Spend Summer at Plombagine

Spend your summer in Barbados. Stay with us at Plombagine Cottage. Summer is a beautiful time to experience life and culture in Barbados. The island comes alive with celebrations to mark the end of the sugar cane season.

Beach or Bust

Summer is the perfect time to book a boat tour and see the coast from a different perspective. It’s also the perfect time to grab one of our beach chairs and spend a relaxing day on the beach. The ocean here is always lovely, but something magical happens to the water during the summer. The sea gets warmer, the water takes on a clear crystal-like glow, and the sand glitters like fairy dust. It draws you in and you just never want to leave. We can’t explain it any further- you just have to come and experience it for yourself. You can capture a little of the magic in a bottle before leaving, to remind you of your trip to Barbados.

Festival Time

Summer in Barbados is marked by the Crop Over festival. If you are in Barbados over the summer, ramp up your vacation with a visit to a Calypso Tent and enjoy the latest lyrics penned by local musicians. You can also check out the big competitions, including Party Monarch, Soca Monarch, and the Pic-o-de-Crop Finals.

In addition, you can take in some of the best local talent by attending the NIFCA Gala. This presentation of cultural and visual arts treats you to an experience of dramatic acts, poetry, plays, music, song, and dance.

If you can handle a whole day of dancing, we strongly recommend joining a Kadooment band, where you can “jump” from morning ’til evening to Road March music as you show off in costume. Kadooment presents awesome opportunities for potentially viral selfies, so seriously consider this option if you are looking to make big waves on the social media scene. Another great event is the Foreday Mornin’ Jam where you can “chip” from dust ’til dawn, party can’t done!

Rum Shops Galore

Barbados is the birthplace of rum. History records Barbados as the world’s first rum producer. Our spirits are a serious hit, in more ways that one, worldwide. There are many restaurants and bars near Plombagine Cottage where you can enjoy a nice, stiff drink. Rum mixed with Coke is a popular cocktail, especially in local bars and rum shops. Turn on your Bajan accent when ordering and ask for a Rum n Coke. You can thank us for this tip while sipping your libations.

Barbados Catamaran Cruises

There are many things to do in Barbados, and you can enjoy them all year round. But today, we want to place a special accent on Barbados catamaran cruises! A catamaran cruise is the perfect way to experience the ocean, with sprinkles of sea spray upon your skin, the taste of the sea on your lips, and the smell of the ocean filling your lungs.

Barbados Catamaran Cruises

Barbados’ west coast is commonly referred to by locals as the “gold coast” or “platinum coast.” It is renowned for its golden sand beaches and clear, calm waters. It is also famous for water sports activities, especially during summer. To truly appreciate the beauty of the west coast, a boat tour is a must. There is never a dull moment on Barbados catamaran cruises.

Typically, persons can enjoy the picturesque view of the coastline while sailing on the open sea. Sometimes, lucky travellers get an unexpected glimpse of flying fish gliding high into the air, soaring past the boat. However, it is more common to see turtles swimming in the water. Speaking of which, swimming with the turtles is one of the many activities that guests staying at Plombagine Cottage particularly enjoy.

Fishing Trips

Aside from boat tours, fishing trips are a popular family activity with guests at Plombagine. Whether its clearing fish pots, tossing a fishing line or casting a net, a fishing trip with the family is a really fun way to enjoy the outdoors. If you want to go fishing, we can hook you up!

Enjoy More Water Activities

We also recommend jet ski rides and snorkeling. There are many other water sports activities available. We can help you decide on which to choose, and even organize these activities for you. Simply select tour arrangement services at the time of booking, and we will help you plan an unforgettable trip.

Explore Harrisons Cave

Harrisons Cave Barbados is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the Caribbean. Simply referred to by most Bajans as “the Cave”, this crystallized limestone cavern wows visitors with its cascading waterfalls, glassy pools, and majestic streams. It is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and other forms of calcite deposits. Many Barbadians along with past visitors to the Island insist that the Cave is a must see.

Venture Into Harrisons Cave

Located in St. Thomas, the heart of Barbados, this massive stream cave system is at least 2.3 kilometers long. The temperature inside is a cool 27 degrees Celsius on average year-round. Its largest cavern, named the Great Hall, is a stunning 15 meters, or 50 feet high. Without a doubt, it is truly a display of the beauty and wonders of nature.

Tours and Packages

This phenomenal attraction is open to the public every day, except public holidays. In particular, visitors can enjoy a variety of tours from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The standard tram tour lasts about one hour. Visitors descend into the Cave in trams directed by friendly, expert tour guides. In addition, visitors are treated to a video depicting the history of the Cave and formation of Barbados, before embarking on the tram ride.

For the more adventurous, walk-in tours and eco-adventure tours are also available. The walk-in tour is perfect for those who wish to have a closer look at the calcite formations. The eco-adventure tour, which spans a few hours, is recommended for those who are even more adventurous. On the eco-adventure tour, visitors garb helmets and headlights, along with elbow and knee pads, to explore the cave on their hands and knees and crawl through some parts on their tummies. Expect to get wet and a bit muddy! A junior adventure tour for budding nature enthusiasts is also available. Kids embark on a guided adventure to learn about caves, animal life, and water conservation.

In addition to tours, visitors can book the grounds for special events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. Guided tours of the grounds are also available. Visitors can also view Arawak Indian artifacts at the nearby visitor’s center and purchase souvenirs from the surrounding gift shops. Visit the Harrison’s Cave website for more information.

Let’s Book Your Tour of the Cave

Our services include arranging tours for guests staying at Plombagine Cottage. Select Tour Arrangement service at the time of booking. Our minimum stay is five nights.

Visit the Harrisons Cave Barbados website for more information about tour options.

Experience Crop Over Festival

The Crop Over Festival is the most adored summer festival in Barbados. It dates back to the 1780’s when the island was the world’s biggest producer of sugar. The Crop Over celebration commences in May- the end of the sugar cane season. The season spans twelve weeks and culminates the first Monday in August with the Grand Kadooment celebration. It’s a great time to spend summer at Plombagine Cottage!

Crop Over marks the end of a successful sugar cane harvest. The festival was shut down from the 1940s until 1974 because of the declining of the sugar industry. When the festival was revived, it was enriched with many other elements of the Barbadian culture. This festival now attracts thousands of people from around the world.

Crop Over Highlights

The Crop Over festival begins with the Opening Gala and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and the Crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival. The King and Queen are the most productive male and female cane cutters in a given year.

Bridgetown Market

The Bridgetown Market features an array of food and beverage stands with endless culinary delights. If you’re considering investing in the food & beverage sector in Barbados, you can use the Crop Over events as a jump start to promote your new business. Besides the food and beverage stands, there are also local arts and craft stands, so it is a great time to shop for souvenirs.

Cohobblopot

Another major attraction is the Cohobblopot show. It resembles a pageant where bands display their stunning costumes on stage while calypsonians perform for the audience.

Kiddie’s Kadooment

Children can take part in the Kiddies Kadooment and show off their costumes before the judges.

Calypso

The Crop Over festival further highlights Barbadian history and culture through folk concerts, art exhibitions, photo exhibitions, and music. Not surprisingly, one of the main features of the festival is Calypso music. Calypsonians compete for exceptional prizes and titles such as Party Monarch, Sweet Soca Monarch, Road March Monarch, and Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch. The final calypso competition, Pic-O-De-Crop, is followed by the Fore-Day Morning Jam. These are just a few of the many events that kick off during the Crop Over season.

Grand Kadooment

The Crop Over finale is the Grand Kadooment. It is a big carnival parade that features bands with revelers wearing elaborate, and in some cases, very skimpy, costumes. Bands depict various themes and compete for the coveted Band of the Year prize. Others are just there to feel their magnificent energy and enjoy the good vibes. The street parade commences at the National Stadium and concludes several miles away at Spring Garden. When the revelers arrive at Spring Garden, the party continues with fantastic music, food and drinks, and maybe a quick swim at the beach. This is definitely an event that you should capture if you are in Barbados for the summer.

Visit the National Cultural Foundation website to learn more about Crop Over and find out about upcoming events.