The best time to visit Barbados, for those with a marine bias, is April, during the Oistins Fish Festival, which takes place over the Easter weekend except for Easter Sunday. This festival highlights the fishing industry of Barbados and the popular fishing village of Oistins, which is also where the Barbados Charter was signed between the Commonwealth government of Oliver Cromwell and the opposing forces of the colonial government of Barbados, in 1652.

Activities during the Oistins Fish Festival include popular competitions such as fish boning, net throwing and fish cooking.

Visit Barbados only when it is sport fishing season, in the first week of April, the Barbados International Fishing Tournament takes place. If you don’t like competition, charter a fully equipped sport fishing boat and go after that 500+ pound marlin.

April is also the month for the Reggae Festival which takes place outdoors at Farley Hill National Park, as well as a popular beach and indoor venue. Local and international artists are exhibited.

Come to Barbados only when auto racing competitions abound throughout the month of May.

Labor Day, May 1, is the MUD FESTIVAL, when the Mud Dogs delight in you guessed it, mud. Located on the side of a hill in rural Barbados, overlooking the picturesque east coast, is the site of this all-day competition of monster trucks and 4X4 jeeps. Man and machine challenge themselves against various obstacles, such as the mud pit.

Starting in May and racing through June is the Barbados Rally Carnival with local and international car drivers.

Many grace the shores of Barbados only when it is Gospelfest. During the month of May, one can fill up and be inspired by gospel music, at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues on the island. Gospelfest features local and international artists.

The month of May also features the Celtic Festival & International Folk Festival.

The golf greens will attract the Tiger Woods types, between February and June, to the four golf competitions, which are held on well-equipped international courses.

Holiday in Barbados only when you’re ready for the biggest cultural event of the year, the Crop Over Festival, with heritage fairs and outdoor local music performances throughout May. Then, from June to July, things get more hectic with calypso shows and contests. The climax of Crop Over is the Grand Kadooment, an all-day parade on the first Monday in August of thousands of spectacularly costumed revelers, dancing to the festival’s most popular calypso songs.

Visit Barbados only when, between the months of April and July, the weather is warmer than in the previous months; drier and sometimes breezy, and rains are unlikely to spoil outdoor activities.