Explore All Things to Do in the Caribbean – Snorkeling as a Non-Swimmer
I believe that technically, “Getting out of your comfort zone,” means doing things that you ordinarily don’t feel comfortable doing. Experts say that your comfort zone is a psychological state in which you feel in control and don’t experience much anxiety or stress. So… It’ll takes a certain motivation or “pushing yourself” to do things outside of your comfort zone. When it comes to warm weather vacations, there’s so many things to do in the Caribbean, I don’t want to miss out on anything.
Well, I’m not the best swimmer in the world, so whenever I think about swimming or water sports, I tend to get a little tense. OK, I can get downright apprehensive about doing anything water related, so a sort of paralysis can sets in, resulting in me doing… nothing.
Professionals say that it is good to get “out of your comfort zone” once in a while, as it generates a reasonable amount of “good stress”. This results in improved focus, creativity, increased energy as well as enabling you to respond better to the stresses of everyday life. So… In a way, you build confidence as you learn that you’re capable of doing things you may not have thought possible.
On a recent vacation, I came to the realization that while I’m not confident in my swimming ability, I need to step out of my comfort zone if I’m going to be able to really enjoy snorkeling – Which I have found from past experience, is a really amazing thing to do in the Caribbean!
So, on our last Caribbean vacation, we had some free time and I was bored of sitting around. The hotel we were staying at offered a Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Tour, right from our beach. It sounded like fun so we signed-up. The morning of the tour, I was starting to feel a little nervous about getting in the water. Once I was on the boat however, I was in a great frame of mind and I was actually one of the first in the water. Once my struggle to get my fins and snorkel on, my nervous butterflies quickly turned to excitement and wonderment.
I believe that I get over my water anxieties by focusing on my objectives – What I want to experience and accomplish. Coming from a cold weather country with dark lakes, snorkeling in the Caribbean provides an underwater world that I just can’t experience at home. I also rationalize away my concerns – I’ll be wearing a life jacket, and if the water is calm, I won’t have to move around too much. Then, I just get out there…
Time over time, I’ve pushed myself to do this, and it always results in me feeling alive! On this particular day peering below the ocean surface did not disappoint! There was blue fish, there was yellow fish, both of different sizes and types. There were Sargent Major fish swimming all around me – Yah! Once I overcame my initial excitement and became more aware of my surroundings, I started to appreciate the numerous types of colourful coral, as well as sea fans and other sea life on the ocean floor. I was moving parallel to where the coral drops off into the deep, when I saw a large caterpillar-like creature moving along the sea floor. It turns out that it was a Sea Cucumber! I have heard of them, but this was the first one I’ve ever seen – How exciting is that? When our time in the water was up and I was heading back to the boat, I also saw some strange looking long skinny translucent fish, some of them with blue on the top of their heads – So Cool!
Once again, my snorkeling experience resulted in another new and exciting experience that I’ll cherish. For others it may not be a fear of water… Perhaps you’re not comfortable para-sailing due to a fear of heights, or even hiking because you’re not in great shape or you’re afraid of getting lost. I can even imagine folks who don’t want to play golf, because they’re afraid of looking foolish, or even just travelling around a Caribbean island for personal safety reasons. Well I have to tell you… As long as there is no real/valid reason not to, I suggest that you take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of you when on vacation and that means all things to do in the Caribbean. Think about it – You’ll make memories that you’d otherwise never be able to.
When it comes to getting out there and enjoying Caribbean adventures, you may want to consider overcoming your concerns by
Understanding the activity better and planning the excursion carefully
Think about “what’s the worst thing that could happen”? Then come up with a plan to minimize that from happening. This should help overcome the fear of the unknown
Do the pros (rewards) far out-way the cons (risks)? If so, focus on the rewards the adventure and visualize success.
Take baby steps – Start with a small adventure and keep it simple
Once you gain confidence through experience, keep expanding your comfort zone by taking on bigger and better adventures.
Another thing that will help is to go on the excursion with a buddy. He or she can be there to push you, and also to help you if you need it. Finally, remain positive – Things may not always go smoothly, so focus on the positive enjoyment gained…
So, if you want to para-sail, check out the safety protocols of the tour operator and think about the amazing views you’ll see. If you’re considering a hike, start with a short one and hire a local guide to show you the way. Dance like nobody is watching – That is, play a round of golf, nobody there knows you. Finally, it’s typically very safe in the Caribbean to venture off the resort when you take a day-time tour with a reputable tour operator.
If you look back at some of your favourite travel experiences from the past, don’t be surprised when you realize that some of them may be a result of overcoming anxieties and getting out of your comfort zone.
There’s so many things to do in the Caribbean – For great adventure ideas, check out our Caribbean Adventures & Activities page and “Get Out There and Have Some Fun!
PS> I don’t want to give anyone the impression that I’m risking my life every time I get in the ocean. I can actually swim a bit… I can tread water and I do an ugly version of the breast stroke or back stroke when I need to move around. Also, flippers on my feet help tremendously. This little story is more about pushing yourself “within reason”, in order to experience things that you would otherwise miss out on – Life’s too short!
Antigua Attractions – Devil’s Bridge National Park
Not one for
the beach, I’m always looking for something to do while vacationing in the
Caribbean. While staying in Antigua we visited
a natural attraction on the east coast of the island known as Devil’s Bridge – Don’t
worry, it sounds a lot more ominous and scarier than it really is 😉
Devil’s Bridge is a natural rock formation created over time by the power of the sea. A bird-eye view of the area reveals a land mass that juts out into the rough Atlantic Ocean with the sea forming the shape of a can-opener. Right at the pointy end, the water is forced into a cul-de-sac, where the water has nowhere to go… but up! Years and years of relentless waves crashing against the limestone cliffs have eroded the lower sections resulting in a stone structure bridging over the water. Not only does this rock platform span over the sea, it is also partially separated from the shore’s cliff. If you time your visit just right at high-tide, you’ll be able to witness the waves being forced under the bridge and shooting up in the air from the blow-hole created by the gap between the bridge and the mainland.
Finding this natural attraction among all the many small peninsulas along the jagged Antigua coastline is easier than it sounds. You can find it in the coastal township of Willikies, in Saint Philip Parish. Devil’s Bridge is actually designated as an Antigua National Park (formerly known as Indian Town Point National Park), although you would never know it if it wasn’t for the unassuming sign on the road. The sign marks the spot to turn off the road that travels to the Pineapple Beach Club and Verandah Resort. Instead, turn off and venture down the dirt/gravel road that takes you to the tip of the peninsula that is Indian Town Point.
We happened to be staying practically right next door, so we decided to walk over to Devil’s Bridge. We hiked for a little over half an hour to cover the 1.25 mile (2 km) distance to reach the end of the peninsula. While it doesn’t sound that far, hiking under that relentless Antiguan sun made it kind of feel a little longer. That said, we enjoyed the quiet desert like environment and took the opportunity to appreciate the flora along both shorelines of Indian Town Point. There is plenty of low scrub and cactus for sure, although we really enjoyed several magnificent coastal views of turquoise water along the way. Except for the occasional tour operator mini van and construction truck (on it’s way to the new resort being built), there was not another soul in sight on the long dusty road to Devil’s Bridge.
As we neared the end of the peninsula, we could see some local vendors had displays set-up to sell their wares – They face tough competition from the natural spectacle everyone has come to see. Once we got closer we could feel the wind picking up and we could hear the waves pounding against the seaside cliffs. Ahhhh… the main attraction came into view…
The natural bridge looks to have cracked away from the mainland leaving a gap of a foot or two before widening to a mini-chasm several foot across. This is where the action is – We watched as waves crashed into the tight opening and the water had nowhere to go but up! We did not experience the action at high tide, however I understand the right wave will shoot pretty high into the air – Not a time to be standing out on the bridge, as you wouldn’t want to get washed over the side and get thrown against the jagged cliffs. After observing the crashing waves for a while, I decided to venture out on the bridge for a brief moment.
It’s always fascinating to experience the force of nature in action. After a few seconds I returned to the safety of the mainland, just a little damp from the near-constant spray and mist in the air.
As amazing as the bridge is, the sea also leaves behind more subtle reminders of it’s ever presence. The rocky ground is bumpy and pitted everywhere. Most of the pits and holes near the shoreline are constantly filling with up with sea water only to evaporate under the blazing sun. This perpetual process eventually leaves many of the pits filled with a solid mass of salt crystalline. Having just left a cold and snow covered landscape behind up north, the opaque substance filling the holes at first looked like ice, however my thoughts soon turned to wax – It was a really cool site I’ve never witnessed before on this scale. Bending down closer to examine the phenomenon, the texture of the salty material appears soft but is actually quite hard, definitely more like hard wax.
We wandered around for a while, also taking in the view of Devil’s Bridge from the other side of the water-filled opening. The rocky surface of the shore seems like something you would see on the moon – Whiter in colour and again covered in bumpy pits. A sure reflection of it’s creation from a tortured past.
While we took the long road route to reach Devil’s Bridge, we found a short-cut along a small beach for our return journey. What a great way to spend a couple of hours on this Caribbean paradise.
FYI – The
annual Antigua & Barbuda International Kite Festival is held at Devil’s
Bridge – With all that wind, it must be a spectacular sight to see hundreds of
kites dancing away in the sky!
Devil’s Bridge is a fairly popular tourist attraction on the island, so there’s many options for tour operators who will bring you there. Here’s a link to our list of tour operators that can show you this and other attractions on the island – Antigua Land Excursions
For the cycling enthusiast, this area is a good place to explore on two wheels! For more info on biking the island, check out our Antigua Cycling page.
Looking to head south this fall? Here’s where we would go…
If you’re like me, you might not be able to wait until spring to feel the sand beneath your feet and snorkel in the clear, warm Caribbean sea. If you’re thinking of heading south for a warm weather vacation, here’s our thoughts on the best Caribbean destinations this October, November or December.
For this article, we first looked at the Caribbean islands that appear to be minimizing the spread of Covid-19 the best, then we evaluated each island’s current Covid related entry requirements for a good balance of safety and convenience. Finally, we took into consideration the historical weather patterns this time of year, prioritizing on the Caribbean islands with the least amount of rain. It’s kind of difficult to rank order our top choices, so we provide rational for our top 4 Caribbean destinations, and let you decide what destination is best for you. We also listed a few other islands that just missed the cut, in case you need more options. Take a look at our findings below – We hope you enjoy our review!
Turks and Caicos
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in Turks & Caicos – around 12 per 10K people. It’s also encouraging to know that the local vaccination rate is approaching 3 out of 4 locals (having received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine). It’s also reassuring to know that only fully vaccinated visitors can travel to the islands and that restaurants and bars are restricted to 50% normal capacity.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a very low probability of rain (around 20%) on any given day this time of year. Even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain more than around 3.4mm per month, so it’s not worth worrying about.
Turks and Caicos is open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. TCI Assured Travel Authorization is required before travelling. Approval to visit can be acquired on-line by completing a health screening questionnaire, and providing proof of a negative certified COVID-19 test, taken no more than 3 days before arrival, along with verifying travel insurance which covers COVID-19 related medical costs and expenses.
Once you’re on the islands, you are required to wear a mask in public places. Turks and Caicos establishments can be open no later than midnight, and there is a curfew in effect between the hours of 1am and 5am.
For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Turks & Caicos Entry Requirements page.
As for what to do once you’re there, here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy in Turks & Caicos. The islands are surrounded by white, peach and sand beaches, with plenty of water-sports options like kayaking, SUP (paddleboarding), windsurfing, kiteboarding and even parasailing. Boat operators can also get you to some great fishing and snorkeling spots and of course the islands are an amazing place for scuba diving reefs and deep walls. Grand Turk has a number of historical sites of interest, while there are several amazing national parks and nature reserves on many of the other islands. Turks & Caicos also offer good golfing along with hiking and cycling trails. There’s caves to explore as well. Enjoy!
For more information about fun and adventurous Caribbean destinations, check out our website, ActiveCaribbeanTravel
Aruba
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in Aruba – around 10 per 10K people. It’s also encouraging to know that the number of cases on the island is on the decline and that the local vaccination rate is relatively high, with close to 3 out of 4 locals having received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine. For those of you from select European Union countries, you’ll be happy to know that Aruba’s entry requirements are less demanding for you, as long as you’re fully vaccinated. Hopefully, Canada will also be added to that list before long.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a somewhat low 50%-50% probability of rain on any given day this time of year, however even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain much more than 3mm per month, so it’s pretty low risk.
Aruba is currently open to travellers from the US, Canada, Europe and many other places. All visitors are required to follow the Aruba Embarkation/Disembarkation Card process. This includes completing a Covid related on-line questionnaire, verifying you have Covid related Travel Insurance, along with providing proof of a negative result from a certified molecular Covid-19 test within 3 days of travelling to the island. If you manage to show up on Aruba’s shores without a negative test result, you will be required to take a Covid test at the airport, followed by a short quarantine period while you wait for the test results.
Fully vaccinated travellers from a few European countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and Finland, are not required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test. For a full list of countries qualifying for this benefit, please check out the links below.
While in Aruba, all visitors (and locals) must wear a mask in any indoor public space such as retail shops, supermarkets, museums, casinos, etc. Masks are also recommended is public places where social distancing is not possible and where there are no physical barriers, such as plexiglass shields, to compensate for social distancing.
Aruba establishments can be open until midnight (1am for casinos), however dancing in restaurants and bars is currently prohibited. Seating at restaurants is at a maximum of eight per table (excluding children under the age of 12). Public beaches and parking lots are “off limits” to visitors between 7 pm and 5 am.
Once you’re in Aruba there’s plenty of things to do – here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy. There’s over a dozen beaches, with soft white sand, all around the island, many with snorkeling and a variety of watersports facilities right on the beach. Once you’ve had your fill of kayaking, windsurfing and kitesurfing, you can venture inland to explore unique tropical deserts and caves. Get in a round of golf, or for the more adventurous scuba divers, you can experience a wild underwater world. Of course, you can always enjoy time walking and shopping along the colourful streets of Oranjestad!
For information about hiking, snorkeling and other active vacations in the Caribbean, check out our ActiveCaribbeanTravel Adventure page.
Curaçao
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in Curaçao – around 16 per 10K of the population. It’s also encouraging to know that the number of cases is on the decline and that over half of the local population have received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine. A minor inconvenience, but as a good precaution, most visitors will need to take a Covid Antigen test on your third day on the island.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a very low probability of rain (around 30%) on any given day this time of year, and even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain more than about 3.6mm per month, so the odds of rain dampening your day is very low.
Curaçao is currently open to travellers from all over the world. While there are exceptions for a few countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, Hungary, and Poland, general requirements for most visitors are to complete the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card and Passenger Locator Card (PLC) online prior to arriving on the island. The process includes verifying a negative result from a certified COVID-19 PCR-test taken within 48 hours of your flight (or a negative result from an antigen test taken within 24 hours before your flight); along with providing proof of Covid-related medical insurance. Also note that a rapid-result Covid-19 Antigen test will be required on your 3rd day on the island, with the test being scheduled as part of the PLC process. For a full list of countries not requiring proof of a negative Covid test prior to arrival or an Antigen test once on the island, please check out the link below.
While on the island, visitors are asked to socially distance, practice frequent hand hygiene and wear a mask when 2 meters (6 feet) distance cannot be maintained between people.
For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Curaçao Entry Requirements page.
As for what to do at this Caribbean destination, here’s a short sampling… There are over two dozen beaches to relax on, several providing opportunities to enjoy Kayaking, SUP (paddleboarding) and windsurfing. Curaçao’s two National Parks showcase the island’s unique Caribbean desert landscape and picturesque coastal inlets, while a visit to one of the numerous plantations/landhouses offer a glimpse of the island’s past. Curaçao is also home to some of the southern Caribbean’s best snorkeling and diving. There are hiking and cycling trails, as well as caves to explore in Curacao. Let’s not forget there’s a couple of golf courses to enjoy as well. Of course, walking and shopping in Curaçao’s historic waterfront district provides you with a little European vibe.
For more fun and adventurous Caribbean vacation destination ideas, check out our ActiveCaribbeanTravel Islands page.
The British Virgin Islands
There are a relatively low number of active Covid cases in the British Virgin Islands – around 14 per 10K people. It’s encouraging to know that just over half of the local population has received 2 vaccination doses. It’s also convenient that entry requirements are somewhat less demanding for fully vaccinated travellers.
From a historical weather perspective, there’s a somewhat low 50%-50% probability of rain on any given day this time of year, however even if it does rain, it typically doesn’t rain more than around 4mm – 5mm per month, so not a big concern.
Fully vaccinated travellers must be prepared to show proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test result (taken within 5 days of travel), along with proof of Covid related Travel Insurance upon arriving in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Prior to travelling, fully vaccinated travellers must register for a rapid antigen test, which will be taken at the airport upon your arrival.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors need to obtain travel authorization via the on-line BVI Gateway Portal prior to travelling to the BVI. In order 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. All partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will receive an RT-PCR test on arrival. I assume that there is a short quarantine period while waiting for your test results.
All travellers are to adhere to COVID-19 protocols while travelling around the British Virgin Islands. These include relevant physical distancing, wearing masks and sanitization measures.
For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, such as which port of entry you are allowed to use (dependent on vaccination status), please visit the official British Virgin Islands Tourism page, as well as the British Virgin Islands Entry Requirements page.
As for what to do on the islands, here’s just a taste of what you can enjoy once you get there. There’s 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, there are museums and ruins of forts and sugar mills. Of course, there’s always plenty of sailing and rum to enjoy in the BVIs!
FYI – Montserrat, Anguilla and the Cayman Islands almost made our list, however a few conditions need to be improved before they’re included. I’m sure Anguilla will get their peaking Covid cases under control any day now. Once Montserrat increases their local Covid vaccination rate and removes the need for visitors to quarantine, it will be a lush green (although perhaps rainy) alternative. While the Cayman Islands have a relatively high Covid-19 vaccination rate, unfortunately they’re currently struggling with peaking numbers of Covid cases. They also have a quarantine period that makes visiting a bit inconvenient at the moment. All that said, I’m sure these islands will all be near the top of our Top 5-10 list for spring travel – So Stay Tuned!
Now, a couple of disclaimers… Please note that this article was written on October 10th, 2021. 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. Also, please be aware that many local tourism-related businesses have been temporarily or permanently shut-down because of Covid, so again we advise that you connect with local tour operators prior to arriving on the island. This can help set expectations appropriately.
FYI – Some information for this article was derived from the following sources: graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps; covidvax.live; weatherspark.Com; and weatherbase.com
We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to take a trip to the Caribbean!
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First created by plantation slaves in the mid 17th century, RUM has come a long way from its humble beginnings… Originally called “kill-devil” or “rumbullion”, the harsh liquor became a staple drink of pirates, who made “bumbo” by adding water, sugar, nutmeg and/or cinnamon (The first and original ‘spiced rums’). Infamously, the British Navy gave a daily rum ration or ‘tot’ to its sailors – Eventually watering down the rum and sometimes added lime… making “grog”. Fast-forward a few hundred years and now rum is appropriately considered a top-shelf spirit, with premium versions often being compared to much more expensive Scotch whiskies and French cognacs.
While most Caribbean ‘rum’ is still made from fermented molasses (and sugar cane juice froth), a number of French islands produce ‘rhum agricole’ directly from sugarcane juice. Rum is typically distilled in clay, column and/or copper pot stills then aged in oak barrels, usually producing an alcohol content of 40% (80 proof). The type of molasses (light, dark or black-strap), and barrel (whisky and/or spirit) used, as well as any additives (spices / flavourings), will significantly influence the end product’s colour and flavour.
In no particular order (don’t want to start a fight), here’s our view of the best Caribbean rum found in the southern Caribbean, also known as the Lesser Antilles – Windward Islands.
The Rums of Barbados
Bajan Rum has been produced for over 350 years and is generally considered the birthplace of the Caribbean’s liquid gold. Historical records show that rum production on the island was well underway by the mid 1600s, when sugar cane became a major crop of the plantations. Barbados is known for some of the best, and some may say sweeter, tasting rum in the Caribbean – Perhaps it has something to do with the islands’s unique coral make-up, as compared to the volcanic composition of other Caribbean islands.
The big players in Barbados rum include:
Mount Gay Rum Distilleries – Founded in 1703, Mount Gay is generally considered the oldest continually operated rum distillery in the world – Some say that Mount Gay is “the rum that invented rum”. Well known around the world, smooth tasting Mount Gay Rums include the nicely aged Eclipse, Black Barrel (produced in small batches), XO (Extra Old aged for 8 to 15 years) and 1703 (Blend of rums ranging from 10 to 30 years old).
The ‘Mount Gay Visitor Experience’ offers a number of different rum tours as well as a tasting room and gift shop – Enjoy the history and heritage of Bajan rum. The main tour provides some rum-making info and viewing of a number of artifacts, photos and short films. There are then several rum tasting options to choose from, including a ‘lunch tour’ and a ‘cocktail tour’.
Foursquare Rum Distillery had it’s start in the early 1900s as R.L. Seale & Company. RL Seale acquired a number of other rum producers in the latter half of the 20th century, consolidating their portfolio at the Foursquare Distillery, a centuries-old sugar and rum facility.
Foursquare now produces a large number of Caribbean rums including the Doorly’s, Foursquare, RL Seale, SixtySix, ESA Field, Alleyne Arthur, Old Brigand, The Real McCoy and Tommy Bahama brands.
Visitors are welcome to wander the former sugar plantation grounds, now known as the ‘Foursquare Rum Distillery and Heritage Park’. Self-guided tours of the factory and museums are available, as is the warm and inviting tasting room, where you can of course, purchase your favourite(s).
St. Nicholas Abbey is home to one of only three Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. On the grounds of a centuries-old sugar plantation, this ‘micro-distillery’ was (re)born in the 1980s with the purchase of an old steam mill and the full restoration of it’s facilities in 2006.
St. Nicholas Abbey makes a number of fine well aged rums
When you visit the Abbey, take your time and explore the surrounding Gardens and orchids before enjoying the complimentary guided tour of the great house, steam mill and rum distillery. You can then take-part in rum and cane syrup tasting before visiting the gift shop.
The West Indies Rum Distillery has roots back to the late 1800s. With the exception of Mount Gay, the West Indies Rum Distillery has provided base Caribbean rum for all Bajan rum producers over the years. While once famous for their Cockspur and Malibu brands, the distillery now produces the Cockspur, Blue Chair Bay (Kenny Chesney’s line), Kaniche (finished in France in Cognac casks) and Shellback brands among others…
Of course, numerous rum companies around the world use Bajan rums in their “collections”, such as Berry’s, Cayman Reef and the famous Plantation series, while countless others use Barbados rum in their own blends – Most notably, Lamb’s.
For more information on the rums of Barbados, including tours and rum tasting rooms, click on our Barbados Rum page
Jamaica Rum
OK – OK, So Jamaica is a Greater Antilles island, so technically not a “southern” Caribbean island, however we just couldn’t issue our first write-up about rum without showing ‘respect’ to one of the original rum making islands…
Jamaica is home to a large variety of rums – The land of wood & water makes over a 100 different rums… There are dark navy style rums reminiscent of old Port Royal’s privateer and pirate days, there are the currently in vogue over-proof white rums, and of course there are well aged and refined rums with a dry/oaky characteristic. Jamaican rums are known for their unique “funky” flavour – I don’t know about that, they just taste real good to me! From over 10 distillers on the island, here’s a few of our favourites:
Appleton Estates is the oldest Jamaican sugar estate / distillery and has been in continuous production for over 265 years!
Appleton’s produce more than a dozen rums, including some nicely aged varieties such as V/X, a superb 12yr old and a 21yr old. They also make a number of blends (Reserve, Signature and Master) as well as special/limited edition rums.
The ‘Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience‘ offers a visitor center, a small museum, sugar cane fields, and a tour which includes a short film, a guided tour of the facilities, as well as product sampling in their lounge.
Hampden Estate is one of the oldest sugar estates in Jamaica and they believe that “environmental stewardship is the life blood of the distillery” – Here-Here for that! From it’s use of re-cycled steel and water within the facility, to it’s low energy consumption, Hampden is working to become the first distillery on the island with a zero carbon footprint.
Hamden’s signature ‘Smith and Cross’ Navy Strength Rum is a 2 year old blend with a typical Jamaican funk. Other products include Rum Fire (over-proof) and Hampden Gold.
The ‘Hampden Rum Tour’ offers guided outings into the distillery (circa 1753) as well as access to the estate grounds
Worthy Park Estates produces the Rum-Bar brand which includes an Over-proof rum, a Gold (4 yrs) rum along with a Rum Cream
The Money Musk Plantation is one of the island’s oldest sugar estates on the island, currently providing molasses to the National Rums of Jamaica Limited (used by a number of rum producers). The plantation and distillery produce a variety of rums under the Monymusk and Royal Jamaican brand names.
Other great Jamaican rum makers include Wray and Nephew, KRB Lea Jamaica Rums and Myers, among others. Of course, numerous rum companies around the world use Jamaican rums in their “collections”, such as the Berry’s and Plantation series, while countless others use Jamaican rum in their own blends – Most notably, Captain Morgan.
For more information on Jamaica rums, including tours and rum tasting rooms, check out our Jamaica Rum page
For more information on the Caribbean island of Jamaica and exciting things to do there, click on our Jamaica Vacations page
St. Lucia Rum
Located in the west coast town of Roseau, 20 minutes south of Castries, is the island’s major rum producer. The St. Lucia Distillers Company has a store front and factory here. Perhaps not that well-known, St. Lucia Distillers produce some of the best Caribbean rum available, winning dozens of awards from various spirits competitions around the world.
The St. Lucia Distillers produce over ten different rums, including varieties of white, flavoured, spiced and aged spirits, as well as rum based liqueurs/cremes. They offer some excellent aged and spiced rums, along with some great premium sipping rums including their 12 yr old ‘Admiral Rodney’ and special edition ‘1931’ rums. Their ‘Chairman’s Reserve’ amber rum is getting the global recognition it deserves – A great rum at a decent price. They also have a couple of unique tasting Spiced rums made with a local aphrodisiac (Bois Bande) as well as (rum purists – hold your nose) their rum creams that are to die for…
The ‘St. Lucia Distillers facility’ includes a retail store, a sampling room and they also offer factory tours.
For more information on Saint Lucia rums, including tours and rum tasting rooms, check out our St. Lucia Rum page
For more information on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia and exciting things to do there, click on our Saint Lucia Vacations page
Martinique Rhums
To many fans, Martinique is the rum capital of the Caribbean. With over 10 distilleries and close to a hundred different / wide ranging rhums it’s hard to argue. Martinique produces the French “Rhum Agricole” (translated to ‘agricultural rum’ in English) made directly from sugar cane juice, not molasses, and is commonly produced in different (above 40%) strengths. Similar to wine and brandy making, Martinique distillers commonly refer to their rhums in terms of ‘vintages’ or classifications such as VO (>4yrs old) and VSOP (>10yrs old). It’s important to recognize that, unlike a number of islands today, Martinique rhum is made from locally grown sugar cane – In fact, each region’s “terroir” is a big deal, reflecting the place on the island where the cane was grown. Another great thing about Martinique’s distilleries is that most of them are open to the public, offering plantation/distillery tours, along with rhum tasting and storefronts to purchase the rhum(s) of your choice.
From over 10 distillers on the island, here’s a few of our favourites:
Rhum Saint James has been producing rhum since 1765 and is a long time supplier of rhum agricole to North America. Saint James rhums are pesticide free and their ‘carbon neutral’ distillery operations utilizes internal compost as well as recycled liquids/water – Nice!
The Rhum Saint James distillery produces a large number of white rhums (varying in strength), as well as aged rhums (ranging from a 3yr old to a 15yr old), along with single cask vintage rhums.
The ‘Museum of Rhum Saint James’, located in Sainte-Marie, is open to the public and features a museum, distillery tour, plantation, as well as a large storefront with tasting room.
Clément Estate has been around since the 18th century and is commonly known as the birthplace of rhum agricole. The facilities are now famous for the Clément Foundation, focusing on the arts and the cultural heritage of Martinique. Clement produces a variety of white rhums (varying in strength and sugar cane) as well as some aged rhums (ranging from 1yr old to 30yr old) along with VSOP, Single Cask and Cuvée Homère rhums. They also have vintage rhums from the 1950s and 1970s – Yes you’re reading that correctly, 60 year old rhum!
Eclectic self guided tours (with the aid of audio-guides) are available of Clement’s art exhibits, great house, old distillery museum along with the estate’s large Gardens, which is actually more of a Park. There is of course, also a storefront with rhum tasting. Clement’s facilities are less than a 30 minute drive east of Fort-De-France.
Depaz Blue Cane was originally established in 1651, however the Depaz château and distillery were rebuilt after the Mount Pelee volcano eruption in 1902. Depaz Blue Cane Rhum Agricole is made from the unique “blue cane” sugar grown at the foot of the volcano.
Depaz produces a white rhum along with a VSOP, Extra Old, Prestige XO, a Porto Finish rhum as well as 2002 and 2003 vintage rhums.
Located in Saint-Pierre, ‘Depaz tours’ are available of the château, a museum (with a short film) and include a storefront with tasting. A restaurant is also available on the grounds.
Rhum HSE and the Habitation Saint Etienne’s origins date back to the mid 1800s to a 400 hectare sugar plantation, refinery and distillery. The Foudres HSE is the centre-piece of the estate, with it’s architectural structure representative of traditional Martinique buildings from the period.
HSE produces over 15 varieties of rhum, including some whites and aged (from a 12 month blend to much older vintages) rhums as well as well aged rhums finished in a variety of special whiskey, sherry, wine and Port casks. HSE also makes Special Edition rhums and well aged small batch rhums, including a 2003 vintage and a special 1960 vintage. Wow…
Now host to a multitude of public events, ‘The HSE Foudres’ features a permanent art exhibition and rhum tasting room. HSE has also partnered with a local chocolaterie to create chocolate and rhum pairings – taking rhum tasting to a whole new level.
Other great Martinique rhum distillers include La Mauny, Trois Rivières, Rhum Dillon, La Favorite, A-1710, Rhum JM and Neisson.
For more information on the rhums of Martinique, including tours and rhum tasting rooms, click on our Rhum Martinique page
For more information on the Caribbean island of Martinique and exciting things to do there, click on our Martinique Vacations page
Some might say that the best Caribbean rum one can buy comes from these islands, however we would be remiss not to at least mention that fine rums also come from others in the southern Caribbean – Islands such as Grenada (Clarkes Court Old Grog comes to mind), Trinidad, as well as Guadaloupe and Marie-Galante.
…and don’t worry, the more northerly Caribbean islands will have their day as well – Yes, I’m talking about Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Virgin Islands (both USVI and the BVI). Stay tuned for a separate write-up that these excellent Caribbean rum making islands deserve…
For more enjoyable Caribbean reading… check out our The Islands of the Caribbean page – A great starting point for exploring what the Caribbean Islands have to offer!
St. Kitts & Nevis Hiking – Explore Nature while Enjoying Spectacular Views
The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Islands, commonly referred to as “St. Kitts & Nevis” or “SKN”, is a two island nation in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles’ Leeward Islands. SKN are only a few miles from its closest neighbours: Sint Eustatius to the north-west; Barbuda and Antigua to the East; and Montserrat to the south. Regular ferry service connects the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, which are approximately 2 miles (3 km) apart.
The islands of St. Kitts & Nevis are actually the tops of a submerged volcanic mountain range, making it a great place to hike! Combined, the islands have half a dozen mountainous peaks above 1,500 feet (500m), the tallest being Mount Liamuiga on St. Kitts, towering 3,792 feet (1,156 m) above sea level. Covered with rolling green folds of volcanic peaks and lush valleys, more than a quarter of the islands are protected National Park lands. St. Kitts and Nevis offer a variety of easy relaxing nature walks as well as some very challenging hikes, offering something for everyone – If you know where to look. Our favourites include…
The best St. Kitts hiking trails include:
Mount Liamuiga (formerly Mount Misery) – No adventurous trip to St. Kitts is complete without hiking the island’s highest peak. You’ll need 4 to 6 hours for this 5 mile (8km) round trip hike up and down the volcano. The absolute vertical hiked on this trail is just over 2,380 feet (725m), which is a decent challenge for most. This St. Kitts hike is what you think of when you imagine hiking a volcano on a Caribbean island – Trekking through a rain-forest with the trail getting progressively steeper along the way, then reaching the top and being able to peer down into an open crater. This is an enjoyable hike with a constantly varying environment to take-in, including seeing more exposed tree roots than you’ve probably ever seen before in one spot. For a more detailed account of this hike, click on our Mount Liamuiga Trail page
Dos D’ane Pond / Verchilds Mountain Trail – The second highest peak on St. Kitts offers a fairly challenging hike as well, with > 2000 feet (600m) vertical elevation gain, and great views of the island.
“Valley of Giants” Rain-forest Trail – A fairly easy 2 hour loop hike along a River in an amazing rain-forest Valley. There’s also an optional ridge climb for the more adventurous – Enjoyable St. Kitts hiking for sure.
Challengers Village – Bat Cave and Waterfall Trail – The main attractions of this hike are self explanatory 🙂 It takes about about 4 to 5 hours to complete this easy – intermediate level hike.
Southern Peninsula Trail – This unique St. Kitts hike takes place at the south end of the island, providing ‘dry scrub-brush’ terrain with access to empty beaches and spectacular ocean views. A must-do experience for sure!
There’s also a couple of excellent hiking trails on the east side of St. Kitts, including the Phillips Rainforest Trail, the Christ Church Ghaut Loop and the Cayon Ghaut River Trail.
If you’re looking for a longer hike, the Old Military Trail crosses the Island from Romney Manor to Phillip’s Village.
For more information, including hiking guides and tour operators who will get you on the trail, check out our St. Kitts Hiking page
The Best Nevis Hiking Trails include:
Nevis Peak – The feature hike is to the top of the island’s highest peak. The summit of the volcano is 3,200 feet (950m) above sea level. This is a fairly difficult / steep trail taking about 4-5 hours round trip. This iconic hike rewards you with breath-taking views of the islands, the surrounding Caribbean Sea as well as the island of Montserrat!
There is a variety of Nevis hiking trails on the island as well.
There are some intermediate level hiking trails that will give you a decent work-out while rewarding you with great views. They include the Golden Rock Nature Trail; the Devil’s Copper Trail; the Water Source / Waterfall Trail; and Jessup’s Rainforest Trail.
There’s also plenty of more relaxing nature trails on Nevis. They include the Sulphur Springs Trail and Saddle Hill Trail. Other Nevis hiking trails take you through rural villages, to Amerindian sites or plantation ruins. You can bird-watch and you may even get a glimse of a Vervet or “green” monkey along the way!
For more details, as well as tour operators who will get you on the trail, check out our Nevis Hiking page
Now, get out there & have some fun!
ACT Staff
If you’re looking for other exciting activities to experience, take a look at our St. Kitts & Nevis Adventures blog
When you’re not hiking or snorkeling around St. Kitts & Nevis, there’s plenty of other things to do on the Sister Islands, including a Scenic Railway Tour and a visit to Brimstone Hill Fortress. For more ideas for a fun and relaxing vacation, check out our St. Kitts & Nevis Attractions blog
