Aruba has some of the best weather in the Caribbean. Natural beauty blends seamlessly with beach amenities at Playa Varadero. If you're looking for fun in the sun, diving tours, and zip-lining, be prepared for . These British isles have some of the world's most gorgeous beaches to hike on (the boulder-filled Baths), snorkel by (Smuggler's Cove), eat at (Cane Garden Bay) and party on (Great Harbour during Old Year's Night, aka New Year's Eve). For an even more unique experience, visit the famous Pig Beach in Exuma to swim with the island's adorable potbellied inhabitants and get photos that will last a lifetime. St. Lucia 7 Stunning Islands to Visit on Southern Caribbean Cruises The Southern Caribbean islands are the far southwestern corner of the Caribbean Region. Since its establishment in the 1600s, the city has developed to become the major tourist destination it is today. Experienced surfers can take advantage of the consistent and strong swells, which provide long rides along the shore. You can also explore the islands cactus-strewn backcountry via an ATV or Jeep safari, try an undersea adventure with Substation Curaao (which takes visitors 1,000 feet beneath the waves), or Scuba diveworld-renowned sites such as the Tugboat and the Blue Room. If you cant decide what your priority is, or you want it all, then Curaao is the best choice. VIVA LA VILLAGE LIFE Grab a bicycle and ride on one of the eight trails of Christoffel National Park in Curacao. 17 Great Ports In The Caribbean For Cruise Lovers St. Thomas' most famous shore is too beautiful for words, but be prepared to share the scenery with dozens of fellow tourists. Located just a 45-minute boat ride away from the historic city of Cartagena, this little-known treasure is an archipelago comprised of 30 small islands. The sleepy islands population is primarily a mixture of Cayman Islanders (who came over after Britain abolished slavery in 1838), Mestizo migrants from the mainland, and entrepreneurs and expats from the US, Canada, South Africa, and Australia. Cruise ships visiting St. Lucia dock in Castries, the islands largest city and capital. The smell of nutmeg, ginger, and cloves floats in the air, adding something unique to the atmosphere. Arashi Beach,. The pale-pink hues under your feet are a quirk of science. Start the conversation!. Sure, theres perfect weather, friendly people, stunning beaches that have been named among the most beautiful beaches in the world, and postcard-worthy ocean views nearly everywhere you turn. Beautiful beach in Bridgetown, Barbados. READ MORE: The Ancient Xunantunich Mayan Ruins of Belize. Keep an eye out for bicycle souvenir kiosks that regularly roll along the beach selling a selection of bongos, sarongs, sun hats and shell jewelry to bartering tourists. The Tobago Cays, which are protected as a marine park, offer some of the finest snorkeling in the Caribbean. ABC Caribbean Islands: Cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao | Royal Where To Stay: Built by Staniel Cay natives on their familys ancestral lands, Embrace Resortis the areas first sustainable eco resort. This tour is not for the faint of heart or anyone who has a hard time climbing, hiking or sliding, but the scenery is gorgeous and the scents sublime. The island is known for unique cuisine, but its landscapes and historic sites are extraordinary as well. TOP 5 SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS TO VISIT Take a trip to one of these colorful Southern Caribbean islands and cross them off your bucket list. Where To Stay: Set on a private bay, the cottages at Tamarindo Estates offer ocean views, fully equipped kitchens, and an 1,800-foot beach with great shelling and snorkeling. You're on an island where independence and privacy is valued above all, so St. Barts is one place where it's worth springing for a private tour by air-conditioned van (consider sharing with another couple). Since many of the island's best hotels offer all-inclusive packages and boast several restaurants on-site, you may be tempted to enjoy all your meals within the comfy confines of your resort. Naval Base in Puerto Rico may very well be the next St. Barths. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When you have money to splurge and want to rub elbows with the stars, head to St. Barts, an easy 15-minute flight from St. Martin. Eagle Beach, Aruba Perfection might be the best word to describe the picturesque Eagle Beach. Depending on where you stay, you may need to buy a converter and plug adapter to be able to use your 110-volt U.S. appliances. The connected Crane Resort also offers beach chairs and umbrellas to rent, and food and drinks are available to both resort guests and beach day trippers. 2,000), the islands centerpiece is the aptly named Mount Scenery, which rises 2,910 feet above sea level. The island is small, so two to three hours will visit all the best bits and still leave time for a gourmet lunch and shopping in chic Gustavia. Anyone who thinks that if you've seen one Caribbean sunset you've seen 'em all has never watched the sun go down in Aruba. Southern Caribbean: Top 10 Places to Snorkel & Dive - Cruise Critic Laurance Rockefeller donated the first 5,000 acres of the Virgin Islands National Park that made up two-thirds of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands to protect it from development. This is also the birthplace of rum, which is probably the most typical and famous liquor from the Caribbean. Its 500 years of history includes the17th century Fort Amsterdam, Mikve Israel Emmanuel Synagogue (the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere), the Queen Emma and Queen Juliana Bridges, and the excellent slavery-focused Museum Kura Hulanda. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Southern Caribbean travel - Lonely Planet | Caribbean Fortunately, most of our favorite islands have yet to succumb to the wave of mass tourism that's currently sweeping Europe and some of the more popular beaches in Southeast Asia. Aruba is one of the most touristy Southern Caribbean Islands, with a variety of exotic, luxurious resorts and lots of Americans escaping winter in the United States. History lovers will enjoy exploring the various forts and cannons that can be found scattered on neighboring Santa Catalina Island, which is accessible via a footbridge. Grand Anse Beach is the main island's most famous shoreline, offering azure water, powdery sand and plenty of amenities. That's because these islands are farther from U.S. shores, meaning you'll need to fly to an island to catch your cruise ship or need more than a week's vacation to get from Florida all the way south to ports in Aruba or St. Lucia and back. You also get to know other people who love diving. For example, you can rent diving equipment, have bottles filled and dive with guides. Consider exploring Arikok National Park's caves or scuba diving the Antilla or Pedernales shipwrecks. Or snorkeling in a sea of Champagne? The westernmost of the Southern Caribbean islands, Aruba is just north of the coast of Venezuela. From gorgeous white sand beaches lined with palm trees and hammocks to brilliant waters colored in dazzling shades of blue, this 15-acre island is a picture-perfect testament to the beauty of Belizes cayes. You can even enter some of the old prison cells there. The Greater Antilles contains the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The islands greatest attraction for nature lovers is its remarkable proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, which is part of the worlds second largest reef system after Australias Great Barrier Reef. Check out these great options! Other sites worth visiting include les Salines, the salt ponds which once provided salt exports throughout the region; Grand Cul de Sac, where posh hotels wrap around a lagoon popular with kiteboarders; and the Colombier lookout point, which reveals a splendid panorama extending to St. Maarten and other neighboring islands. Tobago is one of the most vibrant of south Caribbean islands, mostly because of the annual Carnival celebrations. Meander along a rainforest trail in St. Kitts, tasting local fruit as you go. A popular vacation destination for families, the Bahamas is made up of 700 islands that cover 100,000 square miles of ocean. It was a favorite stop on many Caribbean cruise routes before Covid-19 put a halt to US ships docking at the major ports; expect a rapid . This is the largest of the former Netherlands Antilles, a gorgeous island home to epic beaches, a bustling island life, excellent snorkeling locations, local liqueur distilleries, and natural attractions like the Hato Caves and Boka Tabla Sea Cliffs. World's largest independently owned Ecotourism / Green Travel / Sustainable Travel / Animal & Wildlife Conservation site. Thankfully, despite the gradual uptick in visitors, the remote island remains unspoiled by mass tourism development. What is the best time to cruise to the Southern Caribbean? Take your children on your next tropical vacay to a more family-focused place like theBahamas. But it doesnt stop there, though! Of course, as an island, fresh seafood plays a central role, with everything from conch to mahi-mahi prepared in a myriad of ways. If you like one of these water sports then you should definitely go to Bonaire. You can take a ride on a glass-bottom boat to see these wonders. The busiest and most expensive time to vacation is from December to April, the driest season. A former Dutch colony and still part of the Netherlands, Aruba is home to some amazing Dutch colonial architecture, especially in photogenic Oranjestad. Looking for essential Travel Gear? Marigot Bay, Gros Islet, and Soufriere or Sulfur Springs are the most prominent tourist spots on the island. Natural beauty blends seamlessly with beach amenities at Playa Varadero. Playa Varadero, Cuba Cuba's famous "blue beach" comprises several pristine areas that stretch out over 12.5 miles (20km) along a long peninsula. Aruba cruises offer soft white sand, shimmering turquoise water and a quiet atmosphere make relaxation easy. You Probably Should Top 10 Things to do in St. Vincent & The Grenadines, These Are the Most Peaceful Countries on the Planet, Deserts in Bloom: 6 Spots for Springtime Wildflower Watching, Yoho National Park Is the Most Incredible Place You've Never Heard Of. Click on the symbol on the map (10x) to zoom out to see a map of the Caribbean Islands. When you choose a cruise to the Southern Caribbean that includes a stop in Martinique, you get to experience a truly unique island life. There is some walking involved but nothing too strenuous, so this trip is accessible to nearly everyone. Other popular attractions that show the volcanic origins of the island of St. Lucia include sulfur mud baths, ancient pools and the worlds only drive-thru volcanic cave. 8 top places to visit in the Caribbean - Lonely Planet One stop that will take your breath away is Col de la Tourmente, a viewpoint near the center of the island and perhaps the only traffic intersection where incoming flights buzz close overhead as they plunge to the island's tiny airstrip. It looks like all of the "warm" colors in a Crayola box are melting together and then reflecting on the calm turquoise water. In the north of the island, Rodney Bay offers lots of charming, romantic hotels as well as big, fanciful resorts. Its location is not the main reason so many cruise ships visit the island, though. Virgin Voyages. Snorkeling equipment, including life vests and instruction, is included, as are refreshments. Up to $650 OFF + 30% OFF Every Cruise + Kids Sail FREE, 40% OFF Every Guest, Every Sailing + Up to $200 Onboard Credit. Curaao is one of those southern Caribbean Islands that can meet the expectations of various travelers. There are 26 independent countries and other territories in the Caribbean. Manchebo Beach, located just south of Eagle Beach, offers a similar but less crowded experience. Bret Love; photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett unless otherwise noted. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the islands nine world-class rainforest hiking trails, stunning scenic coastlines, and some of the best Scuba diving the Caribbean has to offer. With its tiny population of 11,000 and tightly controlled development, Nevis features a flat coast that climbs to the 3,200-foot tip of Mount Nevis. Many Kuna still practice the ancient traditions of their ancestors, including the crafting of brightly colored, appliqud fabrics known as molas. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Be sure to take a camera. Powder-fine sand, towering palms and calm, cerulean waters: Shoal Bay East in Anguilla has all the required elements for a sublime Caribbean beach break. Visitors can also snorkel the islands impressively pristine coral reef system. Southern Caribbean Cruises: Cruise to Southern Caribbean | Royal For more experiences, you can hike the Vermont Nature Trail or climb the La Soufriere Volcano.

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