St. John Aerial
Seen from above, the US Virgin Islands present a tantalizing hint of what lies below. When Caribbean waters transition from deep blues to vibrant aquamarines, it is a sign that snorkel worthy coral reefs and swimmer friendly sandbars await. An aerial view of the island of St. John reveals the shallows of Cruz Bay, and a ring of reef around tiny Steven Cay. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock
Sea Turtles
Coral reefs along the northern coast of the island of St. John are a favorite haven for sea turtles like this young green turtle, which is cruising among stands of Elkhorn coral. These turtles are important to the health of the reef, as their grazing helps keep algae growths under control. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock
Trunk Bay
Want to find the best places to snorkel from a beach? Look for the dark patches in the water that show up against the lighter sand bottom. Here at St. John’s Trunk Bay, the underwater snorkel trail is located in the patch of rocks that lie between the beach and the smaller island of Thatch Cay. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock
St. Thomas Aerial
On the eastern end of St. Thomas, the outlying islands of West Cay and Salt Cay actually straddle the boundary between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe it’s just the way the light hits, but the Atlantic waters on the left side of the photo seem just a bit bluer. Photo: Christian Wheatley/ iStock
Swirls of Baitfish
On shores where the shallow reefs of the US Virgin Islands run close to deep water, schools of baitfish move close to shore to escape the marauding game fish that lurk in the open ocean. When this happens, snorkelers are immersed in swirling clouds of living silver. It is an experience that can be both exhilarating and slightly disorienting. Photo: Kelly vanDellen/iStock
Buck Island Aerial
A direct overhead view of St. Croix’s Buck Island Reef National Park clearly shows the maze of coral channels that are the site of an underwater snorkeling trail. Here, interpretive slates lead snorkelers along a guided route, and provide insights into the intricacies of the coral reef environment. Photo: NOAA
St. Croix Underwater
A coral encrusted pile of concrete rubble beneath St. Croix’s Frederiksted Pier has become home to a green moray eel. Despite displaying seemingly vicious teeth, morays are not generally aggressive, and are likely to bite only if they feel threatened or are harassed. Photo: USVI Department of Tourism
Seen from above, the US Virgin Islands present a tantalizing hint of what lies below. When Caribbean waters transition from deep blues to vibrant aquamarines, it is a sign that snorkel worthy coral reefs and swimmer friendly sandbars await. An aerial view of the island of St. John reveals the shallows of Cruz Bay, and a ring of reef around tiny Steven Cay. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock
Imagine coming face-to-face with a 40-foot-long shark in open water. Don’t worry; this is one shark that won’t bite. Instead, these ten-ton animals are hungry for some of the smallest creatures in the sea, and they open wide to scoop up large helpings of plankton. Whale sharks are the largest members of the shark family, and they have become one of the most sought after marine animal encounters in the world. Here are six prime destinations where you can swim with these gentle giants.
A boat ride from Cancun or Isla Mujeres brings snorkelers to an almost guaranteed encounter with whales sharks. The big fish show up each summer to feed on rich clouds of plankton washed up by Caribbean currents. The season runs from May to September, and during the peak months of July and August, as many as 30 to 40 animals will gather in one location.
Twenty miles off the coast of Belize, the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve is visited by migrating whale sharks each spring. Because these big fish are filter feeders that eat small things, they come for the annual snapper and grouper spawns, when these fish release millions of eggs into the water, creating a floating caviar buffet. These encounters take place each April and May, and are said to be best on the three days either side of the full moon.
Each winter, the Bay of La Paz provides a seasonal home for roving whale sharks, which gather from all parts of the Sea of Cortez and beyond to feed in the bay’s plankton rich waters. In addition to stops at the spit of land where the sharks gather, tours may also include a visit to the sea lion colonies at Los Islotes. The season runs from November to April, with cooler waters wetsuits are advised.
The volcanic islands made famous by Charles Darwin are washed by three colliding ocean currents that create a rich environment for all types of marine life—including whale sharks. Encounters can take place around all of the islands, but many sites can only be reached by multi-day cruises aboard live aboard tour boats. Whale sharks can be found year-round, but their numbers swell during annual migrations between July and October, when pregnant females often use island waters as a rest stop.
There are several reasons why the coastal town of Oslob has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for whale shark encounters. Attracted by scraps from local fishermen, the fish remain in the area year-round. Encounters take place within a few hundred yards of the beach in warm, clear water, and there are dozens of tour operators who provide fast, inexpensive access to the site.
The Maldives offers a wealth of snorkeling and diving diversity, including year-round sightings of whales sharks around most all of the 26 atolls that make up this nation of islands. Unique encounters take place along the southern edge of South Ari Atoll, where juvenile whale sharks of 10 to 20 feet in size feed in the sheltered waters of a marine preserve. The best time to visit is during the dry season between October and April, when seas are calmer and winds are light.
Sports Illustrated invented the swimsuit issue more than 50 years ago, tempting readers with images of bathing beauties vamping in some of the most scenic locations on earth. The supermodels may take center stage, but the resorts and beaches that provide the backdrop also draw oohs and aahs from readers and viewers. Here are some of the featured locations where you can indulge in an amazing beach vacation and maybe convince your mate to help recreate a few iconic poses from spots like the Pitons on St. Lucia. Photo: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
Going on a Caribbean vacation shouldn’t be a guilty pleasure. And when you stay at a resort that displays the Green Globe seal, you are not only indulging yourself, but also casting a vote for eco- friendly and sustainable business practices. This international organization grants its blessings only to companies and organizations that are committed to making positive contributions to people and the planet, demonstrate a long-term commitment to sustainable practices, and pass a detailed audit. Here are seven prime resorts that pass muster.
The owners of Blue Horizons went green to earn gold. The six-acre resort is tucked away on a hillside above Grand Anse Beach, with grounds and gardens planted with 9,500 indigenous plants and trees to create more than 250 new green spaces. This tree- planting initiative created a refuge for 27 species of tropical birds. The property operates on rainwater collection, solar water heating and gravity-fed water storage tanks. While recycling is high on the list, the staff also works to reduce initial consumption through the reusing of existing packaging when purchasing consumables, and an emphasis on sustainable seafood and local produce. This commitment to conservation has earned the resort Green Globe Certification for five years running, resulting in a coveted Gold membership status.
The owners of Grenada’s Blue Horizons resort planted thousands of native trees and bushes to create an attractive and eco- conscious habitat on a hillside above Grand Anse Beach. Photo: Blue Horizons
Water is a precious commodity on the island of Bermuda. To keep the fluid flowing in a responsible and sustainable manner, the management of Tucker’s Point invested in a million dollar green initiative that includes a rainwater collection system, solar water heating and a seawater reverse osmosis plant. All water discharges run through a proprietary water treatment plant and then held in a two million gallon pond that is used to irrigate the golf course. The grounds provide a natural habitat for nesting Bermuda bluebirds; the kitchen harvests herbs from onsite gardens; and all kitchen oil is collected and refined for use as alternative fuel around the property. This dedication to sustainable operation earned the resort the Green Globe Certification in 2012, and it remains the only property in Bermuda to hold these credentials.
Rather than tap Bermuda’s limited municipal water supply, the Tucker’s Point resort operates a reverse osmosis plant that produces up to 50,000 gallons of fresh water a day. Photo: Tucker’s Point
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort’s 14-acre stretch of white sand is among the Caribbean’s top beaches, and the property has been named as one of the most sustainable hotels in the world. Bucuti has earned Green Globe Platinum status, and is on track to become the first carbon neutral resort in the Caribbean. By coupling an on-site photovoltaic solar panel system to the power grid, the resort operates on 47 percent clean energy, and maintains the lowest per-occupied-room electricity usage of all hotels in Aruba. Local sourcing further reduces the property’s carbon footprint, and the use of biodegradable materials practically eliminates the use of plastic. Guests are gifted with reusable water bottles and are invited to participate in the monthly beach cleanup hosted by the resort. Since it began 20 years ago, this program removes on average 500 pounds of waste from Aruba’s beaches each year.
The luxurious pool deck at Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is proof that going green doesn’t have to mean giving up resort amenities. Photo: Bucuti Beach Resort
Long revered for its spectacular natural setting, in 2017 Le Guanihani became the first resort on St. Barts to earn Green Globe Certification. This honor was the result of a five-year program that encompassed a sweeping range of initiatives designed to both limit the property’s environmental impact, and to effect positive changes to the surrounding ecosystems. Among these programs were the switch to low energy lighting, low- carbon products and selective waste sorting. Water produced from reverse osmosis is recycled for irrigation use through a grey water system, and the resort actively offsets carbon emissions. The 18-acre grounds are maintained in a natural condition, and efforts are made to protect indigenous plants and animals. The resort has also pledged to support the 2,500-acre marine park that surrounds the peninsula, and supports local artisanal fishermen.
Set between Marigot Bay and Grand Cul de Sac, the eco-friendly grounds of Le Guanihani spread over 18 tropical acres straddling a peninsula with two beaches. Photo: Le Guanihani
From the onset, the grounds of Hermitage Bay were designed to blend into Antigua’s natural surroundings. This began with a non- invasive approach to site clearing that retained the original coastal mangrove ecosystem, and the use of sustainable building materials for each of the resort’s 27 cottage suites. The on-site organic gardens provide much of the herbs, fruits and vegetables used in the kitchen, which also supports local farmers and fishermen to provide guests with an authentic farm-to-plate experience. To reduce electrical demands, each cottage was designed and positioned to take advantage of trade winds, reducing or eliminating the need for air conditioning. Water is distributed by solar energy, and a grey water system sustains the gardens.
Rooms at Antigua’s Hermitage Bay resort were designed to take advantage of the sites natural airflow, and guests are often able to forgo air conditioning in favor of sea breezes. Photo: Hermitage Bay
Situated at the entrance to Old San Juan, with the 17th century San Geronimo Fort just steps away, the Caribe Hilton takes its green initiatives seriously, and incorporates sustainable practices into the everyday operation of the hotel. The extensive recycling program includes plastic, aluminum, paper from the offices, metal hangers, alkaline batteries, frying oil, cell phones, cartons and more. Earth-friendly products are used in cleaning; leftover food goes to a homeless shelter and food waste to a local pig farm. As a member of the Hilton Family Hotels, the group is committed to reducing energy consumption and lowering CO2 emissions. Local initiatives supported by the hotel include beach cleaning, mangrove restoration and tree planting.
The Caribe Hilton has a comprehensive recycling and employs a range of energy saving technologies that don’t compromise the guest experience. Photo: Caribe Hilton
The Green Globe team awarded the Jamaica Inn high marks for their commitment to creating eco-friendly and eco-aware programs that engage both staff and guests. Each year, the resort’s pristine crescent of beach and nearby Oracabessa Beach are the site of the Sea Turtle Recovery Program, which protects hundreds of nesting sites and releases thousands of hatchling hawksbill turtles into the sea. Earth Day brings tree planting throughout the property, with the goal of creating new wildlife habitat. On the conservation front, Jamaica Inn recently added solar panels, a recycling initiative, and an onsite composting system that repurposes food scraps to the garden. Flowers used throughout the hotel are grown at the on-site greenhouse.
Guests at the Jamaica Inn share a pristine beach with seasonal arrivals of nesting sea turtles. A resort sponsored program helps release thousands of hatchlings into the sea. Photo: Jamaica Inn
The historic pink hotels that grace beaches in Florida and the Caribbean harken back to the palazzos built by wealthy Italian families in the 19th century. When pink crossed over to the New World it was embraced by builders of the 1920s and beyond.
Bermuda is a destination that is all about pink; there are pink sand beaches, pink mopeds, pink Bermuda shorts and pink buildings. Here, the pink Fairmont Southampton stands out among the green landscape of Southampton Parish.
There’s a reason the license plates on the island of Bonaire proclaim: “Divers Paradise.” The colorful reefs that surround this quiet island are considered the best in the Caribbean. Getting to these spectacular coral gardens couldn’t be easier. The best reefs are located just yards off the western shore in calm water, adjacent to a collection of first-class resorts that provide everything a diver could want. Here are three of the best.
Sitting on one of Bonaire’s only white sand beaches, and boasting the island’s most extensive range of resort amenities, Plaza Bonaire is a destination that will please divers and beach lovers alike. Spacious rooms and suites overlook a lagoon and marina, and the expansive resort complex includes meeting and entertainment spaces, a fitness center, children’s activity center, on-site spa, sports courts and a range of water sport equipment such as kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats. An all-inclusive rate plan covers meals, beverages, activities, sports equipment and entertainment. Not to be missed is the resort’s weekly beach barbecue, which draws locals and visitors alike.
At Plaza Bonaire, the Coconut Crash Beach Bar is a favorite with both guests and island locals. Each week, the resort stages a beach party with live music and dancing on the sand. Photo: Plaza Bonaire
Also on site at Plaza Resort is Toucan Diving, which caters to divers of all experience levels, and is well suited to introducing youngsters and novices to the sport. Children as young as eight can take their first underwater breaths safely with the PADI Bubble Maker Program, while teens and adults can sample the underwater world with a Discover Scuba Diving class, or go on to earn a full certification. More experienced divers can upgrade their skills with a range of specialty programs such as digital underwater photography, night diving and enriched air diving. There is lively reef immediately off the resort beach, along with daily boat diving excursions.
Plaza Bonaire sits next to the island’s finest beach. Divers can wade in from shore and make a short swim to the drop off, where a coral covered slope leads to deeper blue water. Photo: Plaza Bonaire
Though diving is the primary theme at this property, Buddy Dive is no spartan scuba lodge. The 11-building compound perches above turquoise shallows, offering spacious studios or one, two and three bedroom apartments, all with kitchens and living spaces that will accommodate anyone from solo travelers to extended groups of family and friends. The grounds include two swimming pools, two restaurants and an activity center. Downtown Kralendijk is a short walk away and the concierge can arrange a variety of on-island adventures and activities.
The pier at Buddy Dive is right next to the resort’s dive center, giving guests easy access to dive boats and the coral reefs that begin close to shore. Photo: Beth Watson/Buddy Dive
The dive center includes a retail shop stocking a range of equipment and accessories for sale or rent. Both shore and boat diving activities begin right outside the shop. Bonaire is known for the many shore dive sites that begin at parking areas along the coastal road. To support this activity, Buddy Dive has an onsite vehicle rental office, and a unique drive-through air station where divers can load fresh tanks right into their rental vehicle. Buddy Dive is also the home of the only PADI 5-star Career Development Center in the southern Caribbean, providing training all the way to instructor level.
A diver is framed in the cargo booms of the Helma Hooker. This sunken freighter sits next to a reef on Bonaire’s western shore, just a short swim away from the beach. Photo: Beth Watson/Buddy Dive
This resort’s namesake founder was one of the Caribbean’s original scuba pioneers. It’s been four decades since the captain opened his original dive lodge near a prime reef a mile north of downtown Kralendijk, and it has remained a favorite ever since. The property has kept pace with the times, expanding to include deluxe ocean view rooms, detached one and two- bedroom garden villas and luxurious three-bedroom oceanfront suites with separate living rooms and kitchens. On-site Rum Runner’s restaurant is one of the islands best, with tables that perch feet from the Caribbean on a low bluff with spectacular sunset views.
Captain Don’s Habitat perches on a low limestone cliff that overlooks the island’s calm western shore. Divers can plunge right into the clear water, or catch a boat to more distant reefs. Photo: Captain Don’s Habitat
The on-site dive center is both PADI and SDI five-star rated, and offers a wide range of specialty courses, including technical and deep dive training. Underwater explorations can begin right from the resort pier, and daily single and two-tank boat dives access sites up and down the coast and on nearby Klein Bonaire island. Captain Don was an early proponent of conservation, and instrumental in the creation of the Bonaire Marine Park. This ethos has lead to a number of eco-friendly practices at the resort.
The dock at Captain Don’s Habitat is the starting point for explorations of an extensive coral reef system that runs for several miles along Bonaire’s western shore. Photo: Captain Don’s Habitat
Next time one of your friends brags about scuba diving with sharks, casually mention the rarely seen specimens you ran into 1,000 feet deep in the Caribbean. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure takes place on the island of Curacao, where a unique mini sub known as the Curasub ferries a max of 4 passengers down to depths far beyond the range of scuba to view an underwater world few will ever see.
The Curasub provides an up-close look at the coral reefs of Curacao. This submersible is safe, comfortable and suitable even for persons who cannot dive due to ear problems. Photo: Barry Brown/ Substation Curacao
The sub, which is certified by Germanischer Lloyd’s to meet and exceed the industry’s highest safety standards, is operated by a professional pilot, leaving the passengers free to peer out the wide-angle front viewing bubble or through a pair of side windows. Unlike diving, there is no pressure change inside the sub, which makes these excursions suitable for many individuals who are unable to dive for medical reasons, have ear problems, or simply don’t want to get wet. In addition, the sub moves about with a smooth gliding motion that is typically enjoyable even for people who sometimes experience motion sickness on boats.
The Curasub can carry up to four passengers and a pilot to depths of 1,000 feet, and is also equipped to perform marine research tasks such as collecting samples. Photo: Substation Curacao
The company behind this undersea adventure is Substation Curacao, which not only offers these submersion programs to the public, but also conducts ongoing research projects. The Curasub is equipped with mechanical appendages for sampling and collection of specimens, and passengers sometimes become participants in the discovery of a new species, help document a previously unknown animal behavior, or aid in monitoring the health of the reefs.
The RV Chapman is a 127-foot research vessel that was once used by NOAA for oceanographic research. It now serves as a support vessel for the Curasub: Photo: Substation Curacao
A range of unique underwater experiences are offered, including submarine tours of the island’s shallow to mid-range coral reefs and shipwrecks; explorations of deeper reefs to depths of 500 feet; and plunges into the abyss to depths of 1,000 feet. Also offered are night dives and the latest addition: the Shark Deep Dive. This program allows participants to seek out a range of Caribbean shark species that includes not only those found at scuba diving depths, but also some that live in deeper water, such as the Cuban dogfish, sevengill shark and other deep sea creatures.
Colorful sponges growing on a shipwreck are illuminated by the Curasub’s lights. These are used on night dives and deep dives where there is little or no sunlight. Photo: Barry Brown/ Substation Curacao
The Curasub makes up to four dives a day from the Substation Curacao base, near the Curacao Sea Aquarium on the island’s southeast coast. For more information, visit www.substation-curacao.com
The best way to see St. Thomas is from the top. The mountain ridge that forms the island’s spine offers a number of scenic spots that beg for a photo op, and entice observers to linger and take in the big picture. At several, you can even sit and enjoy a cool libation while drinking in the views. Here are five overlooks that shouldn’t be missed.
The Drake’s Seat overlook is named for the famous English privateer Sir Francis Drake, who once used this hilltop vantage point to keep watch over his fleet, and scan the horizon for passing Spanish galleons. This panoramic view faces north and takes in Hans Lollik Island, Thatch Cay and the British Virgin Islands of Jost van Dyke and Tortola. There is no shop or bar here, just a parking area off Hull Bay Road, and a couple of benches. But the views are definitely worth a stop.
The elevated vantage point at Drake’s Seat takes in views of Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands, where pirate ships once lurked awaiting passing ships. Photo: Debbie Snow
The highest point on the island is also one of the most popular. Mountain Top was St. Thomas’ first major tourist attraction since back in the day, and lays claim to being the birthplace of the Banana Daiquiri. This hilltop observatory perches 1,500 feet above the Caribbean, and provides sweeping views of Magens Bay, St. Thomas and 20 surrounding islands. In addition to t-shirts, hats and all manner of souvenirs, the on-site gift shop sells nautical antiques and ship models.
An often-overlooked vantage point on the way to the top of the island is the Mafolie Hotel, which has one of the best decks for taking in views of the downtown waterfront some 800 feet below. This hotel, along with the restaurant and bar, has been an island favorite since 1952, and continues to be one of the best spots to dine with a view of the harbor lights at night. It’s also a great place to take in a sunset with a Mafolie Painkiller or Mafolie Passion, two of their signature drinks.
The outdoor deck at the Mafolie Hotel is a favorite with locals and tourists alike, and one of the best places on the island to enjoy dinner served with harbor views. Photo: Debbie Snow
The quickest and easiest way to get from the waterfront to a hilltop view is by boarding the aerial tram at Havensight to Paradise Point. The Skyride gondolas carry passengers up 700 feet to the top of Flag Hill, where there’s a bar, restaurant, gift shop and nature trail. This is another good spot to watch the boat traffic below, or take in a sunset. There are good views of Charlotte Amalie, and on clear days you can see all the way to St. Croix, Vieques and Culebra.
Gondola cars carry passengers from the cruise ship docks on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront up to an overlook deck and restaurant at Paradise Point. Photo: Chrissy Rhodes/Paradise Point
This elevated oasis is easy to find, as it is perched at the eastern end of the scenic route known as Skyline Drive. The observation platform looks down on Charlotte Amalie and across the water to neighboring Water Island and Hassel Island. Fruit daiquiris are the house specialty, and the deck is a great place to linger with one of these signature concoctions while watching the comings and goings of boats in the harbor below.
If beachfront high-rises, duty free malls and cruise ship mega- ports aren’t your thing, Grenada is for you. On this lush and laid- back island, the old ways linger. Trading sloops dock at stone wharfs overshadowed by a historic fort; locals gather to haggle at village markets; and nutmeg and cinnamon groves fill the air with fragrant scents. Get your taste of old-school Caribbean traditions and step back to a simpler time with these unique island activities.
Open-air markets were once the commercial and social hubs of Caribbean islands, and the tradition lives on in St. George’s Market Square. Gone are the days when ladies donned starched dresses and big hats, and even the vendors dressed up in their best. But the free market vibe hasn’t changed, as farmers, artisans and traders hawk their wares from open-air stalls or invite passers by to linger in the shade of the market’s roofed pavilions.
Fresh fruits and local spices are displayed on vendor’s tables at St. George’s Market Square. In addition to commerce, the square is a center for socializing and island gossip. Photo: Debbie Snow
Located at the foot of Young Street in St. George’s, the market is open every day except Sunday, but it’s Saturday morning that is the most vibrant. Locals gossip as they pick up charcoal for coal pots, and stock up on callaloo and root vegetables. A machete- wielding vendor slices the tops off coconuts and adds a straw for sipping the sweet nectar inside. Island visitors amble about, sampling both familiar and exotic fruits, and seeking out aromatic spices and attention getting hot sauces. Spices come right from the farm, unpackaged and unprocessed, or ground and bagged for easy packing. Not to be missed are the nutmeg syrups and jams, and cinnamon sticks the size of sausage.
For an authentic dose of farm life on Grenada, head to Belmont Estate, which is an hour’s drive north from the capital to the parish of St. Patrick. This 400-acre working farm has been in operation since the 1660’s. In 1944, the property was bought by Norbert and Lyris Nyack, the first Grenadians of East Indian decent to own a plantation on the island. Today the farm is run by their grand niece, Shadel Nyack Compton. She has created an agri- tourism program that allows visitors to experience a working plantation while also supporting sustainable local agriculture.
Grenada’s Belmonte Estate is a working farm and spice orchard that welcomes visitors and provides a glimpse of traditional island agricultural practices. Photo: Debbie Snow
The gardens are planted with local fruits and spices, and guests can tour the grounds, greenhouses, herb and vanilla gardens and an on-site goat dairy. After the garden tour visitors head to the onsite restaurant where a buffet of local dishes is served in traditional coal pots. Ladies assemble tables on the stairs below the restaurant to sell jams, spices and sauces. Another favorite is the cocoa tour, which begins with the harvest, sorting, fermentation and drying of cacao beans on wooden trays, and ends with hot chocolate drink. Most guests then head directly to the chocolate store to purchase bars of chocolate in various concentrations as well as brownies, cupcakes and other chocolate confections.
The majority of Grenada’s sugarcane crop is distilled into rum right on the island. And just about all of the rum production from the River Antoine Rum Distillery is slated for local consumption. One reason is because the alcohol content is too high to export and patrons of local rum shops have developed a taste for this potent elixir. Located in the northern parish of St. Patrick River Antoine is the oldest remaining water-powered distillery in the Caribbean, and the only one on the island that starts the process from fresh crushed cane rather than molasses.
At the River Antoine Rum Distillery, a water wheel crushes the cane used to create a traditional style of extremely potent rum that is a favorite with island residents. Photo: Debbie Snow
A visit here is a step back in time, as the process and equipment hasn’t changed during the distillery’s 250 years in operation. A tour through the works gives a glimpse of what happens after the harvest, as the crushing, the heating, the distilling and the bottling are all done the same way as when the facility began operation in 1785. After the tour, the tasting takes place. Only the brave sample the first bottle, as just a whiff of its high level of alcohol makes eyes water. After a taste of this firewater, the less strong rums go down smooth. River Antoine produces a limited number of the light stuff, and even chocolate rum for those who wish to bring some home.
The island of Bonaire is where travelers come to escape the crowds and the high-rise resorts. And there’s no better way to soak in the charms of this quiet Caribbean gem than at a small guesthouse, where a limited number of guests are accommodated in suites and apartments that provide a relaxing base for water sports and island adventures. Here are three of our favorites.
Budget conscious travelers will be attracted to this quiet and charming property, where kitchen equipped apartments cluster around a central landscaped courtyard and pool. But attractive rates don’t compromise comfort or quality. Accommodations, which range from studio and one-bedroom units to an eight- person penthouse, are spacious and tidy, and sport a cheerful tropical theme. Those less inclined to cook need look no farther than the palm-shaded central courtyard, which is home to the open-air dining room of Chez Madeleine, one of the best restaurants on the island. For a special treat, guests can place an order for the fresh baked bread, which is delivered warm to rooms each morning. The Yacht Club is located near the Harbor Village Marina, and a mile north of downtown Kralendijk. It’s a two-block walk to Eden Beach, which is one of the island’s better stretches of sand, and a good place for snorkeling, as colorful coral reefs begin 30 yards offshore.
At the open-air dining room of Chez Madeleine in the courtyard of the Yacht Club Apartments, master chef Jan Buyens serves savory French-Belgian cuisine. Photo: Yacht Club
Combine the casual intimacy of a sports lodge with the amenities of a boutique hotel and this is what you get. Each of the eight junior suites and two master suites at Sonrisa offers a full range of indulgences such as premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, in-room WiFi, mini-fridges and private patios or balconies, all at rates below what you’d pay at a major hotel. But what really sets this property apart is the ambiance. It’s a favorite with active sports enthusiasts, and the vibe is casual chill, with an on-site barbecue grill and poolside hangout area where guests gather at the end of the day to swap stories and enjoy a cold libation. The Caribbean is just a short walk away, and there are rinse tanks and dedicated storage lockers for kite surfing and dive gear. The resort serves savory complementary breakfasts, and all the restaurant choices of downtown are an easy five-minute stroll away.
Suites at the Sonrisa resort feature private patios and balconies that face the central pool area. The property is just a short walk from the downtown waterfront. Photo: Sonrisa
In the local Papiamento dialect, Blachi Koko means coconut palms. And that’s what the current owners planted when they renovated this classic Antillean colonial estate to include 3 two- bedroom and 2 one-bedroom apartments. This is a prime choice for couples or groups who want more than a hotel room, as each unit includes a kitchen and separate living and dining areas, along with private gazebos and patios in a garden setting. It’s a five minute walk to Kralendijk for shopping and dining, and the sea is just steps away, where a small beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling or shore diving. If a larger beach is on your wish list, then head down the road to the Plaza Resort, which gives Blachi Koko guests free access. Add a day pass for privileges at Plaza’s pool and lounge chairs with beach towels. It’s like having the best of both worlds.
The couple that acquired Blachi Koko converted this former estate home into a collection of comfortable apartments that include spacious living areas. Photo: Blachi Koko
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