warm, sunny and there are unlimited things to do and enjoy whether on land, on the coast or out at sea. The one major advantage, however, is that as it’s not high season, everything is less expensive and less busy than visiting from November to April.
If you are looking for exceptional accommodation when you visit Barbados in August, take a look at the stunning villas and apartments here at Royal Westmoreland.