Eco-Friendly Vacationing in Barbados
Protect planet earth! As we grow more concerned about the environment and our daily impact on the Earth, we make changes to become more eco-friendly. Now you can take that passion globally through sustainable travelling. Here are some small changes you can make which will reduce your footprint when visiting beautiful Barbados.
Eco-Shopping
Barbados is the first country in the Caribbean to apply an island-wide plastic ban. As of April 1, 2019, almost all single-use plastics are banned in Barbados. This means that when purchasing items in Barbados you will need to purchase a sustainable alternative or you can bring your own reusable bag. Bringing your own items doesn’t mean packing extra. Use items you bought with you like using your beach bag as a shopping bag.
Photo by @thecratebarbados on Instagram. Bags are made in Barbados of recycled PET and organic cotton
Enjoy swimming with turtle and fish knowing that you’ve done a large part in protecting them from consuming plastics. Small eco-friendly changes make a big impact.
If you are looking to buy sustainable or eco-friendly lifestyle items during your trip or for your everyday life back home, look no further than The Crate. This eco-shop, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, has everything you could think of to build a sustainable household or to have a sustainable island trip. The Crate even has eco-friendly sunscreen and surf wax. The building itself is made from reclaimed wood, and the trained staff can provide tips on small sustainable swaps that suit your lifestyle.
Eco-Eats
What’s a good vacation without some good food? Barbados is known for being the “foodie” island of the Caribbean, and most recently we have seen a trend toward sustainably and locally sourced foods. PEG Farm serves fresh and tasty farm to table food in their cafe (great for brunch). Everything on your plate comes from PEG farm itself. The fruit and veggies, herbs, eggs and meats are all free range, organic, and local making them eco-friendly. After your meal, you can buy produce from the farm market, and tour the farm. Roam beside the pigs, cows and chickens – watch out they like to peck your feet!
The ECO Restaurant serves local and primarily plant-based cuisine, alongside a spectacular view. What is especially great is that they support their local community of Bathsheba fishermen and east coast produce vendors. They serve a tempura seaweed harvested from the nearby Bathsheba beach, if you are feeling for something unique.
Want to cook sustainably for yourself in the fully equipped Craggy Nook kitchen? Visit Brighton Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning and stock your fridges with produce harvested that week. You will also find a range of treats from local vendors, chefs and entrepreneurs. This market is popular with locals and visitors so go early around 7-8 am before the fresh baked goods sell out (they have excellent coffee too).
Eco-Friendly Tours
Explore Barbados’ natural environment with the many eco-friendly tours offered on the island. Hike gullies, visit Harrisons Cave, snorkel or dive with sea life, there are so many ways to connect with nature Barbados.
One of our favourite things to do is to volunteer to be a part of a sea turtle watch right on the Craggy Nook beach. If you see a turtle coming on land to lay eggs or a turtles hatching you should contact the Barbados Sea Turtle Project. To ensure the protection of the mother turtle or baby hatchlings. Craggy Nook on Hastings beach is a popular spot for turtle nests! In fact, we have loving named our beach floor unit Hawksbill, one of the species of turtle commonly seen on our Craggy Nook beach.
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