Carlisle Bay 13.05N 59.37W 8metres
Straight forward enough big bay for night time entry if necessary. It looks like a sandy bottom but some of it is finely ground coral and parts are a hard shelf therefore pull back real hard. Several boats took more than one attempt to hold. Holding is reputed to be better and there looked to be less roll closer in and in the middle of the bay (between moorings), however the jetskiers come and go from there and also it is a much longer dinghy ride. We suffered from a roll of varying degrees most of the time
We weren't required to take Balvenie around to the dock to check in, although we understand a couple of boats had been asked to the previous week. Mark went around in our dinghy, its a fair way, you need to go west from the anchorage, into the ferry/cruise ship terminal and tie up to the wall in the top right hand corner. Don’t lock dinghy in case they need to move it. First go upstairs to Health, then Customs then Immigration. No charge to check in. If anyone is leaving the boat in Barbados you need to advise authorities on arrival. Can purchase duty free on arrival and departure (Mt Gay cheaper than in supermarket or factory). It costs BAB100.00 (USD50.00) to check out, Customs first, then Immigration.
For town take the dinghy in through the breakwater (there are two different channels/entrances, use the one on the right/closest to the beach), keep going as far as you can go all the way up through toewn basin, under the lift up bridge into the upper basin. Dinghy dock - tie up on right hand side anywhere, there are ladders and cleats, security during the day (although we never felt the need for it) small rubbish bins are right there. There is a bank on the corner across the road with ATM machines, Jan 2012 rate was USD$1.00 = BAB$2.00, there were several other banks in town. Cross the road from the bank heading inland away from the canal, Bus Station area is on the left with a few fruit/veg stalls outsdie, and within the first block is Jordans Supermarket on your right (poorly signposted). Not bad except for fresh produce which was very poor. Frozen meats, NZ cheese, everything expensive compared to Spain - glad I stocked up so much!. Once again the advice is....Load the boat in Gibraltar, Spain and again in the Canaries...big time !!! (footnote …. Barbados choice and pricing is better than our next stop of Bequia). I didn’t go to the local produce market but heard it wasn’t great either. Lime WIFI BAB20.00 for a week, picked up signal ok at anchor, its not a simcard just one of the signals you can get in the bay (there were a couple of unlocked that worked but a bit hit and miss). You get the code from the Lime Shop, its in the pink building with green canopies that is on your left as you come into the canal (can tie dinghy there too but quite hard to climb up wall). Plenty of discussion as to whether the Digicell Dongle Sims would work in the rest of the Caribbean, (Digicell said yes but we think it would have gone onto roaming but who knows??) it was quite a different plan to what was offered in the other islands so none of us risked it! American Visas can be obtained here, need to fill out form online and have a digital photo, there was a photo printing shop where you can get photos, (sort of opposite Jays Lucky 7 Bar), for visa allow 7 working days, can come through sooner, must pay by cash. For sail repairs call Doyles (1246) 423 4600 x102 Andy, they will come and collect from Yacht Club (fun landing if there is a swell running!). BBC World Service Radio on 92.1
For Oistens Friday Night Fish Fry catch a bus or minibus out (around 20 minutes), we were told it doesn’t open till 7pm but it was in full swing when we got there and very busy. The cricket was BAB10.00 each and well worth it, easy to walk to. Mt Gay Rum Factory was BAB16.00 each and includes tastings of 3 rums. We took a minivan but it isn’t too much further than the Cricket Ground (Kensington Oval). Buses and minivans run all over the island and are BAB2.00 per person.
To read our full blog update and see the photos go to http://yachtbalvenie.blogspot.com/search/label/Barbados
