Tag: sailing

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Sail into a gourmet feast with Epic Tours Bonaire

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We went for the sail & snorkel, we’ll return for the culinary delight!

We had been enjoying some snorkeling, hiking and a variety of attractions in Bonaire for about a week when we thought it was time to elevate our vacation with a pleasant sailing experience. While there are several boat operators and excursions to choose from, we went with Epic Tours Bonaire and their “Brunch & Snorkel Catamaran Tour”. We are glad that we did – While we went for the sail and snorkel, we’ll be back for the gourmet brunch!

Our morning excursion started at the “Bonaire Nautico Marina” in Kralendijk, where we were welcomed aboard the “Fly Away” catamaran by Epic Tour’s friendly crew. We left the dock at a decent time, ensuring that we would be the first of the day to snorkel off famous Klein Bonaire, Bonaire’s flat, scrub-brush covered little off-islet. There were about a dozen of us on board, giving us plenty of room to move around the catamaran to obtain a variety of views of the islands and the Caribbean Sea. That said, we eventually settled on a great, padded bench in front of the main cabin, although I occasionally moved to one of the seats at the very front of either end of the catamaran hulls to get closer to the water. One couple lounged on the catamaran’s netting in front of us while another couple settled in with the captain. A large family sat behind the main cabin on a horseshoe-shaped couch. As we got underway one of the crew members offered us beverages while the other was busy in the main cabin preparing brunch.

Once we left the port area, the captain let loose the headsail, allowing the catamaran to be powered by the wind. While it’s always nice and breezy in Bonaire, this morning the wind was blowing hard, churning up the water between the main island and Klein Bonaire a bit more than usual. That said, the ride was super smooth, so we barely noticed the choppy waves beneath us. We moved at a decent pace but were in no hurry. We weren’t on the sea for long before we were greeted by the sight of dozens of incredible flying fish jumping out of the water in front of the boat – The amazing, sea creatures glided for dozens of feet before returning to the water (photo below). What a surprising, wonderful sight that was, especially as we hadn’t even seen a single winged fish on our last trip to Barbados, an island known for flying fish! There was some relaxing music playing at a low volume, giving the journey a nice tranquil vibe. After a relaxing steady cruise, we arrived at our first snorkel stop, on the north side of Klein Bonaire.



Leanora’s Reef is located about a hundred feet or so from the shores of the small islet and is known for its corals, sponges and sea fans in about 30 feet of water, along with the fish and other marine life that call the reef home. One of Epic’s crew members suggested that we first snorkel east into the wind for a while, then drift snorkel back to the boat – Good advice that I followed. Although the water was a tad rough, the incredible underwater world of Klein Bonaire revealed itself as soon as I stuck my face in the water. For over half an hour I snorkelled back and forth between the amazing forest-like area close to shore and venturing out to deeper water where the reef plunges dramatically into the dark, deep Caribbean Sea.

It was a little overcast at the time, so the visibility wasn’t ideal, however, I saw a fascinating assortment of hard lumpy coral structures along with a variety of marine plant life that covered the ocean floor. I spotted plenty of Bonaire’s ever-present parrotfish in their amazing rainbow of colours ranging from white through red-orange to a spectacular variety of blues. I also noticed some blue tang, sergeant majors and a beautiful gold-tinged French angel fish swimming around between feedings on the algae/corals. I also saw a fascinating large multi-hued brown fish on the ocean floor I believe was a checkered puffer fish (photo below). Of course, there were dozens of other fish in a variety of sizes and colours.


Once I was content with my exploration of the underwater world at Leanora’s Reef, I came back on board for some rest and relaxation. While lying on the catamaran’s netting to dry off, I listening to the waves softly washing up on the shore of Klein Bonaire, along with the somehow satisfying creaking sounds of the ropes holding the catamaran in place as we gently bobbed on the Caribbean Sea.




I got up just in time to join my partner as brunch was being served. One of the gracious crew members brought plate after plate of delicious-looking food for us in what turned out to be our own private dining area. While I’m sure that the menu varies depending on what is locally fresh and available, our brunch started off with some plain yogurt sweetened with granola and blueberries, followed by a fresh fruit platter. Then I apprehensively tried the couscous salad – I’m not usually a fan, however to my astonishment, this pasta dish was moist, light and refreshing. We then proceeded to devour samples from the upscale charcuterie board that included nicely seasoned creamy egg salad, thinly sliced savoury beef that was marinated and cooked to perfection, some cheese and other sliced meats, as well as some unique fresh caper-rich bruschetta.

Oh, of course we sipped on samosas and freshly squeezed orange juice throughout the meal. Eventually, I got to try the desserts I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off… I wasn’t expecting much from the pancakes, although the fruit-based Dutch stroop syrup was another delectable stunner – thick and kind of molasses-like, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness. As a perfect finish to the meal, the cheesecake was creamy, light and sweet. It sounds like a lot of food, but when we were done, I wouldn’t say I was overly full, just very satisfied and happy!



Once we completed our feast and the crew cleared the dishes, we were under sail once again. This time we headed northeast to a lovely, remote snorkeling spot off the mainland of Bonaire called Andrea.



Thankfully, the water was much shallower, calmer and clearer for this snorkelling session. WoW, what a treat! This spot has more lumpy hard coral structures as well as some vertical elkhorn-like corals along with an amazing variety of fish – I saw more parrot fish, angel fish and tang, along with several freaky and cool trumpetfish, some grunts, a couple of four-eyed butterfly fish and I even noticed an eel slithering snake-like along the ocean floor.

That said, the highlight of this snorkel had to be seeing not one, but two different types of boxfish! The first one was a small black and white spotted trunkfish, while the second was a beautiful blue species I had never seen before – I believe it was a cowfish (video below). This stop beautifully re-enforces Bonaire’s reputation as one of, if not the top snorkelling destinations in the Caribbean!



Well, all good things must come to an end, so we sailed south back to port to wrap up our amazing sailing, snorkelling and foodie experience. Before the trip was over however, I managed to enjoy some friendly conversation with other passengers as well as the captain. While we may be from different countries, we can all appreciate what Bonaire and this sailing excursion had provided us.

Wow – what a morning – We had such a great time! While samosas, beer and wine were offered, this is no loud party boat. Epic Tours’ Brunch & Snorkel Catamaran Tour is a refined, yet laid back, sailing, snorkeling and culinary experience. This tour is ideal for mature couples and families of all ages. A relaxing easy-going way to spend a morning, and one that will satisfy snorkelers and serious foodies alike! Ahhhhh… Life is Good!

If this sail, snorkel and brunch tour appeals to you, you can contact the friendly folks at Epic Tours directly by clicking on this link –> Epic Tours Bonaire

For an overview of this amazing Dutch Caribbean Island, take a look at our Bonaire Vacations page

For other great Tourist Attractions on the island, check out our Things to Do in Bonaire blog

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

ACT Staff

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A Delightful Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts

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Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay to see pufferfish, sargent major, jacks, wrasse, trumpetfish, snake eel and more

A wicked fast catamaran and a beautiful bay full of life


Whenever we visit the Caribbean we try to get out for a day at sea.  Not only do we not sail and snorkel when at home, but there’s just something liberating about cruising alongside a lush tropical island surrounded by so much blue – from the water and sky. Sailing provides a rare “big picture” perspective of the island you’re visiting and snorkeling allows access to a world so refreshingly different than what we’re used to on land.

While vacationing in Saint Kitts, we arranged to do a half-day sail and snorkel excursion with Leeward Islands Charters, and we’re glad we did.  When we arrived at Basseterre’s Port Zante Marina the morning of the tour, it was a little overcast and the wind was blowing – A great day for sailing. A representative from Leeward Islands Charters helped us get through port security before leading us to the boat we would be venturing out on. Ooooh, what a beauty!  The “Spirit of St. Kitts” as she’s called, is a large 78-foot catamaran with a sleek low profile – She looks fast just sitting in port.

Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran Spirit of St. Kitts

The friendly crew welcomed us on board, along with 2 other couples and a family of 5, for what would amount to a near-private sailing excursion on this spacious sea-faring vessel! With the 5 crew members in place and all the guests settled in the catamaran’s cockpit, we untied from the dock and were on our way. To the rhythmic and soothing sounds of reggae music, we left the port and headed south hugging the beautiful coastline of St. Kitts. The wind was fairly strong and the water was a bit choppy, although you wouldn’t know it because the ship remained steady and level.

Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise


We ventured to the front of the cat, taking a comfortable position on the trampoline/netting to take in the scenery. The mountainous interior of northern St. Kitts initially dominated the view and as we sailed, it became clear that there are very few low-lying areas of coastline with beaches along the western side of the island. Not to be outdone, the southeast peninsula offered equally picturesque views. We passed the beach at Frigate Bay with the famous “strip” of beach bars/restaurants as well as Timothy Hill, probably the best place on the island for spectacular southern views of rolling hills with Nevis as a spectacular backdrop.  We then sailed by the other beaches on the Caribbean side of St. Kitts along South Friar’s Bay.

Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay


We passed some mega-yachts anchored at Christophe Harbour before we slowed and reached our snorkeling destination called Shitten Bay.  What a crappy name (pun intended) for such a gorgeous location.  With 30 plus foot cliffs lining the coast, it’s easy to see why this snorkeling spot is only accessible by boat. Considered the best place to snorkel in St. Kitts, the protected bay is sheltered from wind and waves, allowing the water to be calm and clear – perfect for seeing what’s down there!

Fortunately for us, there was only one other sailboat there when we arrived, and its passengers were almost finished their snorkeling adventure. I was surprised to see how close to shore we ventured before we tied up to a buoy.  The view of the water was like something out of a Caribbean magazine.  You know, that inviting turquoise colour that you just don’t see at home. Peering over the side of the boat I could see the ocean floor about 15 feet down, covered with seagrass along with a row of rocks/boulders in shallower water closer to shore.  Oh, this is going to be awesome.  Not able to contain my excitement (or wait for the kids to get off the ladder), I grabbed some fins, donned my mask and jumped over the side. As St. Kitts & Nevis is not well known for its underwater world I wasn’t expecting too much, however, I was pleasantly surprised!

Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay to see sargent major, jacks, and more

I was immediately greeted by a school of black & yellow striped sergeant majors along with a handful of large silver fish with a yellow strip down their backs that I believe were yellow jacks.  I slowly floated closer to shore leaving the seagrass heading for the boulders. That was a good move, as it quickly became apparent that this is where the sea life hangs out.  I was amazed to see such a wide variety of fish swimming among the rocks. I saw little silver fish, medium-sized brown fish, butterflyfish with their distinctive black dot near its tail fin and a mixture of awesome-looking blue fish that may have been chubbs, chromas and/or tang. I was mesmerized by a small black fish with fluorescent blue dots that appeared to be glowing – Incredible! I also saw some fun-looking bluehead wrasse as well as a number of unique yellow trumpetfish that I thought were cool.

Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay to see trumpetfish

I floated over the rocks slowing heading north where I eventually encountered a coral structure jutting out from the shore into deeper water. 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 quickly left one hiding spot only to disappear again between two rocks. Perhaps it was a snake eel or a juvenile spotted moray. All I know was that was neat to see! I also saw a beautiful but deadly (and out-of-place) lionfish. I must have seen close to two dozen different species of fish in all. After a while, I started to pay more attention to everything in my new underwater world. I soon realized that 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 corals, 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 towards the boat I got pretty excited when I saw a decent sized puffer fish swimming along the grassy ocean floor.  I followed above it for a while, although I could tell I was making it nervous as it sped off to the safety of the rocks. Wow, that was special – Another great encounter

Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay to see pufferfish
Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay to see pufferfish, sargent major, jacks, wrasse, trumpetfish, snake eel and more


When my time was up, I reluctantly got back on board the catamaran, being met by a crewmember who hosed me down with fresh water. Likely to protect the boat from saltwater, I enjoyed it nonetheless, and I got to rinse off my snorkel mask in the process. Once we were all back on board, we had a light (pre-packed) lunch, and then the drinks started to flow.  We sampled some of their grate rum punch – No that’s not a spelling mistake, I’m referring to the fresh nutmeg that was shaved on top 😉.  OK fine, and we more than just sampled the tasty Caribbean beverages – we may have had a few.

The crew carefully motored out of the bay, then 3 if not 4 of the guys were needed to set the mainsail along with the jib.  Just like that, we were off, sailing toward Nevis at a nice brisk pace.

That said, once we hit the gap between the sister islands, we were really in for a treat. Now, with nothing blocking the wind, the cat shifted into high gear and we flew across the ocean at an exhilarating speed! While the water was quite choppy and the occasional crest sprayed over the front of the hull, the Spirit of St. Kitts remained flat and steady – Although I did need to grab something for balance, as I didn’t want to spill my drink. Sitting on the edge of the trampoline, I was captivated by the water rushing beneath the netting. For northerners (like me), it’s sort of like staring at a campfire…


What a marvelous experience – That may have been the fastest I’ve ever travelled under wind power.  I would say that I loved the feeling of the wind blowing through my hair, except one key element is missing for that to have happened – and it wasn’t for lack of wind!  Anyways, all good things must come to an end…  One of the crew asked me to sit down (to avoid getting hit in the head by the boom), as we were about to tack. The catamaran slowed and almost heaved to a stop as we bobbed and turned, then headed back up the coast towards Basseterre with more fantastic views of the island of Saint Kitts.

I can’t imagine a more enjoyable 4 hours in the Caribbean, although I don’t know what I loved more, the surprisingly good snorkeling or the fantastic sail. Thanks to the friendly and professional crew and the awesome boat from Leeward Islands Charters, we got both!


For more information about Leeward Islands Charters, including what they offer for you to experience your own St. Kitts and Nevis adventure, visit their website or facebook page (just click on a link below):

Sail & Snorkel Excursion in St. Kitts & Nevis with Leeward Islands Charters. Wicked fast catamaran cruise to Shitten Bay to see pufferfish, sargent major, jacks, wrasse, trumpetfish, snake eel and more


For more material on sailing in the Caribbean, go to our Caribbean Sailing page.

For an overview of the beautiful Sister Islands, take a look at our St. Kitts & Nevis Vacations page.

For some great Tourist Attractions on the islands, check out our Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis blog post.

For more underwater action, maybe you’ll enjoy our St. Kitts & Nevis Snorkeling blog.

If you’re looking for more exciting things to do while vacationing on the islands, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Adventures blog post for some great ideas!

ACT Staff

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A Beautiful day for Barbados Sailing

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Active Caribbean Travel sets sail in Barbados. Barbados sailing along the west coast cruise plus swimming with turtles & snorkeling a shipwreck.

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.

Active Caribbean Travel sets sail in Barbados. Barbados sailing along the west coast cruise plus swimming with turtles & snorkeling a shipwreck.

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!

Active Caribbean Travel sets sail in Barbados. Barbados sailing along the west coast cruise plus swimming with turtles & snorkeling a shipwreck.

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.


Active Caribbean Travel sets sail in Barbados. Barbados sailing along the west coast cruise plus swimming with turtles & snorkeling a shipwreck.

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.

Active Caribbean Travel sets sail in Barbados. Barbados sailing along the west coast cruise plus swimming with turtles & snorkeling a shipwreck.


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!



Active Caribbean Travel sets sail in Barbados. Barbados sailing along the west coast cruise plus swimming with turtles & snorkeling a shipwreck.

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!

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Top 7 Paths to Grenada Adventure

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Grenada Adventures include great Caribbean snorkeling & diving, fishing, hiking and water-sports plus sailing and golf!

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:

Grenada Adventures include great Caribbean snorkeling and diving, fishing, hiking and water-sports plus sailing and golf!

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.

Grenada Adventures include great Caribbean diving & snorkeling, fishing, hiking and water-sports plus sailing and golf!

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.

Grenada Adventures include great Caribbean diving & snorkeling, fishing, hiking and water-sports plus sailing and golf!

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

Grenada Adventures include great Caribbean diving & snorkeling, fishing, hiking and water-sports plus sailing and golf!

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.

Grenada Adventures include great Caribbean diving & snorkeling, fishing, hiking and water-sports plus sailing and golf!

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.

Grenada Adventures include great Caribbean diving & snorkeling, fishing, hiking and water-sports plus sailing and golf!

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

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Antigua & Barbuda’s Top Attractions & Things to Do

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Things to do in Antigua & Barbuda include historical sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Forts as well as Stingray City. Also enjoy Golf, Sailing, Boating & Nature!

Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Stingray City & So Much More!

Antigua & Barbuda are a beautiful Caribbean nation in the Leeward Islands just north of Guadeloupe and east of St. Kitts & Nevis. Antigua is famous for it’s 365 white sand beaches, excellent cuisine and rich sailing history. When visiting the Caribbean, it’s always fun to get off the resort and explore what the island really has to offer. In Antigua, that means taking-in great tropical views from historic sites and enjoying nature from both land and sea. Of course, there’s also time to fit in a round of golf as well as a visit to Stingray City. For your next vacation to Antigua and Barbuda, may we suggest you…

Visit Antigua’s Best Attractions (on land)

Things to do in Antigua & Barbuda include historical sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Forts as well as Stingray City. Also enjoy Golf, Sailing, Boating & Nature!

Nelson’s Dockyard is probably Antigua’s most popular historical site and a must-see for the history buff. Reminiscent of its 18th-century origins, the humble English Harbour outpost includes a marina, hotel, shops and restaurants. Being around all the ships and history of the area should give you a nice relaxing vibe.

Shirley Heights provides spectacular views of English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour and the Caribbean Sea! Once the site of a military lookout and gun battery, this location is now home to the where you can take the most iconic pictures of Antigua.

Devil’s Bridge is an interesting limestone rock formation on the coast of Antigua. Relentless sea waves crashing against small rocky cliffs has over time created a natural bridge, where sections of the under-pinning rock have eroded away. See the blowholes in action at high tide.

Things to do in Antigua & Barbuda include historical sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Forts as well as Stingray City. Also enjoy Golf, Sailing, Boating & Nature!

Betty’s Hope is a historical site on the grounds of a 17th-century sugar plantation.  The main feature is the remains of a couple of wind-powered stone mills.  One can imagine life back in the day…

St. John’s Cathedral is an impressive church, both inside and out. The large stone & brick structure seen today has replaced the wood building originally constructed in the 17th century.  Just down the street in the town’s oldest building is the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, with exhibits that outline the history of the islands.

Guarding the mouth of the large bay at St. John’s stands the remains of a pair of military outposts.  Fort James on the northern side of the bay is located next to a long beach and still has stone walls and some cannons. Fort Barrington on the southern coastline is located on a small hilltop with great views of St. John’s and the surrounding bays and beaches. Simply gorgeous!

A couple of other Antigua attractions to consider stopping at includes: Cades Bay Agricultural Station, the home of Antigua’s famous ‘Black Pineapple’; and the Humane Society’s Donkey Sanctuary, always fun for kids of all ages.

For more information on Antigua’s attractions along with a list of tour operators who will show you around, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Land Excursions page

Swim with the Stingrays

Active Caribbean Travel visits Antigua's Stingray City - Come swim with the Stingrays!

Meanwhile, in the water, Stingray City is a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience where you can swim and snorkel with southern stingrays in their natural environment. It’s an exhilarating feeling standing in waist-deep water with the large otherworldly fish swimming around your legs. Of course, you won’t forget what it’s like to hold one of the gentle creatures – Their soft, fur-like wings in your hands!

For a more colourful review of visiting the island’s stingrays, check out our personal Stingray City Antigua Experience blog

 

Check out Antigua from Sea

Things to do in Antigua & Barbuda include historical sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Forts as well as Stingray City. Also enjoy Golf, Sailing, Boating & Nature!

The multi-hued blue waters around Antigua is absolutely breathtaking and being on the sea provides a unique perspective of the island.  Appreciate the mainland’s jagged shoreline with its inlets, points and white beaches as well as mangrove forests and multiple off-shore islands.  It’s also the best way to see Antigua’s famous coral and limestone rock formations known as the Pillars of Hercules as well as the coral archway known as Hell’s Gate, up close and personal.  While most of the island is flat limestone, Antigua’s hilly south-west with its volcanic features will really stand out when viewing from the sea.

For a relaxing and enjoyable cruise around Antigua and Barbuda, there are plenty of sailboats available to show you around. To really engage and feel the energy of the sailing scene, time your visit to coincide with the annual ‘Antigua Sailing Week’ which attracts dozens of yachts and hundreds of visitors from around the world to Nelson’s Dockyard for the Caribbean’s top Regatta.

If motoring around the islands in a fast boat is more your thing, there are several motorboat / tour operators that can fill your need for speed. Don’t worry, they’ll slow down for you to enjoy all the attractions…

When sight-seeing from either a sailboat or motorboat, there’ll be opportunities for snorkeling or swimming over a reef / perhaps even a stop at an uninhabited offshore island for a stroll. Of course, watching the sun set from the sea with that someone special is also a unique and wonderful experience.

Things to do in Antigua & Barbuda include historical sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Forts as well as Stingray City. Also enjoy Golf, Sailing, Boating & Nature!

For more information on Antigua’s ocean excursions along with a list of boat / tour operators who will get you on the water, click on our Antigua Sailing and Antigua Boating pages

Golf in a Tropical Setting

There are a couple of gorgeous Antigua golf courses to choose from. The Cedar Valley Golf Club is conveniently located near the capital, St. John’s. This 18-hole / par 70 golf course that plays to 6,157 yards is set within tropical trees and has great views of the ocean.  Set on the quieter west side of Antigua in a slightly hilly parkland is the Jolly Harbour Golf Club, an 18-hole / par 71 championship golf course plays to 5,587 yards.

For more information on Antigua’s golf courses, click on our Antigua Golf page

Enjoy Nature in Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua is home to four National Parks that were established to preserve the island’s cultural and environmental heritage.

Things to do in Antigua & Barbuda include historical sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Forts as well as Stingray City. Also enjoy Golf, Sailing, Boating & Nature!
  • Green Castle Hill National Park and it’s ‘megalith’ rock formations are only accessible on foot
  • Devil’s Bridge (Formerly Indian Town Point) National Park is a limestone rock formation featuring blowholes at high tide
  • Fort Barrington National Park features the remains of a 17th-century hilltop garrison
  • Nelson’s Dockyard National Park encompasses the Dockyard area as well as Shirley Heights, Fort Berkeley, Fort George and a number of hiking trails.

Outside of the parks, there are a few locations known to be great for bird watching.  They include Antigua’s off-shore islands, specifically Great Bird Island and Long Island as well as Barbuda’s bird sanctuary, which is home to the largest Frigate Bird colony in the Caribbean.

For more information on Antigua’s natural attractions along with a list of tour operators who will show you around, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Land Excursions and Antigua Hiking pages

Join the Festivities

Antigua’s annual Carnival, billed as “the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival”, includes costumed parades and music including steel-bands and calypso.  Of course there’s always plenty of food fairs and partying throughout the festival…

The annual Antigua & Barbuda International Kite Festival is held at Devil’s Bridge National Park. Watch hundreds of kites flying and dancing in the wind along Antigua’s rocky east coast.

For a full listing of Antigua’s Carnival, Festivals and Events, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Events Calendar page


Want to see more? Check out our Memories of Antigua video on YouTube!

For a more complete review of Antigua & Barbuda Attractions and things-to-do, along with a list of local Tour Operators who can help you get the most out of your day, check out our Things To Do in Antigua page.


If you’re looking for something more active that will raise your pulse rate a bit higher, check out our recommended Antigua & Barbuda Adventures blog

For an overview of the beautiful and diverse islands, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Vacations page