A Fun Day Exploring the Spice Island of the Caribbean

Enjoy Grenada Tours by visiting Belmont Estate Chocolate Plantation & Factory, River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery and Sensational views from the Welcome Stone

It doesn’t get better than chocolate, rum, and great Caribbean views!

While it is awesome to relax and unwind on a beach when vacationing on a Caribbean island, after a while we get the urge to turn it up a notch by getting out and exploring the island. On this day, we pretty much travelled the full length of Grenada, venturing from our resort on the southwest tip of the island, all the way to the northeast corner of the island, taking in many amazing sights and experiences along the way.

Belmont Estate

Enjoy a great day in Grenada by visiting Belmont Estate Chocolate Plantation & Chocolate Factory
Enjoy a great day in Grenada by visiting Belmont Estate Chocolate Plantation & Chocolate Factory


Our first main stop was at Belmont Estate, an amazing cocoa plantation with a boutique chocolate factory. We were excited to try some chocolate, but first, the hostess who greeted us at the entrance asked us to join a few others in an unassuming building on the Estate near the road. There, we met Belmont’s friendly and knowledgeable host Kelly, who was just about to start a tour with a handful of other tourists – Perfect timing. Kelly took us outside for a casual stroll around the plantation, showing us some of the plants that grow in the area. We smelled some aromatic plants including Thai basil, lemongrass, and a dandelion-like plant – They all had distinctive and powerful odours – Pretty cool. We then headed across the road to a stand of cocoa trees where Kelly searched for a nice ripe pod to show us. He quickly found one, picked it from a tree, then cracked it open on a rock. After carefully opening up the cocoa pod shell, he offered us the pulpy kernel-like seeds to suck on – very fruity tasting with a bit of a sour tang.

Enjoy a great day in Grenada by visiting Belmont Estate Chocolate Plantation & Chocolate Factory


When we returned to the main building, Kelly showed us where workers had picked ripe cocoa pods, removed the seeds and stacked them to ferment in wooden bins covered with banana leaves. He explained that the beans are regularly transferred by hand from bin to bin for a few days to help ensure an even fermentation.  Wow – What a powerful smell! Kelly took us back outside to show us the large drying racks on rollers just above the ground where the beans dry for a few days more. Not sure if it’s really required or not, but he had the women take off their shoes and gently flip the beans over with their feet to speed the drying process – OK, that was interesting.

Enjoy a great day in Grenada by visiting Belmont Estate Chocolate Plantation & Chocolate Factory

We also took a quick look into one of the more modern greenhouse-like drying buildings, although it was way too hot to stay in there for too long. From there we went back into the main building one last time for a sample of hot cocoa tea. Kelly made it very clear that it was not hot chocolate – It was a blend of dried roasted ground cocoa nibs mixed with cinnamon/nutmeg, bergamot (an orange-like fruit), and bay leaves. There must have been some sugar in there too – I have to tell you, even in the tropical heat, this hot beverage was absolutely delicious!

Enjoy a great day in Grenada by visiting Belmont Estate Chocolate Plantation & Chocolate Factory

After looking at some samples of local fruit and spices on display, Kelly took us up to the nearby Chocolate Factory building where he showed us the grinding/mixing machines and the workers packaging the previously formed chocolate creations. After a brief explanation of the ‘tree to bar’ chocolate-making process, noting that the cocoa is organic and that pretty much every step along the way is still done by hand, with very few machines used. Kelly then took us next door to a showroom/gift shop where we sampled 100% cocoa nibs, 80% dark chocolate, 60% Dark Chocolate with ginger and cinnamon, and some real white chocolate.  Personally, I thought the spiced chocolate was outstanding, so we purchased one of those along with some cocoa powder, cocoa tea balls, and another dark chocolate bar flavoured with salt.  We really enjoyed our visit to Belmont Estate – A nice, small boutique Grenadian chocolatier making chocolates the old-fashioned way!

Sample chocolate in Grenada by visiting Belmont Estate Chocolate Plantation & Chocolate Factory


For other popular Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Things to Do in Grenada page

For an overview of the “Caribbean Spice Island”, feel free to check out our Grenada Vacations page.

Our next stop was less than 10 minutes away… Where we took a rum tour the likes of which I’ve never experienced before…

River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery

Enjoy a fun Grenada tour by visiting the unique old-fashioned River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery
Enjoy a fun Grenada tour by visiting the unique old-fashioned River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery


Entering the grounds of the River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery, I have to say was not very glamorous. There’s no big gate or grand entrance, there’s not even a prominent sign announcing that the oldest rum distillery in Grenada is located here. Regardless, we drove right up and parked next to one of their main buildings. We wandered over to their storefront to request a tour, and a friendly staff member agreed to take us and another couple of tourists for an informative walk around the facilities, and as we were about to find out, a journey back in time! The first thing I noticed was a subtle campfire smell in the air as we walked past a massive mound of chopped sugar cane. The tour started by taking a look at the distillery’s feature attraction – A giant water wheel embedded into a cement wall. Apparently, this water mill wheel was installed in the early 19th century and powers much of the mechanical equipment at the distillery. Our guide explained that water is diverted from the nearby River Antoine and is channeled to the top of the giant wheel via a trough, providing natural ‘renewable’ power to a sugar cane conveyor belt and cane crushing machine we were about to see.

Enjoy a fun Grenada tour by visiting the unique old-fashioned River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery
Enjoy a fun Grenada tour by visiting the unique old-fashioned River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery


We visited River Antoine around noon so most of the guys were on lunch break, however, it’s not hard to imagine workers feeding sugar cane stalks onto a conveyor built that feeds the crusher, separating the valuable juice from the stalk. A staff member was kind enough to peel a piece of cane with his machete, then cut it into 3-inch lengths for us to sample – Always tasty as the sweet cane juice filled my mouth with the very first bite. Meanwhile, workers remove the spent stalks from the crusher and load them into what looked like an old miner’s cart that ran on a short set of railway tracks. Apparently, the crushed stalks, referred to as bagasse, are piled up and then laid out to dry in the sun before being burned as fuel for heating the evaporators. After the cane is crushed, the cane juice flows through a trough to the evaporator room next door.

Enjoy a fun Grenada tour by visiting the unique old-fashioned River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery

The evaporator/boiler room can only be described as ‘rustic and traditional’. It actually reminded me of my grandparent’s smoking shed that doubled as a maple syrup boiling shed back in Canada. River Antoine’s evaporator, or boiler room housed a series of 5 old open-air steel pans/bowls, each one with a more intense fire under it than the previous one. A worker uses a long ladle to manually pass the hot liquid from one bowl to another until the cane juice is concentrated down to syrup. Again, not much has changed over the past 200 years or so. After several hours of evaporation, the cane syrup is fed next door to one of nine cement storage tanks for fermenting – a natural process where nothing, not even yeast, is added. After about a week or so, the fermentation process is complete and the liquid is piped to 2 large copper pot stills, referred to as kettles, for distillation.

Enjoy a fun Grenada tour by visiting the unique old-fashioned River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery


The kettles are built on top of cement fireboxes, where local hardwoods are burned to provide direct heat to the kettles – Not something you see today in modern distilleries. That explains the piles of chopped wood nearby, and the constant smoky smell. After distillation and filtering, the rum is sampled and adjusted for strength. River Antoine white rum comes in two varieties, a strong 69% (138 proof) version and the powerful 75% (150 proof) variant. I understand that their 75% rum has so much alcohol in it that it is considered a flammable substance and hence cannot be transported by airplane. River Antoine Estates also produces a wide variety of rum punches, depending on what fruit is ripe on the island at the time of making. The bottling and storage room is once again, plain and simple. Three staff members take rum from previously filled large water coolers and fill each bottle by hand, label them, and complete the process with the help of a small capping machine.

Sample strong white rum in Grenada by visiting the unique old-fashioned River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery

To complete our tour, we sampled the 69% and 75% white rums. While the smell, especially of the 69% rum was quite funky and inviting, they were a bit too strong, with a fiery after-burn, for my taste.  I imagine serious rum enthusiasts would appreciate the ‘high-ester’ rums more than I do. That said, I did purchase a bottle of their Passionfruit flavoured rum which I drank with friends when I got home.  I have to say it was very enjoyable, with a bit of a funky ‘sweet and sour’ vibe going on – yum.

Wow – What a unique experience! Their whole process is just incredible. I’ve been to many rum distilleries throughout the Caribbean over the years, yet, I have never seen an operation that pretty much hasn’t changed in over 200 years! I suspect it would be tough to find this type of facility anywhere else in the world. Starting in 1785, River Antoine Estate is still making small batch rums the old-fashioned way – A must-visit on your next trip to Grenada.

If you’re interested in reading more about the Caribbean’s golden elixir, then check out our Caribbean Rum page as well as our Grenada Rum page, which includes a list of Tour Operators who will help you sample what Grenanda has to offer!


From there, we traveled about 15 minutes further north, for the literal “high-light” of the trip!

The Welcome Stone

Experience spectacular views in Grenada by visiting the Welcome Stone

With the help of some friendly locals pointing the way, we eventually found the road that would take us up to the Telecom tower area which we had heard offers spectacular views of Grenada. The final stretch of road to reach the peak was absolutely wild – It must have been on a 60° angle, so our little rental car was straining to make it up the hill. At the dead-end at the top of the road, we came to the realization that there is really only room for a single vehicle in the tiny parking area off to the side of the road – Regardless, that didn’t stop three of us from ‘finding a way’ to get our cars off the road. Anyways… We were about to discover that the Welcome Stone is well worth all the parking drama.

Experience spectacular views in Grenada by visiting the Welcome Stone


After parking the car, we followed a dirt trail that started alongside the fenced-in Telecom facility, to the other side of the mountain peak. The short hike started off on a bit of a steep boulder-strewn slope before transitioning to a nice leaf-covered trail through the forest. After a short 5-minute stroll we arrived at the scenic look-out area where there are a number of massive but climbable boulders to mount. From our rocky perches, we were treated to some truly sensational views of the northeast tip of Grenada and the Caribbean Sea, dotted with several islands protruding out of the endless blue. Directly below us, Levera Pond provided a nice dark watery contrast with the surrounding green/brown landscape. The offshore islands of Sugar Loaf, Green Island, and Sandy Island seemed so close, while Ronde Island and further in the distance, the outline of Grenada’s sister islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinique mysteriously were barely visible in the background. Enough said – I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves… After absorbing the incredible views for a while, we left the boulders to allow recently arrived folks to have an opportunity to enjoy the tranquil scenery.

Experience spectacular views in Grenada by visiting the Welcome Stone
Experience spectacular views in Grenada by visiting the Welcome Stone

Did I mention there was only enough parking at the top for a single vehicle? Well, when we got back to the top of the road, there were 3 other cars and a small van now bravely parked along the side of the road, all with large rocks under their tires to ensure they wouldn’t roll down the hill – Good idea! Another interesting Grenada attraction for sure!

For the more adventurous, this area is a good place to explore while hiking or snorkeling – For more info, including a list of local tour operators to get you on the trail or in the water, check out our Grenada Hiking or Grenada Snorkeling pages.

What a great day – and it wasn’t even over yet… We then drove down the west coast road, enjoying the amazing views of the Caribbean Sea with quick stops in Victoria, Gouyave, and St. George’s to pick up some spices for our trip home.

ACT Staff

For a more complete review of Grenada’s 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 Top 6 Attractions in Grenada post

If you’re looking for something more active, check out our recommended Grenada Adventures blog

For an overview of the beautiful and diverse islands, click on our Grenada Vacations page

Top 7 Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2023 (part 1)

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling, diving, hiking, fishing, watersports & golf are Grand Cayman, Martinique & Bonaire

Looking for a tropical warm vacation? Here’s our list of the best Caribbean Destinations for fun in the sun!

Now that winter is underway in many parts of the world, folks might be in need of a warm and sunny Caribbean vacation. Nothing beats the winter blues like feeling the sand beneath your feet while sipping on a tasty cold rum beverage. That said, after a couple of years of travel restrictions, it’s time to get the muscles moving, the heart pumping and the mind blown by experiencing the natural wonders that the Caribbean has to offer. Slip into the warm Caribbean Sea to peak below the waves at a colourful alien world or hike through a lush green rainforest to awaken the senses – This is nature’s best medicine. Of course, a round of golf or a warm relaxing day at sea would also fill the prescription for what the doctor ordered! If you’re thinking of heading south for a warm-weather vacation, here’s our thoughts on the best Caribbean adventure destinations to visit in early 2023.

For this article, we’re highlighting the Caribbean Islands that provide the best opportunities for getting out in nature by enjoying snorkeling (and diving), hiking, fishing, watersports, and golf. With the Euro the lowest it’s been for several years, we also gave the French Caribbean an extra, and well deserved, look.

The Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2023 include Grand Cayman

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling and diving, includes Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands

Located south of Cuba, between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Jamaica, the British territory of the Cayman Islands is more than just about lazing on the sands of Seven Mile Beach – It is a great Caribbean destination to experience snorkeling, diving, fishing, and a wide variety of watersports, as well as golf!

With several vibrant coral reefs surrounding Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, the islands offer some of the best spots in the Caribbean for snorkeling, diving as well as fishing! The west coast and large protected bay in Grand Cayman’s North Sound are great places to snorkel and dive. You can slip into the warm Caribbean sea from shore and swim out to a nearby reef, or take a short boat ride to some of the best snorkel & dive spots in the Caribbean. Snorkelers can enjoy shipwrecks sitting in as little as 20 feet of clear blue sea, while divers can also explore the deep plunging terrain of the underwater mountain range known as the Cayman Trench. There are plenty of caves, chutes, and swim-through tunnels to examine, making the Cayman Islands an epic destination for wall diving.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling and diving, includes Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands

It’s also worth noting that a trip to Grand Cayman is incomplete without visiting Stingray City – A once in a lifetime experience to swim with and even gently hold a Stingray! If that’s not enough, Grand Cayman is also home to Starfish Point, a place with shallow waters with plenty of starfish.

For more tips on snorkeling in the Cayman Islands, including contact info for local tour/boat operators who can help you get the most out of your day, check out our Cayman Islands Snorkeling page.

While some Caribbean Islands have a beach for every day of the year, the Caymans offer 365 different dive sites along with dozens of Dive Centers and Dive Boat Operators. For more details on diving in the Cayman Islands, including contact info for local dive shops and boat operators who can get you in the water, check out our Cayman Islands Scuba Diving pages.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for fishing includes Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands


As for fishing, Grand Cayman‘s flats, reefs and stunningly deep waters of the Cayman Trench offer an amazing year-round variety of angling options. There’s something for everyone, from the true fishing enthusiast to folks just looking for a day at sea to bond with friends and family. Anglers can enjoy bottom fishing, reef fishing, fly-fishing as well as Cayman Island deep sea fishing. If it’s big game you’re after, there’s plenty of Blue Marlin, Wahoo (kingfish), Mahi-Mahi (dolphin), Tuna and Barracuda to pull in over the trench. The Cayman Islands are truly one of the best places for Caribbean fishing.

For more details on fishing in the Cayman Islands, including contact info for local and boat operators who can get a reel in your hands, check out our Cayman Islands Fishing page.


With miles of beachfront and blessed with a mangrove forest ecosystem, as well as the natural wonder of a bio-luminescence bay, Grand Cayman is also a great place to enjoy Caribbean watersports. Stand-up paddle-boarding is popular in the calm waters of Seven Mile Beach and North Sound. Stronger winds can be found along the East end of the island near Gun Bay, making it ideal for windsurfing. Great kayaking can be found all around the island, although when the sun drops below the horizon, be sure to try the once-in-a-lifetime experience of kayaking in the bio-luminescence waters near Rum Point – Where the motion from the paddles and boats make the sea glow an eerie blue. For those with a need for speed, you can try jet skiing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding or parasailing as well.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for kayaking and watersports includes Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands

For more tips on watersports options in the Cayman Islands, including contact info for local tour operators, surf shops and places to rent gear, check out our Cayman Islands Water Sports page.

Finally, if you yearn to hit the links on every Caribbean Island you visit, golf is available at two gorgeous courses 10 minutes north of Grand Cayman’s capital George Town. The North Sound Golf Club is an 18-hole / par 71 championship golf course that plays to 6,605 yards with great views of the bay. Minutes from Seven Mile Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club offers a Greg Norman designed 9-hole / par 36 golf course that also provides a stunningly beautiful setting for a tropical round of golf. For more info on playing golf in the Cayman Islands, check out our Cayman Islands Golf page.

For a complete listing of things to do in the Cayman Islands, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Cayman Islands Vacation Ideas page.

One of the Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2023 is Martinique

Martinique is located in the southern Caribbean between Dominica and St. Lucia. The French Caribbean’s “Island of Flowers” is a great tropical destination to experience snorkeling, hiking, a diverse variety of watersports, as well as rhum! The relatively low Euro makes it even more attractive right now to travelers from the Americas and UK.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling, hiking, watersports and rhum includes Martinique


Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling includes Martinique


With easy-to-reach reefs and rocky areas close to shore, Martinique is a great place for Caribbean snorkeling. Slip into the warm Caribbean sea right off the beach along the northwest, southwest and south coasts of Martinique. Some beaches have warm black sand, others powdery white. Some are quiet and remote, others hopping with action. There are plenty of things to see beneath the surface of the sea, including underwater statues, tropical fish, and other incredible marine life, although sea turtles are sure to be the main attraction in Martinique. While the Anses-d’Arlet region is popular for spotting turtles, the Atlantic side has an underwater route to follow called the Le Francois snorkel trail.

For more tips on snorkeling in Martinique, including contact info for local tour/boat operators who can help you get the most out of your day, check out our Martinique Snorkeling page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for hiking includes Martinique


One of the best islands for Caribbean hiking, Martinique offers a variety of nice relaxing walks as well as some very challenging, mountainous volcano hikes. Martinique has dozens of well-marked and maintained trails all over the island. Hiking is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Martinique, with several hiking trails leading to amazing waterfalls or hilltops and ridges providing spectacular panoramic views. The mountainous north end of Martinique is home to the 10th tallest peak in the Caribbean, the iconic Montagne Pelee towers 4,583 feet (1,397m) above sea level.

For more tips on hiking in Martinique, including contact info for local tour operators and hiking guides, check out our Martinique Hiking pages.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for kayaking and watersports includes Martinique


With precious mangrove forests, several protected bays as well as coastlines that get plenty of those famous Caribbean tradewinds, Martinique is also a great Caribbean island for watersports. Well protected from the ocean waves, the mangroves of Génipa are made to be explored by kayak, while the beautiful beaches of Les Anses d’Arlet are ideal for Stand-Up-Paddleboarding, kayaking and a variety of fun and exciting watersports like jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and more. Meanwhile, the Atlantic side of Martinique is ideal for surfers (and SUP). There are several surf schools and a variety of great beaches that can be surfed by beginners as well as experienced tube-riders. The southeast coast of Martinique has a couple of great spots for kitesurfing and windsurfing as well.


Spending the day on or near the sea is a great way to experience the Caribbean, and Martinique definitely provides a number of amazing water sports options. For more tips, including contact info for local tour operators, surf shops and places to rent gear, check out our Martinique Water Sports page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The many rhums of Martinique

While many of the Caribbean Islands produce Rum, Martinique could be considered the rum capital of the World with more than 10 distilleries and over a hundred different rhums produced. The island’s “Rhum Agricole” is made directly from sugar cane juice, not molasses like most other Caribbean rums. Most of Martinique’s distilleries are open to the public, offering affordable plantation (habitation)/distillery tours, along with rhum tasting and storefronts to purchase the rhum(s) of your choice!

For more details on the rhums of Martinique, including contact info for local tour operators who can get to a distillery, check out our Martinique Rhum page.

For a complete listing of things to do in Martinique, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Martinique Vacation Ideas page.

One of the Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2023 is Bonaire

Located just north of South America’s Venezuelan coast, Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands. Famous for its pink flamingos, the small island is a “diver’s paradise” as well as a great Caribbean Island for snorkeling and watersports, along with being a surprisingly good destination for cycling and hiking as well!

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling & diving includes Bonaire

With healthy coral reefs and rich marine life, Bonaire is one of the best islands in the Caribbean for snorkeling and diving! Bonaire and its small offshore island Klein Bonaire is encircled by reefs providing homes for an amazing biodiversity of colourful fish, corals, sponges and more. You can slip into the warm Caribbean sea from shore and swim out to a nearby reef, or take a short boat ride to Bonaire’s Marine Park to experience some of the best snorkel & dive spots in the Caribbean. Explore shallow coral reefs, steep underwater cliffs as well as underwater caves. Bonaire is also one of the best Freediving locations in the world.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling & diving includes Bonaire

For more details on snorkeling or diving at any of the over eighty dive sites in Bonaire, as well as contact info for local dive shops and boat operators who can get you in the water, check out our Bonaire Snorkeling and/or our Bonaire Scuba Diving pages.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for kayaking and watersports include Bonaire

With its near-constant trade winds, year-round warm air and water temperatures, Bonaire is one of the best places in the Caribbean to enjoy water sports. The southwest coast of the island seems to be made for kiteboarding and kitesurfing, while the mangroves and waterways of Lac Bay on the southeast side of the island are ideal for kayaking and windsurfing. Spending the day on the sea is a great way to experience the Caribbean and Bonaire definitely provides a number of watersports options to satisfy everyone!

For more tips on watersports options in Bonaire, including contact info for local tour operators, surf shops and places to rent gear, check out our Bonaire Water Sports page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for cycling include Bonaire


With over a hundred kilometres of cycling trails, Bonaire is one of the best Caribbean destinations for bicycle riding. Exploring Bonaire by bike provides you with jaw-dropping views of the island and picturesque views of the Caribbean Sea. There are road courses that include amazing scenic coastline routes, as well as off-road trails in desert-like terrain. The surprising hiking trails of Bonaire offer opportunities for some easy relaxing walks as well as a couple of intermediate–difficult outings. Perhaps the best Bonaire hiking can be found in Washington-Slagbaai National Park at the north end of the island.

For more details on biking and hiking in Bonaire, including contact info for local tour operators, hiking guides, and places to rent gear, check out our Bonaire Cycling and/or our Bonaire Hiking pages.

For a complete listing of things to do in Bonaire, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Bonaire Vacation Ideas page.


Don’t worry, there’s more to come… check out our Top 7 Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2023 (part 2) article.


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 in the opening paragraphs.

We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to enjoy some quality time in the Caribbean!

For more articles/blogs like this, join our newsletter, and feel free to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ our facebook page – Thanks!

ACT Staff

Top 7 Caribbean Destinations to visit in 2023 (part 2)

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for hiking, snorkeling, diving, golf, rum and watersports

Need a break from winter? Here’s our rest of the best Caribbean Destinations for adventure!

Now that winter is underway in many parts of the world, folks might be looking for a reprieve from the cold and snow with a warm and sunny Caribbean vacation. After a couple of years of travel restrictions, it’s time to get your blood pumping and your mind blown by experiencing the natural wonders of the Caribbean Islands. Swim in the warm Caribbean Sea and take a peak below to witness an alien world or discover waterfalls along trails through a lush green rainforest. This is nature’s best medicine to awaken your senses. Of course, a round of golf or a warm relaxing day fishing or kayaking will also make you feel warm and alive! If you’re thinking of heading south for a warm-weather vacation, check out our recommendations for the best Caribbean adventure destinations for winter/spring 2023.

For this article, we’re highlighting the Caribbean Islands that provide the best opportunities for getting out in nature to enjoy snorkeling (and diving), hiking, fishing, watersports, and golf. With the Euro the lowest it’s been for several years, we also gave the French Caribbean an extra, well-deserved look. If you missed part one of this article, we covered the beautiful and exciting Caribbean Island destinations of the Cayman Islands, Martinique and Bonaire – You can access Part 1 by clicking here. As for the rest of our list, here we go…

One of the Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2023 is Barbados

Barbados sits alone as the most easterly island in the southern Caribbean. The unique coral-based island may be best known for its beautiful white sand beaches and cute ‘moke’ vehicles, however it is also one of the best Caribbean Island destinations to enjoy watersports, snorkeling, diving, golf and rum!

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for watersports like surfing include Barbados

With its unique position in the Caribbean, Barbados enjoys near-constant trade winds while its various coastlines experience a variety of wave conditions. Combine that with amazing white sand beaches and year-round warm weather and you get one of the top 3 best Caribbean Islands for water sports! With a couple dozen hotspots around the island, surfing is king in Barbados. The southwest coast is ideal for beginners while the south coast’s consistent year-round waves and numerous local surf shops make it the home to the real surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing scene. That said, world-class surfing swells are found on the east coast of Barbados at the famous Soup Bowl. Stand-Up-Paddleboarding and SUP surfing is popular all along the southwest and west coasts of the island while the best Barbados kayaking spots include the rugged and beautiful north and northwest coasts, as well as along the calm west coast. For those with a need for speed, you can also find jet ski rentals and boat operators offering waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and more.

For more tips on watersports options in Barbados, including contact info for local tour operators, surf shops and places to rent gear, check out our Barbados Water Sports page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling includes Barbados
Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for diving includes Barbados


With its gorgeous beaches and easy access to shallow artificial reefs close to shore, Barbados is also a great place to get in the sea to snorkel. While there are a variety of beach-accessible snorkel spots all along the west and southwest coasts of Barbados, a couple of the best locations might be the two marine sanctuaries, Folkestone Marine Park and Carlisle Bay Marine Park. There are several shipwrecks, plenty of colourful coral, fans and sponges as well as tropical fish and other marine life to observe. That said, the island’s main attraction is probably the friendly Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles, regularly spotted in Carlisle Bay. While perhaps not well known outside of the scuba diving community, Barbados is also a great Caribbean diving destination. The island has over twenty dive sites, featuring a variety of coral reef structures including gently sloping fringe reefs, bank reefs as well as deep double-sided barrier reefs. There are several shipwrecks to explore, including the 360-foot freighter Stavronikita, widely considered to be one of the most impressive wrecks in the Caribbean.

For more details on exploring the underwater world of Barbados, including contact info for local tour operators, dive shops and boat operators who can get you in the sea, check out our Barbados Snorkeling and/or our Barbados Scuba Diving pages.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for playing golf includes Barbados

One of the top 3 best golf destinations in the Caribbean, Barbados offers half a dozen links to choose from. They include: The Barbados Golf Club, an 18-hole / Par 72 golf course measuring 6,805 yards that was re-designed/built in 2000 by Ron Kirby to feature gently rolling hills and wide-open fairways; The Sandy Lane Golf Club, which offers 3 courses along with a driving range – The club’s 18-hole / Par 72 course measuring 7,060 yards was designed by Tom Fazio with several water hazards and relaxing views of the Caribbean Sea; The environmentally friendly Apes Hill Club is an 18-Hole / Par-72 championship course that plays to 7,150 yards (Professional Tees) or just over 5,000 yards (Front Tees); The Royal Westmoreland course is a Robert Trent Jones Jr designed 18-hole / Par 72 golf course measuring 7,045 yards with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and features multiple bunkers as well as a ravine hazard; and the Rockley Golf & Country Club is a flat parkland course consisting of 9 holes with alternate tees for an 18-Hole / Par 70 experience measuring 5,610 yards.

For more info on playing golf in Barbados, check out our Barbados Golf page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for fishing includes Barbados


Barbados’ reefs and deep-sea trenches make it an ideal Caribbean fishing destination as well. While big game fish are plentiful in the south and west coast seas during the winter months, Barbados’ inner and outer reefs on both coasts offer year-round fishing options. If it’s game fish you’re after, there are plenty of Blue Marlin, Wahoo (kingfish), and Sailfish to pull in from the deep, with most of the island’s fishing hotspots just a few miles from shore. Barbados fishing can satisfy the desires of true fishing enthusiasts as well as folks just looking for a day at sea with friends and family. If you’re looking for some competitive fishing, you’re welcome to participate in the annual Barbados International Fishing Tournament that takes place every April.

For more tips on fishing in Barbados, including contact info for local boat operators who can get a reel in your hands, check out our Barbados Fishing page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for rum includes Barbados and Guadeloupe


We would be remiss in not also mentioning that Barbados has been producing rum for over 350 years and is generally considered the birthplace of the famous golden elixir. Barbados is justifiably known for some of the best rum in the world, perhaps owing to the island’s unique coral make-up, as compared to the volcanic composition of other Caribbean islands. Your trip to Barbados will be complete once you visit the enjoyable Mount Gay and/or Foursquare Rum Distilleries. For more details on the rums of Barbados, including contact info for local tour operators who can get you on a distillery tour, check out our Barbados Rum page.

For more detailed ideas for things to do in Barbados, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Barbados Vacation Ideas page.

One of the Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2023 is Grenada

The most southern of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands, Grenada is a tri-island nation that includes the main island of Grenada along with Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Known as the “Spice Island” for its abundance of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, ginger and vanilla, Grenada and the other islands are also a great Caribbean destination for hiking, fishing, snorkeling and diving as well as a variety of water sports!

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling and diving include Grenada


With Marine Parks protecting several areas of the ocean, including the world’s first underwater sculpture park, Grenada is a top Caribbean Island for snorkeling. Slip into the warm Caribbean sea from a handful of the islands’ white sandy beaches or take a short boat ride for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore dozens of underwater statues and healthy coral reefs alive with colourful tropical fish and amazing marine life. Similarly, with over 30 dive sites, Grenada is also a top Caribbean scuba diving destination. The island has dive sites featuring reefs, wrecks and underwater gardens in a variety of depths, offering something for everyone. If it’s shipwrecks you’re after, Grenada has more divable wrecks than any other Caribbean island, including the Titanic of the Caribbean, the ‘Bianca C’. Then there is the diving gem that is Carriacou, known as the ‘Island of Reefs’, where you can enjoy an additional 20 dive sites in the less-visited cooler waters of the Grenadines.

For more details on exploring Grenada’s underwater world, including contact info for local tour operators, dive shops and boat operators who can get you in the water, check out our Grenada Snorkeling and/or our Grenada Scuba Diving pages.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for fishing includes Grenada


Grenada’s reefs, shoals and deep water close to shore also make it one of the best places in the southern Caribbean for catching a wide variety of fish. This includes plenty of deep-sea sport fish like sailfish, blue marlin, white marlin and even the occasional tuna. If you’re interested in a few days of competitive fishing, you’re welcome to join hundreds of like-minded anglers for a week of fun at the Spice Island Billfish Tournament, held every January. For more details on fishing in Grenada, including contact info for local boat operators who can get a reel in your hands, check out our Grenada Fishing page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for watersports like kayaking and SUP includes Grenada


For even more amazing outdoor experiences on the water, Grenada’s protected bays and mangroves along with Carriacou’s quiet beaches provide the perfect setting for a relaxing day kayaking or Stand-Up-Paddleboarding. More adventurous kayakers can challenge the waves by journeying around an offshore island or two. That said, river tubing through a rainforest down Grenada’s Balthazar River is a must for new visitors to the island! For more tips on watersports options in Grenada, including contact info for local tour operators, surf shops and places to rent gear, check out our Grenada Water Sports page.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for hiking includes Grenada


Meanwhile, back on dry land, adventurers can explore the island’s mountainous terrain to experience first-hand why Grenada is also considered one of the best Caribbean destinations for hiking. Avid hikers can enjoy trails through rainforests that feature waterfalls and their accompanying pools, as well as strenuous mountain climbs for spectacular views. While the most iconic hike in Grenada, with its impressive view of a Crater Lake, is probably the Mount Qua Qua trail in Grand Etang Lake and National Park, mountain hikers will also enjoy the tallest peak on the island, Mount St. Catherine which stands 2,760 feet (840m) above sea level. There are plenty of other hiking trails to choose from in Grenada, including some dry scrubland trails in the south of the island. Not to be outdone, Carriacou also has a number of trails worth exploring as well.

For more information and tips on hiking in Grenada, including contact info for local tour operators and hiking guides, check out our Grenada Hiking pages.

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.

One of the Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2023 is Dominica

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, the Commonwealth of Dominica is located north of Saint Lucia, between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Dominica is the youngest island in the region with geothermal activity you can experience for yourself by hiking to the second-largest hot spring in the world, aptly named Boiling Lake. Besides being one of the top 3 Caribbean Island destinations for hiking, the “Nature Island” also offers incredible canyoning, snorkeling, diving, and fishing adventures… just waiting to be discovered!

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for hiking includes Dominica

Dominica is famous for its wild mountainous landscape and plentiful rivers and waterfalls. The tallest peak on the island is Morne Diablotins, which at 4,747 feet (1,447 m) above sea level, makes it the ninth tallest in the Caribbean. For unique hiking adventures, Dominica has a challenging trail to the aforementioned Boiling Lake, which is literally ‘boiling’, as well as an untamed river trail to the gorgeous Victoria Falls. There are literally dozens of trails on the island throughout an extensive natural park system including Cabrits National Park, the Northern Forest Reserve, the Central Forest Reserve, as well as Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its ‘Natural’ beauty. Dominica is also home to the Waitukubuli National Trail – 115 miles (184 km) of trails weaving across the length of the island. For the more adventurous, Dominica also has a burgeoning canyoning scene with several natural waterpark playgrounds concealed in a number of canyons, gorges and waterfalls just begging to be climbed and rappeled!

For more information and tips on hiking in Dominica, including contact info for local tour operators and hiking guides, check out our Dominica Hiking pages.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling and diving includes Dominica


Dominica is also protecting its natural underwater world with the Soufriere-Scott’s Head Marine Reserve and the Cabrits Marine Reserve, making it a great Caribbean Island for snorkeling. The island has several sheltered bays along the western side of the island with close-to-shore reefs that are ideal for spotting tropical fish, large fish as well as rays and turtles. While it may not match the rugged beauty of snorkeling in the calm waters off Scott’s Head beach, you should experience for yourself the unique snorkeling spot known as Champagne Reef where Dominica’s volcanic activity can be viewed underwater as air bubbles seep through volcanic fumaroles on the seabed while you explore the corals and fish in the area. Wow!

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for fishing includes Dominica

The island is also an undiscovered mecca for scuba diving with shallow coral reefs, pinnacles, and steep drop-off cliffs with incredible caves and pass-throughs. There are dozens of dive sites to choose from along the west coast of Dominica, with a variety of options appropriate for divers with various skill levels. The reefs and walls are covered with colourful corals, tubes, fans, sponges and a wide assortment of diverse marine life including fish, eels, seahorses, shrimp, and more. Freedivers looking for a new place to explore will love the underwater crater in Soufriere Bay, which can be easily accessed via the fixed freediving platform.

Unsurprisingly, Dominica’s healthy reef systems and deep waters, also make it a great destination for Caribbean fishing. Sports fisherman dream about the big marlin, sailfish, yellowfin skipjack, tarpon, wahoo, dorado and mackerel that you can catch in the waters of Dominica. As an added bonus, you might be fortunate enough to see dolphins and whales swimming alongside your boat as you journey to and from the island’s fishing hot spots!

For more detailed ideas for things to do in Dominica, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Dominica Vacation Ideas page.

One of the Best Caribbean Islands to visit in 2023 are the Guadeloupe Islands

Located south of Antigua & Barbuda, the Guadeloupe archipelago consists of more than a dozen islands/islets – The two largest, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre are only separated by a small channel, making the two islands appear as the wings of a butterfly. The less busy and relatively uninhabited islands of Marie-Galante, Les Saintes Bay and La Désirade are the other major islands in the archipelago. The Guadeloupe Islands are recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve providing a gorgeous natural setting for all sorts of Caribbean adventures like hiking, snorkeling, diving as well as a variety of water sports. Of course, there’s plenty of rhum as well!

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for hiking includes Guadeloupe
Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for hiking includes Guadeloupe


Basse-Terre is a mountainous lush green paradise for hikers. The healthy natural ecosystem of the Parc National de la Guadeloupe contains the largest rainforest of the Lesser Antilles and has well over 100 miles (160km) of hiking trails to explore. Several trails lead to the top of La Grande Soufrière volcano, which at 4,813 feet (1,467m) above sea level is the eighth tallest of all the Caribbean Islands! A couple of other popular trails include the Chute du Carbet and the Cascade aux Ecrevisses, both ending with rewarding waterfall cascades! With over a hundred trails across the Guadeloupe archipelago, these islands have to be in the top 3 hiking spots in the Caribbean.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling and diving includes the Guadeloupe Islands


As the story goes, Jacques Cousteau, the famous scuba diving innovator and oceanographer was very impressed with Guadeloupe’s underwater world – The Guadeloupe Islands returned the compliment by naming a Marine Reserve in his honour. The Cousteau Marine Park at Pigeon Island, Basse-Terre is home to some of the best snorkeling and dive spots in Guadeloupe. While a boat or kayak is required to reach Pigeon Island as well as the shipwrecks and coral located in the shallows of the Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marin Nature Reserve, there are over 10 great snorkeling spots that can be accessed from beaches around Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre and Iles des Saintes. While snorkelers can appreciate colourful corals, sponges, sea fans, turtles and tropical fish, divers can explore over 20 sites that feature diverse coral gardens with underwater canyons, arches and swim-throughs, along with shipwrecks, turtles, rays, and even whales, along with a wide variety of fish. For another fascinating example of underwater geothermal activity check out the champagne dive at Bouillante, Basse-Terre. There are over a dozen dive shops across the Guadeloupe Islands ready to get you in the water.

Best Caribbean Destinations 2023 - The best Caribbean Islands for watersports like kayaking, SUP and surfing include Guadeloupe


Another great way to get exercise and explore nature in the Butterfly Islands is to kayak in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Nature Reserve lagoon. While exploring the reefs and mangroves you may be fortunate enough to spot a manatee swimming around or grazing on the seagrass. The Nature Reserve is also a great place to try Stand-Up Paddle-boarding. Meanwhile, on the east coast of Grande-Terre, surfers can find that perfect northeast swell to ride. While most kayak and SUP action takes place near Basse-Terre’s Malendure beach and the Pigeon Islands, there are places to rent SUP boards all over the islands, along with opportunities for the more adventurous to join a long-distance race paddling between islands.

Of course, the Guadeloupe Islands have a large selection of rhum distilleries to visit as well! Similar to its nearby neighbour Martinique, Guadeloupe produces “rhum agricole” from local sugar cane and is home to more than a handful of world-class distilleries in Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre and Marie-Galante. Most of Guadeloupe’s distilleries are open to the public, offering affordable plantation (habitation)/distillery tours, along with rhum tasting and storefronts to purchase the rhum(s) of your choice!

For more detailed ideas for things to do in Guadeloupe, including contact info for local tour operators who can help you get the most out of your stay, check out our Guadeloupe Vacation Ideas page.


So that’s our view of the top Caribbean adventure destinations for 2023. While the above list may feature the very best Caribbean Islands for a combination of snorkeling, diving, hiking, fishing, watersports and golf, that does not take anything away from other amazing islands that can also be enjoyed for Caribbean adventures. Some of our other favourites include Jamaica, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, The US Virgin Islands, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, as well as Trinidad & Tobago.


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 in the opening paragraphs.

We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to enjoy some quality time in the Caribbean!

For more articles/blogs like this, join our newsletter, and feel free to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ our facebook page – Thanks!

ACT Staff

An Adventurous Hike to Saint Lucia’s Tallest Peak

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall

Saint Lucia Hiking – Few ever see the Pitons from this angle!

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall

Saint Lucia is nicely positioned in the southern Caribbean’s Windward Islands, just south of Martinique and west of Barbados. The mountainous island is covered with lush green rain-forest and is instantly recognizable by their distinctive Pitons (mountains) along the south-west coast. A very popular Caribbean destination known for romantic getaways, St. Lucia also has plenty to offer adventure seekers interested in a hiking-filled vacation. While most hikers go to climb the Gros Piton, I chose to hike the island’s tallest peak, Mount Gimie. Oh, what an excellent decision that was!

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall

Our day started with a pleasant drive down the west coast from where we were staying near Anse La Raye. We met our guide in the village of Migny, just a little south and inland from Soufriere. We joined a few others and headed off up a rough, partly paved road. The track was on a steady incline and we were met with a nice breeze that swept over the farmers’ fields – What a great way to start the day! While we had some decent views of nearby valleys and the Gros Piton way off in the distance, I was looking ahead to getting into the jungle… After about an hour we headed west on a dirt path towards the Edmund Forest Reserve.

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall
St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall

From here, the trail got real interesting – This is what I was looking forward to, spending half a day roaming through a rainforest! We hiked through some pretty dense forest, with our guide literally clearing parts of the trail with his machete so we had a path to follow. Clearly, we would not have been able to do this trail without him. Talk about not being able to see the forest for the trees, the trail had so many ups-and-downs and twists-and-turns, I wasn’t real sure where we were going. There were even a few short distances of vertical where we had to literally climb, some up and some down, with our hands using tree roots like a natural ladder. OMG – What an awesome and wild St. Lucia hike!

Every once in a while, we stopped while our knowledgeable guide pointed out some weird and wonderful looking plants or birds that we could hear along the way. While we couldn’t spot most of the birds, I did see the occasional colourful hummingbird fluttering from plant to plant though. These breaks conveniently gave us some time to catch our breath and drink some water. Thinking back, I believe that we hiked across a ridge or two, ventured down into a valley and crossed a small river before attacking another ridge that would take us to the top of Mount Gimie. I had been looking forward to a remote and challenging rain-forest hike on the island, and this trail satisfied that… and we were far from finished…

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall


For the next hour or so the trail became pretty much all uphill, at a pretty steep incline, making our workout a little more intense. Thankfully, the number of photo opportunities increased along this path, although maybe we were just finding a reason to stop and catch our breath. Seriously, we had amazing views of the valley we had just crossed, as well as a very unique perspective of the iconic pitons that had come into view. I doubt too many people get to see the spectacular Pitons and Tet Paul from this vantage point – The view was Priceless!


St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall
St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall

The air was so moist and the flora so tropical, that there was also some amazing rain-forest vegetation to capture in photos. As we neared the peak, I learned the hard way about a Caribbean plant that I had heard of but never encountered before. Due to the steepness of the trail, I reached down and grabbed a handful of some greenery to help with my balance. Well, it turned out to be ‘razor grass’ and I sliced the palm of my hand and all my fingers. Kind of like getting a bunch of paper-cuts all at once. Oh well… Just a few more minutes and the discomfort in my hand became a distant memory as we were well rewarded when we reached the top of the Island.

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall

Mount Gimie, not the famous Pitons, is St. Lucia’s highest peak, and at just over 3,000 feet (950m) above sea level we had sensational panoramic views of the island. We could clearly see the east and south coastlines, including Vieux Fort and the Maria Islands. Looking to the north across the whole island, really gave me an appreciation for the rugged terrain of St. Lucia. We lucked out and enjoyed some incredible views for several minutes before the top of the mountain became enveloped in clouds. Although this was the pinnacle of our day, we were still in for more fun and adventure…

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall
St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall


We headed back down the same way we had come, however this time once we descended the mountain and were heading back through the valley, we took a little detour. Our guide took us upstream along the river we had crossed earlier and after a few minutes, we came to a small waterfall, complete with a pool. It was really refreshing to wash the sweat off and cool off my over-heated feet. This was a nice surprising break, although apparently I was looking for more self-inflicted pain. As we crossed the river I was jumping from rock to rock trying to keep my shoes dry, and I slipped on a large rock. Both of my feet flew right out from under me and I landed on my butt – It must have been quite comical to watch. Fortunately, my butt is well padded, so I just sort of bounced. No big deal.

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall


As we were nearing the end of the hike, I was thinking that this trail probably isn’t used more than a couple of times a week. When we got back to the road section and was heading down to our car, I started to better appreciate the refreshing breeze and nice views of the surrounding valleys. Our guide pulled some grapefruits and tangerines down from the trees on the side of the road, so we also had an invigorating snack along the way.


Wow – I got to tell you… St. Lucia’s Mount Gimie trail really has it all. Relative to some other Caribbean mountain hikes, this one was not too long or too steep. It had some unique near-vertical sections to spice things up a bit, and it was filled with amazing tropical plant life, a waterfall, and of course spectacular views! One of my favourite Caribbean hikes for sure!

Want to see more? Check out our Epic St Lucia Hiking of Mount Gimie Trail video on YouTube!

ACT Staff

St. Lucia hiking to the island's highest peak, Mount Gimie.  Diverse hike through a rain-forest "has it all", including a river & waterfall

For a more ‘technical’ Trail Report as well as much more information on hiking in Saint Lucia, please reference the following links (to pages on our website):

For an overview of this popular Caribbean Island destination, take a look at our Saint Lucia Vacations page

If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Saint Lucia Adventures blog for more great ideas!

For a more relaxed vacation itinerary, you can find great Tourist Attractions on the island, by checking out our Things to Do in Saint Lucia blog

Hike Martinique’s Mount Pelée – L’aileron trail

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail is an amazing diverse volcano hike with a steep mountainside section, a rolling hill ridge section, a challenging rocky section and a wild ravine section. 

Martinique Hiking – An amazing trail to the tallest peak on the island!

While researching the 10 tallest peaks in the Caribbean Islands, one of the most attractive hikes to me was Martinique’s Montagne Pelée, or the Mount Pelée Volcano Trail. Seeing pictures of the massive green mountain dominating the Caribbean Island landscape with its long open ridges and steep peaks really got me excited. Having had the Montagne Pelée Volcano trail at the top of my list of dream hikes for several years, it was great to be in Martinique and finally have the opportunity to experience it for myself! After reading several reviews, a common recommendation was to start the hike as early as possible in order to reach the peak before the clouds inevitably roll in, removing the chance for some amazing views from the top.  Well, I have to say, our experience was not exactly consistent with those recommendations. The sky was fairly clear when we left Saint-Pierre, however after gaining some altitude on the 10+ minute drive to Le Morne-Rouge, we could see the sky was getting grayer.  Another 10-15 minutes later and it was pretty grey and lightly drizzling by the time we reached the trailhead parking lot.

As a result, our morning adventure, or at least the first half of the hike, was in a combination of fog, mist, clouds and even a little light rain. The good news, however, is that the second half of our hike, which luckily included my exploration of the mountain peak, was under a near-cloudless, sun-filled sky. So clearly (pun intended), the trail conditions and views are highly dependent on the weather system around the volcano on the day of the hike.

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail is an amazing diverse volcano hike with a steep mountainside section, a rolling hill ridge section, a challenging rocky section and a wild ravine section.

FYI – Besides a couple of other really long trails, there are three main routes to hike Mount Pelée: A relatively short hike from the west side of the peak; A longer hike from the north side of the peak; and a slightly longer one from the southeast side of the peak.  We chose to hike the latter, known as the L’Aileron Trail which can essentially be divided into 3 main trail sections plus the spur trail to the peak. The first is a long steep climb up the side of the mountain to gain altitude and get near the top of the volcano. The second section is a nice ridge walk around the top of the crater known as the Caldeira. Then there is the spur trail to the actual peak, which at 4,583 feet (1,397m) above sea level is the tallest peak in Martinique, and the 10th tallest in the Caribbean Islands. The third main trail section is a shortcut across a deep ravine to get back to the first section without going back around the crater rim.

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail is an amazing diverse volcano hike with a steep mountainside section, a rolling hill ridge section, a challenging rocky section and a wild ravine section.

OK, so back to our hike… We left the parking lot around 8:30 am, heading past the fenced-in telecom station and up the trail. For the first couple of hours the trail is basically straight up the side of the mountain.  There was little time for a warm-up as before we knew it, we were climbing stairs.  This first section is the longest part of the hike, and unfortunately for us, we were completely surrounded by a wet grey blanket. There wasn’t much for us to see from a ‘view of the island’ perspective, so our eyes were pretty much glued to the mostly washed-out steps we were climbing. This part of the trail had plenty of areas with wood planks partially buried in the ground, although many had little earth between them, having been eroded by the frequent rain.  The distance between the steps varies, with most being around 2 feet in height – Kinda awkward, but much better than a mud slick. We also traversed several natural, but no less difficult, rocky ground areas as well. Everything was a little wet, so it was good that we focused on the trail, proceeding fairly slowly to avoid slipping. The trail was quite busy, which also slowed our pace as we passed people or others passed us. OK, I’ll be honest, stepping off the trail once in a while to allow others to pass, gave us a well-needed opportunity to catch our breath. I have to say though, in all our previous Caribbean Island hiking experiences, we have never come across more than 2 or 3 other small groups of people on the entire trail. That was not the case here – There must have been a hundred people hiking at pretty much the same time as us. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones that read about starting the hike early.

Back to the trail… The steepness of this first section varies over time, with some reasonably easy gradually rising sections, while others are quite steep requiring us to use both our hands and our feet to move forward. While we were enveloped by grey mist and couldn’t see too far in the distance, I was struck by the lush green vegetation that surrounded us. Even with few trees in sight, nature is pretty cool! All along the trail there are posts/markers, 14 in fact for this first section alone, that identified where we were on the mountain. After a good couple of hours, we eventually reached the top of this first section, going up and over the peak of this mountain top. From there we walked across a nice relatively flat section, skirting the occasional muddy puddle, again allowing us to catch our breath before pushing onto the next section of the trail.

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail is an amazing diverse volcano hike with a steep mountainside section, a rolling hill ridge section, a challenging rocky section and a wild ravine section.


Near a small shelter, a few different paths intersect, including the trail that ascends the volcano from the north side of the island. This provided us with a couple of options on how to get to the actual peak of Mount Pelée. We could have taken the steep plunge down a near-vertical ladder-like set of stairs in order to cross a deep ravine. This would have taken us on the most direct path to the plateau near the peak, however, we chose to journey counter-clockwise around the rim of the volcano to get views of the north and west side of Martinique, the Caribbean Sea, as well as down into the volcano itself. The trail along these ridges took us on a pleasant roller-coaster ride up and down small hills.

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail is an amazing diverse volcano hike with a steep mountainside section, a rolling hill ridge section, a challenging rocky section and a wild ravine section.
Not much to see looking down into the crater…

That said, as we were still shrouded in clouds, we really couldn’t see very far through the mist until we were almost fully around the Caldeira. Even without the long-distance views, it was still a very interesting hike. Again, there wasn’t a tree in sight, although the ground is blanketed with dense vegetation. The plants are mostly green although there are yellow accents everywhere as well as some colourful red flowering plants occasionally poking out through the sea of green.  The ground was quite muddy, and we encountered a few areas where it was simply unavoidable getting a soaker.  For most of the walk around the crater rim, I felt that we were gently descending, making it a pleasant and easy walk.  It was unfortunate that we couldn’t enjoy views from the north side of Mount Pelée as I’m sure they would have been spectacular, however our luck was about to change at the western end of the trail where it connected with the trail that approaches the volcano from the west of the island.

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail is an amazing diverse volcano hike with a steep mountainside section, a rolling hill ridge section, a challenging rocky section and a wild ravine section.



At this point, the trail becomes very steep as it ascends the mountain. We were about halfway through our final push up the west side of the volcano when the clouds started to thin, providing gaps that allowed us to see how high we were, also revealing amazing views of the Caribbean Sea in the direction of the town of Le Precheur. A great reward for making it this far! After about an hour after starting this second trail section, we crossed over the mountaintop and came to another small cement shelter near the top of the volcano. This area is a relatively flat plateau with no real view of anything as it is surrounded by areas of higher ground. My hiking partner decided to rest here while I pushed on to the tallest peak of Montagne Pelée, following the spur trail known as Le Chinois.

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!
Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!



The Le Chinois spur trail was extremely uncomfortable and somewhat difficult to traverse, mostly because there is no real ground to walk on. Most of the trail is a collection of big black wet boulders strewn across the landscape, many of which have fairly sharp protruding edges jutting upwards. Definitely, the trickiest part of the entire hike, requiring good balance to avoid taking a spill. The whole area is so incredibly lush and green with low-growing vegetation though, that I didn’t dwell on the negatives. My excitement was mounting as I knew that I was so close to the peak! After gaining more elevation by climbing a couple of hilltops and crossing a little gully, I could finally see the peak – A small flat(ish) surface composed of large grey boulders and blocks. After a short climb up to the awkward viewing platform, I joined just over a handful of people who had each found their own little space on the giant rock pile.


Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail takes you to the top of Martinique!
Ya just can’t get any higher than this in Martinique!



The peak was still veiled in clouds, although every once in a while a few seconds of blue appeared, providing an opportunity to experience some pretty special views. After a few minutes, I left the peak and found a much safer and more comfortable viewing area on an incredible ledge facing south. From the top of Martinique, through windows in the clouds, I enjoyed some amazing views of the central and southern parts of the island, the Caribbean Sea and even Saint Lucia in the distance. I stayed here a while, soaking in the incredible scenery and warmth of the sun. A very memorable experience!

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!


Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!

After about an hour, I was back at the shelter with my partner preparing for the journey down the volcano.  After a small snack, we headed up and over yet another mountaintop that offered a great view and perspective of the tallest point on the island that I had just visited. After descending a short distance down this mountaintop, we entered a steep side of the ravine we had earlier decided to go around. This turned out to probably be the most treacherous part of the entire hike. 

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!

The trail plunges deep into the gorge at a near-vertical angle with most people, including ourselves, scrambling backward, crab-like down the wet rock-strewn trail using both hands and feet with our bums hovering just above the ground.  Attempting to walk down some of the more extreme sections of the ravine walls could easily result in a serious fall. We were rewarded for reaching the bottom of the gorge with a wonderful, unique view of Mount Pele’s green jungle ravine! Unsurprisingly, in order to get out of the gorge we then had to climb a series of steps and ladders to ascend the steep hillside on the other side of the ravine – Although we always prefer climbing up, to scrambling down steep mountainsides.

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!
Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!














Once out of the ravine, we were back at the first section of the trail, although our descent was totally different than what we had experienced just a few hours earlier on the way up. Under virtually clear skies this time, we had incredible views of the south and southeast side of Martinique along with the Atlantic Ocean! Seeing the towns of Le Morne Rouge and L’Ajoupa-Bouillon so far in the distance really provided a perspective of how big and high this volcano is. After another hour or so, we were back at the parking lot. As we left the trailhead, we chatted about how full the parking lot was, as well as the spillover with dozens of cars lining the road as we drove away – Man, the people living and/or vacationing in Martinique sure like to hike! I can’t blame them – this is a great place to enjoy a vigorous walk in nature and take-in some incredible views!

Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!


Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!
Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!
The peak from partway up the first trail section
Martinique Hiking - The Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee trail offers amazing views of Martinique and the Caribbean Sea!
The parking lot from partway up the first trail section















After hiking the Montagne Pelée – L’Aileron Trail, we obtained an even deeper appreciation for how mountainous and beautiful Martinique is, and how amazing and diverse this trail is. There are steep mountainside sections, a rolling hill-like ridge section, a challenging wet and rocky section to the peak, as well as a wild in-and-out of a ravine section.  Relative to other hikes we have done in the Caribbean, this has to be one of our ‘top 5’ favourites. We took our time, taking about 5-6 hours in total to experience this incredible hike, and feel very satisfied that we did it – Thanks to the weather clearing up, this hike created great memories for sure!

Mount Pelee / Montagne Pelee - The tallest peak in Martinique

For more information on hiking in the Isle des Fleurs, check out our Martinique Hiking page

For an overview of the beautiful island of Martinique, take a look at our Martinique Vacations page

ACT Staff