Snorkel· Barbados· Windward Islands
Folkestone Marine Reserve
13° 11.5′ N · 59° 38.4′ W
Barbados's legislated marine reserve on the west coast just north of Holetown: a calm, shaded park with an inshore reef, a sunken barge for snorkellers, a small marine museum and aquarium, and the Stavronikita out in deeper water.
Practical
Position is the Folkestone park and museum from Visit Barbados. The reserve covers 2.2 km² in four zones (scientific, recreational, and northern and southern water-sports zones) and is managed by the National Conservation Commission (CPAG). Snorkel the inshore reef in the Recreational Zone, about a third of a mile offshore (barbados.org); stay inside the zone and fly a dive flag. Motorised craft must keep under 5 knots/no wake within 75 m of shore, and no fishing or taking marine life is allowed. Equipment rental, picnic tables, showers and a playground are ashore. Hightide Watersports is based in the park. The beach is rocky, so enter carefully.
Best for
Easy reef snorkel and family afternoon