Recently, I had an amazing opportunity to join the Calabaza Sailing crew on the most spectacular tour of Barbados while visiting the Island. As you can imagine I was so excited that I woke up at the crack of dawn to charge, re-charge… pack, re-pack my GoPro for what was going to be an exciting adventure.
At around 9 am, I began our sailing adventure on board the plushest catamaran ever. Headed by Ben and Codie (aka, the crew) we whizzed north to some known sites where turtles and other sea life habitat – on the hope that we would be able to spot some of these incredible animals.
As I explored the catamaran with the team, I had the opportunity to learn much more about sailing and how to navigate these pristine waters, although I can’t remember too much now, except avoiding the rocks and where the life vests are. Not a good start for my sailing career 🙂 Ben and Codie both made it look so easy!
The catamaran flew through the waves with total ease until we rested at the very north tip of Barbados. After a light breakfast and refreshments, my adventure was about to begin. I was so excited that I couldn’t resist and dived straight in the turquoise and blue waters – I don’t think I’ve ever swum in an ocean so warm.
After about 10 minutes of exploring the coral (that actually makes up most of Barbados Island, just FYI), Codie spotted our first turtle! You can only imagine how excited I was. Thankfully, he came straight up to me and was not in the slightest bit bothered by my presence. It’s so easy to see why so many people love sea turtles – they really are beautiful.
After a little bonding time with my new turtle buddy, I decided to head further out into the ocean and explore some of the reef and other fish that surround Barbados.
There was so many types of fish, coral and starfish that seemed to be everywhere. It soon became clear why so many people refer to Barbados as paradise.
It felt like I was only in the ocean five minutes or so before we got the call to head back on board the Catamaran… but it must have been a good hour or so. The time just flew by!
Once back on board the team had prepared a scrumptious lunch of salads, freshly caught sea food and a Caribbean favourite, rice and peas. Yummmmmy, It was as if they knew my love of fish! 🙂 It was delicious – so much so that I had to go up for seconds! 🙂
After a little rest on board, crew member Codie and I headed straight back out into the ocean, this time with a little bit of bread for our newfound fish friends! Within literally ten seconds, hundreds of fish came rushing to us – it was all going great until one particular fish got so excited that he flew out of the water and actually went straight towards my mouth, hitting me square in the jaw – for a good second it kept trying to flap itself onto and in my lips and mouth until it must have realised I wasn’t the actual sea!!! hahaha! 🙂 At least I can now say that I have been hit, or at least slapped by a fish 🙂
Once recovering from my traumatic fishgate experience 😉 We headed deeper into the coral below, where Codie was able find a pufferfish.
He was an adorable little thing, but as soon as I tried to offer him some bread he blew-up into a ball and with that didn’t move for a good thirty seconds.
This had to be one of my best days exploring the coast of Barbados. I had the best time sailing with Calabaza and I can’t wait to head back to Barbados and do this again!
My day ended by finding a secret beach on the way back to my hotel! Score!!!
I stayed here for a good two hours just enjoying the lapping waves… paradise 🙂
Read more: Best things to do in Barbados
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