Feel the wind, move to reggae beats & look below the waves!
Barbados is a unique coral island in the Caribbean famous for its white-sand beaches, consistently warm weather and excellent rum. A great way to tour the island and partake in some of the best of what Barbados has to offer is to sail and snorkel along the west coast. Sailing has a rich history in Barbados and with near constant trade-winds and calm Caribbean seas, a sailing excursion is a “must-do” tour when visiting the island. This may also be the best way for first-timers to reach the snorkeling hotspots in Carlisle Bay. It’s what we did!
After the Tour Operator collected us from our hotel, it was just a short mini-van ride to the marina at the north end of Carlisle Bay. After a short walk in the drizzling rain, we boarded a catamaran for a snorkel, sail and lunch tour. We were joined by a couple of dozen people or so, although it never really felt crowded. The spacious vessel had a large covered cabin downstairs with a huge bar and bathrooms located off in both of the hulls. There was plenty of room on deck, at the front half of the boat on and around the catamaran webbing, over the main cabin, as well as an area at the back of the boat. After a brief introduction from the crew, we were on our way.
The tour started with a quick motor over to Carlisle Bay’s choicest spots – One known for swimming with turtles and the other over a shallow shipwreck. A friendly member of the crew handed out some masks, fins and floatation vests and we entered the warm Caribbean Sea. FYI – we have our own masks now – no more wondering where that mouthpiece had been last 😉.
Luckily the drizzle had subsided by the time we got to the snorkel spots. That said, the water seemed a little cloudy – I suspect more sunlight would have helped with visibility. At first, I didn’t see anything, however as my eyes adjusted to my new underwater environment, I saw something move… There were several stingrays cruising along the seafloor looking for food scraps. Unfortunately, there were several boatloads of people here at the same time as us, so when a turtle was eventually spotted, everyone converged on the area. Regardless of the thrashing humans all around, we managed to see a couple of the fascinating reptiles. I think they were green turtles and not hawksbills, but I’m not sure. It was really fun to watch a turtle, enveloped in a swarm of “entourage” fish, swim-up for an easy meal. After surfacing for some air, they gracefully descended back into the mysterious blue depths. Wow – That was pretty cool!
We re-boarded the boat and motored a couple of hundred feet away, a little closer to shore this time, near the location of a sunken tugboat. Our guide led us to where the shipwreck was resting in about 15 feet of water. Once I looked below the surface it was easy to spot. Snorkeling over the shipwreck was a lot of fun! It was amazing to see so many fish congregating in one area like that. The top and sides of the wreck were covered in a variety of corals as well as sponges and sea fans, although it was the large variety of tropical fish that really got me excited. I viewed the ship from stern to bow and back again – I just couldn’t get enough. Along with schools of sergeant-majors, the trumpetfish, blue-tang and angelfish really stood out to me.
Somewhat reluctantly, I got back on the boat and dried off in the sun while the crew steered us out of the bay. They hoisted the sails and we were off for the sailing portion of the tour. We were really fortunate to be out on a windy day, as it’s just no fun having to motor around on a gorgeous sailboat. With both the mainsail and jib up harnessing the wind, we skimmed quickly across the beautiful Caribbean Sea. It was exhilarating sitting at the front of the boat, enjoying some decent speeds – I even lied down on the catamaran webbing, reveling in the water rushing below. We sailed north along the west coast to the energetic yet relaxing sounds of beautiful reggae music – It doesn’t really get much better than this! I was thinking to myself, how do I make this moment last forever? Oh well, back to reality… Eventually, we came to a stop near Sandy Lane and maneuvered into position to anchor for lunch.
Did I mention that the boat had an open bar downstairs? Well, it did and the friendly crew was doing their best to create a party atmosphere and ensure everyone was having fun. Personally, I thought the rum sour and rum punch I sampled were delicious! While sitting out in the warm sun viewing the beach-filled shoreline with a rum beverage in my hand I was thinking, This is a pretty great way to spend a day!
Before long, the crew let us know that the buffet lunch was there for the taking. Having worked up an appetite after our swim and snorkeling, it was great to sample their offering of barbeque chicken, fish, baked potatoes, rice & peas (beans) and vegetables along with an assortment of salads. What a nice spread. We were moored there for a while, so after lunch we had time to just chill… While some people went for a swim, others dived or flipped off the side of the catamaran. We just relaxed at the back of the boat making new friends. I think the best place to be was at the back of the boat dangling our feet in the water enjoying the beautiful and calming blue sea…
Well, eventually we had to head back. We motored/sailed south to the sound of contemporary / pop hits, which some would say is the easiest to dance to. This particular crowd did not erupt into a congo line of dancers that we’ve seen on other party boats – That was fine with me. The crew came around with one last treat of carrot cake – perhaps intended to help sober us up a bit.
Over-all this was a great sailing tour. Even though it sprinkled rain a couple of times it didn’t dampen our spirit. We enjoyed seeing the turtles and snorkeling over the wreck, chatting with folks and having a good time! We were driven back to our hotel, where we still had a few hours of daylight left to enjoy
FYI – There are several catamaran tour operators in Barbados to choose from, even a monohull tour operator is available. Most seem to do some variation of this west coast cruise. You can check out a number of them to find the one best suited for your needs. Some other sailing excursions feature sunsets or dinner.
ACT Staff
For more information on sailing in Barbados, including a list of boat / tour operators, check out our Barbados Sailing page
For an overview of beautiful Barbados, take a look at our Barbados Vacations page
For an overview of great Tourist Attractions on the island, including tour operators who will take good care of you, check out our Things to Do in Barbados page
For more underwater adventures, maybe you’ll enjoy our Barbados Snorkeling blog
If you’re looking for more ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Barbados Adventures blog post for some great ideas!
Grenada Excitement – From Underwater Shipwrecks to Remote Mountainous Waterfalls
Grenada is the most southern of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands – About 165 miles (265km) southwest of Barbados. The mountainous main island and nearby Carriacou may be the Caribbean’s best-kept secret offering unspoiled natural beauty and a wide variety of activities sure to please any traveler looking for adventure. Grenada is home to Grand Etang National Park, a tropical rainforest attraction featuring a crater lake, hikable mountains and waterfalls. A Grenada vacation has plenty to offer travelers seeking action on both land and sea – Both a ‘hiker’s paradise’ and a ‘diver’s wonderland’, the islands also have plenty of snorkeling, fishing, a variety of watersports, and more.
Explore Beneath the Waves – Snorkel Grenada & Carriacou
With beach-accessible coral reefs and the world’s first underwater sculpture park, Grenada is a top Caribbean destination for snorkeling. Marine Parks protect a number of snorkeling spots in Grenada and Carriacou, making it safe and easy to explore healthy coral reefs brimming with marine life. Slip into the warm Caribbean Sea and snorkel in warm clear waters from a handful of Grenada’s white sandy beaches or take a short boat ride to experience underwater statues and reefs in shallow waters. Peek below the waves and you’ll see colourful tropical fish as well as octopus, eels, lobsters, urchin and starfish. You might even spot a seahorse! A few of our favourite snorkeling spots include:
Moliniere Bay Marine Protected Area is home to half a dozen excellent dive sites, including Dragon Bay, Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park and Magazine (AKA Aquarium) Beach. The Sculpture Park offers a unique experience with over 50 statues that can be explored in calm shallow waters. This is a once in a lifetime experience to visit a place National Geographic once named in its “Top 25 Wonders of the World”.
Levera National Park contains a beach with a nearby coral reef, beds of seagrass and even an offshore island to explore. La Sagesse Beach is located in a beautiful bay on the Atlantic side of the island with a couple of small coral reefs that are great for snorkeling.
Enjoy remote snorkeling at Carriacou’s Paradise Beach which offers a reef brimming with diverse marine life. Nearby Sandy Island is only a short boat ride away and offers great snorkeling in depths starting at 6 feet (2m). The island features a healthy coral reef and unique underwater boulders – The whole area is alive with corals, sponges and a wide variety of Caribbean fish as well as turtles.
For more detailed information, including local Boat Operators to get you outfitted and snorkeling, check out our Grenada Snorkeling pages.
Hike a Remote Grenada Waterfall Trail or Mountain Peak
One of the best islands to experience Caribbean hiking, Grenada offers a number of rainforest and mountainous hikes. The tallest peak on Grenada, Mount St. Catherine is 2,760 feet (840m) above sea level, making it the Caribbean’s twentieth highest peak. Grenada and Carriacou offer well over a dozen hiking trails in all.
The most popular hiking destination in Grenada is probably Grand Etang Lake and National Park, with its iconic Crater Lake, Mount Qua Qua and a variety of waterfalls, including Concord Falls and Concord Falls. There are several hiking trails within the park, from beginner to advanced, offering something for everyone.
Outside the park, there is another half a dozen waterfall trails, including Tufton Hall Waterfall and Golden Falls. These trails will take the better part of the day to explore, and will reward you with cascading waterfalls and inviting pools at the bottom for a mid hike cool-down.
Other great Grenada hiking areas on the island include Levera National Park which is home to the relaxing Levera Pond Shoreline ‘Loop’ Trail, as well as the Welcome Stone trail which culminates with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and nearby offshore islands.
Meanwhile, over in Carriacou, you can hike the High North Trail which includes views of the southern Grenadines from the island’s highest peak. Other trails on Carriacou takes you to beaches, ruins and quaint villages.
For much more information, including local Hiking Guides to get you on the trail, check out our Grenada Hiking pages.
Fish the Blue Waters of Grenada
One of the southern Caribbean’s most diverse fishing destination, Grenada has reefs, shoals as well as an abundance of deep-water fishing spots close to shore. There is plenty of opportunity to catch deep-sea sport fish like sailfish, blue marlin, white marlin and the occasional tuna. There’s also wahoo, mahi mahi (dolphin/dorado), king fish, mackerel and barracuda to be reeled in. Local fishing boat operators know the best places to catch the fish you are looking for, and will make sure you have an enjoyable day at sea.
For the serious fisherman looking to join like-minded individuals for a few days of competitive fishing, the Spice Island Billfish Tournament is held every January. Dozens of boats and anglers gather for a week of fun on the blue waters of Grenada!
For more information, including local Fishing Boats to get you on the sea, go to our Grenada Fishing page.
Kayak Grenada’s Bays and Mangroves / SUP, River Tube Fun & More
The whole family will enjoy kayaking offshore of beaches, protected bays and mangroves while visiting Grenada and Carriacou. You will all enjoy paddling a ‘see-through’ kayak that allows you to view the beautiful reefs and fish below the waves without even getting wet! Experienced kayakers can get your heart rate pumping by paddling through the waves while you journey around a nearby offshore island.
Grenada is also a great place to give SUP (Stand Up Paddle-boarding), aqua-biking and other watersports a try.
Fun seekers will have a ‘wet & wild’ day river tubing down Grenada’s Balthazar River. The river flows down from the Grand Etang Forest mountains, providing a fun meandering ride through the lush green rainforest.
For more information, including local Tour Operators & Equipment Rental Shops to get you on the water, take a look at our Grenada Watersports page.
Dive the Wrecks and Reefs of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique
With its healthy coral reefs and marine life biodiversity, Grenada is a top Caribbean Scuba Diving destination. With more than 30 dive sites, ranging in depth and habitat, Grenada offers something for everyone. If you like shipwrecks, Grenada has more divable wrecks than any other island in the Caribbean. There are great dive spots for beginners as well as experienced divers, most close to shore needing no more than a 15-minute boat ride to reach.
North of Grenada is a special place for experienced divers featuring clear waters and uncrowded coral reefs. You will have an enjoyable day cruising the west coast of Grenada to dive and lunch on the near-deserted Ronde Island. Of course, Grenada’s Moliniere Bay Marine Protected Area provides divers with sites featuring reefs, wrecks and gardens. For some, the feature attraction is the unique Underwater Sculpture Park with over 100 individual displays capturing the island’s history, culture and folklore as well as promoting conservation awareness.
Considered by some to be one of the top-10 wreck dives in the world, the ‘Bianca C’, the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, and is the feature attraction of the Grand Anse Marine Protected Area. That said, there are plenty of other great reefs and wrecks to enjoy in the area as well!
Dive sites off the south-west coast of Grenada provide a variety of interesting reefs and wrecks for beginners and experienced divers alike. Some sites are made for drift diving and provide great opportunities for underwater photography. The dive sites south of the island are mostly for experienced divers looking for invigorating drift dives over reefs and wrecks with lots of rays and sharks!
Then there is the diving gem that is Carriacou, known as the ‘Island of Reefs’, where you can enjoy another 20 plus dive sites. The west coast of Carriacou offer opportunities for beginners as well as experienced divers to get beneath the waves, all close to shore. The Carriacou Marine Park has some amazing dive sites for beginners as well as experienced divers, with some ideal for underwater photography! The south side of Carriacou provides some amazing drift dives for beginners as well as experienced divers, along with opportunities to see plenty of sharks. Another ideal location for underwater photography!
For more detailed information, including local Dive Shops and Boat Operators to get you outfitted and deep below the waves, check out our Grenada Diving pages.
Sail Grenada’s Sparkling Turquoise-Blue Waters
Wonderfully situated to take full advantage of the Windward Islands’ trade winds, Grenada and Carriacou are uniquely within reach of the southern Grenadines, making them premier Caribbean yachting destinations. Get out on the water and experience the Caribbean under the power of sail, as it has been for hundreds of years.
View Grenada from the sea and you will get a better appreciation of the west coast’s abundance of sandy beaches situated between a panorama of mountainous green patches and quaint villages. Grenada’s numerous marinas and good year-round weather make it an ideal spot for Caribbean sailing tours. The island has many inlets, protected bays and offshore islands to drop anchor for an amazing swim and snorkel!
Vacationers can sail Grenada with tour/sailboat operators offering a variety of sailing adventures. For the more experienced, you can even charter a monohull or catamaran yacht for yourself, with or without a crew. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to sail, you can do that in Grenada as well! For salty sailors, Grenada holds a number of annual Sailing events, including Grenada Sailing Week every January featuring four race days and Grenada Sailing Festival (Workboat Regatta) every February for two days of racing action. One of the Caribbean’s longest-running sailing events, the Carriacou Regatta is a four day festival every August, and Petite Martinique holds their own Whitsuntide Regatta every May for a weekend of sailing fun.
For more information, including local Sailboat Charters, check out our Grenada Sailing page. You might also be interested in our Grenada Ocean Excursion page as well.
Enjoy a day of Golf in Grenada
Its easy to get to the Grenada Golf Club (AKA the Grenada Golf & Country Club) for a sunny day of Caribbean golf. Its located within walking distance of Grand Anse beach. The golf club was originally built in the 1930s as a 9-hole course measuring about 2,700 yards. Alternate tee boxes can now be used to make an 18-hole, Par 67 course measuring over 5,000 yards. Long, wide fairways and some elevated greens make the course interesting. Of course, views of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean always help to make a great day of golf.
For more information about getting out on the links, check out our Grenada Golf page.
Have fun out there!
ACT Staff
Once you’ve had your fill of action and want to slow-it-down a bit, check out our recommended Things To Do in Grenada blog post.
For an overview of the “Spice Island of the Caribbean”, take a look at our Grenada Vacations page
Snorkel Jamaica’s 7-mile beach reefs for starfish, rays and so much more…
While Negril may be best known for its great white sand beach, cliff jumping and amazing river and waterfall adventures nearby, we were happy to discover a number of snorkeling options along Jamaica’s gorgeous southwest coast. The area is blessed with clear water providing excellent visibility for snorkeling, while the numerous protected bays and coves provide calm shallow water, ideal for beginners and families with small children. While we accessed some great snorkelling spots right off the beach and by climbing short ladders along the cliffs, the easiest and most common way to snorkel in Negril is by joining a catamaran cruise or one of the ever-abundant glass-bottom boat tours. Let the local tour operators bring you right to the undersea hotspots. Here’s what we found and heard about on our recent visit to Negril (listed from north to south)…
Half Moon Beach
Located 5-10 miles (10-15 km) north of Negril’s 7-mile Beach, this gorgeous cove is home to a secluded beach and enjoyable offshore islands close to shore. Just over 300 feet (100m) from the beach, there’s a nice little patch of coral, perfect for a casual snorkel. Venture out a little further and you’ll discover a long stretch of coral reef you can explore for hours! Snorkellers will experience a wide variety of corals and sea fans, plus sea urchins and juvenile fish like wrasse, damselfish and blue tang.
The intrepid and inquisitive can swim or paddle less than a thousand feet (300m) from the beach to a small uninhabited island where you can snorkel, catch a breather, and/or just hang out. It doesn’t get much ‘chill’er than that! If you’re looking for a refreshing beverage or two after your snorkeling adventure, an even smaller island is just another 350 feet (115m) away. This little cay is home to a rustic bar called Calico Jack’s Pirate shack. Don’t worry, you won’t have to swim back to shore – Local boats shuttle folks back and forth throughout the day.
Oh, on the way out to the reefs and islands watch for plentiful starfish, as well as the occasional ray gliding along on the sandy ocean floor. Overall, this is one of Negril’s best spots for snorkelling!
Bloody Bay / Lovers Cave
About a mile (2 km) north of 7-mile Beach, Bloody Bay is a great protected area with a nice reef, although the area has been spoiled for snorkellers by the cavalcade of motorboats constantly parasailing back and forth along the shoreline. That said, it’s reasonably safe for snorkellers to explore the reefs at the ends, near the mouth of the bay. Due to the large amount of shallow water along the sandy shoreline, the sea in this little bay is the warmest I’ve ever experienced in the Caribbean.
At the north end of Bloody Bay between Little Bay Country Club and the RIU Negril Resort (not to be confused with the RIU Tropical Bay Resort, practically next door), you can easily reach the reef that’s less than 100 feet (50m) from shore. It’s a large reef that stretches out into the bay for close to 1000 feet (250m) – But keep your eye on those annoying motorboats which may be turning around in the vicinity. While the beaches aren’t secluded, the sea is uncrowded for snorkellers and full of marine life. You’ll practically have the place to yourself as you discover lots of starfish, sea cucumbers, as well as rays and crabs along the sandy bottom. You’ll also find a wide variety of juvenile fish over the reef.
Meanwhile, at the south end of the bay along the peninsula where the Grand Lido Negril Hotel is, the cliffs and nearby reefs offer another relatively safe area to snorkel. We ventured out there via a glass-bottom boat and really enjoyed swimming and snorkeling through “Lover’s Cave” – a small cave system with a sandy ocean floor, low hanging cave ceilings, and schools of bright coloured juvenile fish darting around in the shallow water. A pretty cool experience for sure. Just a few feet/meters from the cliffs scattered reefs are home to a wide variety of corals, sea fans and plenty of colourful little fish. We also saw a lobster hiding under some rocks on the ocean floor! Interestingly, at one point we swam for a few minutes through literally hundreds of tiny jellyfish, but don’t worry, they don’t sting (or at least we didn’t feel anything). Again, the area is uncrowded – We were the only ones there snorkelling 😊.
Booby Cay Island
About 700 feet (200m) from shore at the tip of the peninsula separating 7-mile Beach from Bloody Bay is Booby Cay, a small uninhabited island named for the sea birds that once frequented the place. The island is surrounded by fragments of a coral reef where you can find a wide variety of marine life worth exploring. Glass bottom boats from both Bloody Bay and 7-mile Beach will take you there, while a number of organized tours include fun barbeque lobster lunches on the little island, where you can enjoy your own (near) private oasis – Ya man!
Negril (7-mile beach) Reef
South of Booby Cay, just over half a mile (1km) from Negril’s famous 7-mile Beach, you’ll find a series of coral reefs that are generally considered the best place to snorkel in Negril. Although the reefs are fairly far from shore, the water is still very shallow, allowing you to view marine life in less than 10 feet of water. Although there can be a gentle current at times, it’s still a great place for beginners. These reefs are home to a large variety of corals, sea urchins, sea fans as well as tons of fish. Again, there are a few pockets of tiny harmless jellyfish in the area, but they’re nothing to worry about, or as the locals say “No problem man!”
We enjoyed the area so much that we took two trips out there, once as part of a Catamaran cruise and again via a glass-bottom boat for a more private tour. The first thing I saw there was a baby spotted ray swimming along the bottom of the sandy ocean floor – So cool, I could have followed it forever! Then I noticed the abundance of purple-ish sea fans and soft corals in the area. While slowly floating along the edge of the reefs, I saw a unique trumpetfish along with schools of juvenile yellow grunts, although they were almost hard to see as they blended with the fire coral in the background. Of course there were tons of friendly sergeant majors swimming closer to the surface, just out of reach. I also witnessed an amazing couple of blue sergeant majors who I assume were protecting recently laid eggs. I saw some of my favourite colourful fish, bluehead wrasse and parrotfish, as well as some dark angelfish or damselfish.
The highlight of my snorkelling adventure was seeing, for the first time, an abundance of orange and white squirrelfish with their big dark eyes (see above). That said, it was also very interesting to see a black snake slithering under rocks and my heart absolutely raced when a hawksbill turtle swam right in front of me! I think I might have also seen a rare indigo hamlet (unique bluefish) as well. OK, ok, there is lots to see!
For more underwater scenes from our 7-Mile Beach Reef Snorkeling adventure, check out our Negril Snorkelling video on Youtube.
A trip to Negril is incomplete without experiencing beneath the waves over these bountiful reefs, hence almost all of the catamaran cruises and glass-bottom boat tours in the area will take you here – Enjoy!
Negril’s West End – Pirates Cave (Joseph’s Cave?); Rockhouse; and The Caves
Just north of the Rockhouse Hotel, there’s an amazing little cove that can be accessed via boat or from small ladders along the cliffs. While there’s likely good snorkeling just offshore over the nearby reefs, the feature attraction for us was the large horseshoe-shaped swim-through cave. We visited by boat, and after being entertained by some local kids jumping and diving off the cliffs, we swam into the cave to check it out. As we explored the cave, we noticed dark coloured crabs scrambling along the cave walls whenever someone inadvertently got close to them. While we didn’t see any marine life in the water, it was a unique experience for sure.
A little further south, located just north of the Negril Lighthouse, there’s another small cove beneath the Caves Hotel that has more large caves along the cliffs. These caves are home to a variety of marine life including rays, and plenty of juvenile fish can be seen over the nearby coral reefs.
ACT Staff
For more information on snorkeling in Jamaica, including a list of tour operators who will get you to the hot spots, check out our Jamaica Snorkelling page
If you’re looking for other ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the Land of Wood & Water, click on our Jamaica Adventures blog for some great ideas!
For an overview of the beautiful and unique island, take a look at our Jamaica Vacations page
For an overview of great Tourist Attractions on the Land of Wood & Water, including tour operators who will take good care of you, check out our Things to Do in Jamaica blog
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
