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Get Out of Your Comfort Zone – You’ll Be Glad You Did

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There are many things to do in the Caribbean. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and try them all - You'll be glad you did!

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.

There are many things to do in the Caribbean - Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and try them all!

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.

There are many things to do in the Caribbean - Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and try them all!


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…

There are many things to do in the Caribbean - Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and try them all!

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…

There are many things to do in the Caribbean - Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and try them all!


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!

ACT Staff

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Top Five Caribbean Islands to Visit this Fall

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Active Caribbean Travel

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

Turks & Caicos beaches from Active Caribbean Travel

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.

Turks & Caicos Watersports at Active Caribbean Travel

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

Aruba Divi Divi tree from Active Caribbean Travel

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.

For more details and specifics of Covid related entry requirements and restrictions, please visit the official Aruba Entry Requirements page and Aruba’s List of Countries Except from Covid-19 Testing page

Aruba's famous pink flamingo tree from Active Caribbean Travel

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

Curacao's European vibe from Active Caribbean Travel

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.

Hiking Curacao with Active Caribbean Travel

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

The British Virgin Islands with Active Caribbean Travel

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.

Sailing the British Virgin Islands with Active Caribbean Travel

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!

For more ideas for fun and adventurous activities in the Caribbean, check out our ActiveCaribbeanTravel Excursions page.

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

Active Caribbean Travel

We hope you liked our assessment and it has motivated you to take a trip to the Caribbean!

Feel free to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ our facebook page for more articles/blogs like this…

ACT Staff

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The Best Hiking Trails of St. Kitts & Nevis

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St. Kitts hiking and Nevis hiking at it's best. Check out these trails...

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:

St. Kitts hiking at it's best includes Mount Liamuiga

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.

St. Kitts hiking at it's best...

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!

St. Kitts hiking at it's best includes the Southern Peninsula Trail

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!

Nevis hiking at it's best includes Nevis Peak

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

For an overview of these beautiful islands, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Vacations page

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8 Fun Antigua & Barbuda Adventures

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Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Awesome Activities Include Snorkeling, Sailing, Caving & More…

Antigua and Barbuda are a Caribbean nation in the eastern Caribbean sea (Leeward Islands), just north of Guadeloupe and east of St. Kitts. Known as the sailing capital of the English Caribbean, Antigua is famous for it’s 365 white sand beaches and excellent cuisine. That said, there are plenty of adventures to make you feel alive, both on land as well as in & on the water!

While vacationing in the Caribbean, it’s always great fun to get off the resort and really explore the island. Antigua and Barbuda adventures are waiting…

Surrounded by protective reefs and outer islands, Antigua & Barbuda offers some really good Caribbean snorkeling, diving, sailing, fishing and water sports. It’s also good to know that there’s plenty of action on the islands themselves as well. Here’s our recommendations for experiencing Caribbean adventures in Antigua and Barbuda…

Snorkel Antigua’s Coral Reefs

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Practically surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, Antigua is a great place for Caribbean snorkeling. Explore Antigua’s clear multi-hued blue waters full of diverse sea-life, including colourful fish, coral and sponges! Discover an alien world that you just can’t experience on land…

Slip into the warm Caribbean Sea and snorkel right off the beach on the island’s west side at places like Hawksbill Bay and Darkwood Beach. There are also some sheltered bays on the east coast that are good for beach-goers to snorkel from.


Antigua’s well known and perhaps best snorkeling site, Cades Reef is just a short boat ride from the south-west coast – This 2 mile (3km) long barrier reef has snorkeling locations like Coral Gardens, School House, Passage and Aquarium. There are also good snorkeling locations in the popular English Harbour area – Here you’ll enjoy snorkeling in the shadow of the Pillars of Hercules, or perhaps over a shipwreck in the protection of Freeman’s Bay. There’s also a 3 mast shipwreck in the shallow waters of Deep Bay near St. John’s. Good snorkeling can also be found via a short boat ride to a few of the off-shore islands near the north-east coast of Antigua.

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today


Of course, no trip to Antigua is complete without visiting Stingray City. While you can snorkel there, the main attraction is having Southern Stingrays swim around your legs. If you’re brave enough, you can even hold one of the gentle creatures – kind of a once in a lifetime experience! Antigua’s Stingray City is located about a mile (2km) from the coast, yet the man-made dock floats just 3 to 4 feet (1m) above the sandy ocean floor. The large 5 feet (1.5m) wide females are very sociable as they swim slowly around, while the smaller males dart swiftly around and through the crowd.

For more information on Antigua’s snorkeling sites, plus a listing of tour/boat operators, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Snorkeling page

Want to see more? Check out our Snorkel Antigua’s Great Bird Island, and Snorkel Antigua’s Long Bay videos on YouTube!

For a more colourful and detailed story on Stingray City, check out our personal experience by reading our Stingray City Antigua blog post.

Sail Around Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Antigua has a long and storied sailing history that dates back way before Horatio Nelson’s famed stay on the island. Today, Antigua’s annual ‘Sailing Week’ attracts dozens of yachts and hundreds of visitors from around the world to Nelson’s Dockyard for the Caribbean’s top Regatta.

For visitors to the Caribbean islands, an Antigua & Barbuda sailing adventure provides an opportunity to experience the islands from a unique perspective. Cruise quietly along the coasts of Antigua & Barbuda with a refreshing cool wind at your back and delightful sights just glide by… See the mountainous south-west of Antigua, as well as the island’s many forts, bays and off-shore islands, across a stretch of gorgeous multi-hued blue waters!

Sailing excursions also provide plenty of opportunities to snorkel and dive along the way. If you’re up to the challenge, you can even join a crew for some races in English Harbour! Of course, watching the sun set from sea with someone special also has it’s charms.

For more information about sailing in Antigua, including boat operators and yacht charters (with or without a crew), click on our Antigua & Barbuda Sailing page

Explore Amazing Caves in Barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Escape the ever-present sun by journeying underground to a world of natural subterranean limestone caverns and sea caves. It can be a bewildering experience venturing into sub-terrain grottoes to witness eerie stalagmites, stalactites and flow-stones up-close and personal. There may be bats in the caves, or even petroglyph paintings on the walls to examine!

Two Foot Bay Cave is a short walk from Barbuda’s pink sand beaches and is home to bats, crabs, iguanas and birds. Ancient petroglyphs can be seen on the cave walls – Amazing!

Journey out from Burbuda’s main town of Codrington to see the astonishing Darby Cave, a massive sinkhole with it’s own forest and plenty of long stalactites. You’ll be in awe.

Hike a couple of miles (3km) farther out and you’ll encounter an amazingly bizarre grotto called Dark Cave. It’s filled with water and you’re sure to see bats and maybe even some of the resident blind shrimp.

For more information about Antigua and Barbuda caves, plus tours operators to get you there, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Caving page

Dive Antigua’s Coral Reefs

Antigua and its neighbouring islands boast over 40 dive sites, some in relatively shallow water and others in the deeper more complex underwater terrain south of Antigua. If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, Antigua is a great place to get started – there is a dive school on the island along with several Dive Centres offering PADI certification.

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Antigua diving provides opportunities to view a diverse collection of coral, sponges, sea fans and other interesting marine life. The island’s reefs are also home to schools of colourful fish as well as eels, lobsters and crabs. Antigua’s south-west coast offers some good coral covered ledges and deep plunging walls to explore along with crystal-clear dive sites in and around the popular Cades Reef area. The English Harbour area has plenty of sunken boulders, rocks and wrecks providing more diverse and exciting places to examine.

For more information on the islands’ dive sites, along with a listing of dive centres and boat operators, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Diving page

Fish the Turquoise Waters of Antigua & Barbuda

Head out from Antigua for some serious Atlantic Ocean ‘deep sea’ fishing to bring in some big game sport fish like Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Kingfish and Sailfish. For the competitor fisherman in you, you can join the annual Antigua & Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournament.

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Barbuda has some more great fishing options closer to shore.  Fish in the shallows for good eating fish like Bass, Grouper and Snapper. If fly-fishing is more your thing, settle down near Barbuda’s Codrington Lagoon and bring in some Bone fish, Tarpon, Snook and Barracuda.

For more Antigua & Barbuda fishing information, including a list of boat operators to get you out there, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Fishing page

Hike Under the Sun in Antigua

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

A great way to experience the natural beauty of Antigua is by hiking one of it’s surprisingly enjoyable trails. The island offers some easy coastal sight-seeing walking trails as well as some more challenging hilly trails. The best thing is… Most Antigua hiking trails offer rewarding picturesque views of the island and Caribbean Sea from hill-tops or coastal vantage points.

There are several popular Antigua hiking trails located near Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, most of which lead to Shirley Heights, one of the best places in Antigua for taking pictures of iconic English Harbour. They include the Carpenters Rock Trail, which passes the remains of Fort Charlotte, as well as the steeper Lookout Trail.

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Monks Hill Trail, with its spectacular view of Falmouth Harbour, as well as Middle Ground Trail which crosses the small peninsula between English and Falmouth Harbours ending at historic Fort Berkeley, are also in the area.

Not to be missed, there are a number of remote trails amid the rolling hills and volcanic features of the rain-forest area called the “Green Corridor” – This quiet area includes the Wallings Nature Reserve, Christian Valley, as well as the ultimate Antigua hiking trail, Mount Obama – The island’s highest peak at 1,330 feet (405m) above sea level.


For more detailed descriptions of our favourite Antigua Hiking Trails, click on our Antigua’s Best Hiking blog post.

For a more complete list of Antigua & Barbuda hiking trails, as well as a listing of hiking guides, check out our Antigua & Barbuda Hiking page

Get On the Waters of Antigua & Barbuda

With plenty of healthy mangroves and numerous beaches, bays and inlets along 100 miles (160km) of coastline, Antigua & Barbuda are ideal for enjoying Caribbean Water Sports. All in the comfortable warmth of the Caribbean sun!

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

There’s some great kayaking available in Antigua’s North Sound Marine Park and the mangrove forests of the nearby off-shore islands. There’s more mangroves to explore by kayak on the south-west coast of the island as well. Probing the island’s tranquil mangrove inlets and lagoons is the perfect speed for sightseeing wildlife and enjoying nature in shallow calm waters. A local guide can show you some native marine life, including sea-grasses, mysterious sea cucumbers, jellyfish and spectacular starfish.

If you have a need for more speed…  Antigua’s east coast trade-winds are ideal for surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing. Same thing holds for Barbuda’s remote crowd-less beaches. You can partake in the action yourself, or just hang around and check out “the scene”.

For a more colourful story about our personal water sports experience, check out our Antigua kayaking-snorkelling-hiking blog

For more information on the islands’ water-sports options, including a list of tours, lessons and equipment rentals, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Water Sports page

Get to Know Antigua by Bike

Antigua & Barbuda Adventures include snorkeling & diving, fishing and awesome water-sports. On land there's cycling & really good hiking too! Plan a trip today

Get some fresh air and exercise while getting to know Antigua better.  Antigua cycling provides great views of the Caribbean Sea and on a clear day, even some neighbouring islands. Ride on Antigua’s scenic coastal roads or cross-country routes, some of which even include some nice hilly terrain. Take an excursion with a local cycling tour operator who knows the island well or even rent a bike and venture out on your own.

Popular regions to cycle on Antigua include areas near the capital St. John’s as well as less busy areas like Devil’s Bridge & Long Bay, Half Moon Bay, Falmouth Harbour, Rendezvous Bay, Darkwood Beach and Jolly Harbour. There’s also the hilly road to Shirley Heights as well as more challenging routes to Mount Obama, Fort George and McNish Mountain.

For more Antigua cycling information, including a list of cycling tours and bike rentals, click on our Antigua & Barbuda Cycling 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 Antigua & Barbuda

For an overview of the “land of sun and sea”, take a look at our Antigua & Barbuda Vacations page

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Under the Radar – The Best Hiking in the ABC’s

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Bonaire Hiking – Hit the Dusty Trails

Bonaire is a small southern Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles, situated about 25 miles (80km) north of the Venezuelan coast, and 50 miles (80km) east of Curacao. The island, along with Aruba and Curacao, are special municipalities of the Netherlands. Safe from hurricanes, Bonaire has a truly amazing climate, consistently warm and dry for most of the year. Famous for it’s pink flamingos, renowned coral reefs and white mountains of salt, there’s plenty of Bonaire hiking trails to satisfy travelers seeking an active vacation.

Bonaire Hiking includes Washington-Slagbaai National Park and much more

Bonaire offers opportunities for some easy relaxing walks as well as a couple of intermediate – difficult hikes. Official trails on the island are all marked with pink stones on the ground!

Bonaire Hiking – Washington-Slagbaai National Park

Perhaps the best Bonaire hiking can be found in the Park at the north end of the island. This 14 thousand acre (56 sq km) sanctuary was the first in the Netherlands Antilles. The National Park has a varied and diverse terrain that includes flat sections as well as hilly regions. Brandaris, the highest peak on Bonaire at 784 feet (241m), is located within the Park.  There are areas of low growing shrubs and trees, dry desert like areas, rocky sinkholes, rough limestone shorelines and some great sandy beaches.  From the hill-tops you’ll get some amazing views of the island, as well as the crystal clear water of the Caribbean Sea…  Plenty of birds, including parrots, flamingos and parakeets can be seen in the park, along with iguanas and many other species of reptiles.

There are three main hiking trails in the Park:

Bonaire Hiking includes Washington-Slagbaai National Park and much more

The Subi Branderis Trail – An intermediate level hike with some fairly steep sections.  The trail is about 2.5 miles (4km) round trip, requiring an hour or two to complete, although you may not want to leave Bonaire’s highest peak – On a clear day you can see Venezuela!

The Kasikunda Trail – An easy / intermediate level hike with a fairly steep region.  The trail is just over a mile (2km) round trip, taking an hour or two to complete.  Once you’ve climbed the volcanic hill, you’ll be rewarded with great views of the island.

The Lizard (Lagadishi) Trail – An easy hike just over a mile (2km) round trip that you can enjoy for an hour or two.  This is a diverse trail with great views, including flamingos!

Bonaire Hiking includes Washington-Slagbaai National Park and much more



While you’re there, check out the Park’s museum and enjoy some off-roading on one of the three main roads that meander through the park. There’s a number of interesting sites to see in Washington-Slagbaai National Park, including salt lakes, animal watering holes, a lighthouse, along with some great rocky coastal views and quiet beaches.

For more information, including hiking guides to show you around the Park, click on our Hiking Bonaire’s Washington-Slagbaai National Park page

Bonaire Hiking – Trails Elsewhere on the Island:

At the north end of the island, south of the National Park and just east of Rincon, you’ll find three more great Bonaire hiking trails:

Montana Trail – This easy 2 mile (3km) hike takes less than two hours to complete.  You’ll climb a small hill that has great views of Goto Meer Lake and the Caribbean Sea.

Bonaire Hiking includes Washington-Slagbaai National Park and much more

Roi Sango Trail – This easy hike includes some sections of the trail in partial shade, covers about 1.5 miles (2.5km). A small hill provides surprisingly rewarding views of the surrounding area, including the sea and some interesting rock formations.

Dos Pos Trail – This easy 2.5 mile (4km) loop trail takes an hour or so to complete.  The trail travels through a rural setting bordering Washington Slagbaai National Park, with views of Goto Meer Lake.

There’s also a couple more trails on the east side of island:

Bonaire Hiking includes Washington-Slagbaai National Park and much more

Bara di Karta Hill Trail – This short easy hike takes less than an hour to complete.  The highlight of the hike is a small (200 feet / 60m) hill with spectacular 360 views of the island – Believe it or not!

Red Hill Trail – This easy 1.5 mile (2km) loop trail takes a couple of hours through desert-like terrain accompanied by soothing views of the Atlantic Ocean.

For more information, including hiking guides and tour operators who will get you on the trail, click on our Bonaire Hiking – Other Trails page

Have Fun (and wear a hat and bring plenty of water)!

ACT Staff

If you’re looking for other exciting activities to experience, take a look at our Bonaire Adventures blog

If you’re looking to explore the island at a more relaxing pace, check out our Bonaire Attractions blog

For an overview of the beautiful island of Bonaire, click on our Bonaire Vacations page