Clarkes Bank – One of the most southerly dives on the west coast. We sighted a frog fish and a largish barracuda hiding amongst a sea plume during this dive. Top of the reef is covered in red gorgonia, sea fans and sea whips.

Caribbee – A deep dive on the south coast that averages around 25m. The final act is to visit a small outcrop where invariably there is a seahorse or two to be seen. Then to the sand over many garden eels, in search of rays. First part of the dive is over the sea plumes and corals with many turtles (on one dive we sighted at least five, one after the other). David has a routine for this reef which I did twice with him.

Of my ten dives with BDS my favorite dives were: The Boot - A reef with sandy patches, rocks and large hard corals. That being said, when there were fewer divers onboard we did take a second cylinder with us to do our surface interval between dives on the boat. With a full boat the routine is to do first dive, return to the shop to spend the surface interval, and then carry out another cylinder for a second dive. Boat driver was Michael who looked after us divers very well. My diving was guided by David, who names himself the “Barbados Seahorse Diver” – a true dit as he was able to point out three to me during our dives. A grateful dive student had given him a crate on passing out as a qualified PADI diver. Finally, I enjoyed the benefits of his last training session as I shared one of his beers on the return to Villa Marie. Quite different colours from my old faded orange BCD. He also appeared to take great delight in my inability to recognise my own new Buddy Commando BCD. Over the few days I spent in his company I enjoyed the benefit of his vast Bajan (Barbadian) diving knowledge. Unfortunately his boat was out of the water – so no diving there. I had emailed him earlier to ask him of the possibilities of diving with him. I was very pleased that I was picked up a couple of mornings by John Moore of Dive Barbados Ltd. This continued for all ten dives I did with them. On completion of my dives I was also returned home every day very efficiently. Diving Sue and I having taken Sunday off after our arrival, Fatema, the owner of BDS, arranged for me to be picked up at my lodgings daily to be driven to her dive shop. The blue bus does not give change if a wrong note is proffered the yellow bus does. Both type of buses charge 1.50 Bajan dollars. The buses vary from the very staid governmental blue bus to the “in yer face” reggae bus, complete with associated loud music.

Travel around Barbados is surprisingly easy as long as one sticks to the published bus routes.

Barbados diving reviews