Your Ultimate Guide To Barbados

Culpepper Island

Located at the most easterly point of the island, Culpepper Island is a tiny uninhabited island just off the rugged coast of St. Philip in Barbados. This tiny island offers phenomenal views of the rugged east coast of Barbados.

Culpepper Island is approximately 100 feet in length, rises approximately 20 feet above sea level and is surrounded with wooded bays and limestone tunnels.

According to one account, during low tide on that eastern side of Barbados, it was possible to wade out to the island from the mainland. As Culpepper Island is located in the very turbulent Atlantic Ocean, it is highly recommended that this not become a norm as the primary reason for the erection of the East Point Lighthouse, was to save ships from these very turbulent waters.

Culpepper Island is separated from the mainland by a channel that is approximately 100ft wide.

In recent times the only real inhabitants on this island has been birds. Notably, the Atlantic Ocean has caused some erosion to the island.

False Claims

Back in 2006 members of the region's indigenous Lokono-Arawak and Karifuna-Carib tribes have attempted to make a claim on Culpepper Island to be their own. In their claim, they stated that they were descendants of Princess Marian, daughter of the last Hereditary Lokono-Arawak Chief Amorotahe Haubariria (Flying Harpy Eagle) of the Eagle Clan Lokono-Arawaks who is buried in the Westbury Cemetery in Barbados.

Future Plans

Culpepper Island is the only unspoilt offshore land that belongs to Barbados. Canadian Paul Doyle is planning a new project that will be called Anani (an Amerindian name for flower). This development is slated to take place further north, opposite Culpepper Island. This design is targeted primarily at incorporating streams and ponds that are features of the site. Each room will have its own pool and spectacular views of the oceans.

Doyle says "The east coast is hugely different. We are the rural part, where Bajans come to take their vacations. They come because of the breezes and the culture. The colour of our water is a little more turquoise, our sand a little whiter, and a little softer."