Sailing in Barbados - Explore the West Indies Islands Barbados History Barbados is situated just east of the Caribbean Sea and is a West Indian continental island-nation. Spain made the first claim to Barbados in 1492 followed by Portual, later Barbados became a colony and protectorate of the United Kingdom for the last three hundred years or so and Queen Elizabeth II is currenly it's head of state.  Located at roughly 13° North of the equator and 59° West of the prime meridian, it is considered a part of the Lesser Antilles. Its closest island neighbors are Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines to the west. To the south lies Trinidad and Tobago, with which Barbados now shares a fixed official maritime boundary. Barbados's total land area is about 430 square kilometres (166 square miles), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher in the country's interior. The highest point in Barbados is Mount Hillaby (340 m) in the parish of Saint Andrew. Catamaran Cruises Sailing through the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea surrounding Barbados will give you a different view of the soft green hills in the distance. Be enchanted by the exciting underwater world of exotic fish, coral reefs and fascinating turtles. You can relax on the comfortable trampoline of a catamaran while enjoying selected wines and festive rum punch. Don't forget the excellent Caribbean buffets these catamaran cruises provide! Sailing Barbados -- Catamaran Cruises Good Times Catamaran Cruises Rubáiyát Catamaran Cruises Shasa Catamarans Caribbean Sun Sale: Save up to 50%: Hotels from $39, Vacations from $318! - Expires 4/27/10