Barbados Photos

Photograph by Susan Seubert

It’s all about sizzling seafood at the weekly fish fry in festive Oistins, a small town on Barbados’s south coast.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Road tennis, a Bajan (Barbadian) innovation—and passion—has grown from a rudimentary street game into an island-wide sport complete with its own official association.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Spectators keep their eyes on their prizes at the Garrison Savannah race track, where horses compete for trophies on Sundays.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Prized thoroughbreds stabled at the Barbados Turf Club enjoy water rubdowns from their groomers.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

The national sport of Barbados, cricket is played all over the island—and fuels many evening conversations.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

All smiles and neighborhood talk, parishioners depart St. John’s Church, one of Barbados’s six original parishes, after a service.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Domino effect: Bajan devotees of this ancient game, which has a long tradition on the island, while away entire afternoons boardside.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Crafted with care, a flask of artisanally produced rum from the St. Nicholas Abbey estate harks back to Barbados’s early years as a pioneering rum maker.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

“There are as many rum shops as churches on Barbados” goes a local saying, illustrating the island’s affection for these casual watering holes that foster a relaxed camaraderie.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Late afternoon on a weekend at Enterprise (also called Miami) Beach finds Barbadian families enjoying the gentle surf on the island’s south coast.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

Stand-up kind of guy, Barbadian Olympic windsurfer Brian Talma takes a spin on a paddle surfboard off Oistins Beach.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Susan Seubert

On the east coast, ocean-borne breezes waft right through whitewashed St. Joseph's Parish Church, which was damaged by two hurricanes and rebuilt in the 1830s.

Read more about Barbados in “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the January/February 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler.