Barbados Yacht Club is legendary and a beautiful facility
with showers, a lovely beach with huge old shade trees, a beach bar and
restaurant, WiFi, a bar in the clubhouse and formal restaurant. Contrary to
what one might expect of a yacht club, there is no mooring or docking available
there. Visiting the BYC by dinghy is possible but tricky as the beach is
subject to breakers so the return trip by dinghy can be hazardous. The yacht
club is a fair distance from the dinghy dock in town but within bicycling
distance and there is a great bus system which can take you anywhere on the
island. Visiting yachtsmen may be given temporary membership for up to ten
days. It’s a great place to while away some time. The beach is lovely with
chairs and a lovely bar and excellent restaurant right on it. Try Bajan Flying
Fish, a local specialty, for lunch or dinner. Accompanied by the local Banks
beer, which is excellent, it makes for a delectable lunch.
They have fresh water taps as well so you might want to
bring some jugs for water.
Services
Water is available at the yacht club and the commercial
harbour but not dockside. You must fill gerry cans and transport them to your
vessel. Yacht services (riggers, engine mechanics) are limited. Both are
available in the commercial harbour but again very tricky to get to with
limited manoeuvrability.
Banks are plentiful. Shops and markets are easily accessible
from the dinghy docks past the bridge. There are two supermarkets and a fresh
produce market. Produce is excellent. The selection in the supermarkets is
limited and quite expensive.
Stamps are available at the book store near the dinghy dock.
The mailbox is a small hole in the wall near the fire station.
The public library just off the dinghy dock has free
internet access but you must use their computers. There is an internet cafe
(expensive) across the street. The bar/restaurant The Boatyard has WiFi for
patrons and boats anchored close in reported having access aboard. WiFi is also
available at the Barbados Yacht Club free of charge with temporary membership.
There is a laundry service operating out of the building
across the road from the Barbados Yacht Club. There was a three day turnaround
and the price was somewhat steep.
The public transportation system is excellent and it is
possible to explore the entire island by bus. The fare was $1.50 Barbados
regardless of how far you wanted to go.
There are some repair facilities and a Doyle Sailmaker but
overall, Barbados is surprisingly not a yacht friendly destination. We did not
find or hear of a chandlery in the vicinity of Bridgetown. We had sail repairs
and steering repairs that we desperately needed and were told our best bet was
to sail to Grenada. |