Is everyone starting to talk about how cold it's getting outside? Don’t want to deal with frozen temperatures and a hot chocolate overdose this winter? What if we told you there’s a place that's perfect for a winter surf trip where the only thing cold is the local rum punch. Welcome to Barbados, a place you can swap snow boots for surfboards and wool sweaters for swimsuits…
Barbados in Winter
Lucky Barbados has a tropical Caribbean climate all year round. The winter months (roughly December through March) are sunny and warm, with average temperatures ranging from 75°F in the evenings to 84°F during the day. Humidity levels are lower compared to the summer months and to top it off it’s also prime surf season. The swell is bigger, the waves are more consistent, and the weather is perfect. It’s fair to say Bajans don’t get the winter blues.
Where to Stay in Barbados
Barbados is a famous tourist destination, and accommodation can be expensive. But it’s possible to do on a surf bum budget if you stay a little further from the beach and check out basic Airbnbs.
If you want to live like royalty for a week, there are luxury resorts for that. Think: private beaches, infinity pools, and world-class spas. Sandy Lane is the biggest of them all—if you want to feel like a billionaire, this is where you check in.
If your idea of luxury is waking up to the sound of the ocean and rolling straight into the surf, then places like Zed’s Surfing Adventures offer cozy accommodation and surf lessons. For those looking for a no-frills crash pad there are also plenty of Airbnb options.
Best Barbados Surf Spots
From Kelly Slater’s favorite wave to cruisy longboard breaks, Barbados has something for every level of surfer.
Soup Bowl on the east coast is one for the serious surfers, on a big day you can watch pros catching huge barrels. For something more chill, Freight’s Bay is a family-friendly wave with as many sea turtles as humans in the line-up!
If you’ve never touched a surfboard before, Silver Sands is the place to go. Gentle waves, sandy bottom, and a chill vibe—it’s basically a big “Welcome to Surfing” sign. There are plenty of surf schools around to teach you the basics.
Things to Do in Barbados
When the ocean is flat or you just want a break from the waves, there is so much else to explore. If you rent a car you can discover sandy beaches off the beaten track like Bottoms Bay or Cranes Bay and snorkel with sea turtles and parrot fish.
For some immersion in nature try The Animal Flower Cave where you can discover sea caves, farm animals and a restaurant serving local food. Similarly PEG nature reserve is restoring the land through regenerative farming and you can take guided walks, see monkeys and eat delicious food to support local farmers. A local’s tip is to get up early and head to Pebbles Beach where you can watch the racehorses from the nearby Garrison Savannah have a dip in the warm waters with their grooms at sunrise.
Refuel in Barbados
After a long day of surfing, you’re going to need to refuel. Although eating out on the island can be expensive as ingredients are imported, if you stick to the local gear you can eat very well and inexpensively.
Oistins Fish Fry is famous and gets busy with locals and tourists especially on Friday nights. Mahi mahi, tuna and snapper are sizzled up in front of you and served with rice, macaroni pie and washed down with rum punch. There is live music and vibes well into the night. Roadside stalls sell rotis stuffed with saltfish, meat or sweet tropical fruit and the island's famous fish cakes are a great on-the-go snack between surf sessions.
Long Story Short...
In conclusion, surfing Barbados in the winter is basically the best decision you’ll make all year. With perfect waves, sunny skies, and an endless supply of rum punches, Barbados offers the ultimate escape from the cold north. Once you’ve experienced a caribbean surf winter trip, it may be difficult not to book next year as soon as you’re home.
Written by Laura Sedlak
