Barbados Crop Over 2027
- Tour code
BRBCAR01
- Start
Bridgetown
- End
Bridgetown
- Min. age
18 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Comfort
- Trip pace
Moderate
- Language
English
Crop Over is Barbados' great summer festival, a season of around three months of music, arts, food and culture that ends with Grand Kadooment Day. It began on the sugar plantations in the 17th century, when Barbados was the world's leading sugar producer, as a celebration of the end of the cane harvest, and it is one of the oldest festivals in the western hemisphere.
Today's Crop Over grew out of the meeting of the island's British and West African heritage. Old traditions still run through it: a King and Queen of the crop, calypso as sharp social and political commentary, and singing, dancing and eating competitions, alongside fetes from dusk to dawn, craft markets and street food fairs.
On Grand Kadooment Day, masquerade bands in sequins, feathers and jewels dance behind music trucks from the National Stadium through the streets towards the Spring Garden Highway. As Bajans say, Crop Over sweet fuh days.
This trip covers the last week of the season. Alongside fetes such as Lush, Mimosa, AM Bush and Bliss and the Limerz Cruise, you'll explore Harrison's Cave and a rum estate and spend an evening at the Oistins Fish Fry, before playing mas in full costume on Kadooment Day. Fete tickets, costume coordination and pickup, individual costume photography, group transport and airport transfers are arranged for you.
Why This Journey
Crop Over has a sweetness all its own: it is rooted in the island's sugar history, and the Bajan soca, rum shops and fish fries are as much a part of it as the fetes. This trip balances the two, with dawn parties and a boat cruise alongside the cave, the rum and Oistins, so you come away knowing Barbados as well as its party.
Travelling with Soca Islands means tickets, costume collection and those 2 am starts are organised, with a small group around you from the first evening. It suits first-time masqueraders, Crop Over regulars who would rather not plan it all again, and solo travellers who want good company on the road.
Where You'll Stay
Barbados: South Gap Hotel, in St. Lawrence Gap on the south coast, a few minutes' walk from Dover Beach and close to the Gap's restaurants and bars. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Hotel options can vary by departure and package; the hotel for your booking is shown in your trip details. Prices are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travellers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI); see the FAQs for how arrival transfers work. Apart from the welcome dinner in the evening, events on your arrival day are not included, allowing for flight delays. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Experience Crop Over Festival and the Kadooment Day Parade
Enjoy top fetes, boat cruises, and all-inclusive parties
Explore Barbados through caves, rum, and local culture
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Fete (party) tickets
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Costume coordination and costume pickup
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Individual costume photography
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travellers arrange their own)
- Carnival costume and associated costs are not included. All costume payments, including the initial deposit, are made directly through zuluinternational.com, allowing you to secure your preferred costume and receive confirmation directly from Zulu International. As an official Zulu International affiliate, Soca Islands will assist with registration coordination, and costume selection guidance. Roundtrip transportation for costume collection is available.
- Events on your arrival day are not included, apart from the welcome dinner listed in the itinerary, allowing flexibility for any unexpected flight delays or travel disruptions.
- Meals not mentioned above.
- Travel insurance (proof of purchase required)
- Single room supplement (single rooms are subject to availability)
Group itinerary
Arrive in Barbados and transfer to your accommodation. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours: the beach, the pool or a wander along St. Lawrence Gap.
In the evening the group comes together for the welcome dinner with a live show, which is part of your package and the first chance to meet the Soca Islanders you'll be feting with this week.
A day to explore the island. Start underground at Harrison's Cave, a limestone cavern of stalactites, stalagmites and streams. Then tour one of Barbados' rum estates to learn how the island's rum is made, with tastings along the way.
As night falls, the first fete on the itinerary is the Lush cooler party.
Leave the hotel just before sunrise for Mimosa, an all-inclusive breakfast fete with food and drinks. Later, head to Oistins on the south coast for its Fish Fry, where fishing boats, food stalls and music make it one of the island's best-known spots.
An early start: at 2 am the group heads to Caesar's Army AM Bush, a foreday morning event with drinks and breakfast included. After a rest, it's on to Bliss, a food and drink inclusive fete.
Set sail on the Limerz Cruise, a boat party with drinks and music on the water and the last fete on the itinerary. Afterwards the rest of the day is free to rest up before Kadooment.
Grand Kadooment Day. In full costume, you'll parade with your band through the streets of Bridgetown in the grand finale of Crop Over, dancing behind the music trucks with thousands of revellers.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day. Depending on your departure time, there may be a few hours for souvenirs or a last swim before you say goodbye to the group and head to the airport.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
South Gap Hotel
A small hotel in St. Lawrence Gap on Barbados' south coast, the island's best-known strip of restaurants, bars and nightlife. Dover Beach is a few minutes' walk away.
The 34 units are studios and suites with kitchenettes and sea-facing balconies, set around a pool deck with a poolside restaurant and bar. It is a practical, lively base for Crop Over.
Hotel websiteHilton Barbados Resort
A beachfront resort on Needham's Point on Barbados' south-west coast, a short drive from Bridgetown.
Hotel websiteRooms
You'll stay at Hilton Barbados on the Jul 28, 2027 departure. The hotel varies by departure; each one is listed under Dates and prices.
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- +$1,250 per person
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
Room prices are per person for the Jul 28, 2027 departure and can differ on other dates. You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
You can fly into and out of Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
Yes. If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure or book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer is included. If you choose alternative pre-tour accommodation or arrive by another mode of transport, you’ll need to arrange your own arrival transfer.
Our arrival transfers are private to Soca Islands and are organised in groups based on flight times. Sometimes this means a short wait at the airport until other flights arrive.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smartraveller health advice.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smartraveller website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
The welcome dinner with a live show takes place in the evening of Day 1. We recommend arriving before 3 pm so there's time for your transfer, check-in and a rest before the group heads out. Whenever you land, we'll have an airport transfer ready for you.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
Please refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Proposed accommodation is South Gap Hotel in St. Lawrence Gap (or a similar hotel), subject to confirmation. Hotel options can vary by departure and package; the hotel for your booking is shown in your trip details.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travellers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Finger foods are included at select events, and several fetes on the itinerary, such as Mimosa, AM Bush and Bliss, include food and drinks. Other meals are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Would you like to learn more or customise our Barbados Crop Over trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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