Black Museums, Art Galleries And Tours

There’s never a dull moment in Barbados. From yachts and boat tours to go-karts and beautiful botanical gardens, Barbados has various fun-filled experiences. Here are ten Black-owned activities to check out during your next visit.

UNSEEN BARBADOS

Unseen Barbados is a private yachting company with first-class service, food, drinks, and oh yea, some pretty cool water sports! An amateur surfer instantly becomes a pro, levitating above the water on their e-foil flight board. Their seabob scooter and lucite kayaking boat are two other fan faves unique to Unseen Barbados. If tranquility is what you crave, enjoy a day at sea, cruising the west coast and sunbathing aboard one of their two charter options: The Oasis II, a luxury yacht that accommodates up to 9 people, or Princess Hope which welcomes a larger group of 14.

CHATTEL HOUSE AUDIO TOURS

Barbados has many tour services, but the Chattel House Audio Tours differs with its immersive deep dive into the island’s African roots. This tour doesn’t just breeze over slave history or solely visit typical touristy sites; rather, it takes visitors off the beaten path highlighting Bajan culture in its entirety. Booking options include bus, walking, private, and even virtual experiences, with tour themes like “The History Of A City – Bridgetown,” “The Historic Speightstown Story,” and “The Historic Garrison and Its Museum.”

The Chattel House motto: “Our passion is to show all our friends and family that we are more than sun, sand, and sea.”

OFF ROAD FURY

Seeking an adrenaline rush? Off Road Fury is the perfect group adventure. It’s an ATV and go-kart experience that takes you through the fields of St.Philip. The optional water gun fight is a perfect addition to any birthday celebration and the venue provides food and refreshments. 

ANDROMEDA BOTANIC GARDENS

This charming garden is managed by Sharon Cooke, Director of Passiflora Ltd. “It is a Barbadian garden – created by a Barbadian,” says Cooke. It houses over 500 plant species with an extensive collection of flowers, including the frangipani, the bougainvillea, the giant Mexican sunflower, breadfruit trees, Barbados cherry trees, banana trees, and more. It’s also home to many hummingbirds, blackbirds, and playful green monkeys. 

Tourists are welcome to pay a one-time fee of $15 US and access the garden for the entire month. The Andromeda staff encourages all visitors to “stay as long as they wish,” because they understand the gardens’ wellness benefits. “Gardens are therapeutic, and it’s proven now. Some cultures, such as Japan, call it forest bathing. Instead of giving people drugs, they tell them to immerse themselves in forests, parks, and greenery because of the proven effects it has on the brain,” Cooke explains. Guests are also welcomed to gather fruits or plants (free of charge) in the Ethnobotanical Garden. This section of the garden is designed to help guests learn about Barbados’ cultural uses for plants. 

LAZY LIZARD WATER ADVENTURES

While in Barbados, you must experience swimming with turtles and snorkeling over a shipwreck. This Black-owned boat has the friendliest staff, the best music playlists, and a water slide that brings out the kid in everyone. The crystal-clear waters of Carlisle Bay serve as the perfect backdrop for this activity, and it helps to have a guide who’s determined to find a slew of turtles and other aquatic wildlife. Lazy Lizard Water Adventures also offers private tours and party cruises. 

G FISH WATERSPORTS

G Fish Watersports has created a space where inquisitive water-lovers can sample the scuba diving experience without a PADI certification. If you can breathe and swim, this boutique operation is prepared to give you a personalized and intimate experience on Carlisle Bay, home to the island’s leading underwater marine park. “Anybody can teach you to dive. I want to teach you to love to dive!” says G, the owner of G Fish. A dive with G Fish also counts towards completing certification requirements should you choose to pursue a scuba diving license. With more than 20,000 dives under his belt, G and his team look forward to helping you discover all Barbados’ aquatic treasures.

SEE BARBADOS THROUGH RIHANNA’S EYES

Global icon and proud Barbadian, Rihanna, loves regularly visiting her homeland. In 2018, she became an official Barbadian ambassador, and in 2021, she was named a “national hero” of Barbados. If you’re a RiRi fan, complete your vacation by experiencing Barbados through her lens. Visit her childhood home on Rihanna Drive, then head to Combermere School, where Rihanna attended high school, performed Mariah Carey’s “Hero” and won the title of “Miss Combermere.” Indulge in her favorite fast food restaurant, the famous Chefette (known as the Bajan McDonald’s) and try the roti or the chicken nuggets that she posted on Instagram. Conclude the day by visiting her lavish, 5-bedroom home at One Sandy Lane on the west coast. 

SPIN POOCH WITH SPINNY (SOCA DANCE CLASS)

Wuk-up Artist, Entertainer & Fitness Instructor, Spinny, is on a mission to introduce “cultural cardio” to the world. This is not your average workout. Whether you’re a dancing queen or a beginner, this cross between fitness and fun provides the perfect opportunity to improve your whining skills and accelerate your aerobic movement. Attendees can dive deeply into the musical aspect of Barbados’ culture as Spinny plays famous Bajan tunes from the past and present. “We all know fitness can be challenging and traditional cardio can sometimes be repetitive and boring, Spinny says. “I wanted to fuse cardio with Bajan culture and our traditional way of dancing, which is called wuk up. My goal is to make cardio fun and prepare people for carnival. I want to help them get in shape for the Caribbean’s year-long festivities.” 

Spinny also hosts cultural cardio for children with Spinny For The Kiddies. “Coming out of the pandemic, where children were stuck inside all day, this was the perfect time to get them active again,” says Spinny. His classes are promoted regularly on Instagram. You’ll also find one of Spinny’s largest classes (500-plus attendees) taking place during Barbados’ annual, week-long Carnival celebration: Crop Over. 

COOKING CLASS WITH ACCENT KITCHEN

This culinary journey is a MUST. Under the guidance of Accent Kitchen, students will learn how to prepare an authentic Bajan meal from scratch. This class will introduce you to tropical ingredients, traditional spice blends, and the many cooking techniques of the island.

You can look forward to adding these recipes to your culinary collection: Macaroni pie and flying fish, pudding and souse (a traditional Saturday lunch made of pickled pork and steamed sweet potatoes), saltfish with fried bakes, and more. “I strive to do this in a fun interactive way since most persons see cooking and baking as a chore and time-consuming. Cooking can be fun! My students know that,” says Melanie Trotman, young entrepreneur and owner of Accent Kitchen.

MOUNT GAY RUM DISTILLERY

Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and the Mount Gay Rum Distillery – founded in 1703 – is believed to have produced the oldest rum in the world. It’s made from the “rich sugar cane and pristine, coral-filtered water native to the island.” The facility is also home to the island’s first Black female master distiller, Trudiann Branker! When visiting the distillery, guests can explore the history and craft of Mount Gay Rums. They can also partake in a cocktail-making workshop or enjoy a traditional Bajan lunch.

#1 BAJAN BUS

Enjoy the best of Barbados with great music, good company, and rum punch for everyone! Open buses like the #1 Bajan Bus were Barbados’ first means of transportation during the 1900s. Flash forward to the present; this replica is the perfect way to sightsee and tour the island. In this 30-person bus, you’ll visit some of the most beautiful beaches, authentic rum shops, and more. Food packages and catering are available on the #1 Bajan Bus, which can be rented and chartered privately.