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, excluding Easter Sunday. This festival highlights Barbados’ fishing industry and the popular fishing village of Oistins, which is also where the Barbados Charter was signed between Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth government and the opposing forces of Barbados’ colonial government, in 1652.

Activities during the Oistins Fish Festival include popular contests such as fish boning (filleting), net throwing and fish cooking.

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

April is also the month of the Reggae Festival which takes place outdoors in Farley Hill National Park, as well as a popular venue on the beach and indoors. 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 MUD FESTIVAL, when Mud Dogs feast on you guessed it, mud. Located on a hillside 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 drivers from both local and international cars.

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