To read our reviews of popular tours and excursions in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bonaire, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe (coming soon), Jamaica, Martinique, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and more… just click HERE
Barbados is a unique coral island in the Caribbean famous for its white-sand beaches, consistently warm weather and great rum. It is all that and more… To really get to know the Caribbean island you’re vacationing on, get off the beach and take a trip inland. In Barbados’ hilly St. Thomas Parish, you’ll discover a forested green area, home to a number of natural attractions, including the Welchman Hall Gully – A nice, relaxing place to unwind with a leisurely stroll in nature… and let’s be honest, I really wanted to see the famous Barbados Green Monkeys ‘live and in person’ 😉
With the help of a GPS and what seemed like signs on just about every street corner, we found the place no problem. That said, if we weren’t looking for it, we probably would have driven right past the modest sign marking the entrance to the Attraction – Welchman Hall Gully. It truly is a “Tropical Forest / Cave”. Partially hidden behind a hedge, we parked in a small lot and immediately take note of the pleasant looking outdoor café. Blending nicely into the natural environment, there’s also a gift shop and washrooms – All in the shadow of a Bearded Fig Tree, for which the island was named ( Los Barbados is Spanish for ‘the bearded ones’).
While you can take your time and wander around the property yourself with the help of a guide pamphlet, we decided to join a tour that was about to start. I like to take advantage of a tour guide’s knowledge and insight – They can answer questions and usually point out things that might otherwise be missed.
Well, our morning tour started with a bang, as the first ‘attraction’ was the monkey platform. We arrived just in time to see a staff member dumping a box of bananas onto the platform. It didn’t take long for the local monkey troop to arrive. Descendants of West African Green Monkeys originally brought to Barbados as pets about 300 years ago, these monkeys are wild and live in and around the Gully. They are free to come and go as they please, however a free meal has made a visit a part of their daily routine.
The large group consists of more than two dozen primates. It was very interesting to see them suddenly appear out of the thick jungle surroundings, climbing down trees and their plentiful vines (or beard of the trees). A family hierarchy is clearly in-place as the larger males dominated the scene while the younger monkeys were cautiously vying for scraps.
WOW – It’s so much fun watching these little guys jumping and actually ‘walking’ around! Visitors to the Gully are not allowed too close to the monkeys, as the intent is to keep them as wild as possible.
After taking what seemed like a hundred pictures and a dozen videos of the cute little simians, we headed down a cement path through the gully. This is what Barbados would have looked like to early explorers prior to the 17th-century colonization that deforestation most of the island. On our walk, we experienced a natural haven that is now home to dozens of individual plant species. This property was obtained by the Barbados National Trust back in 1962 in order to protect one of the few remaining native vegetation areas on the island. Besides providing much-needed habitat for the monkeys, Welchman Hall Gully is rich in bio-diversity, making this a valuable and rare area in Barbados.
The easy-to-walk path is about ¾ of a mile (1.25 km) long through the gully, running north from nearby Harrison’s Cave. The landscape was formed when part of the large cave system collapsed on itself. I loved the visually stimulating vertical walls and caverns in the gully – It was like being in a mini valley surrounded by layers of greyish green limestone and coral draped in green and brown foliage. Remnants of the sunken caves are still evident from the remains of Stalactite – stalagmite column structures.
It was a pleasant walk through the gully as it is mostly protected from the sun as well as the wind, which was unusually strong that day. Throughout the tour, our knowledgeable guide Ashan pointed out and described a number of plants and trees that line the trail. The majority of the flora is native to the Eastern Caribbean although some plants were brought to Barbados from Asia, South America and elsewhere hundreds of years ago.
I particularly appreciated the stories of the traditional use of some of these plants. Ashan showed us a variety of handy roots and leaves that were used for food, medicinal teas and other uses. This included: The Noni tree leaves used to treat a variety of ailments from fevers to headaches; Black Sage oil which acts as a natural insecticide; Wild coffee plants (pictured) for, well you know… drinking; The Bay Tree leaves used for cooking and whose oil was used in a variety of ‘Bay Rum’ cosmetics/lotions; and the St. John’s bush leaves used to make tea for treating colds, fever and stomach ailments.
Fully immersed in the tour, I suddenly realized that we were at the end of the trail. At this point folks from a cruise ship exited onto a nearby road, re-boarding their waiting mini buses. So… along with two or three others, we found ourselves relishing a private ‘guided’ tour for the return walk – How nice is that!
We learned that some plant species in Welchman Hall Gully are found no-where else in Barbados. This includes bamboo and some palm trees. Everybody loves palm trees and there were plenty on display in the gully. There are three native to Barbados, including the Macaw Palm with it’s intimidating black spikes (pictured). Personally I was fascinated with the large Royal Palms and the versatile Cohune Palms. Traditionally, palm trees have been used for food, charcoal, shelter, tools (think broom) as well as a source for natural lotions and cosmetics.
Ashan also called our attention to a pile of creepy looking giant millipedes on the ground. These guys are natural composters and are producing rich soil for the Gully floor. Apparently, snakes live in the gully as well, although we didn’t see any. The area is actually famous for being home to the world’s smallest snake, the Leptotyphlops Bilineata, which at less than 4 inches long are no bigger than the millipedes. They live a secretive, worm-like existence underground and are rarely seen. I also understand that in the evenings, a few different bat varieties haunt the Gully.
I would be remiss to not also mention that while there were none present on our visit, it’s thought that the grapefruit originated here at Welchman Hall Gully during the 17th century by crossing a sweet orange with a shaddock (pomelo like citrus fruit).
Before we left the Gully, we were in for one more treat. We ambled up a couple flights of concrete stairs to a hilltop look-out to savour the spectacular views of Bathseba and the eastern coast. When exiting, we also noticed a natural ‘adventure’ playground for the kids – It even has a mini zip-line for the little ones to ride!
This was an enjoyable, relaxing yet informative tour of a well maintained natural area with a friendly local guide. It’s also a great place for lunch or a snack, as the Chunky Monkey Café offers food & drink (beer & rum punch), served on a comfortable outdoor terrace.
Want to see more? Check out our Monkeys of Welchman Hall Gully video on YouTube!
You should also know that the Welchman Hall Gully partners with the Barbados Native Plant Restoration Project by providing a location for ecological research and conservation, and Gully staff volunteer their time for the Barbados Monkey Project – Both great causes that deserve and appreciate public support.
For more information, click on this link to visit the official Barbados Welchman Hall Gully website.
For an overview of beautiful Barbados, take a look at our Barbados Vacations page
For other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Fun Things to Do in Barbados blog post.
If you’re looking for more ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Barbados Adventures blog post for some great ideas!
While Negril may be best known for its great white sand beach, cliff jumping and amazing river and waterfall adventures nearby, we were happy to discover a number of snorkeling options along Jamaica’s gorgeous southwest coast. The area is blessed with clear water providing excellent visibility for snorkeling, while the numerous protected bays and coves provide calm shallow water, ideal for beginners and families with small children. While we accessed some great snorkelling spots right off the beach and by climbing short ladders along the cliffs, the easiest and most common way to snorkel in Negril is by joining a catamaran cruise or one of the ever-abundant glass-bottom boat tours. Let the local tour operators bring you right to the undersea hotspots. Here’s what we found and heard about on our recent visit to Negril (listed from north to south)…
Located 5-10 miles (10-15 km) north of Negril’s 7-mile Beach, this gorgeous cove is home to a secluded beach and enjoyable offshore islands close to shore. Just over 300 feet (100m) from the beach, there’s a nice little patch of coral, perfect for a casual snorkel. Venture out a little further and you’ll discover a long stretch of coral reef you can explore for hours! Snorkellers will experience a wide variety of corals and sea fans, plus sea urchins and juvenile fish like wrasse, damselfish and blue tang.
The intrepid and inquisitive can swim or paddle less than a thousand feet (300m) from the beach to a small uninhabited island where you can snorkel, catch a breather, and/or just hang out. It doesn’t get much ‘chill’er than that! If you’re looking for a refreshing beverage or two after your snorkeling adventure, an even smaller island is just another 350 feet (115m) away. This little cay is home to a rustic bar called Calico Jack’s Pirate shack. Don’t worry, you won’t have to swim back to shore – Local boats shuttle folks back and forth throughout the day.
Oh, on the way out to the reefs and islands watch for plentiful starfish, as well as the occasional ray gliding along on the sandy ocean floor. Overall, this is one of Negril’s best spots for snorkelling!
About a mile (2 km) north of 7-mile Beach, Bloody Bay is a great protected area with a nice reef, although the area has been spoiled for snorkellers by the cavalcade of motorboats constantly parasailing back and forth along the shoreline. That said, it’s reasonably safe for snorkellers to explore the reefs at the ends, near the mouth of the bay. Due to the large amount of shallow water along the sandy shoreline, the sea in this little bay is the warmest I’ve ever experienced in the Caribbean.
At the north end of Bloody Bay between Little Bay Country Club and the RIU Negril Resort (not to be confused with the RIU Tropical Bay Resort, practically next door), you can easily reach the reef that’s less than 100 feet (50m) from shore. It’s a large reef that stretches out into the bay for close to 1000 feet (250m) – But keep your eye on those annoying motorboats which may be turning around in the vicinity. While the beaches aren’t secluded, the sea is uncrowded for snorkellers and full of marine life. You’ll practically have the place to yourself as you discover lots of starfish, sea cucumbers, as well as rays and crabs along the sandy bottom. You’ll also find a wide variety of juvenile fish over the reef.
Meanwhile, at the south end of the bay along the peninsula where the Grand Lido Negril Hotel is, the cliffs and nearby reefs offer another relatively safe area to snorkel. We ventured out there via a glass-bottom boat and really enjoyed swimming and snorkeling through “Lover’s Cave” – a small cave system with a sandy ocean floor, low hanging cave ceilings, and schools of bright coloured juvenile fish darting around in the shallow water. A pretty cool experience for sure. Just a few feet/meters from the cliffs scattered reefs are home to a wide variety of corals, sea fans and plenty of colourful little fish. We also saw a lobster hiding under some rocks on the ocean floor! Interestingly, at one point we swam for a few minutes through literally hundreds of tiny jellyfish, but don’t worry, they don’t sting (or at least we didn’t feel anything). Again, the area is uncrowded – We were the only ones there snorkelling 😊.
About 700 feet (200m) from shore at the tip of the peninsula separating 7-mile Beach from Bloody Bay is Booby Cay, a small uninhabited island named for the sea birds that once frequented the place. The island is surrounded by fragments of a coral reef where you can find a wide variety of marine life worth exploring. Glass bottom boats from both Bloody Bay and 7-mile Beach will take you there, while a number of organized tours include fun barbeque lobster lunches on the little island, where you can enjoy your own (near) private oasis – Ya man!
South of Booby Cay, just over half a mile (1km) from Negril’s famous 7-mile Beach, you’ll find a series of coral reefs that are generally considered the best place to snorkel in Negril. Although the reefs are fairly far from shore, the water is still very shallow, allowing you to view marine life in less than 10 feet of water. Although there can be a gentle current at times, it’s still a great place for beginners. These reefs are home to a large variety of corals, sea urchins, sea fans as well as tons of fish. Again, there are a few pockets of tiny harmless jellyfish in the area, but they’re nothing to worry about, or as the locals say “No problem man!”
We enjoyed the area so much that we took two trips out there, once as part of a Catamaran cruise and again via a glass-bottom boat for a more private tour. The first thing I saw there was a baby spotted ray swimming along the bottom of the sandy ocean floor – So cool, I could have followed it forever! Then I noticed the abundance of purple-ish sea fans and soft corals in the area. While slowly floating along the edge of the reefs, I saw a unique trumpetfish along with schools of juvenile yellow grunts, although they were almost hard to see as they blended with the fire coral in the background. Of course there were tons of friendly sergeant majors swimming closer to the surface, just out of reach. I also witnessed an amazing couple of blue sergeant majors who I assume were protecting recently laid eggs. I saw some of my favourite colourful fish, bluehead wrasse and parrotfish, as well as some dark angelfish or damselfish.
The highlight of my snorkelling adventure was seeing, for the first time, an abundance of orange and white squirrelfish with their big dark eyes (see above). That said, it was also very interesting to see a black snake slithering under rocks and my heart absolutely raced when a hawksbill turtle swam right in front of me! I think I might have also seen a rare indigo hamlet (unique bluefish) as well. OK, ok, there is lots to see!
For more underwater scenes from our 7-Mile Beach Reef Snorkeling adventure, check out our Negril Snorkelling video on Youtube.
A trip to Negril is incomplete without experiencing beneath the waves over these bountiful reefs, hence almost all of the catamaran cruises and glass-bottom boat tours in the area will take you here – Enjoy!
Just north of the Rockhouse Hotel, there’s an amazing little cove that can be accessed via boat or from small ladders along the cliffs. While there’s likely good snorkeling just offshore over the nearby reefs, the feature attraction for us was the large horseshoe-shaped swim-through cave. We visited by boat, and after being entertained by some local kids jumping and diving off the cliffs, we swam into the cave to check it out. As we explored the cave, we noticed dark coloured crabs scrambling along the cave walls whenever someone inadvertently got close to them. While we didn’t see any marine life in the water, it was a unique experience for sure.
A little further south, located just north of the Negril Lighthouse, there’s another small cove beneath the Caves Hotel that has more large caves along the cliffs. These caves are home to a variety of marine life including rays, and plenty of juvenile fish can be seen over the nearby coral reefs.
ACT Staff
For more information on snorkeling in Jamaica, including a list of tour operators who will get you to the hot spots, check out our Jamaica Snorkelling page
If you’re looking for other ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the Land of Wood & Water, click on our Jamaica Adventures blog for some great ideas!
For an overview of the beautiful and unique island, take a look at our Jamaica Vacations page
For an overview of great Tourist Attractions on the Land of Wood & Water, including tour operators who will take good care of you, check out our Things to Do in Jamaica blog
As cold weather drags on in many parts of the world, a Caribbean vacation might be just what the doctor ordered for curing the winter blues. Just imagine the sand beneath your feet and a cold rum beverage in your hand. Better yet, how about slipping into the warm clear Caribbean Sea for some snorkelling or perhaps getting on the trail in a lush green rainforest. Of course, a game of golf or a day fishing would also be great right about now! If you’re looking to enjoy a warm-weather vacation in the near future, here are our thoughts on the best Caribbean destinations to visit in the next couple of months.
The good news is that it finally appears that Covid-19 is on the decline (I hope I didn’t just jinx it). Regardless, based on readily available data, it might be safer to spend time on certain Caribbean islands than it is to ‘go out’ in most American, Canadian, UK or European towns or cities. For this article, we looked at the Caribbean Islands that appear to have the fewest number of covid cases (per capita) combined with above-average vaccination rates. We also considered each island’s current covid related entry requirements to ensure a good balance of safety and convenience.
Our top three destinations listed below are really too close to rank/order, and similarly comparing the last two on our list resulted in a tie. You’ll find some of our top picks, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis and Grenada only allow fully vaccinated tourists to visit, while other islands we’re recommending, Jamaica and Saint Lucia are allowing unvaccinated tourists to now visit without quarantine requirements. The British Virgin Islands also made our list with a slightly more complicated set of rules and requirements than the others. All of our recommended destinations still require a negative covid test result prior to travelling to the island.
We hope you enjoy our assessments below, which also include a few ideas for fun and exciting things to do on each island. We’re hoping that will help you decide which Caribbean Island destination works best for you.
With one of the lowest covid case counts and highest vaccination rates in the Caribbean, the beautiful islands of Antigua & Barbuda are one of our highest recommended destinations.
Adults 18 and over must be fully vaccinated to visit Antigua & Barbuda. A negative RT PCR test result must be obtained within four days of travelling to the islands. Rapid Antigen tests will also be accepted, however these visitors may be required to take an RT PCR test upon arrival (at their own expense). Upon arrival, travellers will need to complete a health declaration form and undergo a brief health screening. If everything checks out ok, you’re good to go!
Once on the islands, you must stay in an official Antigua & Barbuda BioSafe/Certified accommodation, and you’ll need to wear a mask in public places while adhering to social distance protocols. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Antigua & Barbuda’s Travel Advisory webpage.
Now comes the fun part – What to do once you’re there… The islands are famous for their excellent cuisine and amazing white (along with a few pink) sandy beaches – Apparently, there’s a different beach for each day of the year in Antigua & Barbuda. For spectacular views, Shirley Heights is a must-see, as is Nelson’s Dockyard – A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unique adventurous activities can be found at Antigua’s Stingray City as well as in Barbuda’s caves. Antigua and Barbuda are home to wonderful mangroves and coral reefs, making the islands ideal for kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Of course, there are plenty of sailing and boating excursions available for a true Antigua & Barbuda experience. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to know that Antigua offers some pretty amazing hiking trails and golf as well!
For more ideas and details for things to do in Antigua and Barbuda, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you make the most of your vacation, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Vacation Ideas webpage.
For our personal reviews of some fun and adventurous activities in Antigua & Barbuda, check out our Excursions/Blog Posts page.
Few covid cases are being reported right now in Jamaica and although the island’s overall vaccination rate appears low, people working in the tourism industry are mostly vaccinated and following strict protocols to keep everyone safe. For these and financial (great package deal) reasons, this is where we’re heading to this month!
Regardless of your vaccination status, Jamaica is welcoming all travellers, as long as you have a negative Antigen or PCR test result conducted within 3 days of travel (applies to everyone 12 and over). For faster processing on arrival, visitors are encouraged to submit their Immigration/Customs C5 card online prior to departing. If the card is not submitted online, travellers may complete the paper form while on the plane. Once on the islands, visitors must observe all applicable protocols, including the wearing of a mask and maintaining social distance in public spaces. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Jamaica Cares webpage.
As for what to do once you’re on the island, you’re in for a treat! Historically known as the “land of wood and water”, Jamaica is probably best known for its Reggae music & culture, white sand beaches, as well as its amazing rum and coffee. That said, a Jamaican vacation offers one of the best opportunities to enjoy waterfalls, river rafting and golf in a tropical setting. The island is rich with a beautiful and diverse landscape that includes the iconic Blue Mountain range, home to Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, great for hiking and coffee excursions. Jamaica offers good snorkelling and fishing too, while inland adventures include some serious MTB and caving excursions.
For more ideas and details for things to do in Jamaica, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you make the most of your stay, check out our Jamaica Vacation Ideas page.
For our personal reviews of some fun and adventurous activities in Jamaica, check out our Excursions/Blog Posts page (just scroll down to the Jamaica section).
With one of the lowest covid case counts and highest vaccination rates in the Caribbean, the “Sister Islands” of St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) is also one of our top recommendations.
All visitors must be fully vaccinated (applies to everyone 18 and over) to visit St. Kitts and Nevis. Travelers must submit an RT-PCR or NAAT negative test result, taken within 3 days of your arrival, along with an Immigration/Customs form along with supporting documentation online, no later than 24 hours prior to travel.
Once on the islands, you must stay in an official SKN Certified accommodation and you’ll need to wear a mask, practice proper hand sanitizing, as well as physical distancing. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official St. Kitts & Nevis St. Kitts & Nevis Travel Requirements page.
Having just returned from two weeks of bliss in St. Kitts & Nevis, I would suggest visiting the formidable Brimstone Fortress as well as nearby Romney Manor and the ruins of Wingfield Estate. While you’re in the area, a hike up Mount Liamuiga, one of the Caribbean’s tallest volcanos is a must-do for avid hikers. Nevis Peak also offers an incredibly unique hike, while other less strenuous hikes are also available on the islands. For some, the best way to explore St. Kitts is by taking their unique Scenic Railway tour around the island. You may also be pleasantly surprised at the snorkeling around St. Kitts as well as the rum on Nevis.
For a covid-oriented review of our recent trip to SKN, take a look at our It’s Safe to Travel to the Caribbean blog post.
For more ideas and details for things to do in the Sister Islands, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you make the most of your vacation, check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Vacation Ideas page.
For our personal reviews of some fun and adventurous activities in St. Kitts & Nevis, check out our Excursions/Blog Posts page (just scroll down to the St. Kitts & Nevis section).
Although the island’s overall vaccination rate is fairly low, covid case counts are on the decline and nearing their all-time low in Saint Lucia, so it’s a good time to visit.
Prior to departing for Saint Lucia, all adult travelers will need to obtain Travel Authorization, providing proof of a negative PCR test taken within 5 days of travel (applies to everyone 5 and over). Once on the island, visitors must adhere to all covid protocols, including those related to wearing face masks in public, social distancing and observing high standards of hand hygiene. For more details and specifics of covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Saint Lucia – Safe Harbour webpage.
As for what to do once you’re there, Saint Lucia offers vacationers a wide variety of relaxing and adventurous activities ranging from sampling, and making your own, chocolate to hiking one of the iconic Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lone distillery on the island may be a pleasant surprise to some, as it is home to some of the Caribbean’s best rums. Perhaps the mountainous green island is famous for its beautiful gardens, waterfalls and hot springs. That said, Saint Lucia is also a great adventure destination for snorkeling/diving, fishing, water sports and golf.
For a more detailed view of things to do in Saint Lucia, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Saint Lucia Vacation Ideas page.
For our personal reviews of some fun and adventurous activities in Saint Lucia, check out our Excursions/Blog Posts page (just scroll down to the Saint Lucia section).
With one of the highest vaccination rates in the Caribbean combined with declining covid case counts, the BVIs deserve a spot on our “top 5 Caribbean Islands to visit” list. While it’s convenient that entry requirements are somewhat less demanding for fully vaccinated tourists, overall guidelines and requirements are a bit confusing, so I hope I get this right.
Fully vaccinated travellers must show proof of vaccination, a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test result (taken within 5 days of travel), along with proof of covid related Travel Insurance upon arriving in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). That said, if (Antigen?) test results are older than 48 hours, visitors may be asked to retest (Rapid Antigen) upon entry. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors need to obtain travel authorization online via the BVI Gateway Portal prior to departing for the BVIs. To be approved, visitors must provide proof of a certified RT-PCR negative test result (taken 3-5 days prior to arrival), along with evidence of Covid related Travel Insurance. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will need to quarantine for 4 and 7 days respectively upon arrival, and will be allowed to roam the islands after receiving a negative RT-PCR test result at the end of the quarantine period.
All visitors are to adhere to COVID-19 protocols while travelling around the British Virgin Islands. These include relevant physical distancing, wearing masks and sanitization measures.
For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, such as which port of entry you are allowed to use (dependent on vaccination status), please visit the official British Virgin Islands Entry Requirements webpage, as well as the British Virgin Islands Travel Protocols webpage.
Now for the fun part – For a taste of what you can enjoy once you get there, consider this… There are plenty of white sandy beaches offering a number of swimming and watersports options. Perhaps the best kayaking and SUP (paddleboarding) in the BVIs can be found at Tortola, while kiteboarding and windsurfing might be best experienced on Virgin Gorda. Boat operators can get you fishing around the islands, and spectacular views can be found while hiking the BVI’s National Parks. For a journey back in time, visit the islands’ museums and ruins of forts and sugar mills. Of course, there’s always plenty of sailing and rum to enjoy in the BVIs!
Covid case counts, which are much lower than other Caribbean Islands, are on the decline again in Grenada. Vaccination rates on the islands are on the rise, surpassing the levels of a couple of islands on this list above.
Adults 18 and over must be fully vaccinated to visit Grenada. A negative PCR test result must be obtained within 3 days of travelling to the islands. Alternatively, a negative Rapid Antigen test result must be obtained within 1 day of visiting Grenada. For faster processing on arrival, visitors are encouraged to submit their Travel Health Declaration form online prior to departing. If the form is not submitted online, you may complete the paper version while on the plane. Travellers will undergo health screening on arrival and once everything checks out ok, you’re good to go! Once you’re on the islands, visitors must wear a face mask (that covers his/her mouth, nose, and chin) in public places
As for what to do once you’re in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique… The Spice Islands may be one of the Caribbean’s ‘best-kept secrets’, offering unspoiled natural beauty and a wide variety of attractions and activities sure to please everyone. The tropical paradise has dozens of uncrowded beaches and several accessible waterfalls and sulfur/hot springs. Grenada is home to Grand Etang National Park, a wilderness attraction complete with a crater lake. While equally a ‘hiker’s paradise’ and a ‘diver’s wonderland’, a vacation on the tri-island nation is a great destination for travelers seeking action on both land and sea. The islands also offer plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, water sports, and more.
For more detailed ideas for things to do in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Grenada Vacation Ideas page.
Now, for our disclaimer… Please note that this article was written on March 3th, 2022. Covid-19 information can change pretty quickly, so we recommend you check covid case counts on your island of choice, right before booking your trip.
FYI (Full Disclosure): We are not being compensated in any way by the islands listed above. These islands were chosen as our top destinations based on the criteria outlined. Some information for this article was derived from the following sources: worldometers.com; and covidvax.live
We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to enjoy some quality time in the Caribbean!
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ACT Staff
I always enjoy vacationing in Jamaica, especially when we get off the resort to really appreciate the natural beauty the island has to offer. Jamaica’s descriptive moniker has been “the land of wood and water” for many years, and for good reason. The island has countless awesome rivers, waterfalls, natural wading pools and incredible swimming holes that I can barely keep track. There’s the Blue Lagoon of Brooke Shields fame out by Port Antonio, the Cool Blue Hole and the Cascade (Thatch River) Blue Hole located near Ocho Rios, and several others scattered across the island. As this was our first visit to Negril, we wanted to check out the nearby ‘Blue Hole Mineral Spring‘, situated close to Jamaica’s southwest coast. We heard that the property consists of a nice hotel along with some other buildings and a pool. Of course, the feature attraction is a 25-30 foot gaping hole in the rocky limestone ground. Just over 20 feet down, the karst cave is filled with inviting light blue water. Similar to Negril’s most famous attraction Rick’s Café, the thing to do at the Blue Hole is to jump from the surface down into the water below – Well (pun intended), that sounds like fun!
So, we contacted a local tour operator who had been recommended to us to help us experience the place for ourselves. Andre Miller and a colleague picked us up from our Bloody Bay beach hotel and we were off… It’s an enjoyable 40-minute drive, starting down the main road parallel to 7-mile beach then heading inland on the outskirts of Negril before journeying towards the south coast on secondary roads. The second half of the drive is fairly slow, due to the narrow pot-hole filled tracks, but we were in no hurry. We enjoyed taking in the sights of the Westmoreland countryside. It was interesting to see colourful houses scattered throughout the lush green jungle – Big houses on the hilltops and smaller houses in various stages of construction built closer to the road.
Ultimately, we arrived at a modest-looking little dirt parking lot. But don’t let that fool you – It’s much more impressive once you wade on in… The Blue Hole Mineral Spring has a nice relaxing rural vibe to it, inviting one to explore at leisure. I loved the thatched-roof gazebos with modern tiled floors. There’s a colourfully painted bar, and a similar style building offering shade right next to the modern swimming pool. Backing into wild greenery, there’s also a multi-floor building with a partly enclosed party (or dining) area. The whole place has an easy-going feel to it, inviting you to kick back and chill for a while…
We got there early in the day, so it was nice and quiet. It was just the two of us, a couple of other tourists along with a handful of locals I assume were staff, taxi drivers, and others just hanging around. After a quick glance into the hole, we continued exploring – Venturing up some stairs to a decent-sized, vibrant-colour painted hotel. We went up the exterior stairwell straight to the rooftop, where we savoured spectacular views of the natural green beauty surrounding the place, brightly accented by the brilliant blues of the Caribbean Sea and endless sky. It was warm and sunny with a refreshing breeze – We could have stayed there forever… Except that I had an exciting jump on my mind.
Back down at the main area of the property, I took a better look at the namesake attraction. There’s a railing along one side of the blue hole and mineral spring, and some trees and stone walls bordering 2 other sides. An unobstructed end provides access to the hole via a small jumping platform and a sturdy metal ladder that disappears down into the cavern. Peering below into the sun-deprived cave, it’s fascinating to see the milky pastel blue water below. A staff member named Getty (spelling?) came over for a chat. Part lifeguard, part showman, and part tour guide, he’s here to help folks enjoy the natural attraction to the fullest. Getty assured me that the water, fed from a fresh underground spring, is over 35 feet deep – no problem man (as they say in Jamaica) 😊. While we were chatting, a local leaped off the railing into the hole, showing me there was nothing to it.
OK, I figured the best way to do this is to stop thinking about it, so I held my breath and stepped off the ledge. Honestly, it was an exhilarating and frightful drop that didn’t last much more than a second before I plunged deep into the water, where it seemed to take forever for me to bob back up to the surface. What a rush! A wild sensation for anyone who doesn’t normally jump off cliffs.
While my eyes were adjusting to the relative darkness, I swam towards a rock protruding from the side of the cave. I was thinking that the water temperature was comfortable enough when I noticed that there were little fish swimming all around me in the mineral-rich water – I didn’t expect that. I grabbed a seat on a rock ledge and took a look around. The cavern is a much bigger down at water level than it is up at the surface.
Getty showed us a place to find some grey powdery earth from between the rocks, and how to mix it with water to make a nice mineral-rich clay/pomace for our arms, shoulders, neck and back.
Such a unique experience hanging out in a mineral-water filled subterranean cavern – A place where all your problems can melt away.
After a relaxing swim and skin scrub/treatment, we eventually climbed the ladder to join the world once again.
As I reached the top of the ladder I noticed Getty way above me in a tree. Once he got our attention, he jumped – that must have added another 5-10 feet to the drop… Our entertainment at the hole over, I grabbed a cold red stripe from the bar and waded into the swimming pool. WoW – was it ever warm! I was told that the pool is also filled with natural mineral-rich water, having just been pumped in from the spring the day before. The warm water is so soothing… Sitting on the built-in bench that rings the pool’s edge, I soaked up the minerals, sunshine and reggae beats coming from the bar. I’m not sure there’s a better way to spend the day.
Oh… there’s more at the Blue Hole Mineral Spring than meets the eye… If you’re interested in marijuana, ask one of the staff to show you around their “field of dreams” (my term not theirs), and they’ll be happy to oblige. They grow some of the best bud in Jamaica if not the world, right here in these fields, and they have the awards to prove it.
Well… After hanging out for a while, we decided to head back to so-called civilization. All in all, a great day off the beaten path – A day that awoke my senses!
For an overview of the land of wood and water, take a look at our Jamaica Vacations page
For other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Things to Do in Jamaica blog
If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Jamaica Adventures blog for some other great ideas!
ACT Staff
