Barbados Crop Over (Carnival)
August 02nd – August 08th, 2023.
The Barbados Crop Over Festival is an annual 3-month-long festival of Barbadian music, arts, food, culture and so much more. The festival dates back to the 17th century, and it is one of the most popular and colourful events in the Caribbean. Crop Over celebrates the official end of the sugar cane season, and is celebrated with a variety of parties and other festivities from dusk to dawn, arts and crafts markets, culinary-driven street fairs, and more.
Grand Kadooment Day celebrates the end of Crop Over in Barbados. It starts early morning at the National Stadium, and beautiful masquerade bands traverse the local city streets, as they make their way to Spring Garden highway. The masquerade bands comprise revellers dressed in sequin costumes decorated with colourful feathers, jewels, and bright accents; dancing behind music trucks and moving bars. The finale of Crop Over’s events makes this the island’s most exciting day of the year. As you will hear Bajans say: “Crop Over it sweet fuh days!”
The present-day Crop Over Festival is a uniquely Barbadian festival that emerged out of the tensions in the meeting and merging of the island’s British and West African heritage. Once called “Harvest Home”, it is one of the oldest celebrations in the western hemisphere. The origins of Crop Over are traced back centuries to when Barbados was the world’s largest producer of sugar. Crop Over began back in 1687 on sugar cane plantations during slavery. It began as a way to celebrate the end of the sugar cane crop.
The Crop Over traditions that continue today includes singing, drinking, dancing, and eating competitions. The most notable is having a “King” and “Queen” of the crop. There is also a heavy focus on Calypso music, which is a social and political commentary on current issues affecting Barbados.
What’s included in your Barbados Crop Over experience?
Accommodations
Your choice of single, or double occupancy rooms at the South Gap Hotel or the Hilton Barbados Hotel.
Airport Transfers and Ground Transportation
Pick-up from and drop-off is available to and from the airport. We arrange daily transportation (private and group) from your accommodation to the events on your itinerary. Additional transportation services are available on request at an additional cost.
Remember, you need to book your flights separately.
Backline Carnival Costume
Female backline or male costume from Zulu International. You can upgrade to a frontline costume subject to availability. Costume pickup and delivery are included.
Foreday Morning Experience
Caesar’s Army A.M. Bush.
Gun Hill Signal Station
This former British outpost affords spectacular panoramic views of the island.
Rum Sampling Tour
Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and Mount Gay Distillery—founded in 1703—is the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery. For three centuries, residents and visiting sailors have sipped its sweet golden nectar. Learn how rum is made at Mount Gay Visitor Centre, and taste the drink that shaped Barbados.
Underwater Tour
Imagine yourself in Barbados diving and enjoying the natural reef looking through windows in a real submarine! Diving Barbados’ aquamarine waters, got much easier, in the comfort and safety of a fully air-conditioned submarine and is a unique way to experience the underwater world and be able to brag about it. This underwater diving adventure showcases a reef that is home to many native species of corals and fish.
Harrison’s Cave
In the specially lighted caverns at Harrison’s Cave, view the majestic stalactites and stalagmites which have been growing from the floors and ceilings for many centuries. Cascading through the caves, the crystal blue waters form magnificent pools and waterfalls, filling the senses with sights and sounds of such pure wonder.
Bathsheba Beach
Bathsheba is located on the Eastern coastline of Barbados. It is said that this area was named after the wife of King David whose name was “Bathsheba”. Legend has it that she bathed in milk to keep her skin beautiful and soft, and the rolling surf waters of Bathsheba’s “Soup Bowl” resembled Bathsheba’s bath. The area is popular with surfers. It is a popular area for locals and visitors alike and is dotted with several seaside cottages.
St. Nicholas Abbey at Cherry Tree Hill
St Nicholas Abbey is located in Saint Peter, Barbados, and is a plantation house, museum and rum distillery Colonel Benjamin Berringer built the house in 1658. This house is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. It’s similar to the English Jacobean-era manor houses of the first half of the seventeenth century, the period between the Tudor and Georgian styles, beginning in the reign of James I.
Oistins Fish Fry
Friday night Fish Fry is an absolute MUST when visiting Barbados. Locals and tourists gather in Oistins for a fun evening of fried fresh fish, dancing and reggae tunes.
Fete Tickets
The following events are included with our Barbados Crop Over Carnival experience:
- Lush Cooler Experience
- Mimosa Breakfast Party
- Bliss All-Inclusive
- Limerz Cruise
- Soca Brainwash*
Add-ons (optional)
Enhance your experience by adding one or more of the following: Make-up services.
Barbados Crop Over payment plan.
Initial Deposit: 15%
Final Payment due on or before June 02 2023
Soca Islands provides you with the most flexible payment plan making it super easy and affordable to book your Barbados Crop Over experience by asking for payments in three installments. Your 15% deposit is due upon booking, followed by 35% of the total cost due 30 days after booking. The remaining 50% due 60 days before your trip.
For bookings made between 90 and 60 days before the start date of the experience, 50% of the total cost of the experience must be paid upon booking.
Bookings made between 60 days and 30 days before the start date of the experience, 100% of the total cost of the experience must be paid upon booking.
Barbados travel information.
Time Zone: GMT -04:00
Currency: Barbados Dollar. 1USD = 2BBD
Barbados is one of the most diverse and active destinations, offering some amazing sights and attractions. Activities range from submarine tours to cave exploration; jeep safaris to heritage tours; exciting Caribbean nightlife to fine dining. Simply everything you’d want on a Caribbean vacation.
Barbados is sophisticated and casual, warm and friendly, and forever distinctively charming. From luxury to intimate, expensive to affordable there is something for every taste and budget here. You’ll be seduced by the warmth of its welcome and by the natural delights of this Caribbean island.
Feel the doors of your imagination open wide when you discover Barbados for therein lies the magic of this island, where you are limited only by your dreams and fancies. With every precious pearl of experience, your Barbados vacation will be one to remember.
There is just so much to do – so many treasures to uncover – as you soak up the warmth and enjoy the comforts of this beautiful island. Land lubbers and sea farers alike can have their pick of surf and turf activities appropriate for all ages and stages of calm or daredevil delight! Singles, lovers, friends and families also have rich and plentiful options to choose from. Whether you want to swim or sunbathe, party and play hard or enjoy art, culture and cuisine at its best, it’s right here waiting for you.
How to get around Bridgetown
The nearest airport is Grantley Adams International Airport, located approximately 30 minutes east of the city centre. Upon arrival, Bridgetown offers affordable and reliable public transport services. The most common way to get around the island is by bus.The large public buses can be identified as blue buses with yellow striped sides. They service every major route in rural and urban areas of Barbados. You can also find privately owned minibuses, which are yellow with blue stripes; as well as “ZR Vans”, which are white with maroon stripes.
Where to stay in Barbados
The city of Bridgetown features a variety of accommodation options ranging from hostels to guesthouses, hotels, resorts, Airbnb, vacation rentals and more. Popular waterfront resorts include the South Gap Hotel, Blue Horizon Hotel and Accra Beach Hotel.
Things to do in Bridgetown
The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados features a number of popular things to see and do. The picture-perfect holiday destination boasts a range of outdoor activities, such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, swimming with turtles, island safaris, cave tours and more. The city of Bridgetown also offers a number of historical attractions and museums.
Popular museums include the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, The Niche Israel Synagogue and Museum and The Cricket Legends of Barbados. You can also explore the Bridgetown Markets, featuring a wide variety of stallholders offering fresh produce, arts and crafts, clothing, jewellery, collectables and more.