We’ve answered some common questions below
If you don’t see an answer to a question you have please drop us a message.
FAQ’s - Ocean Breeze
Q. How do I book Ocean Breeze? A. Contact us via the contact form, or drop us an email, we’ll chat to you about the dates you’re looking to visit. You’ll need to pay us a deposit to secure the dates you’d like.
Q. How many bedrooms does Ocean Breeze have? A. Three. A master bedroom and 2 other quite large bedrooms.
Where is Ocean Breeze? A. In the south of the island, near the fishing village of Oistins.
Do I need a car? A. Although it is possible to travel around by taxi (use the ‘pickUP’ (works like Uber), bus and ZR (local bus-taxi), we do highly recommended a hire car for convenience and freedom, especially for seeing the island.
Where is the nearest beach? A. The nearest beach is a five minute walk due south. It’s great for contemplating the sea, but not great for swimming. The best beach is Miami Beach, a twenty minute walk or five minute drive.
Are pets allowed at Ocean Breeze? A. Sorry we do not allow pets at Ocean Breeze.
How far is Ocean Breeze from the airport? A. Grantley Adams International Airport. It is the only airport on the island, and is ten minutes drive to Ocean Breeze.
Are towels provided at Ocean Breeze? A. Yes, bath towels and beach towels.
Do you have any water sport equipment at Ocean Breeze? A. We have no plans to provide anything (kayaks, surfboards, etc) at the moment. You can hire surfboards just up the road, right opposite one of the best surfing spots on the island.
Is there a safe at the property? A. Yes. You can set your own security code. If you forget it, we have a master key.
Is the house suitable for babies & small children. A. Yes - you would to keep a watch on young children around the stairs and the pool.
Is there a barbecue at Ocean Breeze. A. Yes, a gas BBQ, overlooking the pool.
What is the minimum time I can book for A. 5 nights.
What is the maximum time I can book for. A. We would be happy to negotiate.
FAQ’s -Barbados
Q. When is the best time to visit? A. In the high season from 15th Dec - 15th April when there is less rain so not so hot and humid.
How hot is it? A. Daytime temperature ranges from 28 deg C to 35 deg C throughout the year. Cooler Jan/Feb, warmer Jul/Aug.
Do they have seasons? A. Wet and dry, but it’s not as extreme as European seasons.
How warm is the sea? A. Around 27 deg C Jan/Feb. Warmer in summer.
Where can I scuba dive? A. We recommend Roger’s Scuba Shack at Carlisle Bay. Details in the folder. www.rogersscuba.com
Will I need jabs/vaccinations? A. Nothing specific for Barbados.
What’s the language in Barbados? A. English. You may also hear a rich Bajan dialect mostly spoken from local to local. This is an English-based creole language influenced by West Africa.
What’s the currency? A. Barbados Dollar is fixed to the US Dollar at a rate of 2 bd$ to 1US$. US dollars are accepted everywhere, your change would be mostly in bd dollars, and sometimes in US.
Are there mosquitoes in Barbados? A. Yes. Repellent is advised. Luckily Ocean Breeze doesn’t suffer too badly from the problem.
Where is the nearest hospital? A. Doctors, dentist and clinics are listed in a folder at Ocean Breeze. The nearest clinic is Coverley Medical Centre at Charnocks, near the airport. (It is a good clinic).
Where is the nearest shop/supermarket? A. Massy Stores in Oistins, a five minute drive from Ocean Breeze.
Do I need a visa for Barbados? A. From UK passport. You’ll need to check on current Covid restrictions. For other Passports/Nationalities please check the local Government websites.
Is it a direct flight? A. Direct flight operate from various US airports, Toronto in Canada, and Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow in the UK.
What’s the airport/ A. Grantley Adams International Airport. It is the only airport on the island,
Are toiletries provided at Ocean breeze? A. We provide toilet paper/ hand soap to last for the first couple of days.
What is the best food to eat in Barbados? A. Fish. It will always be fresh. The favourite is Mahi-Mahi, known locally as Dolphin. Don’t worry - it’s not Flipper. Also try Flying Fish and Lion Fish.
How long does it take to drive to the other side of the Island/around the island? A. From the south coast to North Point takes around an hour. To drive around the island it’s best to set aside the day, to allow for sightseeing stops.
What are the roads like in Barbados? A. Can get busy with traffic at certain times. The main highway has a good surface. Coastal roads and rural roads do have potholes, but they are easily negotiated. The roads can get busy with traffic at certain times.
Are there any trains? A. Not for public transport. There is a small gauge steam railway at St Nicholas Abbey in the north of the island, running over a short stretch of line for tourist rides.
How long is the flight from the UK. A. Around 8 hours.
Is Barbados safe. A. Yes. Crime rates are low, and most crime tends to be petty and opportunistic.
Is it safe to swim in the sea. A. Yes on the south and west coasts, wheres the Caribbean sea is calm and warm. There are no sharks or dangerous fish except lion fish, stone fish and sea urchins, which have venomous spikes. They would only generally be encountered by snorkelers and scuba divers, but watch your step if walking on rocks submerged in the sea. The Atlantic sea on the east coast is very rough and not recommended for swimming.
Are there any dangerous animals. A. No, there are no snakes or venomous animals.
How big is Barbados. A. 14 miles by 21 miles. (The same size as the Isle of Wight in the UK).
Is there a National drink A. Rum of course! Our favourites are Mount Gay and Alleyne Arthur’s. The national beers are Banks and Deputy.
Are people friendly A. Barbadians some of the friendliest people in the Caribbean.
What is the nightlife like A. Varied and lively.
Is Barbados suitable for all ages A. Yes
Is it possible to buy baby supplies ie. Milk, nappies. A. Yes. Massy stores are well stocked with these items and there. There is also a chemist in Oistins.
Are there boat trips, fishing…A. A wide range of boat trips / snorkelling / fishing.
Is it easy to get around and is there a good bus service. A. Buses serve the whole island. There is also a network of ‘ZR’ buses which are cheap, frequent minibuses.
Can i get a taxi? A. Taxis are plentiful. Costs are on a par with other destinations. Use the ‘pickUP’ app, works just like Uber, to avoid getting taken for a ride on price (pun intended).
Are there plenty of places to eat A. Yes, a wide range of restaurants and takeaways throughout the island.
Is it safe to sunbathe. A. Yes, with the usual precautions. Bear in mind the sun can be fierce. It’s possible to get sunburn even when it’s cloudy.
Do we recycle in Barbados A. After a slow start, recycling is increasing.
Is it good for shopping and is there duty free. A. Duty Free shopping is good, especially for luxury goods like diamonds. Otherwise, don’t go shopping - go to the beach.
Where is the capital. A. Bridgetown, on the southwest corner of the island. It’s a hot, dusty, thriving town.
What is the population. A. 288,023
Barbados has parishes instead of counties. How may parishes are there? There are 11 parishes, all named after saints, except for Christchurch in the south of the island.
Where do all the rich and famous people holiday, or have their own houses. A. Most of the rich and well known celebrities inhabit the west of Barbados. The most exclusive hotels, like Sandy Lane, are on the west coast, where the sea is calm and the beaches are pristine.
Is the west coast better than the south coast then? A. The west coast is the high end tourist area, the south coast less exclusive, although the south coast beaches compare very favourably with the west coast. Ocean Breeze is in a residential, rather than a tourist area, so tends to be calm and quiet, yet still only a few minutes to bars, beaches and restaurants.
Where are the best places for cheap eating? A. Cheap takeaway does not mean low quality. Oistins fish fry can be bought 7 days a week (Pat’s Place is always open). Another favourite is “Just Grillin” at Rockley/Accra beach on the south coast. The food is freshly cooked and won’t break the bank. One good place is The Tiki Bar at Rockley Beach. You can pay $bd30 per person for a sun bed and umbrella, but they also give you vouchers to the same value to spend in the bar. It’s a great place to watch the sunset. The food is basic but good. There are chain options like KFC or Burger King if you really need them.
Any places well worth a visit? A. North point is worth seeing. The crashing waves are very dramatic. You can visit the flower cave, and the restaurant at North point is very good. If you are touring the island, stop at Cherry Tree Hill and take in the view along the east coast. Near there is St Nicholas Abbey, well worth a visit to see an old colonial house, and to buy their special rum. Harrison’s Cave in the middle of the island is popular. The Mount Gay Rum Tour is also a must. The Concorde would be worth seeing, in its own hangar at the airport. At the moment the display is closed due lack of funding, but check if it’s open again and go and have a look.
Best Restaurants? A. This is very subjective, but our absolute favourite is The Fish Pot, just north of Speightstown. It’s a bit of a drive but well worth it. The Atlantis at Bathsheba is is popular and has lovely views over the east coast. Castaways, at the end of St Lawrence Gap is a lovely restaurant for a sunset dinner, especially if you can get a table on the terrace. Cafe Luna is another good restaurant for dinner. It’s at Little Arches at Miami Beach.
Can we buy local art? A. There are plenty of gift shops and stalls selling local artwork. One lovely place to visit is Earthworks in St Thomas. Pottery and all kinds of artefacts are on display and for sale.
Are there golf courses? A. There are quite a few golf courses. Nearest to Ocean View are the Barbados Golf Club at Durants, just up the road, or Rockley Golf Club in the south coast.
Coastal Walks? A. The Boardwalk, a wonderful coastal walkway stretching from Accra Beach to Hastings on the south coast. You’ll meet joggers, strollers, amblers and plenty of places like Blakeys to stop and have a drink or a bite. Carlisle Bay, a big sandy bay stretching from Bridgetown to the Hilton Hotel.
Best beaches? A. Miami Beach is the best, and nearest to Ocean Breeze. Worthing Beach, just past St Lawrence Gap is lovely in being calm and sheltered, and if you swim you’re very likely to be swimming with turtles. Rockley Beach / Accra Beach, very lively, fun beach, with Tiki Bar a good venue.
Where can I go to watch international sporting events? A. Bubba’s Bar, Rockley.
Which are the best catamaran cruises? A. There are lots to choose from. Cool Runnings is pretty good, but talk to Alexis for the best deals.
Does Barbados still recognise the Queen as Head of State? A. No, Barbados became a republic in 2021, however, Barbados remains as part of the Commonwealth. A point of interest, until 2021 there was a Nelsons Column in Bridgetown, which predated the one in London. Also, the column was in Trafalgar Square, which also predated the one in London. Nelson’s statue has now been removed, and the square is renamed Heroes Square.
Are there any botanical gardens to visit? A. Three “Musts”. Andromeda Botanic Gardens near Bathsheba. Hunte’s Gardens, inland from Bathsheba, and finally, Flower Forest Botanical Gardens in St Joseph, inland from Cattlewash.
Q. What can be seen of historic Barbados? A. Sunbury Plantation House is worth a visit as all rooms are open for viewing. You can see the bygone era of colonial Barbados. You can aslo visit the Barbados Museum, and George Washington House at the Garrison, Bridgetown. George Washington spent 50 days here in 1751.