To read our reviews of popular tours and excursions in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bonaire, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe (coming soon), Jamaica, Martinique, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and more… just click HERE
Always on the lookout for fun and active “things to do” while on our Caribbean vacations, one constant theme kept popping up throughout my research on Barbados – swimming with turtles and snorkeling over shipwrecks. With all those white sand beaches and close-to-shore reefs along the south-west and west coast, I was really looking forward to getting into the water and exploring the marine seascapes! So, here’s what we did…
Carlisle Bay is about a mile (2km) south of Bridgetown, and about 4 miles (7km) north of where we were staying. We donned our bathing suits and reef-friendly sunscreen, grabbed our snorkel masks and hopped on a local bus for the 15-minute ride. Carlisle Bay has some of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean, and I must say, it is a beautiful sight. Like all beaches in Barbados, Brownes Beach, Pebbles Beach and Bayshore Beach are “public” beaches. This means that anyone can just lay down a towel and stake a claim to a piece of sand, regardless of the hotel or bar/restaurant you happen to be in front of (or is it behind?). Anyways, the gorgeous white sand beaches of Carlisle Bay stretch for about a mile (2km) along the shimmering blue sea that beckoned us in for a swim and snorkel. The beaches are just about perfect – with no stones or pebbles and there’s no sea-weed in the water. The only potential downside is that it was fairly busy by Caribbean island standards. But… understandable considering what the area offers.
Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available all along the beach. There’s even a couple of facilities that feature a bar, restaurant and bathrooms – Harbour Lights and the Boatyard Club also conveniently turn into nightclubs for continuing the party when the sun goes down. We ended up near Bayshore Beach which has public washrooms (Lockers are available – just bring your own lock). Vendors in the parking lot offer everything from water to large home-cooked meals. Later in the day, I had what I think was the largest, tastiest meat patty I’ve ever had, outside of Jamaica.
Enough of the logistics – It’s time we got in the water!
We started at an area that at first seemed devoid of life. No coral, just a sand bottom 15-20 feet below… then, I saw something moving down there… There were several stingrays cruising along the seafloor. Apparently, these creatures are fairly new to this spot, although it’s easy to understand why they’re here. Like other marine animals in the area, they’re here for the food. Local boat/tour operators drop fish scraps into the water to attract turtles – The Crowd Favourite. There were several boatloads of people occupying the same space, so when a turtle was spotted, everyone converged on the area. Even with several legs thrashing around, we managed to see a couple of the fascinating reptiles. 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, it gracefully descended, mysteriously disappearing into the depths.
Next stop – The shipwreck. Strong swimmers can access this spot right from the beach. Fortunately, there were fewer people here and were more spread out. Snorkeling over the shipwreck was incredible – It absolutely blew me away as I’ve never seen so many fish congregating in one area like that. The top of the ship is less than 15 feet (4.5m) from the surface, so clearly visible by snorkelers. The top and sides of the wreck were covered in corals, sponges and sea fans, however I was really fascinated by the large variety of tropical fish. 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. I watched as a snorkeler dived down to the surface of the ship and even into one of the openings – Hhmnn… I’ll need to try that next time! This may be as close to a scuba diving experience as I’ll ever get.
Now that I know where the hotspots are, the next time I’m in Barbados I’ll try to get to Carlisle Bay before 9am, rent a kayak and check out these locations before the crowds arrive.
Want to see more? Check out our Barbados Snorkeling with Turtles and Rays, and Barbados Snorkeling over Shipwrecks videos on YouTube!
A couple of days later we got on another bus and ventured further up the west coast to check out Folkstone Marine Park. Snorkelers can explore a large area of shallow sea here, protected by buoys and rope fence. From the beach, we could see several scattered rows of reefs close to shore – So exciting! Unfortunately, the water was rough that day, with waves breaking right over the reefs, so the beach was closed to snorkelers. We were there on a Sunday, so the Information Centre / Museum (lockers available) was also closed. Disappointed but not defeated, we wandered south along the beach looking for somewhere else to get into the water…
Just north of Holetown, I could see a dark shape in the water really close to shore, so I assumed it was a reef and a potential place to snorkel. The warm salty water was easy to float in, even with the small waves that day. Here’s where things got a little interesting… As I neared the “reef”, I was surprised to see that it was actually a meticulously stacked/assembled rock-pile. It was as if a Giant played a game of Granite Tetris undersea… I assume that all the reefs along Barbados’ west coast are like this. Unlike most of its neighbouring islands, Barbados is a coral island, so I was expecting lots of natural coral at the bottom of the sea – Well, this was a learning experience.
Regardless of their composition, these rock barriers provide a sanctuary for sea-life. This little reef had several different fish swimming around it, so I was motivated to check-out the larger reef at the north end of Holetown – Wow, I’m sure glad I did! Just a few feet from shore I disturbed a flounder and then I found the rock-pile area full of life. I saw a variety of fish species on the east side of the reef so I rounded the south end to see what was on the other side. Well, I was in for a treat – I almost immediately encountered a large school of Blue Chromis (I think). So cool!
I was told that further offshore from Holetown beach there’s a sunken barge resting in 20 feet (6m) of water that is home to plenty of colourful fish and other marine life including turtles. Locals offered boat rides to get to the spot.
Based on my experience with the beach at Holetown, I suspect that snorkeling up at Folkestone would be outstanding. I imagine that I could have spent hours just floating around examining the reefs and their marine life in their entirety. Unfinished business – Well, now I have an excuse for coming back to Barbados 😊
Want to see more? Check out our Barbados Snorkeling – From Holetown video on YouTube!
There are more than a dozen beaches along the west coast of the island and several of them are good for a little snorkeling… I understand that the beaches at Alleynes Bay, Paynes Bay and Batts Rock are good spots.
On our last day in Barbados, we went for a walk along the Richard Haynes Boardwalk and came across a couple of spots that looked like they might be good for snorkeling. This half-mile (1km) long wooden walkway straddles the beachfront between Hasting’s Coconut Court Beach Hotel and Rockley Beach. Even if there’s no snorkeling, you can always relax in the tidal pools that are created on calm sea days!
ACT Staff
For more information on snorkeling in Barbados, including a list of tour operators who will get you to the hot spots, check out our Barbados Snorkeling page
If you’re looking for other ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Barbados Adventures blog for some great ideas!
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
Barbados is a unique coral island in the Caribbean famous for its white-sand beaches, consistently warm weather and great rum. It is all that and more… To really get to know the Caribbean island you’re vacationing on, get off the beach and take a trip inland. In Barbados’ hilly St. Thomas Parish, you’ll discover a forested green area, home to a number of natural attractions, including the Welchman Hall Gully – A nice, relaxing place to unwind with a leisurely stroll in nature… and let’s be honest, I really wanted to see the famous Barbados Green Monkeys ‘live and in person’ 😉
With the help of a GPS and what seemed like signs on just about every street corner, we found the place no problem. That said, if we weren’t looking for it, we probably would have driven right past the modest sign marking the entrance to the Attraction – Welchman Hall Gully. It truly is a “Tropical Forest / Cave”. Partially hidden behind a hedge, we parked in a small lot and immediately take note of the pleasant looking outdoor café. Blending nicely into the natural environment, there’s also a gift shop and washrooms – All in the shadow of a Bearded Fig Tree, for which the island was named ( Los Barbados is Spanish for ‘the bearded ones’).
While you can take your time and wander around the property yourself with the help of a guide pamphlet, we decided to join a tour that was about to start. I like to take advantage of a tour guide’s knowledge and insight – They can answer questions and usually point out things that might otherwise be missed.
Well, our morning tour started with a bang, as the first ‘attraction’ was the monkey platform. We arrived just in time to see a staff member dumping a box of bananas onto the platform. It didn’t take long for the local monkey troop to arrive. Descendants of West African Green Monkeys originally brought to Barbados as pets about 300 years ago, these monkeys are wild and live in and around the Gully. They are free to come and go as they please, however a free meal has made a visit a part of their daily routine.
The large group consists of more than two dozen primates. It was very interesting to see them suddenly appear out of the thick jungle surroundings, climbing down trees and their plentiful vines (or beard of the trees). A family hierarchy is clearly in-place as the larger males dominated the scene while the younger monkeys were cautiously vying for scraps.
WOW – It’s so much fun watching these little guys jumping and actually ‘walking’ around! Visitors to the Gully are not allowed too close to the monkeys, as the intent is to keep them as wild as possible.
After taking what seemed like a hundred pictures and a dozen videos of the cute little simians, we headed down a cement path through the gully. This is what Barbados would have looked like to early explorers prior to the 17th-century colonization that deforestation most of the island. On our walk, we experienced a natural haven that is now home to dozens of individual plant species. This property was obtained by the Barbados National Trust back in 1962 in order to protect one of the few remaining native vegetation areas on the island. Besides providing much-needed habitat for the monkeys, Welchman Hall Gully is rich in bio-diversity, making this a valuable and rare area in Barbados.
The easy-to-walk path is about ¾ of a mile (1.25 km) long through the gully, running north from nearby Harrison’s Cave. The landscape was formed when part of the large cave system collapsed on itself. I loved the visually stimulating vertical walls and caverns in the gully – It was like being in a mini valley surrounded by layers of greyish green limestone and coral draped in green and brown foliage. Remnants of the sunken caves are still evident from the remains of Stalactite – stalagmite column structures.
It was a pleasant walk through the gully as it is mostly protected from the sun as well as the wind, which was unusually strong that day. Throughout the tour, our knowledgeable guide Ashan pointed out and described a number of plants and trees that line the trail. The majority of the flora is native to the Eastern Caribbean although some plants were brought to Barbados from Asia, South America and elsewhere hundreds of years ago.
I particularly appreciated the stories of the traditional use of some of these plants. Ashan showed us a variety of handy roots and leaves that were used for food, medicinal teas and other uses. This included: The Noni tree leaves used to treat a variety of ailments from fevers to headaches; Black Sage oil which acts as a natural insecticide; Wild coffee plants (pictured) for, well you know… drinking; The Bay Tree leaves used for cooking and whose oil was used in a variety of ‘Bay Rum’ cosmetics/lotions; and the St. John’s bush leaves used to make tea for treating colds, fever and stomach ailments.
Fully immersed in the tour, I suddenly realized that we were at the end of the trail. At this point folks from a cruise ship exited onto a nearby road, re-boarding their waiting mini buses. So… along with two or three others, we found ourselves relishing a private ‘guided’ tour for the return walk – How nice is that!
We learned that some plant species in Welchman Hall Gully are found no-where else in Barbados. This includes bamboo and some palm trees. Everybody loves palm trees and there were plenty on display in the gully. There are three native to Barbados, including the Macaw Palm with it’s intimidating black spikes (pictured). Personally I was fascinated with the large Royal Palms and the versatile Cohune Palms. Traditionally, palm trees have been used for food, charcoal, shelter, tools (think broom) as well as a source for natural lotions and cosmetics.
Ashan also called our attention to a pile of creepy looking giant millipedes on the ground. These guys are natural composters and are producing rich soil for the Gully floor. Apparently, snakes live in the gully as well, although we didn’t see any. The area is actually famous for being home to the world’s smallest snake, the Leptotyphlops Bilineata, which at less than 4 inches long are no bigger than the millipedes. They live a secretive, worm-like existence underground and are rarely seen. I also understand that in the evenings, a few different bat varieties haunt the Gully.
I would be remiss to not also mention that while there were none present on our visit, it’s thought that the grapefruit originated here at Welchman Hall Gully during the 17th century by crossing a sweet orange with a shaddock (pomelo like citrus fruit).
Before we left the Gully, we were in for one more treat. We ambled up a couple flights of concrete stairs to a hilltop look-out to savour the spectacular views of Bathseba and the eastern coast. When exiting, we also noticed a natural ‘adventure’ playground for the kids – It even has a mini zip-line for the little ones to ride!
This was an enjoyable, relaxing yet informative tour of a well maintained natural area with a friendly local guide. It’s also a great place for lunch or a snack, as the Chunky Monkey Café offers food & drink (beer & rum punch), served on a comfortable outdoor terrace.
Want to see more? Check out our Monkeys of Welchman Hall Gully video on YouTube!
You should also know that the Welchman Hall Gully partners with the Barbados Native Plant Restoration Project by providing a location for ecological research and conservation, and Gully staff volunteer their time for the Barbados Monkey Project – Both great causes that deserve and appreciate public support.
For more information, click on this link to visit the official Barbados Welchman Hall Gully website.
For an overview of beautiful Barbados, take a look at our Barbados Vacations page
For other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Fun Things to Do in Barbados blog post.
If you’re looking for more ‘active’ things to do while vacationing on the island, click on our Barbados Adventures blog post for some great ideas!
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!
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…
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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ACT Staff
