Tag: Tourist Attractions

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7 Fun Things to Do in Grand Cayman

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Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Caving and enjoying Nature!

Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Caving, Amazing Nature and more…

A British Territory in the western Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are peaks of the massive underwater Cayman Ridge. The Cayman Islands are located south of Cuba, between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Jamaica.

There’s plenty of unique and interesting things to do in the Cayman Islands. Here’s a summary of some of our favourite attractions and activities on Grand Cayman Island.

Visit Stingray City

Not far from the northern shores of Grand Cayman there’s a shallow sandbar where friendly Southern Stingrays hang-out. It’s pretty amazing to stand in about 3 to 4 feet (1m) of water with these gentle creatures swimming around your legs. With help from a local stingray wrangler, you can also carefully hold and maybe even kiss one of the pre-historic animals. You won’t ever forget the feel of their soft velvety skin! There aren’t too many places in the world where you can enjoy this “once in a lifetime” experience – Take advantage of the opportunity when visiting Grand Cayman. Want to see what it’s really like? Check out our Grand Cayman Stingray City video on YouTube!

For more information, including a list of tour operators to get you out there, click on our Grand Cayman Ocean Excursions page

Play a Round of Golf

There’s few better ways to spend a relaxing yet fulfilling day in the Caribbean sun, than by getting on the links for a round of golf. There are two delightful courses on Grand Cayman – Both conveniently located near the island’s capital, George Town. The North Sound Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 71 championship golf course that plays to 6,605 yards and features spectacular views of the North Sound and the Caribbean Sea. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club offers a Greg Norman designed 9-hole, par 36 golf course that’s also set in an amazing tropical backdrop.

For more information, check out our Golf Grand Cayman page

Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Caving and enjoying Nature!

Go Fishing

If you like to spend time at sea, you’re in for a real treat at Grand Cayman Island! Thanks to miles of coral reefs located just a few hundred feet from the island, there’s great opportunities for reef fishing and bottom fishing with plenty of Grouper, Snapper and Jacks to catch. You can also try Cayman Island fly-fishing, bone fishing and even fish for tarpon in Grand Cayman’s protected North Sound. If you’re looking for some of the best deep sea fishing in the Caribbean, look no further than the Cayman Trench – Located roughly 10 miles (18km) from the shores of Grand Cayman, this abyss reaches depths of 20,000 feet (6,000m)! If it’s big game fish you’re after, there’s plenty of Blue Marlin, Wahoo (kingfish), Mahi-Mahi (dolphin), Tuna and Barracuda to challenge your angling skills.

For more Cayman Islands fishing information, including a list of boat operators to get you out there, click on our Grand Cayman Fishing page

Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Caving and enjoying Nature!

Enjoy a Day at Sea

For a more relaxing day at sea, sailing provides you with a view of Grand Cayman from a different perspective. See the North Sound and West coast from the sea to better appreciate it’s gorgeous aqua blue waters and beaches. Sit back and enjoy a quiet sailing cruise and if you’re feeling energetic, there is always warm waters at your back doorstep to enjoy swimming and snorkeling. If motor boats are more your speed, you can easily visit a number of the islands’s shoreline attractions in style. If you’re staying overnight in Grand Cayman, a ‘must see’ experience is to gently boat across the glowing blue waters of the bioluminescence bay. Finally, let’s not forget the opportunity to enjoy a romantic sunset, best enjoyed with an unobstructed view over the Caribbean sea!

For more information, including a list of boat operators to get you on the water, click on our Grand Cayman Sailing and/or Grand Cayman Ocean Excursions pages

Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Caving and enjoying Nature!

Venture Into a Cave

Another unique Grand Cayman experience is to venture underground into a subterranean world full of history and intrigue. Explore limestone caves where eerie stalagmites, stalactites and limestone pillars will captivate you… and watch out for the occasional bat. There are literally hundreds of caves throughout the Cayman Islands – A couple of them on Grand Cayman are open to the public. Cayman Crystal Caves, consists of three caves located beneath a tropical forest on the north side of the Island. Meanwhile, on the south/west side of the island near Bodden Town, Pirates Cave is a kid friendly underground tourist attraction.

For more information on Cayman Islands caving, including a list of tour operators to get there, click on our Grand Cayman Caves page

Horseback Ride Along a Beach

Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Horesback Riding and enjoying Nature!

Ever dreamed of riding along a beach in a tropical paradise? If so, make your dream a reality in Grand Cayman. The island’s uninhabited areas around Barker’s National Park provide an ideal location for riding quiet nature trails and un-populated shorelines. Bond with your well trained horse and wade into the sea for a refreshing dip. You can just ford through the calm and beautiful Caribbean Sea or perhaps try riding bareback while your horse actually swims in deeper water. Either way you’ll enjoy calming views of North Sound and Stingray City. There’s daytime rides, sunset rides and even opportunities to ride at night under a full moon!

For more information about equestrian stables offering guided horseback rides, check out our Grand Cayman Land Excursions page

Spend Some Time in Nature

Looking to slow the pace outside to appreciate Grand Cayman’s natural beauty? If so, you’ll enjoy the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, which features lovely gardens, a lake, a tea house with a wonderful view of natural habitat for birds and the famous Cayman Blue Iguana. If you’re looking to get a little more exercise while you’re getting some fresh air, guided tours are available in the Blue Iguana Nature Reserve’s mile-long forest trail, where you have the opportunity to view the large reptiles in their natural environment. There’s also Governor Gore’s Bird Sanctuary, which has a short boardwalk over a small pond where you can view birds and butterflies, as well as the fresh water Hickatee Turtle.

Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Caving and enjoying Nature!

Then there’s the major ‘nature themed’ attraction on Grand Cayman – the Cayman Turtle Centre & Island Wildlife Encounter. Here you’ll enjoy a number of exhibits and attractions including a turtle breeding pond, a large tank with underwater viewing areas, an aviary (bird) centre, butterfly garden, nature trail and an area that even allows you to swim with the turtles!

There’s also Starfish Point and Rum Point, located on the north-eastern tip of North Sound – A couple of great places to relax away from the more touristy places on Grand Cayman.

For more information, including a list of tour operators to show you around the island, click on our Grand Cayman Land Excursions page

Finally, I’ll also mention the annual Cayman Islands Pirates Week Festival – Participate in the Caribbean’s premier pirate festival and the Cayman Islands’ largest national event which includes parades, costume contests, scavenger hunts, street parties, boat races and more.

ACT Staff

If you’re looking for something more exciting, that will raise your pulse rate a bit, check out our Cayman Islands Adventure recommendations

For our overview of the beautiful and diverse islands that make up the Caymans, click on Cayman Islands Vacations

Enjoy!

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Barbados’ Wonderful Sea Cave Experience

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Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

The Animal Flower Cave and Restaurant

If you vacation on the south-west coast of Barbados like we did, I have to tell you, it’s great to get out and see the rest of the beautiful island.  There’s no better way to see what else Barbados has to offer, than to drive to the rural north end.  While you’re there… I suggest you visit a unique sea cave at the absolute northern-most part of the island.  We were glad we toured this quiet and peaceful area of Barbados and we really enjoyed our stop at the ‘Animal Flower Cave’.

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

In order to reach this somewhat remote location, we traveled on some pretty rough and windy roads, before finally spilling out into a modest dirt parking lot. Upon exiting our car, the first thing we noticed was the breathtaking windswept landscape – As we got closer to the shoreline, more accurately described as a (near) cliff-edge, the panoramic view was spectacular.  Sure, the ocean was rough out there, however the gorgeous blue water was absolutely spellbinding.

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

While there were a number of cars in the parking lot, the place was uncrowded as there is a variety of areas for people to go.  Just a few minutes after buying tickets we were called to the cave entrance along with one other couple.  Our guide took the four of us, one at a time, down a very steep set of stairs into a large cavern. The steps appear to have been carved out of the coral itself, albeit with some cement foundations for the railings.

I suspect we were about 15 feet underground when we reached the bottom of the stairs and arrived at the cave’s first chamber.  There were loose stones scattered about as we entered the fairly large cavern. I didn’t know what to look at first – The cave floor, which was an absolute moon-scape, or the large blue openings that lit-up the cave. The ground consisted of smooth lumpy coral, the result of thousands of years of water constantly flushing the cave.  There were pools of water everywhere, so our water shoes sure came in handy.

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados


Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

Once our eyes adjusted to the contrasting areas of light and dark, we were drawn to the two gaping holes in the cave that opened up to sea.  These natural windows provided an uncommonly surreal view! What a novel experience – Standing in a cavern on the side of a bluff, admiring magnificent views of the choppy Atlantic Ocean and the rugged cliffs along Barbados’ northern coastline. This novel experience warranted a photo-op!  Clearly our guide knows the place well as he directed us to the exact location to stand so that we could get our silhouette photo taken with the cave opening in the background and a pool of water magically in front of us to capture our reflection!  We must have been fairly high up the cliff face, as no waves entered these openings while we were there.

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

After appreciating the sea cave’s windows to the world for a while, we moved on to examine the creature this natural attraction is named after. I’m assuming that some of the pools must be (semi?) permanently filled with water, as that is where the sea anemones, commonly referred to in these parts as “animal flowers”, live.  Aptly named, the small dark coloured worm-like creatures, no more than a couple of inches long, have a number of tentacles at the top of their body, that when extended, resemble the petals of a flower. Apparently these tentacles are used to capture food floating in the shallow pools.  Our guide demonstrated that when you agitate the water near the top of the animal, it quickly retracts it’s tentacles and withdraws it’s body into a protective tube like structure – Pretty cool for sure.  Unfortunately, due to ‘operator error’, I was unable to capture this exotic action on film (err – digital video) ☹

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

After examining the interesting little critter for a while, we walked through a coral/rock passageway into another underground chamber.  This cavern also had an opening to the sea, although this one was lower and flatter than the previous two with a curious looking boulder hanging from the roof of the cave – Sort of like a giant cave tonsil.  This grotto was mostly filled with water. Wading into the large pool, I learned that it starts off on a shallow gradual descent, then rather suddenly drops to about 8 feet deep. With the sun shimmering off the water surface and so many shades of grey in the cave, it’s difficult to clearly see the pool bottom, hence maneuvering around was a little deceptive.  The really awesome part of this cave pool reveals itself when you swim near the cave opening.  What a spectacular view of the sea! Nature’s own hot tub / infinity pool – Such an amazing area, I could have just hung out there all day, looking out over the ocean and listening to the sounds of the waves.

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

The water may not have been as warm of what I’ve experienced at the beach, however the temperature was still very comfortable. As I swam / walked out of the pool, I became aware that the cave floor is smooth like polished stone, but again quite lumpy and uneven. While the cave opening is several feet above sea level, waves do find their way into this cave. I suppose it’s a good thing to keep the water fresh.  Most of the swells entering the chamber were gentle, however right after I left the pool I heard some excited howls. I turned back to see a couple of large surges come crashing in – They knocked a few people away from the sea-cave ‘window’ and into the pool. That would have been exhilarating – Too bad I missed it. FYI – no one got hurt…

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

On the far side of this chamber I noticed light streaming down into the cavern from above. Our guide informed us that on extremely rough days, this surface crack as well as the staircase entrance, can become fairly violent blow holes!  Needless to say, when this situation occurs, the caves are filled with water and the attraction is not open to the public. While there were other small groups down in the cave system with us, we were well spaced out, so we all felt as though we were on a fairly private tour.

Once our subterranean tour was over, we wandered around on the surface for a while.  There were a few souvenir shops offering some fairly unique gifts from the area. I followed a dirt path to the edge of the bluff and took-in the marvelous ruggedness of the northern Barbados coastline. We stood for quite a while, mesmerized by the never-ending waves pounding against the steep black cliffs.  It is quite a dramatic landscape and we were told that when the sea gets really rough, as it does from time to time, the waves slam into the cliffs with a force strong enough to produce a thunder-like sound that can be heard for miles around.

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados

After walking back to the main facility, we took advantage of the restaurant that’s built right on the edge of, practically overhanging the cliff face.  Accompanied by good food, we enjoyed the gorgeous views of the sea and cliffs. For families, there’s a children’s playground as well as a few fenced in areas for goats. Apparently there are a number of pigs and dogs around as well.

Active Caribbean Travel tours the Animal Flower Cave in Barbados


I have ventured into a Caribbean cave or two in the past, however this natural beauty was unique for a couple of reasons.  It’s crazy-wild enough to be underground with natural windows to the sea, however this cave system also has a chamber with a natural swimming pool!  While the facility had a rustic down-to-earth feel to it, on closer observation the place is really well thought out and run, with strategically located above-ground viewing areas and exhibits and the cave guides ensure you safely get the most out of your subterranean experience.

ACT Staff

For more information, click on this Barbados Animal Flower Cave link…

For an overview of beautiful Barbados, take a look at our Barbados Vacations page

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

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

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Jamaica has Great-Houses, Zip-lines, Rum, Reggae & more…

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So Many Fun Things To Do in Jamaica – This Caribbean Island Has It All

The third largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba and Hispaniola, the “land of wood and water” is probably best known for it’s Reggae music & culture, white sand beaches, as well as it’s Rum and Coffee. One of the most popular Caribbean vacation destinations, there’s a diverse assortment of things to do in Jamaica, satisfying travelers of all tastes.

We’ve pulled together Jamaica’s most “popular” attractions. Whatever you’re into – ‘No Problem’, we’re sure that Jamaica has you covered with things to enjoy on your next vacation there.

Great-Houses and Plantations 

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Great-Houses and Plantations

Imagine yourself living in a by-gone era, when large houses and plantations dotted the Caribbean.  If you’re interested in historical buildings and grounds from Jamaica’s colonial days, there’s plenty to see (day and night).

Rhodes Hall Plantation, located just north of Negril, is a 550 acre property featuring horseback riding and a large crocodile reserve.  Believe it – It’s true!

One of the most famous of Jamaica’s Great-Houses, Rose Hall is just east of Montego Bay.  It has an impressive plantation and mansion that you can visit.  While you’re in the area, you can also visit Greenwood Great-House which has a mansion and museum to enjoy.

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Great-Houses and Plantations

About an hour south of Montego Bay you can take a plantation tour at Croydon In The Mountains.  The Barnett Estate / Belfield Great-House is also in the general vicinity, where you can explore it’s mansion and gardens.

Seville Heritage Park is just west of Ocho Rios.  This is the location where Christopher Columbus first met Jamaica’s indigenous peoples.  One the grounds now, you’ll find a Great-House, Museum and Park.  Just east of Ocho Rios you’ll find Harmony Hall House, which provides a typical example of Jamaican-Georgian architectural.  The building now houses an Art Gallery.

Kingston’s Devon House, built for Jamaica’s first black millionaire, is a 19th century Georgian style mansion on 11 acres of property. Yes…  You’ll find a boutique and famous ice-cream parlour there!

For more information and tour operators for Jamaica’s Great-Houses, click on our Things to Do in Jamaica page

Zip-lining (and Bob-Sledding – Whaaaat?)

Jamaica is a very mountainous island after all, so it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of the natural landscape to get some amazing views and some thrills, in the form of high speed or high heights, as well…

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Mystic Mountain's Zip-lines, Chairlifts and Bob-Sledding

Mystic Mountain is a major tourist attraction just outside of Ocho Rios. This 700 foot (210m) high peak is home to a rich forest ecosystem and spectacular views, along with three man-made attractions:  The Sky Explorer Chairlift, Bobsled Jamaica and Zip-lines.

The Sky Explorer is a chairlift that takes you above the treetops providing unique views of the tropical jungle canopy, while the unique Bobsled Jamaica is an amazing 3,285 foot (1km) long sled ride through the rain-forest!  There are five zip-lines on-site, totaling close to 1,600 feet / 500m in length. You’ve come this far – There’s also a 80 foot (25m) long suspension bridge to walk across.

A number of other Adventure Parks on the island also offer zip-lining, along with other activities.  This includes Chukka’s Caribbean Adventures; Chukka’s Falls Flyer (over Dunn’s River Falls); Chukka’s Zipline Canopy at YS Falls; Chukka’s Montpelier Jungle Outpost; Chukka’s Good Hope Estate as well as H’evan Scent Zip-Line. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Jamaica, these places are all great.

For more information, including tour operators who can get you in the treetops, check out our Jamaica Land Tours page

Reggae Related Sites

Over the past 50 years, Jamaican legends have been a huge musical influence to the world.  You can feel the vibes and pay your respects at a number of memorials and museums on the island.

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh Museums

The small town of Belmont, about an hour east of Negril, is the birthplace of Peter Tosh and home to his memorial.

The birthplace of Bob Marley is in a town called Nine Mile.  The Bob Marley Centre and Mausoleum / Tour can be found there, about an hour south-west of Ocho Rios.

For more formal, albeit commercial places to visit, Kingston is the place to go.  There you will find the Bob Marley Museum, the Peter Tosh Museum as well as the Trench Town Culture Yard Museum. For Reggae lovers, these places have to be on your list of things to do in Jamaica.

For more information, including tours of the above mentioned places, check out our Jamaica Land Tours page

Jamaican Rum Tours

As one of the originating sources of rum in the world, no trip to Jamaica is complete without visiting one of their fine distilleries.  While there are a number of active distilleries on the island producing dozens of different rums, there’s only two offering tours:

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Appleton Estates and Hampden Estates Rum Tours

Probably one of the world’s most recognized names in rum, the Appleton Rum Distillery is located in the east end, near the centre of the island.  There you’ll find the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience which includes a cinema, interactive guided tour of the Estate and rum making process as well as hosted tasting.  They also offer a lounge and gift shop.

The environmentally friendly Hampden Sugar Estate is located less than an hour east of Montego Bay.  Their Rum Tour includes a visit into their distillery to learn about the rum making process and to taste their award winning rums. You’re also free to explore the picturesque grounds surrounding the Hampden Great House.

For Caribbean rum lovers, these places have to be on your list of things to do in Jamaica. For more information on local rums and local tours operators who offer rum tours, click on our Jamaican Rum page

Gardens and other Natural and Cultural Areas

Once you leave your resort, it’s not hard to find Jamaica’s natural beauty – Related attractions are all around the island, including:

Barney’s Hummingbird Garden just south of Negril has a nice flower garden designed to attract hummingbirds.

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary just south-west of Montego Bay is a country garden featuring hummingbirds and small tropical birds.

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Nature Parks and Gardens

Ocho Rios is home to the Shaw Park Botanical Gardens and Waterfalls, as well as Turtle River Falls & Gardens, also known as the The Enchanted Gardens.  Here you’ll enjoy a beautiful river gorge setting with several waterfalls, ponds and nature trails to see plants and birds.

Just outside Ocho Rios you’ll find the amazing Kokono Falls and Park as well as the Cranbrook Flower Forest, which has trails through a forest and gardens, as well as a museum in an old mill.

If Jamaica’s slavery-days are of interest, you can visit the Charles Town Museum and Maroon village at the east end of Jamaica, near Port Antonio.

When it comes to rugged natural beauty, there’s no beating the views of/from the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, located at the east end of the island.  Jamaica’s only National Park covers over 100 thousand acres which includes the Holywell Recreational Park, just north-east of Kingston.  Holywell Park offers a Coffee Tour as well as a Coffee and Nature Walk.

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Blue and John Crow Mountains, Holywell Park and Coffee Tours

If coffee is your thing, the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, about an hour east of Kingston, offers tours of the island’s largest facility that produces the world famous Blue Mountain Coffee.

Within Kingston you can visit the Hope Botanical Gardens & Zoo as well as Emancipation Park – A Natural oasis in the city, representing the symbol of Jamaican ‘freedom to hope, to excel and to be’.  Not far outside Jamaica’s capital you can also find Castleton Botanical Gardens, with view overlooking the city, as well as Cinchona Botanical Gardens.

For tour operators who can get you to these amazing spots, check out our Things to Do in Jamaica page

Places to See and be Seen – Ya Mon

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Cliff Diving at Rick's Cafe and the Hip Strip / Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay

Rick’s Cafe in Negril’s West End, is a popular tourist spot, where you can watch, and/or participate in, cliff diving.  The Cafe is located near steep cliffs 30plus feet above the sea.

Montego Bay’s Gloucester Avenue is known as the “Hip Strip” and is home to more than 60 shops and 35 bars and restaurants. Nuff Said!

For the History Buff

Port Antonio is home to the remains of Fort George and the Titchfield Cannons.

As fans of the Caribbean, you likely know that Port Royal played an important role in the development of the entire Caribbean.  You also probably know that most of the old port fell into the sea many years ago.  However, just south of Kingston, the 17th century fort Fort Charles remains mostly intact and is open to the public. If you take your Caribbean history seriously, this place has to be on your list of things to do in Jamaica.

Colbeck Castle, located about 45 minutes west of Kingston, is the remains of a 17th century English castle – Who knew?

Just outside of Kingston, White Marl Taino Midden & Museum displays indigenous artifacts.

The remains of 18th century aqueducts can be found at an old sugar plantation at Bushy Park (less than an hour west of Kingston) and at the University Of The West Indies – Mona in the east end of Kingston.

Honourable Mentions

It’s also worth mentioning a few, relatively obscure things to do in Jamaica.  They include:  Taking a pontoon boat safari up the Black River;  Visiting the Pelican Bar, a rustic bar built on a small chunk of coral off the south-west coast of the island; and taking a dip in Falmouth’s Luminous Lagoon – The waters contain microorganisms called dino-flagellates which glow green at night when agitated.

Enjoy!

Things to do in Jamaica include Tourist Attractions like Great-Houses and Plantations Black River Safaris, the Pelican Bar and the Luminescent Bay

ACT Staff

You can find more attractions and Tour operators to get you there by clicking on our Things to Do in Jamaica page

If you’re looking for a more active vacation in Jamaica including River Rafting, Hiking, Playing Golf, Biking and Caving, check out our Jamaica Adventures blog for more great ideas!

For an overview of the land of wood and water, take a look at our Jamaica Vacations page

For a video collage of Some of the Fun Things to Do in Jamaica, check out our YouTube video (by clicking the highlighted link)

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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

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Why Grenada is our #1 Caribbean vacation destination right now

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Visit Grenada to escape a long COVID winter

If you’re thinking about escaping the cold and grey winter for a warm and sunny Caribbean vacation the next month or so, I’m sure you’re not alone.  But let’s be honest, we’re probably all just a bit hesitant to travel anywhere right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both from a personal health concern, as well as having to deal with the associated restrictions imposed on the travel industry right now.

Visit Grenada to escape a long COVID winter

For me, it’s a mental tug-of-war…  Should I travel or not?  I really want to spend time outdoors feeling the warmth of the Caribbean sun, but I don’t want to get sick and be a risk to others. Well, one thing is for sure – If I’m going to get on an airplane during this pandemic, the destination better be worth it 😉!

Things to do in Grenada

Thinking about the Caribbean, one island stands out to me right now – Grenada! The Spice Island has always attracted me with its uncrowded natural beauty and a long list of fun and exciting things to do.  Yes, Grenada has dozens of wonderful sandy beaches, however I’m looking to experience another tropical hike to one of the island’s many waterfalls, and snorkel the warm Caribbean sea where I can see a unique underwater sculpture park. I would also like to visit Grenada’s historical sites, chocolate factories and a rum distillery or two!

I’ve done my research of the Caribbean, and from a Covid-19 perspective, there are a number of things about Grenada which makes it very attractive right now.  First of all, the island has one of the lowest numbers of Covid-19 cases (*1) in the Caribbean and secondly, Grenada is doing a great job in outlining their travel guidelines in a clear and easy to understand way. They even have a cool Grenadian name for it – Pure Safe Travel.  I’m impressed with how professional everything appears to be managed. It’s also nice that there are direct flights to Grenada from Toronto (my home airport) right now. [UPDATE Feb. 5 2021 – Canada has essentially banned travel to the Caribbean for a while, however Grenada will be my first choice once we can travel again].

One of my favourite aspects about an early 2021 Grenada vacation is that tourists are allowed to enjoy what the island has to offer, once we successfully pass an on-island PCR test after an initial 4-day hotel quarantine.  I love to explore Caribbean islands, enjoying tourist attractions and experiencing local adventures – The last thing I want is to be stuck at the hotel for the whole vacation.  Staying safe in Grenada is made easy with the Ministry of Health’s approved “Pure Safe Accommodations” list – We’re talking over 50 places to stay on the island, including hotels, villas, cottages, resorts, lodges, and even apartments.

The Grenada Authorities has also provided a list of “Pure Safe Attractions” and another list of “Pure Safe Tourism Services”.  Visitors can experience everything from a chocolate factory/store, rum distillery, spice/flower gardens and estates as well as nature/forest reserves.  There are also national parks with waterfalls along with historic Fort Frederick.  For the more adventurous (like me), there’s snorkeling & diving, kayaking, stand-up-paddle-boarding, water-skiing, wakeboarding/tubing, sailing, and boating as well as golfing to be enjoyed.

Things to do in Grenada

Of course, just like the rules you probably have at home, every visitor to Grenada is expected to comply with local COVID-19 related regulations when in public places – This includes wearing a facemask, practicing physical distancing along with plenty of hand washing/sanitizing.  Here are some of the things visitors to Grenada can expect with the current COVID-19 regulations.

  • Obtain a Pure Safe Travel Certificate in order to visit Grenada
  • Provide results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test 3 days before travel to the island
  • Show proof of a 7-day (or more) reservation at an approved Pure Safe Accommodation
  • Download Grenada’s contact tracing app and register prior to travel (Currently only available for Samsung users / iPhone users are currently exempt from this requirement)
  • Undergo a health screening on arrival (symptom review, temperature checks, and testing if deemed necessary)
  • Undergo an on-island PCR test on day 4 of your visit. This allows you to enjoy more of what the island has to offer (Day 1 starts the day after your arrival in Grenada)

For more detailed information about Grenada’s COVID-19 requirements, please carefully review the instructions found at the Grenada Ministry of Health’s official website:

https://www.gov.gd/

This website also includes the links you’ll need to fulfill all travel requirements to enter Grenada.


For a more detailed look at ‘Pure Grenada’, along with fun ideas for things to do on the islands, take a look at our Grenada Vacations page

For more of what the Caribbean has to offer, check out our Caribbean Excursions page…

If you’re looking for the best Caribbean island to experience your favourite outdoor activity, check out our Caribbean Adventures page.

ACT Staff

(*1) Reference:  Worldometers’ COVID-19 data. As of January 9th 2021, Grenada is one of the 2 or 3 major Caribbean islands with the fewest number of COVID-19 cases and is one of the safest countries globally as well.

  • #197 of 220 countries worldwide – For quantity of active cases
  • #161 of 220 countries worldwide – For quantity of active cases relative to population