Tag Archives: Bahamas-New Providence

Bahamas, Exumas
Bahamas, Bahamas-Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas-New Providence, Bahamas-Out Islands, Caribbean, Play, Trip Ideas

Bahamas Wade-In Snorkel Beaches

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With hundreds of miles of reefs, rocks and beaches scattered across some 700 islands, there’s no shortage of great snorkel sites in the Bahamas. Some are remote and difficult to reach; others will require a boat ride. But there are also a number of prime fish watching venues that lie just off popular beaches, and within close proximity to a waterfront resort. Here are five of our favorite island destinations where you can go right from the sand to the reef.

Love Beach, New Providence Island

The best place for nearshore snorkeling on the island of New Providence isn’t from the resorts at Cable Beach or Paradise Island, but instead can be found a few miles to the west at Love Beach. Getting there is easy by either public bus or rental car, but you’ll have to know the local ropes to gain access to the water, as this beach is flanked primarily by private homes. Guests of Compass Point Beach Resort have walk-on proximity, while day- trippers can pay a modest fee at nearby Nirvana Beach Club to gain entry, and enjoy changing facilities. From either starting point, the best area for snorkeling is toward the western end of the beach, where coral-covered rock ledges run closer to shore. Blue tangs and yellow-and-blue striped grunts hover in the shadows of overhangs, while the more gregarious yellowtail snapper will often approach. The sandy patches between the rocks hold conch and starfish, and keen-eyed snorkelers may spot the antenna of a spiny lobster hiding deep in a crevice.

Deadman’s Reef, Grand Bahama Island

Come for the day, or book a stay. Either option places you next to Grand Bahama’s favorite snorkeling destination: Deadman’s Reef. The reef lies just offshore of Paradise Cove Beach Resort, which is a 15-minute drive west of Freeport. The resort sits on an otherwise deserted stretch of beach, and in addition to snorkeling, offers a range of day-at-the-beach diversions for both the active and the just relaxing. Right from the sand, snorkelers wade into clear water that is usually calm, and swim less than 100 feet to the start of the reef. Usual sightings include angelfish, barracuda, colorful parrotfish and rays, plus the chance of a sea turtle. To add an extra element to the swim, you can rent a motorized sea scooter that will propel you along the reefs like James Bond.

Small Hope Bay, Andros

Andros is the largest and wildest island in the Bahamas, and home to some of the island nation’s most diverse diving and snorkeling adventures. Some take place from boats, but others await right off the beach. A long-time favorite starting point, and one of the island’s few full-service resorts, is Small Hope Bay Lodge. Snorkel adventures begin right at the resort beach, where guests can wade in to discover schools of tropical fish holding in the shadows of the resort dock. A bit farther out, a series of patch reefs provide hours of exploration. For a truly unique snorkeling adventure, sign up for a half-day inland trip to a pair of freshwater blue holes that includes a walking tour of forests where medicinal plants and more than 50 varieties of orchids thrive.

Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island

Harbour Island’s famous pink beach is among the prettiest in the Bahamas, and just offshore lie some equally enchanting coral grottoes. Because this beach faces the open Atlantic, conditions aren’t always favorable for snorkeling. But when the surf is down, those willing to fin their way 50 to 100 yards from shore will encounter a maze of coral heads cut by deep channels, tunnels and hidden grottoes. Fish flit in and out of hidden recesses, while sunlight dapples groves of Elkhorn coral. It’s a magical scene, whether you remain on the surface, or dip down into one of the recesses for a closer look. For immediate access to the beach, you can stay at the top- rated Pink Sands Resort, which perches on a bluff overlooking the beach, and is just a short stroll away from the Dunmore Town waterfront.

Harbour Island Snorkeling, Bahamas Out Islands

The east coast of Harbour Island is flanked by an expansive fringing reef offering numerous swim-throughs and coral grottoes. These sites are best visited when seas are calm. Photo: Shane Gross/iStock

Stocking Island, Great Exuma

There are several spots along the shores of Great Exuma Island where reefs come close to shore. Some of the best are on the east side of Stocking Island, which is either a short ferry ride away from George Town, or a few steps from the front porch of cottages such as the Kevalli House. The eastern shores of the island are punctuated by caverns and caves that delve into the underlying limestone strata of the shoreline. Just offshore, coral gardens rise from depths of ten feet or less, providing shelter for a variety of colorful tropical fish. Another good right-from-the-beach option a few miles to the north is Three Sisters Beach, so named for the trio of rock outcroppings that lie within swimming distance of the shore. The Exuma Palms Hotel is the place to stay at Three Sisters. As compared to some of the newer, high-end resorts that have sprung up mid island, it’s smaller and reminiscent of a simpler time, offering clean, comfortable accommodations at a reasonable rate, with a first class restaurant, a magnificent beachfront location and a range of available water sports.

 

Cancun Mexico
Bahamas-New Providence, Cancun, Caribbean, Mexico, Plan, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Best Caribbean Islands for Singles

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For most Caribbean marketers, couples and families are the focus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go there solo. Where you go depends on whether you want some quiet and solitude or because you’re single and looking. If you’re going to get away from office insanity and clear your head, go someplace with a lot of activities you can pursue solo; Aruba, Belize and Jamaica come to mind. On the other hand, if you’re looking to go have single fun with other likeminded travelers, here are the hot spots where you can meet and mingle.

New Providence/Nassau

In part because it’s so close to the U.S. mainland, Nassau attracts a lot of short-stay visitors and guys/girls road trip traffic, flying in on short notice with little more than a carry-on and an urge to play. Plenty of singles also come off the cruise ships almost every night. Downtown Nassau has an active club scene; you’ll want to check out Club Waterloo, a high-energy dance club that occupies a former lakeside mansion. A mile to the west, the sprawling Club Luna complex offers multiple bars, dance floors and an open “street party.” Across the bridge on Paradaise Island, the mega-resort Atlantis is home to the upscale Aura, while a far more local and informal vibe permeates the beachside digs at Nirvana, located on the island’s northwest coast overlooking Love Beach.

St. Thomas

Like Nassau, St. Thomas gets a lot of overnight cruise ship traffic, and plenty of singles party in Charlotte Amalie. Just ducking into one of the rum shops or bars along the waterfront strip is a good place to start. You never know who will be sitting on the bar stool next to you. If serendipity isn’t working, you can hit up Starz in the Havensight Mall next to the cruise docks for some DJ-driven dancing. If you’re looking for something a bit more low key to start or taper off the evening, try the wine and chamagne bar at Epernay in Frenchtown. Hop a taxi for a ride to Iggies at Bolongo Bay. This beachfront bar puts your toes right in the sand and is always a good time with occasional live music, weekly beach barbecues and karaoke. More than one evening here has ended in an impromptu midnight swim.

Cancun

It’s hot in Mexico, and Cancun is the king of Caribbean party towns. If you missed Spring Break, this is your makeup exam, because Cancun is pretty much Spring Break year-round. The downtown area does have some clubs, but most of the action is on the long arm of land that embraces the Nichupté Lagoon in front of the city. This place was custom-built by the Mexican government for partying, and it doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find young singles from all over the southern and western U.S. thronging clubs along the strip. If you have a desperate desire to dance in soapsuds, you’re in luck. Foaming is one of Cancun’s signatures. The big names are Coco Bongo and The City—which can host up to 5,000 revelers simultaneously—or you can head over to the original Señor Frogs.

Jost Van Dyke Foxys, biggest parties in the caribbean
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Central America, Honduras, Play, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Trinidad & Tobago, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Biggest Parties in the Caribbean

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Some say that just being in the Caribbean is a cause for celebration. True, but there are also times when crowds come together to escalate the revelry and dance like there’s no tomorrow. Here are seven of our favorite Caribbean parties. Mark your calendar.

New Year’s Eve at Foxy’s Bar on Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

It’s the Caribbean’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration. Jost Van Dyke is a ferry ride away from Tortola, St. Thomas or St. John—sorry, there’s no airport or helipad, and no large hotels. The rest of the year, the island is sleepy, but for what Foxy’s calls Old Year’s Night. The limited supply of villas and beachfront campsites start to book up the preceding summer, and the anchorages fill up days in advance. For many, the play is to stay up and greet the dawn, then catch a morning ferry out. As for the party itself, it’s an all-night rager, fueled by painkiller cocktails and live reggae.

Carnival on Trinidad

Locals start hand-sewing their feathered and beaded costumes a year in advance. The two-day event takes place on the Monday and Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday and is preceded by days of elaborate pre-parties known as fetes. The energy is infectious thanks to nonstop soca music (think calypso, but faster). Anyone willing to flaunt their stuff can join the parade by signing up with a band and purchasing a costume, which can run from $250 on up. In a nod to the digital age, fete tickets, costume orders and band registration can even be made online.

Sunjam on Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras

It’s one night only of all-night dancing, light shows and electronica music, held the first weekend of August. Started in 1996 as a free party organized by former island resident and house DJ Alun Gordon, the festival now draws around 1,500 die-hard fans, who must first make their way to the Honduran island of Utila by plane or ferry. The party is actually on the satellite island of Water Cay (uninhabited and ideal for camping the rest of the year), and local fishermen provide transport. The crowd is mainly twenty-somethings and the vibe backpacker, but all are welcome.

St. Patrick’s Day on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Seven flags have flown over St. Croix—none Irish—but that doesn’t mean the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in downtown Christiansted are anything short of epic. Most locals take the day off work; quite a few start the morning with Irish car bomb shooters. Pacing matters. The streets are shut for the parade that starts midday, followed by an outdoor after-party with live music sponsored by the Fort Christian Brew Pub.

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

Four days, four nights and more than 200 boats from 32 countries. It adds up to the Caribbean’s largest regatta, held annually in early March since 1980. Bring your own boat, charter one or grab a slot on a pick-up crew. Otherwise, watch from a beach or spectator vessel. The finish line is just the beginning, as Apres Sail parties become warm- ups for nightly concerts that feature big-name artists and draw huge crowds to match. Past performers include Wyclef Jean, Shaggy and The Black Eyed Peas.

Junkanoo on Nassau, Bahamas

Junkanoo, a loud and lively street parade, happens throughout the Bahamas—and beyond in places like Key West, Florida—on Boxing Day (December 26) and again on New Year’s Day. The biggest celebration is on Nassau, where troops costumed in intricate crepe-paper creations compete for top honors as they move down Bay Street to the incessant rhythm of cowbells, goat-skinned goombay drums, whistles and brass. The action, known as a rush-out, gets started around 2 a.m. and continues on into midmorning. The crowd gets in on the action, and spectators soon become revelers.

Full Moon Parties at Bomba’s Shack on Tortola, British Virgin Islands

The mushroom tea isn’t as potent as it used to be, but that’s good—it’s easier to locate your dinghy come night’s end. The full moon parties at Bomba’s Shack, found on Cappoons Bay on Tortola, have a history dating back decades, explaining why sizable crowds appear every month for the live music. The place has a street-party feel thanks to a flow of revelers who spill from the beach and open-air bar to the grass on the other side of the dirt road where the stage stands. The average partygoer is mid-30s to 40s, and likely to come off a boat. These folks tend to party hard, and the rowdiness lasts well into the wee hours.

Little Cayman Beach resort, The Best Caribbean Resorts For Diving and Relaxation
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Central America, Cozumel, Curacao, Honduras, Mexico, Stay, Trip Ideas

Sun, Sand, Scuba: Six Best Caribbean Dive Resorts

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Divers crave clear waters and colorful reefs. But while the most dedicated scuba fanatics may be willing to compromise on above-water amenities to gain proximity to the best sites, most vacationing divers want to surface to something more. The good news is that there is no need to sacrifice topside pleasures to gain underwater treasures. Some of the best islands in the Caribbean for scuba divers are also home to premier waterfront resorts that don’t ignore the rest of the vacation experience. Here are some of my favorites, based on my 20-plus years of diving the Caribbean.

Bonaire

Captain Don’s Habitat

Bonaire is home to a number of dive-centric waterfront resorts, and for nearly 40 years, Captain Don’s Habitat has remained among the island’s best. Its namesake founder was one of the first to promote scuba tourism in the Caribbean, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Bonaire Marine Park. What started as a modest shoreside lodge has kept pace with the times, and now includes a series of attractively landscaped oceanfront rooms and villas, perched on a low rock bluff overlooking Kline Bonaire. Rum Runners, the property’s open-air cliffside restaurant, delivers memorable meals and dramatic water and sunset views. The only thing lacking is a beach, but most guests gladly exchange this for the convenience of stepping from the resort pier to one of the island’s favorite reefs. A fleet of well-maintained dive boats take advantage of the resort’s mid-island location to provide quick run times to many popular sites.

Alternate: The Plaza Resort is a larger resort complex situated on a white-sand beach just south of the town of Kralendijk. Toucan Diving is located on the premises.

Curacao

Lions Dive & Beach Resort

Lions Den, caribbean dive resorts

Lions Dive & Beach Resort is home base for the island’s largest dive operation, providing guests with an easy walk from room to boat, as well as a fine swimming beach. Photo: Walt Stearns

The clear waters of Curacao are ideal for both shore and boat diving. Most of the latter takes place along the islands southeastern shore, and the boats from Lions Dive & Beach Resort are the best choices to reach these sights. Located adjacent to the Curacao Sea Aquarium and less than two miles from downtown Willemstad, this property houses not only the island’s premier diving service, but also a spa and the island’s most popular waterfront bar and eatery: Hemingway’s. During surface intervals, guests can spend time on the private palm-fringed beach, or head into town to stroll the waterfront and nosh at open-air cafes.

Alternate: A bit to the west, the Sunscape Curacao Resort is an all-inclusive with a wide range of activities and a private beach. It’s walking distance to popular Mambo Beach and serviced by a satellite facility of Lions Dive.

Cayman Islands

Little Cayman Beach Resort

Little Cayman Beach Resort, Palapa

Little Cayman Beach Resort overlooks a quiet stretch of beach on the island’s south coast, with dive boats leaving from the on-site dock. Photo: Beth Watson/Little Cayman Beach Resort

The Cayman Islands are famous for clear waters and lively reefs. The most discriminating divers head for remote Little Cayman, home to the famed underwater landscapes of Bloody Bay Wall. With a resident population of less than 200, Little Cayman is a puddle-jumper flight and a world away from the bustle of Grand Cayman. A single road circles the island to connect a handful of small lodges, and not much else. The premier property for mixing diving and beach time is Little Cayman Beach Resort, which overlooks a solitary stretch of palms and sand that is the stuff of postcards. Diving is the focal point of resort life, with shoreside activities trending towards a casual bicycle ride or time in a hammock.

Alternate: For a more upscale and cosmopolitan take on the Cayman Islands’ diving scene, skip the commuter flight and stay on Grand Cayman. Check into the Westin Grand Cayman on Seven Mile Beach, which is serviced by Red Sail Sports.

Cozumel

Cozumel Palace

Cozumel Allegro Acoz Hotel, Mexico

The Allegro resort sits on one of Cozumel’s nicer stretches of beach and is conveniently located near favorite southern dive sites. Photo: Occidental Allegro Cozumel Resort

You can’t beat the view from the upscale rooms and suites of the Palace, which faces west to overlook the turquoise waters of the Cozumel Strait. On an island known for its all-inclusive properties, this one raises the bar for both amenities and service. The resort’s in-town location makes for an easy walk to San Miguel’s charming zocalo (plaza), but this same proximity means there’s no sand beach at the water’s edge. If the stunning pool deck doesn’t suffice, you can catch a shuttle south to the affiliated Playa Mia beach park. Diving services are handled by on-site Aqua Safaris, which is one of Cozumel’s highest-rated operators.

Alternate: Those who want to get away from the crowds can move south to the expansive beachfront grounds of Allegro Cozumel, which is another top-shelf all-inclusive property. Pro Dive services the resort, and its southern location means shorter boat rides to some of the prime sites along Palancar reef.

Bay Islands, Honduras

Laguna Beach Resort

Laguna Beach, bay islands, Honduras

The private bungalows of Laguna Beach Resort face a quiet mangrove lagoon and are just steps away from a Caribbean beach and the resort’s dive boats. Photo: Walt Stearns

Isolated on a peninsula on the quiet island of Utila and accessible only by boat, the Laguna Beach Resort is the epitome of the Caribbean away-from-it-all dream. Individual bungalows sit on the water’s edge overlooking a mangrove lagoon, while just steps away via sandy paths is the ocean, where you can wade in and find your way to one of the best reefs in the region. Native hardwoods and tin roofs set the tone, and activity centers around daily dive trips aboard a trio of spacious boats. Other water-centric pursuits include fishing and excursions to outlying islands. Evenings are quiet time, with perhaps a game of billiards and conversation at the clubhouse.

Alternate: On the nearby island of Roatan, Anthony’s Key Resort provides a similar vibe and equally fine diving. Guests can opt for hillside bungalows overlooking the shore or take a short taxi boat ride to beachfront cottages nestled on a private island.

New Providence, Bahamas

Stuart Cove’s Aqua Adventures

Stuart Cove, aqua adventures, Bahamas

Stuart Cove’s is the largest and most diverse dive operation in the Bahamas, offering accommodation packages and a range of activities that include diving, snorkeling and mini-submarine tours. Photo: Stuart Cove

From humble beginnings as a beachfront scuba concessionaire, Stuart Cove’s has created a business that dominates the Central Bahamas diving scene, and is the go-to location for underwater filmmakers. From a small harbor on the southern shore of New Providence, Cove’s fleet of dive and snorkel boats departs daily to stage shark feeds and wall dives for the adventurous or lead trips to picturesque wrecks and snorkel-friendly reefs. The dive operation is not currently offering accommodation packages with the nearby South Ocean Resort, as the property is in flux, and instead works with the Wyndham Nassau Resort and the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort on the north shore, which have the advantage of being closer to Nassau.

Alternate: Valentine’s Resort sits just north of the town docks on exclusive Harbour Island. In addition to unique dive adventures, guests will find themselves within walking or golf-cart distance of the island attractions, including the fabled pink sand beaches, which lie just over the bluff.

Paradise Island Condos, Nassau, Bahamas, New Providence
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas

Nassau and Paradise Island: 10 Reasons to Go

The island of New Providence is home to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas and the center of this island nation’s commercial and cultural activity. It’s also the most popular destination for visitors. And while those who come by cruise ship depart with souvenirs of the Straw Market and Bay Street, anyone who lingers a bit longer will discover a vibrant destination beyond the docks. A place where quiet back streets harbor bistros, galleries and artisanal craft shops, and where Technicolor beaches are overlooked by resorts ranging from glam to intimate.

1  Arawaks, Pirates and Freedmen

Nassau’s cultural heritage draws on the traditions of three continents. Once home to the Arawak people, the island became the haunt of European pirates and wreckers by the late 1600s, and a haven for British Loyalists a century later. The influence of the British Crown permeates Bahamian culture, but equally strong are its African roots. These influences come together in the food, language and music to create what is a distinctly Bahamian experience.

2  The Original Tourism Destination

New Providence Island and the city of Nassau are no strangers to tourism. Cunard ships brought visitors to the Royal Victorian Hotel in the 1860s, and by 1900, the first of many beachfront hotels was up and running. Fast forward a century and Nassau is still the No. 1 resort destination in the Bahamas, with the best-developed infrastructure and the widest variety of dining, lodging, shopping and leisure activities.

3  Fly Right

Nassau International Airport is not only the primary arrival and departure point for international flights; it is also the hub for air travel to numerous Out Island destinations. With more than 120 flights arriving each day, there are direct connections to North American destinations including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Toronto, along with numerous daily flights from Miami and other Florida cities.

4  The South Shore

Scene While Nassau occupies much of the island’s northeastern corner, a whole different scene unfolds along the quieter south shore. Here, a sandy plateau lies between deep blue water and the beach, creating an underwater playground that is a favorite with scuba divers and Hollywood filmmakers. When the studios need to shoot an underwater scene, this is where they send the crews, and actors from Thunderball’s Sean Connery to Into the Blue’s Jessica Alba.

5  From Pigs to Paradise

The internationally renowned resort destination known as Paradise Island once went by the unglamorous title of Hog Island. Its first transformation began in the 1940s, when a wealthy industrialist acquired the island to create his personal vacation paradise, which he called Shangri-La. Next came the elegant Ocean Club, which was an A-list destination through the 1960s. Today, the island is home to the Bahamas’ finest resorts, including the expansive Atlantis Resort complex, the One and Only Ocean Club and the quiet Sivananda Ashram.

6  Mail Boat’s a Coming

From Nassau, a fleet of inter-island freight and mail boats sails to the Out Islands, carrying everything from baby formula to auto parts for the remote settlements scattered through this 700-island archipelago. These same boats also accept passengers, and for around $50, you can book passage. Sailing times range from a few hours to an overnight trip, but this is no luxury cruise. You’ll find yourself sharing the decks with backpackers and locals, and cabin space is likely to be simple communal bunk beds.

7  Junkanoo Time

Though the holiday is celebrated throughout the Bahamas, the street parades of Junkanoo are best and biggest in Nassau. Elaborate floats share Bay Street with marching troupes such as the Music Makers and Prodigal Sons, who sport resplendent costumes as they compete for top honors. The processions move to the sounds of goatskin drums, cowbells and whistles, and onlookers soon find themselves keeping time with the infectious rhythms. The party begins on December 26, and repeats on New Year’s Day. If you can’t make it then, be sure to stop by the Junkanoo Museum near Prince George Wharf, where you can try on a costume and make some noise yourself.

8  Art Appreciation

It’s not surprising that Nassau is the cultural capital of the Bahamas, with an art community that is one of the most dynamic in the Caribbean. A walking tour of the city’s gallery scene should begin at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas on West Street. Another must-see is the nearby D’Aguilar Art Foundation, which features more than 75 Bahamian and international artists. For cutting edge creations, try Popstudios and Liquid Courage Gallery, and take time to seek out the street art that enlivens walls and buildings across the downtown.

9  Try the Fry

For an authentic taste of the islands, head to the waterfront of Arawak Cay, where a row of colorfully painted seafood shacks and bars fry up fresh fish and conch dishes, served up with sides like peas-n-rice or baked mac and plenty of cold Kalik beer. Among the perennial favorite eateries are Seafood Haven, Twin Brothers and Goldies. Music rolls from open doorways, and each June the Cay stages a summer Junkanoo festival.

10  Take A Chance

It’s been nearly 50 years since the first players tried their luck at Nassau’s casinos. Today, the island’s gaming scene is bigger than ever, with Cable Beach’s Crystal Palace, and the Paradise Island casino at Atlantis. Also on the horizon is the much-touted Bahama Mar Casino, which is slated to open in December of 2014 as part of a world-class development project between Cable Beach and downtown Nassau.

Snorkeling Destinations
Bahamas, Bahamas-Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas-New Providence, Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Plan, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

See the Sea: 5 Prime Caribbean Snorkeling Destinations

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It’s hard to describe the feeling you get when drifting weightless over a living coral reef, engulfed in a cloud of colorful tropical fish and forests of sun-dappled sea fans. For some, it brings total relaxation. Others find it thrilling. Either way, a good snorkel adventure is all about one thing: location. Simply swimming out from a resort beach may yield nothing but a vast expanse of sand desert. But if you pick the right spot to don mask and fins, you can enjoy calm seas, rich sea life and easy access from boat or beach. To help you find your own underwater nirvana, we’ve rounded up some of the best and most easily-accessed tropical snorkel sites in the upper Caribbean and provided some recommendations on where to stay once you resurface.

Bahamas

Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park on the Bahamian island of Great Abaco.

Exploring the shallows in the Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park on the Bahamian island of Great Abaco. Photo: Walt Stearns

The 700-plus islands and rocky outcroppings of the Bahamas offer innumerable snorkeling opportunities. Some require small aircraft transfers, and many more can be reached only by liveaboard dive charters or private boats. The primary resort islands—Grand Bahama and New Providence—offer numerous guided encounters that include everything from family-friendly fish-watching excursions to adrenal-packed shark feeds. Visitors who range into the Out Islands can often find an interesting patch of coral by simply wading out from the beach, and a bit more swimming may bring them to a fringing reef on the edge of blue water. One of the best places to enjoy snorkeling freedom is on the northern end of less-visited Andros Island, with a stay at Small Hope Bay Lodge. The family-owned property has been a favorite of fishermen, divers and solitude seekers for more than 50 years, but its amenities have kept up with the times. The resort offers both guided and DIY snorkel adventures, including trips to the fascinating blue holes that dot the island’s wooded interior. 

Belize

Belize, Ambergris Caye reef

A lone French angelfish patrols a shallow reef in the waters near Ambergris Caye, Belize. Photo: Dennis Sabo/iStock

The green jungles and coastal swamps of Belize are flanked by the Western Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef. A number of low lying islands—known locally as cayes—punctuate these reefs, some of which are home to thatch-roofed eco huts offering a true out-island experience. If the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle isn’t for you, Ambergris Caye is your destination. Though no longer the sleepy fishing village it once was, Ambergris still manages to exude a small-town vibe, but with a first-class collection of beachfront resorts tossed into the mix. Finding a snorkel site can be as easy as finning out from the sand to one of the numerous patch reefs. A guide is usually needed for visits to signature sites such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where regular feedings have attracted a resident population of gregarious rays and nurse sharks—relax, they won’t bite. When weather permits, the more adventurous can sign up for an all-day offshore excursion to Lighthouse Reef, home to the famous Blue Hole and the stellar shallow reefs of Half Moon Caye. Accommodations on Ambergris range from idyllic beachfront suites at low-key properties such as X’tah Ha to upscale resorts such as Coco Beach Resort or the fully-cloistered luxury retreat Matachica Resort & Spa, which are a boat ride away from the downtown. 

British Virgin Islands

BVI, snorkeling the baths

The Baths on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands provide a dramatic backdrop for snorkelers. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock

This group of islands has a number of sites where one could don mask and snorkel and explore the coral-encrusted rocks along the shores of the British Virgins, but most require a boat for access. This proves ideal for those who charter in this sailor’s paradise; land-based vacationers can book a trip through dive shops or tour companies scattered across the major islands. Perennial favorite destinations include the Indians, near Norman Island, and the Baths, Dogs and Prickly Pear Island on Virgin Gorda. For the best self-guided, wade-in snorkeling experience, travelers will have to make their way to the somewhat remote island of Anegada. In contrast to its mountainous green siblings to the south, Anegada is a low-lying coral isle covered in scrub, but blessed with one of the region’s finest beaches, Loblolly Bay. There, you can establish a beachhead at the Big Bamboo beach club before swimming out to discover Horseshoe Reef, home to an enchanting world of coral grottoes and shallow reefs. The Bamboo has cottages for rent in case you linger too long at the open-air bar and loose ambition. If the remote and somewhat rustic isn’t for you, day trips to Anegada can be staged from Virgin Gorda, where you can enjoy a more civilized stay at Little Dix Bay. 

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman's Stingray City, tropical snorkeling destinations

At Grand Cayman’s Stingray City, resident southern stingrays are conditioned to human interaction. Photo: Walt Stearns

Popular west-end snorkel sites such as Eden Rock and the Cali Wreck are best visited when the cruise ships aren’t in town, lest you find yourself awash in a sea of day-trippers. There’s no avoiding the crowds at much-publicized Stingray City, but it remains a must-do. If possible, book your boat ride with a smaller operator who doesn’t cater to the cruise ships; try to arrive at a slack or incoming tide for best water clarity. To find snorkeling solitude, head for Rum Point, where you can fin out from the palm-shaded beach for a self-guided tour of the north shore’s shallow fringing reefs. To escape the bustle of Seven Mile Beach, stay at the adjacent Retreat at Rum Point.

St. Croix

USVI, St. Croix snorkeling

The coral reefs of St. Croix’s Buck Island Reef National Monument provide guided snorkel trails. Photo: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

A snorkel trip to Buck Island is an almost mandatory aquatic pilgrimage for visitors to St. Croix. It’s been more than 50 years since this uninhabited island and its surrounding reefs were granted protective status as a national monument. The reefs have held up well to the ongoing stream of human traffic, thanks in part to the marked underwater snorkel trails that guide swimmers through the coral mazes. But Buck Island is far from the island’s only noteworthy snorkel venue. A short swim from any of several beaches along the island’s northeastern shore will lead to less-visited shallow reefs, and there are several waterfront resorts that sit just inshore of great snorkeling. East of Christiansted, the Tamarind Reef Resort offers upscale amenities and a beach that’s just a short swim away from an excellent and well-protected shallow reef that teems with fish life. Other properties within easily reach and lively reefs include The Buccaneer on Mermaid Beach, and, well to the west, the more secluded environs of The Palms at Pelican Cove. 

 

 

tropical getaways
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Barbados, Bermuda, Caribbean, Jamaica, Plan, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Martin/St. Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands

Easy Caribbean Getaways

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You’ve had it with the day-to-day. It’s time to fly to St. Somewhere and wiggle your toes in the sand. But what if your time is in short supply? Relax, with a bit of planning, you can still reach the beach for a long weekend without spending the majority of your getaway in transit lounges or taxi cabs. It’s all about picking a destination that’s a reasonable nonstop away, and a resort that’s not too far from where you land. To inspire you, we’ve created some sample arrivals, based on currently available nonstop flights and average transit times from arrival gateway to resort. Each of these properties was chosen not only for convenience to the airport, but also because they provide the Caribbean vacation experience you crave.

Atlanta to St. Lucia (ATL-UVF)

St Lucia Coconut Bay waterslide, caribbean getaways

St. Lucia’s Coconut Bay Resort has an adults-only wing, but grownups are free to cut loose as well. Photo: Richard Hallman/Coconut Bay Resort

 Depart at 9:51 a.m. / 4 hr. 24 min. flight time / 5 min. shuttle to Coconut Bay Resort / Check in at 3:25 p.m.

Travel Notes: After four hours on the plane, you’ll be ready to hit the beach, not spend another hour-plus on winding roads to reach one of the resorts on St. Lucia’s west-central coast. Coconut Bay is a well liked and reasonably-priced all-inclusive on the island’s southeastern corner, with separate wings for adults and families. It sits beachfront on the Atlantic, with a dedicated adult pool and spa, five restaurants, six bars, plenty of on-property water sports and short drive times to many of the island’s best day-trip adventures.

Boston to St. Thomas (BOS-STT)

St Thomas Ritz Carlton, Sailing Catamaran

The sailing catamaran Lady Lynsey cruises near the Ritz-Carlton on Great Bay, St. Thomas. Photo: Don Riddle/Ritz-Carlton

Depart at 8:57 a.m. / 4 hr. 2 min. flight time / 25-30 min. van ride to the Ritz-Carlton / Check in at 3:30 p.m.

Travel Notes: Getting to the majority of St. Thomas’ beachfront properties requires a run through downtown Charlotte Amalie. And once you are free of the traffic on Veteran’s Drive, it’s worth investing a few extra minutes of taxi time to go all the way to the island’s east end. The Ritz-Carlton sits on a quiet strand of beach known as Turtle Cove, overlooking Great Bay and St. John to the east. You’ll have plenty of time for a refreshing dip and a relaxing libation at the Coconut Cove bar before showering up for dinner. 

Charlotte to Barbados (CTL-BGI)

Coral reef club Barbados

The elegant Coral Reef Club commands prime beachfront real estate on Barbados’ calmer west coast. Photo: Mike Toy/Coral Reef Club

Depart at 10 a.m. / 4 hr. 32 min. flight time / 15 min. taxi ride to Ocean Two / Check in at 4:30 p.m.

Travel Notes: Located on calm Dover Beach, on the island’s south coast, Ocean Two offers easier access to the airport than resorts north of Bridgetown. Those willing to invest an additional 20 minutes of cab time to the west-central coast should consider the Coral Reef Club for a taste of gentile West Indies elegance.

Chicago to Jamaica (ORD-MBJ)

Jamaica Sandals Resort

Jamaica resorts such as Sandals at Montego Bay give couples a chance to enjoy private time together. Photo: Sandals Resort Montego Bay

Depart at 7:40 a.m. / 3 hr. 50 min. flight time / 10 min. shuttle to Sandals Royal Caribbean / Check in at 1:30 p.m.

Travel Notes: Arrival in Montego Bay couldn’t be easier. Once you clear customs, go right to a dedicated check-in desk for Sandals, then chill out in the on-site lounge while their staff takes care of your luggage transfers. From there, it’s a quick ride to the property, where a welcome drink awaits. To get the most out of a short stay, book a mid-afternoon return and enjoy a couple extra hours of morning beach time at the resort. The front desk will hold your bags after checkout, and there are facilities for a rinse and change before the flight. 

Cleveland to Puerto Rico (CLE-SJU)

La Concha Resort, Puerto Rico

The spectacular infinity pool at Puerto Rico’s La Concha resort overlooks blue ocean waters. Photo: La Concha

Depart at 8:45 a.m. / 4 hr. 15 min. flight time / 15 min. taxi to La Concha Resort / Check in at 2:30 p.m.

Travel Notes: There are no customs or immigration stops when flying to Puerto Rico, and once bags are in hand, you’ll have no problem flagging a taxi. Mid-day traffic should be reasonable, and the location of the La Concha couldn’t be better. The hotel sits smack in the middle of the upscale Condado district, overlooking an excellent stretch of beach that is right next door to the green spaces and lively activities of the Ventana del Mar square. Avenida Ashford is ideal for strolling and people watching, and just a mile away are the scenic streets of Old San Juan. 

New York to Bermuda (JFK-BDA)

Bermuda Hamilton Harbor

An intra-island ferry runs from Hamilton Harbour to destinations around the island nation of Bermuda. Photo: Verena Mathew/iStock

Depart at 7:30 a.m. / 2 hr. 10 min. flight / 25 min. taxi to Coco Reef Resort / Check in at 11:45 a.m.

Travel Notes: Bermuda is an easy hop from New York, but with the airport at the far north of the connected group of islands that comprise the nation of Bermuda, it can take an hour to reach the most distant resorts on the island’s southwest point. Split the distance by staying at Coco Reef Resort. It’s not the island’s fanciest or priciest, but it does sit on one of the most spectacular beaches, with direct ocean views from many rooms. 

Philadelphia to St. Martin (PHL-SXM)

St Maarten Philipsburg

St. Maarten’s capital, Philipsburg, sits beachside on a spit of land between a salt pond and Great Bay. Photo: iStock

Depart at 9:40 a.m. / 4 hr. flight time / 5 min. taxi to Azure Hotel / Check in at 3:15 p.m.

Travel Notes: You can reach most any part of the half-Dutch, half-French island of Sint Maarten/St. Marten in less than a half hour from the airport, so selecting a hotel is really about preferences: Dutch or French, leeward or windward, upscale or value-priced. One popular option that puts you within a few paces of the clear waters of Simpson Beach is the Azure Hotel. The decor is attractive, and kitchenettes allow you to dine in when you feel like it. You’ll be reminded of your proximity to the airport each time a plane takes off, but the immediate beach access can’t be beat. 

Washington, D.C. to Nassau (DCA-NAS)

Compass Point Resort, New Providence, Bahamas

Admiring the view of Love Beach from a balcony at Compass Point Resort, New Providence Island, Bahamas. Photo: Julian Bajzert/Bahamas Tourist Office

Depart at 8:40 a.m. / 2 hr. 50 min. flight time / 10 min. taxi to Compass Point Resort / Check in at 12:30 p.m.

Travel Notes: When you arrive at Lynden Pindling International Airport, you have choices. It’s about 15 minutes to the resorts on Cable Beach, which one day soon will include the ambitious Bahama Mar development, or a half hour ride through Nassau to Paradise Island. As an alternative, you could take a left on West Bay Street and arrive at one of the island’s favorite and most colorful getaways: Compass Point Beach Resort, where brightly-painted huts perch on the seawall overlooking turquoise waters. You may need to book well in advance, because this place has become one of the Bahama’s worst-kept secrets, but remains one of its best experiences. 

Big animal encounters, Diving with Goliath Grouper
Bahamas, Bahamas-Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas-New Providence, Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, Cancun, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Florida, Florida Keys, Play, Trip Ideas

10 Places in the Tropics for Big Animal Encounters

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Coral reefs and colorful tropical fish are what many seek when they embark on snorkeling or diving adventures. But there are bigger fish in the sea, and at select places in the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic, you can be all but guaranteed a chance to come face to face with critters that are closer to your own size—or significantly larger. Here are some of the best big animal adventures I’ve enjoyed and can endorse.

Giant Grouper

You’ll need to be comfortable performing a drift dive at depths of 60 to 80 feet for an almost-guaranteed chance to see the biggest fish on the reef. Protected status has brought the Goliath grouper back to the reefs of South Florida, where it’s sometimes possible to swim with 40 or more fish weighting 200 to 400 pounds. The annual late-summer spawn brings together the greatest number of fish, but there’s a good chance of seeing several behemoths cruising the ledges off Jupiter, Florida, at any time of the year.

Moray Eel

The teeth are wicked sharp, but that doesn’t stop Spencer Slate from hand feeding the moray eel he’s nicknamed Sundance. It’s all part of his weekly Creature Feature dives, which take place on the coral reefs near Key Largo, Florida. The big eel isn’t the only animal that comes when Spencer pulls out some tasty fish treats. There’s also a large resident grouper that shoulders in for a bite, and at least one nurse shark, destined to become the recipient of one of Spenser’s bear hugs. Next, participants in the feed are given the chance to mug with the animals themselves while the dive shop’s photo pro shoots souvenir stills and video.

Humpback Whales

Every year from January to April, pods of humpback whales pass through a region known as the Silver Banks. Located some 60 miles north of the Dominican Republic, this marine sanctuary has become a prime destination for in-water humpback encounters. Due to the long runs from shore, these interspecies meet-ups are usually staged from liveaboard dive boats. If jumping overboard isn’t for you, opt for a single- day whale-watching trip in Samana Bay.

Loggerhead Turtles

Sea turtles are among the most common large animals found on reefs throughout the Caribbean, and they are usually quite tolerant of divers and snorkelers—though it’s never a good idea to chase or harasser them. The experience turns from ooh to wow when the encounter involves a loggerhead turtle. These heavyweight hard shells can grow to 300 pounds or more, and live to a half century. A good place to find them in shallow water is among the remains of the Sugar Wreck, which is located just off Grand Bahama’s west end.

Manatee

When Florida’s coastal waters grow cool in the winter months, resident herds of sea cows move into the relatively warmer waters of spring-fed estuaries such as Crystal River on the Gulf side of the state. There, it’s possible to don mask, snorkel and a wet suit to get up close with these gentle giants. Just don’t get too aggressive or attempt to touch them, as there are strict regulations regarding interactions. This will all be explained to you during the brief ride from dock to manatee sanctuary. For more than two decades, Bird’s Underwater has remained one of the most reliable and convenient operators for manatee encounters.

Nurse Sharks

The sound of an approaching boat draws an aquatic menagerie of moochers that includes grouper, jacks, southern stingrays and nurse sharks to the sandy shallows known as Shark Ray Alley. These fish were originally conditioned to seek scraps from local fishermen, who once stopped here to clean their catch. The site is now part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and one of the most popular aquatic attractions in Belize. The nurse sharks, typically as benign as their name implies, sometimes seem to nuzzle up to swimmers, but what they are really after is a handout. Several operators run trips to the site from nearby Ambergris Caye.

Reef Sharks

The Bahamas offer a wide range of shark-diving adventures, some mild, some wild. The most accessible, consistent and safest are the reef shark encounters offered by Stuart Cove’s Aqua Adventures. You can don scuba to watch these impressive predators take the bait during a shark-feeding dive, observe them circling below while snorkeling the reefs, or climb into one of Stuart’s unique one-person submersibles to motor among them. The shop picks up at most of the major resorts on New Providence and Paradise Island, and caters to everyone from first-timers to movie crews who come here for guaranteed action footage.

Wild Dolphins

The meetings between human and cetacean that take place in the bright, sand-bottom shoals of the Bahamas are nothing like the encounters staged with captive animals. These are spotted pods of wild, free- swimming dolphin. When they approach, it is of their own free will, not institutional conditioning. Pods can sometimes be found in the Little Bahama Bank, but it is near the small island of Bimini that they make their most consistent appearances. Dolphin day trips can be booked with tour companies on Bimini, or for an extended adventure, there are dedicated liveaboards offering trips of up to a week.

Stingrays

Stingray feeds have spread to several islands in the Caribbean, but the original and still the most popular takes place in the waters of Grand Cayman’s North Sound. Here, dozens of tour boats are drawn to a shallow patch of sand where a resident group of stingrays has been conditioned to accept a free seafood meal. While participants kneel or stand in the shallows, the rays flit among them, getting up close to create memorable photo ops. There are actually two adjacent sites where the rays are fed, and for the best experience, avoid the large boats that ferry cruise-ship crowds and opt for one of the smaller operators.

Whale Sharks

The idea of coming face to face with a 35-foot-long shark might be alarming, were if not for the fact that these filter-feeding giants gorge on plankton, not humans. In fact, when you find yourself in the path of one of these slow-moving fish, they seem to pay you little mind as they move forward with mouths agape to suck in their tiny prey. The best place to swim with whale sharks is on the Contoy Banks, which lie north of Cancun and are best reached by boats leaving from Isla Mujeres or the more remote Holbox Island. Prime whale-spotting season begins in late May and runs into early September.