A wild ride down the Spice Island’s Balthazar River
After a somewhat harrowing drive from the St. Georges area to the heart of Grenada, we eventually made it to ‘The River’s Edge’ restaurant, which also conveniently doubles as the launch site for river-tubing Grenada’s “Great River”. It was warm and sunny the day of our visit – Just perfect for a river tubing adventure. A couple of friendly locals from Funtastic Island Adventures greeted us in the parking lot to get us ready for our journey downstream. Our excursion guides for the next hour or so were named Blue and Splashy. Once they fitted us with helmets and life jackets we were each handed a large inflated ‘tube’ that would be the best seat in the house, which in this case was the Spice Island’s Baltahar River. One by one we plopped ourselves down into the floating bright orange tubes and excitedly pushed off from shore.
After a few seconds, the river current picked up speed and we headed downstream. After the first set of rapids, we gently bounced off a stone wall before slowly drifting under a bridge where we gained momentum once again. For our Grenada river-tubing experience, it was just our small party of three, so we pretty much had a private tour. Well, actually a couple of dogs also joined us for our journey – sometimes running along the shore, other times joining us in the water for a refreshing swim. Pretty cool…
The Balthazar River system consists of a diverse assortment of fairly fast-moving water through long narrow channels bordered with large rocks, exciting small waterfall-like drops of a foot or two, along with some wide open areas of deeper water where things slow down to more of a lazy river vibe. All this variation made for a very interesting ride through the tree-lined river gully, giving us a remote and secluded feel. The entire voyage through the lush green environment was a great way to enjoy the Grenada wilderness.
After a few calming minutes of leisurely drifting down the river, we left the world behind and it was just us and the ebbing flow of the stream, surrounded by the natural beauty of Grenada’s jungle-like vegetation. Blue told us that being mid-April the water level was really low for our river journey and that during the rainy season later in the year the water level can be two feet higher or more, and much much faster! Meanwhile, for our trip down Grenada’s “Great River”, we occasionally felt rocks passing beneath us, but the tubes we were riding in had Styrofoam bottoms to keep us protected. We did get caught up several times on rocks, but Blue and Splashy were always close by, helping to pull or push us around the obstacles as required. One time though, going over a 3-foot drop I thought I was going to dump for sure – but I just held onto the handles until Blue rushed over to pull me through the mini-falls and the tube eventually righted itself. During all the excitement, I did get a little mouthful of water, but that just added to the fun experience!
To add to the ‘nature’ vibe of our river tubing experience, at one point we came across a handful of blue herons fishing the waters. At yet another area we passed under an old stone bridge that looked like the ruins of some lost civilization – Turns out it was just the remnants of an old road that was replaced decades ago. It was still an interesting sight though, as it is slowly being reclaimed by the natural world.
Somewhere along our outing, we floated into a fairly large pond area where the water was barely moving. Apparently, when large groups are taking the tour, additional entertainment is provided by locals jumping off the riverside cliff! Anyways… After about 45 minutes of speeding through small series of rapids and slowly floating across tranquil ponds, our amazing Balthazar River tubing experience sadly came to a conclusion as the river was getting too rocky and shallow to continue. Well, it was great fun that I didn’t want to be over, but all good things must come to an end!
ACT Staff
For more information about river tubing down the Balthazar River, check out the Funtastic Island Adventures website.
For Tour Operators who can get you on the river, as well as guide you to many other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Things to Do in Grenada page.
For an overview of the Spice Island of the Caribbean, take a look at our Grenada Vacations page.
If you’re looking for more ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Grenada Adventures blog post for some great ideas!
Chocolate & Spice, and Everything Nice about Grenada
Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique are the most southern of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands – About 100 miles (165km) north of Trinidad & Tobago and the South American coast. The mountainous main island of Grenada is known as the “Spice Island” for its abundance of nutmeg and other seasonings, although it’s also becoming a mecca for chocolate lovers as well. Grenada may be one of the Caribbean’s ‘best-kept secrets’ offering unspoiled natural beauty and a wide variety of attractions to please travellers from all over. There are plenty of things to do in Grenada if you know where to look… Our personal favourites include:
Savour Grenada’s Chocolate Estates & Factories
The makers of fine chocolate in Grenada are proud of their organic locally grown cocoa as well as their ethical fair-trade production methods. Tourists will of course also appreciate the delicious chocolate products being made by the five chocolate companies on the island. We’re talking about organic pure dark chocolate bars, chocolate bars subtly flavoured with nutmeg, ginger or Caribbean sea-salt as well as cocoa butter, cocoa powder, cocoa nibs, chocolate butter spread and a variety of chocolate drinks. Yum!
While cocoa was introduced to Grenada centuries ago, the last couple of decades has seen the rise of a successful chocolate ‘tree-to-bar’ movement on the island. Grenada’s high-quality chocolate is recognized by the International Cocoa Organization, which has listed Grenada as one of only 10 countries in the world to produce ‘100% fine and flavour cocoa’.
If you are a chocoholic, then you will love a tour of a local farm and see for yourself how the island’s cocoa is cultivated, processed and transformed into edible delights. Most tours offer tasty samples and of course they all end with an opportunity to buy a variety of Grenada chocolate delicacies from their gift stores. Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate; The Diamond (Jouvay) Chocolate Factory; The Grenada Chocolate Company; Belmont Estate Plantation; and Tri-Island Chocolate are all doing it right.
Known as the ‘spice island of the Caribbean’, it’s only natural for visitors to Grenada to want to know more about the island’s spice heritage and culture. It is fascinating to watch a local guide open the fruit of the nutmeg tree to reveal the mace-wrapped seed, which most of us will only recognize once its ground into powder. The Douglaston Spice Estate demonstrates the old-fashioned way of processing spices (and cocoa), however unfortunately there was a fire on the estate in 2020 and the current operational status of the estate is unknown. That said, the Gouyave Nutmeg Station is a popular tourist attraction to see how the island’s vast quantities of nutmeg are sorted and packaged for export. You can also learn more about Grenada’s spice trade on a tour of the West India Spices facility. Of course, delicious nutmeg and other spices and related products can be purchased at these locations as well as the De La Grenade Nutmeg Garden. De La Grenade features a 2-acre spice, flowering plant and fruit tree garden located next to their industrious Processing Facility where you can purchase a wide range of local Grenadian fruit and spice products.
Clarke’s Court Rum Distillery (AKA Grenada Distiller Ltd) is the self-proclaimed ‘largest and best-known distillery in Grenada’. The distillery has been in operation for over 80 years and offers guided tours of their historical site. Hear about the history of the distillery as well as the rum-making process, then the short tour ends in the Hospitality Center where a range of Clarke’s Court rums can be sampled and purchased.
The Westerhall Estate has also been blending and bottling quality rums for decades. Westerhall Estate offers tours of the estate grounds and a small museum where you can learn about the history and future of the estate and distillery. Complete the tour with rum tasting and shopping for your favourite Westerhall rums.
Dating back to the 18th century, River Antoine Estate is the oldest distillery in Grenada and is proudly home to one of the Caribbean’s oldest functioning watermills. The small boutique distillery still makes rum with traditional methods – It’s something to see! The distillery offers short tours accompanied by stories of historical rum-making along with some rum tasting. Rum purchases are also available on-site.
For more information, along with tour operators to get you some rum, check out our Grenada Rum page.
Explore the Cultural & Heritage Landmarks of Grenada’s Capital St. George’s
Fort George, Fort Frederick, and Fort Matthew are excellent examples of strategically positioned 18th-century bastion-style forts. Besides the historical majesty of Grenada’s oldest structures, the locations of these forts provide spectacular views of the town, harbour, and the Caribbean Sea as well as inland to the island itself.
The 340 foot (100m) long Sendall Tunnel, connecting Fort George with the rest of the city, is another attractive and impressive historical site. For more history of Grenada, check out the National Museum’s display of local pictures and other artifacts.
For the shop-o-holic in your group, take a walk around St. George’s Market Square to get your fill of spices, crafts, and souvenirs. The hustle and bustle of this local fruit & vegetable market is a popular attraction for new visitors to Grenada.
There are also a number of churches to view in St. George’s. They include the iconic 19th-century Roman Catholic Cathedral, which features a large gothic tower, as well as the Methodist Church, which is the oldest surviving chapel on the island. Unfortunately, restorations of the Anglican and Presbyterian 19th-century churches, from 2004’s hurricane Ivan, have yet to be completed as of 2020.
For more information, along with tour operators to get you walking St. George’s, visit our Things to Do in Grenada page.
Relax at a Colourful Grenada Garden
There are over half a dozen gardens in Grenada where you can enjoy a nice leisurely stroll.
The Tower Estate Garden features a historical ‘Great House’ set among fruit, spice and wood trees alongside an amazing 2-acre floral garden. They offer house tours, garden tours, organic farm tours, afternoon tea, and Sunday brunch. Jessamine Eden Tropical Botanical Garden covers an amazing 60 acres that include rivers and trails to explore. The colonial Sunnyside Gardens is home to flowers, mahogany, palm and fruit trees as well as koi ponds, and some red-foot tortoises. Guided tours of Laura Herb & Spice Gardens ensure you get the most out of viewing their herbs, spices, fruit trees, other plants and vegetables. A gift shop and relaxing gazebo are also on-site.
Other Grenada gardens include: St. Rose Nursery & Garden features orchids, shrubs and herbs; Hyde Park Tropical Garden offers stunning views of the south end of the island; Smithy’s Garden includes an ‘old’ garden of fruit trees, and ornamental plants, as well as a ‘new’ garden that is home to a variety of rainforest plants; and Palm Tree Gardens’ two acres display a wide variety of palm trees, flowers and is also home to some red-footed tortoises.
Grenada is blessed with diverse natural beauty and there is no better place to experience that than in one of the island’s parks or other natural settings.
Located in the mountainous central highlands of Grenada, Grand Etang Lake and National Park is the island’s famous tropical rain forest, best known for its iconic Crater Lake, and several nearby waterfalls. The island’s most popular nature destination contains a variety of ecological subsystems of flora and fauna including large trees, ferns, colourful flowers and birds, along with frogs, lizards and a few small mammals. If you are lucky, you might even see a Mona monkey living in the wild.
Located in the northeast corner of Grenada, Levera National Park covers 450 acres, including a mangrove wetland called Levera Pond. This Ramsar site features a Boardwalk with an observation tower, making it an ideal location for birding and just relaxing in nature. The Park also contains a long coastline with a great beach and nearby hills which offer spectacular views of a number of small offshore islands. Overlooking Levera Pond with spectacular views of Ronde Island, Carriacou and perhaps even the Grenadines on a clear day, is the hilltop known as the Welcome Stone – Somewhat tricky to get there, but the views provide ample reward.
Located nearby, is the River Sallee Sulphur Springs, which is home to 6 natural springs and warm mud baths. Tourists are welcome to relax in some of the inviting sulphur bath/mud holes. Situated just south of the centre of the island, the Clabony Sulphur Springs is a waist-deep natural spring-fed pond filled with clear warm water.
Situated near the south end of the island, the Morne Gazo Nature Reserve is an eco-tourism ‘birding’ site with rainforest walking trails and features a hilltop observation area with an amazing panoramic view of the east coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Also located in the southern end of Grenada is the Mount Hartman National Park / Dove Sanctuary which features a unique environment not found anywhere else on the island. The combination of dry forest woodlands and mangroves makes it an ideal location for ‘birding’ and is home to the last remaining endemic Grenada Doves.
The most popular natural area in Carriacou is the High North Nature Reserve / National Park. From the highest peak on the island, you can relish spectacular panoramic views of Carriacou, Grenada, and the nearby Grenadine Islands surrounded by the sparkling blue sea.
Consider other Popular Grenada Tourist Attractions
Situated at the north tip of Grenada is the historical site of Carib’s Leap (AKA Leapers Hill), where the last of the island’s indigenous people jumped to their death to avoid being captured by French soldiers. The spot is also a great location for sensational views of the sea and nearby offshore islands. Then there is the town of Gouyave which hosts a weekly fish fry. Street vendors offer all sorts of fish meals, accompanied by music and entertainment. Meanwhile, over on Carriacou, an important and popular attraction is the Windward Boatyard located on the northeast coast of the island. Here you can immerse into the culture and soul of Carriacou by visiting the location where traditional boat making has been carried on for generations.
ACT Staff
For a more complete review of Grenada Attractions and things-to-do, along with a list of local Tour Operators who can help you get the most out of your day, check out our Things To Do in Grenada page.
If you’re looking for something more active that will raise your pulse rate a bit higher, check out our recommended Grenada Adventures blog
For an overview of the beautiful and diverse islands, click on our Grenada Vacations page
Discovering Vine-land in St. Kitts’ Central Forest Reserve
I’ve always wanted to hike in the St. Kitts Central Forest Reserve National Park, on a trail other than Mount Liamuiga, but I wasn’t sure the so-called hikes offered by the local tour operators were going to be interesting enough for us. So, we rented a car and drove up the west coast of the island to the grounds of the once majestic Wingfield Estate, where I had heard a number of hiking trails originated. Once we got there, I talked to a vendor about hiking in the area and asked if there were any local guides we could hire. Within seconds he was on his phone trying to help us out. After a couple of unsuccessful calls, he was able to reach someone from Old Road Town who would take us on a hike.
About half an hour later, a friendly fellow named Travis showed up and said he would be happy to take us into the jungle on what he called the “Bench Trail”. As we would find out, after hiking for an hour or so there’s a rustic wooden bench on the hillside where folks usually rest having just climbed a relatively steep section of the trail, hence the name. Our hike started with a casual walk along a dirt road behind Wingfield Estate that passed the remains of the recently abandoned Sky Safari Zipline. It’s amazingly beautiful how quickly tropical nature reclaims ownership of the land when given the opportunity to do so.
We soon left the dirt road, following a narrow path into the jungle. The natural trail took us next to what appeared to be an old riverbank, although the river bed was a green carpet, with just a little trickle of water and the odd puddle. Travis explained that the water was dammed and captured in cisterns much higher up the mountain. This part of the trail follows small pipes that bring clean water down into the local houses and businesses in Old Road Town and the surrounding area.
We stopped once in a while for Travis to show us various trees and plants bordering the trail. He explained that while some have edible fruit, others have leaves, bark, and roots that can be used for medicinal teas – Apparently curing everything from sore throats, indigestion, and stiff muscles to maybe even cancer. Other plants grow hard bright-coloured seeds that are used as decorative beads in traditional artwork. One tree Travis showed us was the massive locust tree, whose fruit is called ‘stinking toes’ due to their visual likeness and repugnant odour once cracked open. It was more appetizing when Travis pointed out the occasional cocoa tree with its distinctive large pods housing future chocolate. Then he brought to our attention the stand of almond trees we were walking under. Pretty cool to see the trail littered with partially eaten almond husks. Apparently, the local vervet (or green) monkeys eat the flesh between the husk and the pit, not realizing what they are missing – I’m sure they would really enjoy the protein-rich nut inside.
I always enjoy seeing the large tropical gommier trees with their fascinating rock-hard-looking bark with patches of reddish flakes, and maybe even a little shocked to come across the spike-covered sandbox trees. While intriguing to look at – don’t touch these horrors of the forest! Another interesting fruit Travis showed us was the manciport or mammee apple, whose fruit is apparently nutritious and delicious! We also encountered several species of mango and other edible fruit trees in the rainforest, although the monkeys eat the fruit right before it fully ripens, so unfortunately there is rarely much left for human consumption.
After about half an hour or so, we left the rainforest’s natural grocery store and pharmacy to head uphill. The trail twisted and turned around large trees constantly taking us higher. While a bit of a workout, it was relatively easy to hike although the incline did get steeper over time as the trail snaked up the mountainside. At Travis’ urging, we stopped a few times to sniff the air. Yes, I smelled the odour of animals nearby. While we figured correctly that goats roam the area, Travis suggested that there was something else afoot. He showed us marks on trees where the bark was clearly worn, as well as areas of earth that had been dug up near the roots. Apparently, these are the signs of feral pigs scratching themselves and rooting for food respectively. As the uphill hike continued, we kept hearing rustling noises above us in the trees. We were hoping to see monkeys, however, the sounds inevitably turned out to be doves. This situation repeated itself over and over again – The sight and sounds of startled doves taking flight.
After another half hour or so, we were quite sweaty and breathing a little hard as we arrived at “the bench”. We grabbed a seat, although we didn’t rest for too long. After peering through a gap in the rainforest canopy, we could see that we were on the edge of a gully, or what they call a ghaut in St. Kitts. Peering down into the ghaut, it was clear that we had traveled a fair distance, although it was clear that the trail continued much further as we could see a series of ropes tied from tree to tree. Travis told us he had never gone past the bench before, so he wasn’t sure where it went or for how long. We pushed on to take a look, but there was no end in sight. While the trail is fairly steep in this section, I didn’t need to use the ropes, although they are a good safety precaution for sure. With blue/white blazes on the trees, it appears as though this is a major trail of some sort. I believe that we were on the Old Military Trail that crosses the island from Old Road Town to Phillips Village. I further believe that if we had continued for another half hour or so, we would have found the spur trail to Dos D’Ane Pond.
We had set out today to just go for a nice little rainforest hike, so we were satisfied at this point to head back. It was great to discover that Travis was taking us back on a slightly different route, as loop trails provide the opportunity to experience as much diverse terrain and flora as possible. As an exciting change of pace, the first part of this new trail included an unanticipated plunge down the hillside. We pretty much rappelled a short section of trail to quickly reach the gully floor.
Being higher up in the ghaut, there was a bit of a stream in this area, quite likely from recent rains. Travis looked for crayfish but came up empty-handed. At this point, we crossed the shallow stream to encounter something out of a Jurassic Park or Tarzan movie. There were vines of all sizes hanging everywhere.
Pretty much a curtain or veil of vines. Travis explained how the vines grow out of the ground, climb up and tangle themselves around tree branches high in the sky, before reaching back to earth. He said the older ones secured to large trees are strong enough to hold the weight of an adult human, and Travis proved his point! OK, that was pretty cool!
Following the stream and eventually the dried-out riverbed, we eventually made our way back down to Wingfield Estate where Travis showed us soursop, calabash and pacay trees. He explained that the spiky soursop is a tasty and nutritious fruit, while calabash fruit and pacay seed pods are not edible, they do make for fun musical (percussion) instruments.
Back at Wingfield Estate, we walked around the remains of the old stone structures. A few hundred years ago, this was one of the most dominant plantations on the island – The place just oozes with history. In the mid 17th century, it is believed to have been one of the Caribbean’s first rum distilleries!
Now that’s what I call a good day!
For a more ‘technical’ Trail Report as well as much more information on hiking in St. Kitts & Nevis, please reference the following links (to pages on our website):
If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the islands, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Adventures blog for more great ideas!
For a more relaxed vacation itinerary, you can find great Tourist Attractions on the islands, by checking out our Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis blog
Now’s the time for a great winter escape – Here’s our top picks…
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.
Antigua & Barbuda
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.
Jamaica
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).
St. Kitts & Nevis
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 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).
Saint Lucia
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).
British Virgin Islands
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.
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!
Grenada
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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While St. Kitts may not be known as one of the best Caribbean Islands for snorkelling, we were pleasantly surprised by the marine life that we encountered at a number of locations along the island’s gorgeous Caribbean coast. While we reached one snorkelling hotspot as part of a boat excursion, we found many other worthwhile snorkelling options accessible right off the beach – You just need to grab a taxi or rent a car to get there. Here’s what we found…
Shitten Bay
We snorkelled the north end of Shitten Bay, which is located on the Caribbean (West) side of the southernmost point of St. Kitts while enjoying a sail and snorkel tour. The water there is like something out of a magazine – A stunning turquoise colour that you just don’t every day. Peering over the side of the boat I could see the ocean floor about 15 feet down, covered with seagrass along as well as a row of rocks/boulders in shallower water closer to shore.
As soon as I plunged into the water, I was greeted by a school of black & yellow vertically striped sergeant majors along with a handful of large shiny silver fish with a yellow strip down their backs that I believe are yellow jacks.
I left the boat area and headed towards shore. Once I reached the row of boulders I slowly swam northward along the edge. I was amazed to see such a wide variety of marine creatures swimming among the rocks. I saw little silver fish, medium-sized brown fish, an amazing butterflyfish with its distinctive black dot near its tail as well as a mixture of awesome-looking blue fish that are probably chromas and/or tang. Once I reached the north end of the bay, I floated over a coral structure jutting out from the shore into deeper water. I was thrilled to see these small black fish with fluorescent blue dots that I believe are jewelfish – An incredible sight! I also saw some fun looking bluehead wrasse as well as a number of unique yellow trumpetfish that I thought were cool.
One of the many highlights for me was seeing a fascinating ribbon-like eel. It was whitish with bi-coloured dots along its body. I couldn’t study it for long as it came out of one hiding spot and quickly disappeared again between two rocks. Perhaps it was a snake eel or a juvenile spotted moray. Whatever it was, it was awesome! I also saw a beautiful but deadly lionfish. I must have seen close to two dozen 20 different species of fish in all. There were several species of corals and other sea life down there as well. I saw fire coral, brain coral, a few different stick-like coral, as well as some vertical tubes, plenty of large purple fans as well as a variety of other plants I don’t know by name. Swimming back to the boat I was fortunate to see a decent sized puffer fish swimming near along the grassy ocean floor. Wow, that was special – Another great encounter
I believe that Shitten Bay can also be accessed by hiking across the peninsula from Major’s Bay, which is where the main road on the island ends. Following orange markers, it’s a rough one-hour hike along a river bed that ends at a beached shipwreck about 100 meters south from where we snorkelled.
However you get there, this is probably the best snorkeling spot in St. Kitts.
South Friars Bay
Located on the Caribbean (West) side of the north end of the narrow part of St. Kitts’ southeast peninsula is South Friar’s Bay. Just off the main (OK, only) road, there are two dirt tracks to the area, one leads to the Carambola Beach Club, the other to the Shipwreck Bar & Grill.
While we’ve been told that there is good snorkeling at the north end of the bay near the man-made point at the Carambola Beach Club, we spent our time snorkelling the area between the Godfather Beach Bar (next to the Discovery Beach Bar & Grill) and the Shipwreck Bar & Grill. We were pleasantly surprised by how good the snorkelling is in this area. This is thanks to a thin strip of coral, no more than 50 feet from shore, that runs almost the length of the beach. This reef is brimming with life, including a wide variety of juvenile fish, corals and sea fans.
Because part of the reef is just below the water surface, it is very dangerous for both humans and aquatic life to walk/swim over this reef. Scattered rows of sea urchins (little red ones plus larger black ones can really make for a bad day, so it is best to enter the water at the very south end of the bay just past the Shipwreck Bar & Grill, where there is a grass-covered sandy strip of ocean floor.
We slowly swam and drifted northward along the edge of the reef, on the ocean side (as opposed to the beach side) that is, up to the Godfather Beach Bar and back again. The sea floor has this really cool rippled texture, along with a few patches of sea grass. We saw tons of small fish flowing in and out of various nooks and crannies as the gentle ocean current ebbed in and out over the reef. I saw some fire coral, plenty of colourful soft corals as well as some hard corals and sea fans. The ocean floor was littered with black sea urchins with their long spikes poking out between and from under the rocks. I also saw some white urchins as well. As for the fish, there were lots of amazing ‘electric’ blue tang, yellow grunts, and plenty of other species I didn’t recognize.
While I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the fish and corals in this area, including a few camouflaged lizard-fish hiding on the sea floor, the highlight of this snorkeling adventure was the incredible French angelfish. This is what I’m looking for when I snorkel the Caribbean!
The gentle waves were easy to negotiate, making this a nice relaxing and rewarding snorkel. This was our second favourite place to snorkel in St. Kitts. Of course, it helps when there are plenty of places (mentioned above) on the beach to dry off with some good food and drink.
White House Bay
Located on the Caribbean (West) side of the southern end of the narrow part of St. Kitts’ southeast peninsula, we visited White House Bay. We followed the sign on the main road for “Salt Plage at Christoph Harbour”. While the restaurant facility was (permanently?) closed when we visited in early 2022, there are a couple of small parking lots right off the road.
From there, we walked for a few minutes along a dirt road to the beach area where we found a few abandoned buildings along with a pier. The beach is rocky, as in, the entire coastline is covered in golf ball, baseball, and softball sized rocks, although none of them are exactly round. Unless you have leathery tough feet, shoes or sandals are required to traverse the shoreline. I had heard that the best snorkelling was at the north end of the bay, so we walked about two-thirds of the way up the beach before heading into the water.
We kept our sandals/water-shoes on for this snorkel as the sea floor is littered with rocks. There are rocks and boulders of all shapes and sizes on the sandy ocean floor, several of them splashed with a bumpy yellow paint-like substance called ‘fire coral’. We avoided contact with that nasty stuff as we looked for fish. We didn’t have to look far as there were plenty of small – medium sized creatures swimming around in water about 4 to 10 feet deep fairly close to shore. I slowly swam north and saw a few sergeant majors, some small schools of yellow grunts as well as schools of black and yellow horizontally striped fish I assume was some other type of grunt. I saw some yellow goatfish, with their distinctive silver bodies and yellow tails, along with a few blue tang and yellow trumpetfish – Those are so weirdly cool! We also saw plenty of black spiky sea urchins who have made their homes between the rocks.
We were thrilled to also see a few starfish, mostly yellow/gold in colour, although I also saw one that was red. There was a bit of a current/tide to contend with, but nothing to worry about. A decent, if not overwhelming snorkeling experience.
Eventually, we got out of the water and headed to the south end of the beach where we had heard there was a shipwreck by a large rock protruding out of the water. Even though this was in much deeper water, we had to check it out! For several yards in from the beach, the water is very shallow and the rocky sea floor is covered in marine life. As a result, it is best to swim over to the rock outcrop from the end of the pier.
As we swam out toward the large black rock, I was struggling a bit against the relentless waves. As I finally got into deeper water I was immediately met by a small school of fish which I appreciated. The sea floor in this area is very dramatic, with non-uniform small rolling hills and deeper trenches, probably over 20 feet deep. I was exploring an interesting ledge with large sea fans waving back and forth with the strong current when my partner motioned me back. I swam back to see her looking at a large rectangular shape on the sea floor in about 20 feet of water. We were both tiring from the constant fight against the current and decided to get back to shore. Talking with someone a few days later, I found out that the shipwreck was actually on the other side of the rock that we unfortunately never reached.
One thing to mention is that we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. When we first arrived, there were a couple of guys from a sailboat moored in the harbour hanging out on the pier for a while, and we also encountered a tour guide with a couple of tourists going for a kayaking excursion – That’s it.
Well, after that workout, we now had an excellent excuse to take the short drive to the southernmost part of the island to check out the famous Reggae Beach Bar where we enjoyed some Carib beer, rum punch and a meal – All to the beats of awesome reggae music. A great way to spend the day!
Timothy Beach / Frigate Bay
On the Caribbean (west) side of St. Kitts, near the iconic Timothy Hill lookout at the north end of the southeast peninsula is Timothy Beach and Frigate Bay. This is St. Kitts’ most famous beach town known as “the strip” for the 10+ bar/restaurants that line the beach.
A little over 100 feet from shore there is about 400 hundred feet of man-made reef/barrier that marine life now call home. Please note that there is a gap in the barrier reef that is a channel for boats to come in and out from shore, so be aware of where you are at all times.
We waded in from shore and easily swam out to the rock pile where I immediately saw a lizard-fish, lying still on the sandy ocean floor. On the ocean side (as opposed to the beach side) of the rock pile, there are patches of sea grass with little sand mounds and craters – I wonder what’s going on down there. Regardless, there’s a surprising number of juvenile fish swimming among the rocks. They seem shy, but there’s plenty to see. I saw schools of yellow grunts over the sea grass and sergeant majors, blue tang, and other species. I was totally amazed when I saw a couple of Caribbean reef squids for the first time in my life. I tried to follow them, but man they’re fast. On the way out of the water, my partner pointed to an amazing gold/orange starfish as well as a much larger but duller coloured starfish. Cool!
If you’re staying in the area, or are visiting from a cruise ship, this man-made rock pile reef, while not the best place to snorkel in St. Kitts, is definitely worth exploring.
ACT Staff
For more information on snorkeling in St. Kitts & Nevis, including a list of tour operators who will get you to the hot spots, check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Snorkelling page
If you’re looking for other ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the Sister Islands, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Adventures blog for some great ideas!
For an overview of great Tourist Attractions on the islands, including tour operators who will take good care of you, check out our Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis page
