If you are wondering what to do in Barbados this weekend, August 15–16 brings a very different mix of island experiences. There is international sports action in St. John, a distinctly Bajan crab-hunting adventure on the East Coast, hiking through the countryside, Sunday lunch, music on the water and the opening of a full week dedicated to Barbados’ underwater world.
Whether you live here or you’re visiting the island, here are some of the best things to do in Barbados this weekend.
1. Barbados Ninja Throwdown 2026
Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16
One of the biggest events of the weekend is the 10th anniversary Barbados Ninja Throwdown at Featherbed Lane in St. John.
The homegrown two-day sporting event brings together competitors testing their agility, strength and determination over an obstacle course inspired in part by the ninja-sport format. The 2026 competition includes international participation and a special BNT vs The World team battle.
Where: Featherbed Lane, St. John
When: August 15–16, 2026
Spectator action: Begins from late morning; the official Barbados Ninja Throwdown Instagram lists an 11:00 a.m. start.
CESN pick for: Families, sports fans and anyone looking for something completely different from the traditional Barbados weekend experience.
This is also an interesting example of how Barbados continues to grow its sports tourism and destination-experience offering beyond the island’s traditional sun, sea and festival attractions.
2. Go Crab Hunting on Barbados’ East Coast
Saturday, August 15
This one feels properly Bajan.
Crab Night 2026 takes place at Long Pond in St. Andrew and combines an evening crab hunt with food, drinks and music.
The adventure gets underway at 6:30 p.m. The crab hunt costs BDS$25, with additional T-shirt/package options available.
Where: Long Pond, Ermie Bourne Highway, St. Andrew
When: Saturday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Crab hunt BDS$25; other packages available
If you are visiting Barbados and want an experience that gets you outside the usual hotel–beach–restaurant circuit, this may be one of the more unusual choices this weekend.
3. Start Sunday With Hike Barbados
Sunday, August 16
Want to see another side of Barbados?
The Barbados Hiking Association’s Sunday hike starts from Conrad Hunte Cricket Ground in Shorey Village, St. Andrew, with routes offering the possibility of both hills and coastal scenery.
Morning groups leave at 6:00 a.m., with different levels ranging from the easier Stop ‘n’ Stare group through to the more demanding Grin ‘n’ Bear. An afternoon medium-paced hike starts at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Conrad Hunte Cricket Ground, St. Andrew
When: Sunday, August 16; morning hikes at 6:00 a.m., afternoon hike at 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free; donations welcomed
CESN tip: For visitors, hiking is one of the easiest ways to experience a Barbados that you will never fully appreciate from a tour bus.
4. Dive Fest Barbados 2026 Begins
Sunday, August 16
Sunday also marks the beginning of Dive Fest Barbados 2026, which runs from August 16–22.
And despite the name, you don’t necessarily need to be an experienced scuba diver to take part.
The festival is designed around underwater exploration and marine conservation, with activities during the week including coral restoration, wreck diving, a photography competition, Discover Scuba Day, a night dive, a lionfish hunt and more.
Sunday’s opening programme includes:
- 8:00 a.m. — Beach Cleanup
- 9:00 a.m. — Coral Reef Day
- 6:00 p.m. — Opening Ceremony
If your Barbados holiday involves the ocean—and really, how could it not?—this is worth watching throughout the coming week.
CESN pick for: Divers, snorkellers, families, conservation-minded travellers and visitors looking for a more immersive Barbados experience.
5. Have a Proper Bajan “Sundee Lunch”
Sunday, August 16
Sometimes the weekend plan does not need to be complicated.
SouthSide Pool Deck Bistro at the Melbourne Inn in Dover is hosting its Sundee Lunch from 11:00 a.m., featuring local favourites and sides, with complimentary mauby served with each platter.
Where: Melbourne Inn, 4th Avenue, Dover, Christ Church
When: Sunday, August 16 from 11:00 a.m.
Adults: BDS$45
Children: BDS$30
Service charge applies.
For visitors staying along the South Coast, this could be an easy way to add a little local flavour to your Sunday.
6. End the Weekend With a Barbados Sunset Cruise
Sunday, August 16
Or you could finish the weekend exactly where many Barbados visitors want to be—on the Caribbean Sea.
A Tiami sunset catamaran cruise leaves at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and combines coastal sailing with live steel pan music, a swimming stop, drinks and buffet dinner as the sun goes down.
It is a very different experience from Saturday night’s crab hunt or Sunday’s countryside hike, which is precisely the point.
Barbados can give you several completely different versions of the island in one weekend.
So, What Should You Do in Barbados This Weekend?
If we were building three very different weekend plans, here’s how we’d do it:
For families:
Barbados Ninja Throwdown + Sunday lunch.
For adventure seekers:
Crab Night + Hike Barbados + Dive Fest.
For couples:
A relaxed Sunday followed by a sunset catamaran cruise.
For visitors wanting more local experiences:
Skip the predictable itinerary and combine the East Coast crab hunt, Sunday hike and a Bajan lunch.
And that may be the best reminder this weekend.
Crop Over may be over, but there is still plenty of Barbados left to experience.
Planning Your Barbados Experience?
CESN Barbados is building a better way to discover the events, experiences, venues and local businesses that make Barbados worth exploring.
Are you planning a trip to Barbados? Looking for experiences for a birthday, couples’ getaway, group trip or special celebration?
Contact CESN Barbados and let us help you discover what is happening on the island.
And if you are a Barbados venue, event organizer, experience provider, restaurant, tour operator or event supplier, we would love to hear from you too.
Event information can change. Always confirm times, availability and ticket information directly with the organizer before travelling.
