Action & Activities

There are a huge range of action and activities to be found across the Caribbean. Form snorkelling and watersports through to sailing & boat trips, to swimming with turtles. There is fun to be had and you can find our more by reading on.

Snorkelling and Watersports

Even the non sporty will find it difficult not to be tempted to take part in many of activities on offer, from leisurely snorkelling amongst the plentiful tropical reefs to racing along the coast on a jet ski.

The Caribbean is a snorkellers dream. Most of the islands lovely beaches open onto clear, calm waters populated by the most remarkable colourful sea life. And the rich types of different coral make snorkelling particularly rewarding. The marine life offshore is particularly dense and hidden coves reward you with an abundant supply of colour and life – a snorkelling paradise.

Snorkelling on tropical reefs is a great experience if you’ve never tried it, but there are also more active sports like waterskiing and windsurfing. Most waterfront hotels will have watersports on offer and on many islands you will be able to find watersports from relaxing and tranquil to wild and exhilarating! Board sports such as windsurfing, kite boarding, and surfing are very popular in the Caribbean. The year-round trade winds create wonderful conditions for these exciting sports. Windsurfing has been a favourite for years while kite boarding is a hot new sport that is gaining a large base of loyalists. Kite boarding uses a smaller board than the one used for windsurfing. Many adventurous types enjoy the thrill of Parasailing to enjoy the beauty of the islands from a parasail. Or Waterskiing – for those wanting to play in the water! Jet skis can be hired from many beaches also.

Or for a slower pace maybe try Canoeing or Kayaking. There is plenty to do to suit everyone. The Caribbean is well set up for sport in general and watersports in particular.

Sailing & boat trips

A Caribbean holiday wouldn’t be complete without the essential boat trip! Seeing your chosen island from a boat is a real treat and when the boat is accompanied by dolphins or turtles, you will definitely have had the experience of a lifetime.

A popular choice of day trip would be on catamarans which are large and very stable with plenty of seating for relaxing and enough room to walk around and even dance if the mood takes you! The netting on the front of the boat is a great place to sit or lie and soak up the sun.

Sailing is very big in the Caribbean and there are a number of regattas which are worth attending.

You can charter large catamarans and yachts for guided sailing tours. Crewed charter yachts are surprisingly affordable. Often you have a say in the itinerary aboard your very own private Caribbean yacht charter! You can take the helm, help with the sail trim, or simply relax on deck with a rum punch and a good book.

Packages can be booked for an ideal experience for first-time charter guests or for the more experienced sailors! Packages such as two or three full days, including overnights onboard. It's a luxury that can be enjoyed by just the two of you, or you can invite the family or friends to join you.

Scuba Diving

The Caribbean offers some of the finest scuba diving in the world with wrecks and reefs to suit all levels and tastes. The waters are warm and clear and the climate is tropical, so any diving trip to the Caribbean is going to be a memorable one. Each destination has something slightly different to offer and while most islands are very popular with visitors, others still remain isolated. You can even dive with sharks and dolphins in the Bahamas!

There are dive shops on almost all of the islands, so it is easy to set up a dive trip when you are there. If you are not already a diver a ‘resort course’ will allow you to dive while on island (the qualification lasts while you are there). Longer lasting qualifications are also available as well if you want to set aside the time. It is always worth considering ‘referral diving’, in which you do much of the theory at home (thereby not wasting tanning time overseas), but the open water dives in the Caribbean.

Fishing

The Caribbean has some of the best fishing grounds in the world. Saltwater flyfishing is as popular as deep-sea fishing and fishing trips are available to book just about everywhere.

As all of you fly fishermen know, catching fish "on the fly" is one of the most rewarding fishing experiences imaginable and said to be the fastest growing sport in the world, so if you want to experience this sport in such an exotic location – the Caribbean islands are a great choice.

But if deep sea fishing is your passion, then don't miss this opportunity to venture beyond the reef into open seas and try your luck with the big game. Albacore, Marlin, Barracuda and the coveted Sailfish can be found nearly anywhere on the Islands.

Licensed operators on most islands offer full-day and half-day charters with a knowledgeable captain and crew, who know the best fishing grounds in the region. Keep in mind that requirements vary from island to island. Some may require permits, others may have a catch and release policy. Many islands have good year round fishing, while others may have their best fishing from January to April or June. Be sure to enquire about local conditions and policies before booking your charter.

Swimming with Turtles

An experience of a lifetime – swimming with the turtles! Many Caribbean islands are home to a healthy population of hawksbill and leatherback turtles. Once endangered by over-fishing, these fabulous creatures are now protected and monitored throughout the Islands.
In some areas the local fishermen feed and care for them, scraping barnacles of their backs and making sure that their nesting area is safe.

Turtles are sociable and tend to stay in the same area, following a steady routine. So long as they do not leave a habitat, they can be seen playing and feeding along the inshore reefs. In certain monitored areas they have become accustomed to humans and are relatively tame. You can swim with them as they feed amongst the coral.  A good way to do this is with a sailboat tour and snorkeling picnic.

Shopping

From couture to crafts, cosmetics to crystal and smart boutiques to street markets, the Caribbean offers serious shoppers and casual browsers spectacular choice and incomparable bargains. If you want a little something to remind you of your holiday, they've got it – from local honey, rum, pepper sauces and spices to baskets, embroidery and pottery.

Golf

Most of the reasonably sized islands in the Caribbean have at least one golf course, but if you are about to base the choice of holiday destination on the golf then it is important to look out for courses of international standard.

Some are locally built and run, but the good ones have been created by the major course designers and built by wealthy hotels. Generally a round of golf in the Caribbean is quite expensive (usually well over $100), but there are deals to be had, by staying in a hotel or villa (several courses are built as golf and villa estates) attached to a golf course.

Only a couple of the islands have more than a couple of golf courses close to one another, so you will need to choose carefully if you want to play in different locations during a week or fortnight’s holiday.

Horse riding

If horse riding is your passion and you would love to swim with your horse, ride on the beach at sunset or gallop for miles, the Caribbean is an ideal destination for horse riding holidays on the beach. There are beach riding holidays for all abilities from beginner to experienced riders or opportunities to just take a horse riding day trip.

Adventure

Calling all adventure seekers! There's more—much more—adventure in these islands than you could wish for.

Jungles serve up some of the world’s best bird watching; volcanoes make for great hikes; and underwater, there's a whole other universe to explore. Come and experience the best adventures the Caribbean has to offer.

Most recommended:

• Zip wiring through the rain forests in St Lucia

• Hiking with monkeys in St Kitts (the ape variety not the kids!)

• Whale spotting off the Turks & Caicos

• Swim with sharks off the Bahamas