If you fancy a trip to Barbados and are lucky enough not to have to go during the school holidays, then September is the perfect time to go. With great weather, stunning beaches and a wealth of first-class activities and entertainment, the only difference you’ll find is that the queues are shorter and the prices are lower. Here’s why September is ideal for a Barbados break.
Less busy, less expensive
Barbados’ reputation as a luxury destination means that prices are at a premium during the school holidays. As it’s a popular destination for both US and UK visitors, this high demand period lasts from early June until the beginning of September. However, once the kids go back to school, the demand for flights and accommodation drops and prices fall significantly. If you are looking for a bargain, going in September can be 60% less expensive than visiting in August.
With fewer visitors in September, you’ll also find that the island is an even more laid-back place to be. There’s more room on the beaches, a better chance of grabbing a table at the best restaurants and the queues for everywhere are smaller. Essentially, you have much more of this beautiful island to yourself.
Places remain open in September
Just because the family holidays come to an end in September doesn’t mean that everywhere shuts down. The majority of attractions and venues on the island stay open all year round, used by both visitors and locals. While some might choose this part of the year to refurbish their premises ahead of the winter season, these will be the exceptions.
Great weather
If you like the warmth, then you’ll love September in Barbados as there are nine hours of sunshine a day and average temperatures of 29°C. The climate is a little more humid than in previous months and there are occasional showers, but these usually last just 10 minutes or so.
As for hurricanes, thankfully, Barbados’ location in the east and south of the Caribbean means that these are very rare. Most travel some distance north of the island and are still classed as tropical storms rather than hurricanes when they pass by. The last hurricane strength storm to make landfall was in 1955.
Things to do in September
With fewer visitors, shorter queues and discounted prices, September is a great time to take advantage of all the things that Barbados has to offer. If you are wanting to spend time on the beach, Mullins Beach, on the island’s west coast, is the place to go for golden sands, calm, transparent waters and amazing lunches at the Royal Westmoreland Beach Club.
There are plenty of sea-based activities to choose from. You can go snorkelling with turtles, dive shipwrecks and reefs, go surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, hire a catamaran, take out a Jet Ski or head out to deeper waters to catch the big fish. There’s even a tourist submarine to take you beneath the waves.
On land, there are enough things to do to fill a lifetime of vacations. Barbados is home to several world-class golf courses, like the exquisite, par 72, 7,045-yard, Robert Trent Jones Jr designed course at Royal Westmoreland, and boasts some of the world’s best cricket, which is the national game. There are many stunning cycling, jogging and pony trekking routes across the island, or if you fancy a bit of rough and tumble, you could go on an off-road, 4×4 open jeep safari.
Barbados has a rich culture to discover too. There are lots of unique art galleries, live music venues, and a wealth of historical places of interest, such as the Old Bridgetown UNESCO World Heritage Site, the colonial centre of Speightstown and George Washington House, the mansion where young Washington lived for a time before becoming president.
Dining out is an essential part of any visit to Barbados and you should make sure you try out some of the many delicious traditional Bajan dishes, like pudding and souse, conkies and cutters. You’ll find these in local restaurants and street food shacks, especially at the highly celebrated Oistins Friday Fish Fry where you can eat great food, sip a rum cocktail, and enjoy the music and party vibe while perusing the wonderful art and craft stalls.
Where to stay
At the heart of the west coast and with unrivalled views over the Caribbean, Royal Westmoreland is the island’s premier resort, featuring 250 luxury Barbados villas and apartments on a lush, 750-acre private, gated estate. Guests at Royal Westmoreland have exclusive access to its world-class amenities, including a championship standard golf course, state-of-the-art gym, tennis courts and beach club, as well as a concierge, housekeepers and private chef service.
For more information, visit Royal Westmoreland’s Holidays Page.
