Cast Away Your Worries & Reel In A Big One While Fishing In Barbados

Barbados is a dream destination for travelers for many reasons. Fishing enthusiasts in particular will find plenty of opportunities to indulge in their passion on this island. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, Barbados offers a range of locations, tours, and fishing charters that cater to all levels of expertise, making it an ideal spot for a fishing getaway. Before embarking on your fishing adventure in Barbados, it’s important to know the basics.

Barbados is located in the Eastern Caribbean. You can get to this island in roughly five hours or less through a number of U.S. destinations including Florida and New York. Some of Barbados’ closest neighbors include Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and all of these islands make for incredible beach or fishing vacations.

If you’re planning a fishing trip in Barbados, keep reading for our top tips on the best fishing experiences to be had, whether you’re seeking deep-sea excitement or a more laid-back hook-and-line fishing adventure!

Do you need a Fishing License to go fishing in Barbados?

If you plan on fishing in Barbados, you will not need to obtain a fishing license. This stands whether you want to do some rod and reel shore fishing or go sport fishing off the coast. If you want more details on this, then you can contact the Barbados Game Fishing Association, which is the official authority for sport fishing in Barbados. This organization is also in charge of planning all fishing events and fishing competitions on the island.

Picture: An Island Routes deep sea fishing tour in Barbados.

Although a fishing license is not required to go sports fishing in Barbados, it doesn’t mean this island does not pay attention to the conservation of marine life. Quite the contrary: Barbados is one of the islands in the Caribbean that has committed itself to preserving wildlife through the maintenance of marine reserves by the National Conservation Commission and other measures.

The best fishing in Barbados: Fishing spots and techniques you need to check out

Fishing anywhere in the Caribbean is an angler’s dream. If you know the right spot and techniques to use you’re almost guaranteed a good catch in this region. Barbados has some of the best fishing in the Caribbean. Here are some of the places you can go for a great fishing trip on this island:

Shore fishing

Shore fishing can be a great option in Barbados. The reason for this is that it is more or less a basic fishing style and won’t require much planning. For some great shore fishing in Barbados, all you’ll need to do is pick out a good location and organize your fishing gear and you’ll be good to go. Shore fishing excursions can be arranged through some tour companies in Barbados.

If you’re looking for the best places to go reef fishing from shore in Barbados, you might want to look at beaches like Crane Beach, Fitts Village, and Payne’s Bay. In some parts of Barbados, you'll find that the waters near shore are as deep as 70 feet, which is optimal for bottom fishing and lure casting. This depth can really increase the diversity and size of the fish you’ll be able to reel in. Keep in mind that the upper north and east coast on the Atlantic side of this island have higher cliffs in some places, which may not be the best for this type of fishing. Even still, if you manage to find a good spot along the east coast, you might be able to find pretty big fish near the shore.

When shore fishing in Barbados, the common species you might encounter include jacks, snapper, jackfish, wahoo, and kingfish. Experienced anglers say that low tide is the best time to fish since the water is clearer and the fish are more active.

Best shore fishing spots in Barbados:

• Cave Bay (St. Lucy)
• Six Men’s Bay (Speighstown)
• The southwest coast near Silver Sands
• Alleyne’s Beach (Mount Standfast)

Bottom fishing

With bottom fishing, anglers normally target species of fish that can be found on or near the ocean floor. Bottom fishing is most often done from a fishing boat, but it is possible to do so from shore as well as from certain locations in Barbados. Some of the best places for bottom fishing in Barbados include Speightstown Pier, Bratts Rock Beach, and Holetown Beach.

While bottom fishing in Barbados, there are various fish species that you can expect to reel in. This includes yellowtail snapper, grouper, moray eels, triggerfish, and sharks. A great tip for bottom fishing on this island is to adjust your hook size depending on the fish species you want to target.

Best bottom fishing spots in Barbados:

• Bridgetown Harbour
• Carlisle Bay, Barbados
• Oistins Bay
• Speightstown

Deep sea fishing

Deep sea fishing can be an incredible adventure in Barbados. Anglers who want to catch large game fish like mahi mahi, tuna, dolphin (dorado), sailfish, blue and white marlin, and other fish species will most appreciate this adventure. With the right fishing tips and a whole lot of patience, you’re likely to walk away from your deep-sea fishing adventure in Barbados with an impressive catch.

Deep sea fishing trips can be organized with the various fishing charter companies in Barbados. Many of these charters will take you to the best deep-sea fishing spots in Barbados including those on the south and west coasts of the island. Both half and full-day deep-sea fishing tours are popular on this island and it just depends on how much time you want to spend out at sea. Many of the deep-sea fishing boats leave from Bridgetown, Port Ferdinand, and Port St. Charles.

Expert tip: In some areas of Barbados, you can be in waters as deep as 400ft just around a mile from shore. This depth can more than double as you go two miles further in some places, meaning you may not need to travel exceedingly far out to go deep-sea fishing in Barbados. Setting out on a deep-sea fishing adventure from Bridgetown is ideal.

Best deep sea fishing spots in Barbados:

• Near Animal Flower Cave
• South Coast
• West Coast
• East Coast

Fly fishing

The appeal of fly fishing is the challenge and excitement of it all. In Barbados, this is quite a popular activity. One of the best places for this type of fishing is off the west coast of this island. The flats in this area, as well as the inlets and bays, are usually conducive spots to make a good catch of bonefish and tarpon. Sometimes barracuda and permit can be reeled in during a fly fishing expedition on this island.

A rule of thumb when fly fishing in Barbados is to ensure that you have a sturdy rod. This is important especially if you want to catch big game fish. For reeling in barracuda, you’ll need to have a strong wire. Bone-fishing in the flats of Barbados can be fun for newbie anglers and especially for those with more experience who thrive off a good challenge.

Best fly fishing spots in Barbados:

• Bonefishing in the flats
• Inland reservoir
• Speightstown Jetty
• Bathsheba

Fishing seasons: The best time to fish in Barbados

The best time to go fishing in Barbados depends on the type of fish you’re trying to catch. The type of fishing expedition you plan on embarking on is a factor as well. This island is known to be great for fishing year-round, but the success of your fishing trip will really depend on the various seasons within which the various fish species become prevalent.

When it comes to the fishing seasons for Barbados, May through September is the peak season for catching dorado. January to April is best if you want to catch billfish like marlin and sailfish. Tuna tends to peak from January to May, while wahoo and tarpon can be reeled in year-round. January through May is also a good time to catch fish species like skipjack, bonito, blackfin, yellowfin tuna, and more.

Planning your Barbados fishing trip

Any good fishing trip will require planning. In Barbados, planning is important as there are many different ways to set up a fishing trip including by organizing a boat charter. Below we’ve included some details that can be helpful when setting up a fishing trip on this island:

Booking a private fishing charter

Setting up a fishing charter is a good way to ensure that you’re able to fish in prime spots in Barbados. There are quite a few boat charter companies on this island offering a range of packages including shared and private fishing charters. If you’re more interested in a personalized fishing experience, a private fishing charter will be ideal.

Private fishing charters often include more add-ons and can be personalized based on the type of experience you’re looking for. You can decide whether you want a half-day or full-day charter and you can also, in some cases, decide what Barbados food and drinks you want included. Most fishing charters include all the fishing equipment you’ll need for the day, but you should verify this in advance so that you know what to expect. One of the benefits of booking a fishing charter is that the local fishing operators usually know the best spots where you'll be able to find the most fish. Secure your fishing charter in Barbados as early as possible as these tend to get booked up fairly quickly.

Recommended Barbados fishing charters

There are a number of fishing charters available for setting up fishing tours while in Barbados. Most of these charters offer a range of packages. Listed below are a few of the recommended fishing charters on this island, the price you can expect to pay, and what’s included:

• Nauti Dreams Luxury Charters

Nauti Dreams Luxury Charters is a popular fishing charter option if you’re interested in finding one that includes fresh meals prepared by the captain of your ship. When you book this excursion, you’ll be able to try your hand at reeling in mahi mahi, marlin, wahoo, tarpon, and other fish species that tend to be abundant closer to shore. It will cost US$625 to set up a half-day fishing trip with this tour operator and this can be a fun way to spend a couple of hours in Barbados.

• Cannon Charters Big Game Fishing

The team at Cannon Charters Big Game Fishing prides itself on having 25 years of experience on the water. This means that if you book a fishing charter with this company, you can expect that you'll be taken to some of the best fishing spots in Barbados. Big game fishing is a specialty of this company and a half-day fishing trip will cost around US$600. A popular fishing location for this company is just off Bridgewater’s shores where you can reel in mahi mahi and wahoo. Both private and shared fishing charters can be booked through this company.

• Billfisher III

Whether you want a short day trip or an eight-hour sport fishing expedition, you can have it with Billfisher III Deep Sea Fishing. A popular fishing option with this company, which is owned and operated by Capt. Ralphie White, is their five-hour trip which includes fishing, snorkeling, and BBQ for US$875. A fishing charter with this company can be a great way to explore the coast of Barbados and have fun while you're at it.

• Therapy Charters

Therapy Charters is a family-friendly boat chartering company based in Bridgetown, Barbados. This boat company offers private luxury coastal cruising, private family tours, deep sea and reef fishing trips, and turtle and shipwreck tours. Therapy Charters is family-friendly and specializes in light tackle and deep-sea fishing. The four-hour deep-sea fishing charter offered by Therapy Charters starts at US$550. Depending on the package that you choose, you can wind up paying more for your fishing charter but this company has great reviews, so it will likely be worth it.

Other must-dos while In Barbados

Aside from fishing, there are lots of exciting things to do in Barbados. For starters, you can go diving, hop aboard a submarine, and even explore natural caves. Here are some of the most enjoyable activities and attractions you might want to do and see in Barbados:

Dive deep with the Atlantis submarine

Taking a deep dive into the magnificent waters of Barbados is always a good idea. No matter how you choose to do it, through a snorkeling or scuba diving trip, or by way of a submarine, there’s quite a lot to see in the Bajan ocean. If you’re interested in a submarine tour, then you can arrange one with the Atlantis. This excursion makes it possible to explore the undersea at depths of up to 150ft while staying dry. A submarine experience with the Atlantis might just feel as mythical as it would to explore that ancient, underwater city, in real-time.

Just about anyone can book and enjoy a submarine tour while in Barbados. The 50-foot mini-submarine used for this experience has a capacity of 48 passengers. If you want to embark on this excursion while in Barbados, you’ll need to book your tour early as the spots tend to fill up fast. Don’t worry about certifications as these won't be necessary for this trip. Sightings from the Atlantis include lots of fish, coral reefs, and even some shipwrecks.

Visit the Barbados Wildlife Reserve

The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is a top attraction for nature enthusiasts. At this reserve, you can expect to see all types of animals including green monkeys, peacocks, deer, iguanas, and all types of birds. These animals roam freely within the reserve so you can expect to find them going about their day surrounded by the lush forests. Visitors to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve often rave about how cool it is to see these creatures up close in a natural habitat. The monkeys are especially popular and a sight to see as they swing through the trees, interact with each other, and entertain guests.

Aside from the animals, the lure of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve for some is being able to delve into Caribbean plant life. The different types of exotic flowers and fruit trees definitely add some vibrance and serenity to this experience. The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is open daily and if you want to go here, it is recommended that you go early to avoid the crowds.

Good to know: A tour of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve can require quite a bit of walking so you should wear comfortable shoes. Bring along insect repellent as well.

Explore Harrison’s Cave

Harrison’s Cave is one of the most exciting things to do in Barbados. This attraction consists of a natural cave with unique features inside including underground waterfalls, pools, and stalactites. During a tour of Harrison’s Cave, you can expect to be taken on a guided tour via a tram. At a certain point inside the cave, you’ll get to hop out of the tram to explore and the guide will share details on the history, geology, and ecology of the cave.

When touring Harrison’s Cave, it's a good idea to bring a light jacket as the cave can be a bit cool and damp inside. Comfortable shoes are a must as well as there are various chambers and passages inside the cave that you’ll need to navigate. When exploring this cave, keep in mind that there are several species of bats that live inside. As such, you might want to avoid making loud noises or sudden movements. After your tour of the cave, you can grab a bite at the restaurant, visit the gift shop or go to the Visitor Center to see the exhibits.

Reel in unforgettable memories while fishing in Barbados

Barbados is certainly one of the best fishing destinations in the Caribbean. The island’s fishing locations are often teeming with fish, and it won’t be hard to plan your fishing adventure as there are many fishing operators offering a range of packages. Couples will likely enjoy private fishing charters the most, or fishing charters that include other fun activities like snorkeling and BBQs on or near the beach.

If you have a Barbados fishing trip in mind, then you might want to look into an all-inclusive resort vacation. These resorts make it easy for guests to plan tours and excursions including fishing trips. Added to that, transportation is usually included in tours booked through a Sandals all-inclusive resort. Discounts may also be possible with your booking and you’ll be able to benefit from the local insights of staff. Aside from fishing, couples will find lots more to love about Sandals Resorts in Barbados including the luxury accommodation, day and night entertainment, multiple restaurants including gourmet options, and the list goes on! The only thing missing from your Sandals Resorts vacation will be the stress of planning everything out yourself!

Picture: A beachfront view from the main pool at Sandals Royal Barbados.

Expert tip: If you’re looking for more adventure in Barbados, you can visit Mullins Beach for a day near the ocean or some of the most popular historic landmarks in Barbados.