Tag Archives: Play

Best Places for Snorkeling in Dominica

April 19, 2023

Dominica is known as the Caribbean’s Nature Island. Lush rainforests cover 60 percent of the island, some 360 rivers cascade from emerald slopes, and its shores are ringed by colorful coral reefs. All snorkeling in Dominica takes place on the island’s western shores, which are washed in clear Caribbean waters that are sheltered from the prevailing winds and waves that strike the eastern side of the island. Here, the underwater terrain mirrors the island’s volcanic slopes, dropping from shallow shelves into the depths close to shore. As compared to islands with expansive near-shore shallows such as the Bahamas and the Turk & Caicos, Dominica’s snorkel sites are more limited in size. That said, there’s still plenty to explore, and some sites add the excitement of dramatic seascapes where reefs drop precipitously into the depths.

Many of Dominica’s best snorkeling sites lie within a trio of marine preserves. To the south, the Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve encompasses the profiles of a submerged volcanic crater. The walls of this ancient formation are now decorated with multi-hued corals and sponges, and riddled with caverns and canyons that create marine life havens. Mid Island Salisbury Marine Reserve includes three coral reefs that begin just a few fin kicks from shore. Farther to the north, reefs within Cabrits Marine Reserve run close to shore, giving snorkelers hours of exploration on slopes covered in sea fans and giant barrel sponges. Here are six of Dominica’s must-do snorkeling sites.

Champagne Reef

The island’s most famous snorkeling site is named for the gasses that well up from volcanic thermal springs under the seabed to immerse swimmers in champagne-like bubble clouds. This protected area lies within the Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, and its shallow areas are populated with a lively cast of characters that includes hawksbill turtles, octopus, rays, trumpet fish, multi-hued parrotfish, toothy eels, camouflaged frogfish, wing-finned flying gurnards and delicate seahorses. Because this site is a popular cruise ship excursion, it’s best to go when there’s no ship in port.

Gas bubbles from an undersea volcanic vent fill the waters of Champagne Reef. Photo: Discover Dominica Authority

Scott’s Head Beach

The waters of Soufriere Bay are sheltered from wind and waves by Scott’s Head Peninsula, which is an above-water extension of the area’s massive underwater volcanic crater. Snorkelers can wade into calm waters right from the beach, and there is a designated snorkeling area free of boat traffic. This site has something for everyone, as the near-shore shallows are ideal for youngsters and less-accomplished snorkelers. Venture a bit farther from shore, however, and the seafloor abruptly drops off the edge of an underwater cliff. Here on the edge of blue water, snorkelers can take in views of coral-covered cliffs, sponge gardens, and underwater pinnacles. There’s also a chance for encounters with big fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. The beach is just a short walk from the quiet waterfront villages of Scotts Head and Soufriere where snorkelers can enjoy lunch or rent equipment from one of the area’s local dive shops.

The Scott’s Head Peninsula is the visible remains of a submerged volcanic crater. This spit of land shelters snorkelers from prevailing wind and waves. Photo: Discover Dominica Authority

Solomon Reef

Sitting just to the north of the Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve, Solomon Reef is a collection of huge coral-covered rock formations scattered across a sand bottom. In addition to healthy hard corals, formations are adorned in multi-colored sea fans, sponges, anemones, and crinoids. This is one of the island’s best places to find sea turtles, and all manner of both juvenile and adult reef fish gather in the shelter of the rocks. Closer looks among the crevices reveal eels and squid on the hunt. The sand seabed provides a habitat for numerous species of shrimp, crabs, and colorful sea slugs.

Hawksbill turtles are often seen cruising the shallow coral formations at Solomon Reef. Photo: Walt Stearns

Salisbury Beach

Located within its namesake mid-island marine reserve, this site is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the effort to find. This tranquil palm-lined beach is low on crowds while having the needed amenities for a day in the water, including a nearby dive center and a funky beach bar for post-snorkel libations. There are three good snorkeling reefs in this area, two of which are best visited by boat, and a third that’s close to shore and easy to reach.

The waters of the Salisbury Marine Reserve are a good place to look for one of Dominica’s most unusual fish, the flying gurnard. Photo: Walt Stearns

Secret Bay

Despite the name, this site isn’t a well-kept secret, though it will take a bit of doing to get to this less- visited snorkel site. Steep coastal bluffs and dense vegetation hinder shore access to this coral reef, leaving boat trips as the best option for most snorkelers. Access is much easier for guests of Secret Bay Resort, which is an eco-luxe property perched atop the bluffs. Guests are provided with complimentary snorkel gear and kayaks and can also join guided snorkel tours — including night snorkeling adventures. In addition to snorkeling the reefs, Secret Bay has sea caves and an Instagram-worthy setting that was featured in the original Pirates of The Caribbean film.

The bluffs above Secret Bay provide a dramatic backdrop for snorkelers and swimmers. This isolated beach is often visited by kayak. Photo: Secret Bay

Douglas Bay

Just north of Cabrits National Park, the waters of Douglas Bay are a favorite with snorkelers staying in the Portsmouth area. The best coral formations start a couple of hundred feet from shore, which won’t phase accomplished swimmers as they ply the typically calm waters. More casual snorkelers can opt for a boat trip from one of the nearby tour operators. The reefs in this area are made up of large boulders now heavily encrusted in corals. Searching the cracks and crevices of this big rock pile yields a wealth of unique marine life finds.

At Douglas Bay, huge boulders covered in corals become home to an intriguing assortment of marine life. Photo: Discover Dominica Authority

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

Unique Bahamas Snorkel Adventures

February 7, 2023

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Snorkeling is one of the world’s most popular water sports. Hit the shore at most any tropical destination in the world, and you can don mask and snorkel for a fish watching session. The Bahamas certainly has its share of pretty coral reefs and fishy shallows, but these islands also offer a number of unique in-water adventures. Here are six of our favorites.

Ocean Atlas

The Island of New Providence is home to the world’s largest underwater sculpture. Known as Ocean Atlas, this 15-foot high, 65- ton work of art was created by pioneering aquatic sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. It depicts a young girl kneeling as she supports the weight of the ocean. The statue, which is made from eco-friendly concrete, is designed to attract fish and create a new home for marine life. Ocean Atlas is the centerpiece attraction for the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden, which also includes submerged sculptures created by local artists Willicey Tynes and Andret John. The park is a favorite with both scuba divers and snorkelers, as shallow depths, clear waters, and white-sand bottom provide ample light for easy viewing.

Ocean Atlas sits in 18 feet of water off the island’s western shore. It’s possible to reach this site from shore but most snorkelers opt for a guided boat tour. Photo: Bahamas Tourism

The Sapona Shipwreck

It’s not often that snorkelers can visit an actual shipwreck. But there’s no need for scuba gear to explore the remains of the SS Sapona. This cargo steamer ran aground on a sand bar just south of the island of Bimini in 1926, and has been a local landmark ever since. The ship lies in 20 feet of water, and rises another 30 feet above the surface. There are a number of breaches in the hull, and snorkelers can fin their way into the cargo holds, which have become a haven for tropical fish and lobsters. The sand banks surrounding the wreck are also worth checking out, as stingrays and eagle rays often glide past.

A snorkeler descends into the hold of the SS Sapona. This is one of the few shipwrecks in the world that lies within snorkel depths. It is easily reached from the island of Bimini. Photo: Atmoji Photography/Flickr

Current Cut

On the northwest corner of the island of Eleuthera, tidal currents are funneled through a narrow channel. This creates free rides for divers and snorkelers who are swept along with the moving water. Snorkeling Current Cut requires a support boat to drop participants at the start of the drift, and pick them up at the other end of the channel. Drifts begin outside the cut, where currents are mild. As the channel narrows, speeds pick up, and snorkelers are soon gliding along at a brisk pace as they are funneled between the rock walls of the 30-foot deep cut. The sensation is akin to flight, and to add to the excitement, the cut is often filled with schooling fish and a number of resident reef sharks. Don’t worry, they aren’t interested in humans.

An aerial view of Current Cut. With each tide change, waters flow through this narrow channel at speeds of up to 4 miles an hour, creating an opportunity for exciting snorkel drifts. Photo: Randy Roe/Flickr

Thunderball Grotto

Fans of the classic film Thunderball will recognize this semi-submerged underwater cave where James Bond was briefly trapped. Reliving the adventure begins with a trip to Staniel Cay in the Exuma Islands. The best time for snorkelers to explore this maze of interconnected caverns is at low tide, when several entrances are revealed, and there’s no need to make a breath-hold dive to access the interior air chambers. Inside, the ceiling drops to within a few feet of the water in some areas, and soars to more that 20 feet overhead in others. Natural openings send shafts of sunlight into the water, and there is always an abundance of tropical fish swirling about.

The semi-submerged chambers of Thunderball Grotto can be reached through one of several openings. Some like this one pictured require snorkelers to duck below the surface to enter. Photo: Ryan Crutchfield/Flickr

White Sand Ridge

Dolphin encounters don’t have to take place at amusement parks. North of the island of Grand Bahamas, a large sand bank known as White Sand Ridge is home to pods of spotted dolphins that roam free, but aren’t shy about meeting up with visiting humans. Encounters begin with a boat ride of 30 to 40 miles for land-based snorkelers, or just jump overboard from one of the live aboard charter boats that make overnight and multiple-day trips to the site. When dolphins are located, snorkelers enter the water, and are usually met by the more curious and playful members of the pod. These intelligent marine mammals seem to enjoy the interaction, and may involve snorkelers in favorite games such as tag or keep-away, which involves passing a clump of seaweed back and forth, enticing their human visitors to try and take it away. Waters on the sand banks are typically 10 to 20 feet deep, and very clear, which makes for excellent photo ops.

At White Sand Ridge, spotted dolphins interact with humans. These are wild animals who make contact of their own free will, which makes the experience all the more special. Photo: Atmoji Photography/Flickr

Blue Holes

The islands of the Bahamas sit on a limestone substrate riddled with crevices and flooded caverns. When the ceilings of an underwater chamber collapses, a blue hole is formed. The island best known for these blue holes is Andros. A flight over this large and mostly unsettled landscape reveals dozens of circular ponds hidden by the surrounding jungle. Cave divers have explored some of these holes to great depths, and have mapped mile-long passageways. Such adventures are best left to the professionals, but with just mask, snorkel and a decent pair of walking shoes, anyone can follow pathways through the forests of Andros to the waters of an interior blue hole. Fish life isn’t the attraction at these sites, but the unique geology of these flooded sinkholes makes for a memorable experience. A number of the small guesthouses on the island offer guided trips, and can provide directions to the holes.

Andros is known for its blue holes. The island has 178 inland and 50 in the sea. which lead to intricate cave systems that run under the island and along the sea floor. Photo: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Belize, Central America, Play, Trip Ideas

Best Belize Snorkeling Resorts

January 27, 2022

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The small Central American nation of Belize has a big attraction. Stretching the entire length of the country’s Caribbean coast is the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This wall of living coral is home to an incredible variety of marine life, and you don’t need to be an undersea explorer to discover these underwater treasures. A select number of beach resorts and island lodges put snorkelers within easy swimming distance of some of the best waters in the Caribbean. Here are three of our favorites.

Blackbird Caye Resort

This private island lodge is located 25 miles off the coast of Belize on Turneffe Atoll, which is one of the Caribbean’s only true coral atolls. Blackbird Caye Resort is a collection of 18 oceanfront cabanas all set along a two-mile private beach. Though rustic in design, with thatch roofs and local architecture, these cabanas offer a full range of comforts including air conditioning and screened balconies with hammocks and chairs. Guests can arrive by boat, or fly direct to the resort’s private airstrip. The palapa-style waterfront restaurant focuses on chef-prepared island cuisines, and socializing takes place at The High Tide Bar. Nearby are the infinity-edge pool and a water sports center offering kayaks and paddleboards.

Cottages at Blackbird Caye face a deserted beach and the sheltered lagoon of Turneffe Atoll. The surrounding waters are among the most bio-diverse in the Caribbean. Photo: Blackbird Caye

Turneffe Atoll is the largest and most biologically diverse of the four atolls found in the Caribbean and offers some of the best snorkeling in the world. The clear, shallow reefs around Blackbird Caye Resort provide easy access for snorkeling and are an excellent environment for beginners and experts alike. Blackbird Caye’s fully equipped dive center runs dive and snorkel boats, offering both morning and afternoon snorkeling excursions to area coral reefs. Snorkelers can also sign up for the full-day trip to Half Moon Caye to snorkel in Belize’s famous Blue Hole. This trip also includes a stop at the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, where snorkelers can encounter everything from nurse sharks and tropical fish to turtles, spotted eagle rays and moray eels. The dive center also offers snorkeling lessons, equipment rental and private snorkel guides and boats. https://www.blackbirdresort.com/

Butterflyfish patrol a coral head in the waters of Turneffe Atoll. Numerous sites like this are just minutes away from the docks of Blackbird Caye Resort. Photo: Blackbird Caye

Blue Marlin Resort

Blue Marlin Resort delivers world-class adventures, combined with home-style cooking, personalized guest services, and barefoot island living. This remote dive and adventure resort is set in Southern Belize, on the island of South Water Caye. Surrounding the island is the country’s second-largest marine reserve, and a 90-mile-long barrier reef. This setting provides guests with easy access to pristine snorkel and dive sites that are just minutes from their room. The property includes 15 individually designed guest accommodations, ranging from standard rooms to private cabanas and island-view cabins. Groves of coconut palms shade the resort’s manicured grounds, with hammocks and beach lounges for relaxation.

The Blue Marlin Resort sits at the north end of a 15-acre island off the coast of Belize. It is reached by boat from the port of Dangriga. Photo: Blue Marlin

Swimmers and snorkelers can enter the water from the resort’s private dock, and beach snorkeling is accessible directly off the southern tip of the island. Guests can access snorkeling sites by kayak, and the resort staff can also provide shuttle boat service to nearby reefs. Snorkeling is just one of the many activities offered at Blue Marlin. There is a dive shop and angling center offering flats, reef and deep-sea fishing trips. The resort staff can organize bird watching trips to the Sanctuary on Man-of-War Caye, manatee sightseeing in the Tobacco Range, beachcombing excursions, mangrove explorations and tours to the Smithsonian Marine Research Station on Carrie Bow Caye. https://www.bluemarlinbeachresort.com/

Private Cabanas at the Blue Marlin Resort are set among coconut palms, where porches provide views of the Caribbean Sea and colorful coral reefs that begin just yards from shore. Photo: Blue Marlin

Sunbreeze Hotel and Sunbreeze Suites

The Sunbreeze Hotel https://www.sunbreeze.net/ takes full advantage of its beachfront setting. Broad verandahs and balconies take in the Caribbean Sea across a palm-shaded sand courtyard. The resort’s signature restaurant, the Blue Water Grill, serves up memorable water views and ocean breezes, and the upper deck at the 360 Degree Bar provides panoramic vistas of island and ocean. This compact, 43-room property is conveniently located next to the airport, near the ferry landing, and within easy walking distance of the shops and cafes of downtown San Pedro. As an alternative to hotel rooms, the affiliated SunBreeze Suites https://www.sunbreezesuites.com/ offers 20 one-bedroom compact suites, with kitchens, living and dining rooms and private balconies.

Belize SunBreeze Restaurant and Pool Deck

The pool deck at Sunbreeze Resort on Ambergris Caye. A recent addition to the resort is the second-story addition to the waterfront bar, which delivers 360-degree island views. Photo: Sunbreeze

Snorkeling adventures at SunBreeze can begin right off the beach, with acres of shallow grass beds and coral heads to explore closer to shore, and a mile-long barrier reef within swimming distance. Just a few steps away from the pool is the headquarters for Ambergris Divers, which offers daily snorkel excursions to nearby reefs, and to the famous Shark Ray Alley, where swimmers can mix with southern stingrays and harmless nurse sharks in shallow water. More adventurous snorkelers can also join divers on all-day trips to more distant Turneffe Atoll and the Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef. After drying off, guests can claim a hammock spread between palm trees, nap in lounges set on the pool deck, or book a session at the hotel’s on- site spa.

The docks at Sunbreeze Resort are the starting point for daily boat trips to area snorkeling sites, including the Hol Chan marine reserve, home to the famous Shark Ray Alley site. Photo: Sunbreeze

Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas-New Providence, Bahamas-Out Islands, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Play, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

Swim with Stingrays in the Caribbean

June 1, 2018

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Once considered a novelty, swimming with stingrays has become one of the Caribbean’s most popular aquatic animal encounters. What began more than three decades ago in the Cayman Islands has now spread to locations across the region. Some programs are little more than marine petting zoos, but the best allow humans to interact with rays in a natural setting, and get to know these surprisingly gentle sea creatures.

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman’s world-famous Stingray City happened by accident. In the 1970s, local fishermen would stop to clean their catch over a sandbar in the sheltered waters of North Sound. This soon attracted the attention of the resident stingray population, and within a few years, dive masters were bringing tourists to the site to snorkel with the rays. Fast forward 45 years and Stingray City has become one of the Cayman’s signature experiences. Encounters begin with a half-hour boat ride across the sound, and there are actually two sites that the tour operators visit. In the first area, the water is as shallow as two feet, giving participants of all ages a chance to wade and feed the rays. Snorkelers and divers are often taken to a second nearby site, where water depths range from four to eight feet, and the rays are joined by a colorful assortment of reef fish.

Grand Cayman island is the home of the original Stingray City. At this world famous site, the stingrays come close, and may brush their wings against swimmers and snorkelers. Photo: Douglas Klug/Flickr

Antigua

Though not as famous as the Grand Cayman original, Antigua’s Stingray City has become one of the island’s most popular attractions. Encounters begin in a cove on the northeast coast, near Seaton’s Village and the Verandah Resort. Participants board small boats for a five-minute trip to a sandbank in the center of the cove, where they disembark onto a floating dock. Guides are provided to help adjust snorkel gear and provide a short briefing, then its time to enter the water by way of steps. Depths on the sandbar are three to four feet, making the adventure suitable for most children and those who aren’t strong swimmers. Those who want to try their hand at feeding the rays are given bits of squid, and shown how to safely present them to the passing animals.

Antigua’s Stingray City is located on a sandbar within a bay located on the island’s east coast. Visitors arrive by small boat, and enter the water from a floating dock. Photo: sshawha/Flickr

Nassau, Bahamas

There are several stingray encounters available in the Bahamas. Some are staged on the private islands affiliated with various cruise ship lines; others take place on remote Out Islands reached only by small boat or charter flights. The most accessible encounters take place on the small islands surrounding Nassau. A favorite is Balmoral Island, which is reached by way of a 30-minute ferry ride from the cruise ship docks. As part of an all-day beach excursion, guests can spend time interacting with rays in a shallow area close to the beach. This is a wade-in experience suitable for ages five and up, as water depths range from ankle deep to swimming depths. After meeting the rays, participants can spend the rest of their day swimming, snorkeling, sunning and dining.

Visitors to Nassau can make day trips to Balmoral Island, where one of the featured activities is the chance to interact with stingrays in a sand bottom lagoon. Photo: Balmoral Island

Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas

Stingray pedicures are just one of the unique marine life encounters that are part of an out island adventure with the man known as Bahama Brendal. The owner of Brendal’s Dive Center of Green Turtle Cay offers day trips by small boat to a beach on uninhabited Manjack Cay. Along the way, there is a stop on a shallow reef to swim with green sea turtles, then shallow sandbar where stingrays are sometimes joined by nurse sharks, which are a species that pose no threat to humans. In addition to the usual stingray interactions, guests on Brendal’s trips are encouraged to place small bits of fish between their toes, and allow the rays to glide in and over bare feet.

Green Turtle Cay is a small island in eastern Bahamas. Here, visitors can sign up for an adventure cruise that includes a stop at a secluded beach where stingrays gather. Photo: Larry/Flickr

Gibbs Cay, Turks & Caicos

Visitors to the island of Grand Turk can meet the local stingrays when they sign up for a boat trip to the deserted island known as Gibbs Cay. Participants are provided with snorkel gear to explore the shallow reefs that begin just 50 yards from shore, and hold an assortment of colorful tropical fish. The stingrays appear at a nearby sand-bottom area where waters are knee to waist deep. Rays glide around and over bare feet and legs, making light contact. When the rays circle out into deeper water, snorkelers can follow. Back on shore, the guides demonstration the art of cleaning a conch, then transform it into a delicious ceviche.

Just off the coast of Grand Turk, the waters of uninhabited Gibbs Cay attract gregarious stingrays, which are not shy about making contact with humans. Photo: Henry Silva/Flickr

Aruba, Bahamas-Out Islands, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos

The Caribbean’s Top Kiteboarding Beaches

April 25, 2018

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Over the past decade, kitesurfing has grown from a niche activity to one of the world’s most popular wind sports. Innovations in equipment and teaching methods allow people off all ages to embrace the sport. The islands of the Caribbean are ideal destinations for kiteboarders, as they offer warm waters and stead trade winds. The best locations have winds that blow from on shore or side shore to the beach, and waters that are sheltered from ocean waves. Here are six of the region’s kiting hot spots.

Palm Beach, Aruba

Windsurfers discovered Aruba in the 1980s, and the island’s west coast remains a hotbed for sailing activity. These days, the area known as the Fisherman’s Huts sees more kites than sails, as it offers all the right ingredients. Trade winds sweep in from the east, which allows kites to be deployed over the water, and rides to start right from the beach in shallow water. Beginners are able to hone their skills in flat water and forgiving near shore conditions, while advancing riders can ramp up the action by moving a few yards offshore to make long, fast runs along the beach. More experienced riders can also venture to Boca Grandi, a small bay on the island’s south side where winds and waters are more intense.

Aruba’s Boca Grandi is the place where advanced kiteboarders gather to play in the chop, or venture beyond the mouth of the bay to launch off larger waves. Photo: Robinszeggs/Flickr

Great Exuma, Bahamas

Running north to south through the central Bahamas, the Exumas are a chain of small, green islands surrounded by white sand shoals and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic. In summer, lighter winds create relaxing conditions for kiteboard runs in calm bays and passages between islands. Stronger winter fronts amp up the action with chances to play in the waves and power up for high-flying aerial chop hops. The largest island in the group, Grand Exuma, is the starting point for most kiting excursions, and Exuma Kitesurfing is the outfitter of choice. This full-service shop offers rentals, lessons with certified instructors, and taxi boat services to begin long downwind runs, or excursions to remote, wind-swept sandbars.

The Exuma Islands are known for white sands and emerald waters. In recent years, these islands have gained a reputation as the premier kiteboarding destination in the Bahamas. Photo: Billy Bosch/Flickr

Atlantis Beach, Bonaire

Bonaire is best known for it’s world-class shore diving, but the sheltered waters of the island’s west coast are also prime kiteboarding territory. Three miles south of the town of Kralendijk, Atlantis Beach is the local mecca for kiting. Two companies, Kiteboarding Bonaire and the Bonaire Kite School, offer gear, lessons and chase boat support. It’s an ideal place to learn the basics, as the trade winds that sweep across the island’s southern salt flats are steady and predictable, and instruction can take place in knee-deep water over a forgiving sand bottom. The kiteboarding area is located on the southwest tip of Bonaire and can be found by following the brightly colored kites soaring through the air.

A kiteboarder makes a sunset run in the waters off Bonaire’s Atlantis Beach. With winds blowing from across the island, sailors can make easy launches from this west-facing beach. Photo: Tourism Bonaire

Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Like other breezy spots in the Caribbean, the north shore of the Dominican Republic was first discovered by windsurfers. They came not only for the consistent winds, but also the varied sailing conditions, which included not only flat water bays for instruction and speed runs, but also ocean swells and beach breaks that became the playground of the world’s best riders. The same conditions now stoke kiters, and a number of the world’s top pros have made Cabarete a seasonal home. There are several IKO (International Kiting Organization) certified schools in the area, and new riders can master the basics in the flat water lagoon at Kite Beach, where consistent side- shore winds make for easy launches. Cabarete Bay is where the experts play, both inside the reef, on the breakers and in open ocean swells.

Dominican Republic Cabarete Kite Surfing

On the north coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete Bay has become one of the world’s premier kitesurfing destinations, both for novices and pros. Photo: Remon Rijper/Flickr

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Mention the Caymans, and most people think of either scuba diving or offshore banking. Although not as well known as a kiting destination, the island of Grand Cayman has several sites that are well suited to the sport. The prime season for kiting is between November and June, when the easterly trades blow steady. The most popular kiting area is Barkers Beach on the island’s northwest corner. Here, a large sand flat provides waist to chest deep water inside a protective barrier reef, and a large expanse of beach to launch kites without fear of tangling lines with other sailors. On the other side of North Sound, near the Rum Point area, a lagoon known as Kaibo is also popular, and savvy kiters know of a spot on the island’s east end called the Sweet Spot. Here, there is both a reef protected flat-water lagoon, and a chance to move out into open water to play in the waves.

Grand Cayman’s North Sound offers large expanses of sheltered water where kiteboarders can spread out and sail without concerns of crossing lines or tangling kites. Photo: Don McDougall/ Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Long Bay, Providenciales

Kiteboarding came relatively late to the islands of the Turks & Caicos, but once sailors discovered what awaited on the southwest shores of the island of Providenciales, it didn’t take long for the word to spread. This three-mile- long beach combines soft, powder white sand with clear waters and expansive shallows. Today, there are four kiteboarding schools on Long Bay Beach, and during the prime sailing season, which typical runs from November to May, aspiring riders fill the expansive lagoon. This entire area has water depths of two to three feet, which creates very friendly learning conditions. Aspiring kiters don’t have to tread water as they recover and relaunch after a spill, and there’s no danger of being blown onto the breaking waves of a reef. The flat waters are also prized by more advanced sailors, who can enjoy three-mile-long speed runs along the shore.

Turks and Caicos Providenciales Kite Boarding

On the Island of Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos, the waters of Long Bay lures kiters with the promise of steady winds and the chance for long, fast runs. Photo: S.Neller/Flickr

Africa, Asia, Islands, Oceania, Play, Seychelles, Tahiti, Thailand, Trip Ideas

Sail-Away Adventures in Paradise

March 20, 2018

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Imagine leaving it all behind and setting sail for a tropical island paradise. There, you’d anchor in a remote cove and spend your days swimming over coral reefs, walking deserted beaches and feasting on fresh seafood. This doesn’t have to be a daydream. Not when you book a charter boat vacation.

At some of the world’s most scenic islands, it’s possible to rent a well- equipped sailboat and set your own course for adventure. And don’t worry if you and your crew aren’t seasoned mariners, because these same charter companies can supply a captain to show you the ropes, or become your personal guide for the duration of the voyage. Here are four premier destinations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans where dreams of sailing away can become reality.

Tahiti

These are islands that inspired the artwork of Gauguin, and seduced the crew of the Bounty. Today, the Islands of Tahiti welcome sailing crews, who come to anchor in turquoise lagoons, walk unspoiled beaches and swim over bright coral reefs. Sailing adventures typically begin on the island of Raiatea, which is part of the Leeward group of islands that lies some 100 miles to the west of the big island of Tahiti. This cluster of tall, green islands includes Bora Bora, with it’s world famous lagoon, the quieter sister islands of Tahaa and Raiatea, and the garden island of Huahine. Each offers something different, from traditional villages and coconut groves to world- class resorts and spas. Because these islands are all within an easy day’s sailing of each other, a charter boat crew can island hop, anchoring in a different bay or lagoon each night. Warm, steady trades blow year round, creating easy sailing conditions that will have even new skippers soon feeling like old salts.

The Tahitian island of Raiatea is the nautical center of French Polynesia. The main town of Uturoa is home to a number of sailboat and yacht charter companies. Photo: Grégoire Le Bacon/Tahiti Tourisme

Seychelles

A thousand miles east of Africa, the remote islands of the Seychelles were known to ancient mariners from Phoenicia, Polynesia, China and the Arab world. Today, only the savviest of sailors know of this magical cruising destination, but the word is getting out. The Seychelles group is hundreds of small, low-lying islands scattered across thousands of miles of ocean. But the star attractions are the larger Inner Islands, which are geological wonders of twisted granite, mountainous and lush with tropical forests that support species of birds found nowhere else on Earth. From the capital island of Mahé, crews can make an easy day sail to a cluster of small islands to the east, where they will find bays fringed by ivory-white sands and clusters of monolithic granite boulders that are an iconic symbol of the Seychelles. Ashore, the islands offer a rich commingling of French, British, Indian, Middle Eastern, and African cultures.

Sailboats ride at anchor in the south bay of the Port Launay Marine Park in the central Seychells. These islands offer dozens of calm coves for overnight stays. Photo: Seychelles Tourism Board

Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga is best known for whales. Each year, humpbacks migrate from the Antarctic waters to mate, breed and birth in the warm waters that surround these remote islands, creating a unique opportunity for humans to swim with these 50-foot mammals. That alone would be reason enough to visit these remote and unspoiled islands, but there’s more. In the center of the Tonga archipelago, the Vava’u group of islands provide the ideal sailing conditions that make these waters one of the most appealing cruising grounds in the South Pacific. The green-clad islands sit in close proximity to each other, are ringed in protective coral reefs, and are graced with steady trade winds. Skippers can glide over calm waters, navigating from island to island by sight, with more than 40 calm anchorages to choose from. These same reefs offer exceptional snorkeling and diving in some of the world’s clearest waters, and there are miles of deserted beaches to explore.

A sailboat glides past a small island in Tonga’s Vava’u group. Calm waters, close harbors and steady winds make this region ideal for sailing vacations. Photo: Tourism Tonga

Thailand

Not many people know of the Phi Phi Islands by name, but most will instantly recognize them by sight. These limestone towers, which rise precipitously from the waters of the Andaman Sea, have served as backdrops for feature films, and have graced thousands of magazine covers and travel brochures. These and the other hundred-plus islands that surround Thailand’s vacation mecca of Phuket are far from unknown, but sailors who charter their own vessels have the advantage over those who come by tour boat. Within the sheltered waters of Phang Nga Bay, there are numerous bays and anchorages on uninhabited islands that aren’t on the main sight seeing routes. The prime sailing season runs from November through April, as cooler, drier northern winds create ideal conditions for relaxing island-hopping passages. Crews can choose to spend nights in quiet coves, or stop in more populous harbors to enjoy shore leave that comes with the warm hospitality that the Thai people are known for.

Sailors can explore the dramatic landscapes of Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands, where towering limestone cliffs surround calm bays ringed in white sand beaches. Photo: Flickr

Caribbean, Play, St. Lucia, Trip Ideas

St. Lucia Adventures

February 21, 2018

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From green-clad peaks and lush garden valleys to shimmering waters and palm-fringed beaches, St. Lucia is a place of great natural beauty. Small wonder that it is home to some of the most romantic resorts in the Caribbean. But there’s also a slightly wilder side to this gem of an island, and this fact isn’t lost on travelers looking to do more than recline on the beach or admire the views from a hillside terrace. Here are some of the soft adventures that await on land and sea.

In the Woods

More than three-quarters of St. Lucia remains covered in forests, with substantial portions of the land protected within national parks and nature preserves. Miles of hiking trails give access to sites ranging from remote beaches to mountain ridges and volcanic valleys. The most famous hike is the path up Soufrière Volcano, where trekkers journey into an alien landscape of bubbling mud pools and odoriferous sulfur hot springs. Another bragging-rights walk is the steep climb to the summit of Gros Piton, which will challenge the fit, and reward with amazing views. Less demanding are the shaded pathways of the Millet Bird Sanctuary and the Diamond Botanical Garden, which is home to one of the most colorful waterfalls in the Caribbean.

The tall peaks of St. Lucia’s mountains gather moisture from trade wind- driven clouds, sending it to the sea in the cascading flows enjoyed by hikers and swimmers. Photo: St. Lucia Tourism Authority

Swap hiking shoes for bike shorts and more backcountry adventures await. Off road riding in St. Lucia centers around the Anse Mamin Plantation, which is part of the 600-acre estate belonging to the Anse Chastanet Resort. Here, miles of off-road bike trails run through jungle foliage and the abandoned stone structures of a French sugar plantation. All trails are mulched to reduce mud and prevent erosion. Roots and other sharp projections are removed, and there are routes suitable for novices to experts.

Bikers can enjoy a network of groomed trails that wind through the grounds of a former sugar plantation. Some are level and easy, while others climb to scenic overlooks. Photo: Bernd Rac/Anse Chastanet

Different thrills await at La Soufrière Mountain. Here, an elevated tramway ferries passengers up the green-clad slopes of a forest reserve, where a network of zip lines runs through the forest canopy, providing exhilarating flights that showcase aspects of the highland rainforest that can’t be seen from the ground. Those wanting a closer look at St. Lucia’s forest canopy can also take their time on an elevated adventure course that includes suspensions bridges strung through the treetops.

The central mountains of St. Lucia rise to heights of more than 3,000 feet. Adventurous visitors can ride an aerial tram high into the rainforest, or glide through the forest canopy on zip lines. Photo: Walt Stearns/St. Lucia Tourism Authority

On the Water

With clear Caribbean waters washing its shores, and coral reefs just a short swim from the beach, St. Lucia is a water sports playground for paddlers, sailors, snorkelers and divers. Most dive and snorkeling sites are close to shore, where narrow coastal ledges at depths of 15 to 30 feet transition to slopes. The majority of these sites are accessed by boat, but there are also several excellent shore dives. Some slopes are gentle and lead to intermediate depths, others are steep to vertical, and drop to depths below 100 feet. Additional features include pinnacles, boulder fields and underwater canyons. St. Lucia is known for colorful sponges, hard and soft coral growths, and for a high diversity of reef-dwelling species.

The west coast of St. Lucia is ideal for coastal paddling excursions, which can lead to the scenic Pitons, or into the forest-shrouded channel of the Roseau River. Photo: St. Lucia Tourism Authority

Paddling excursions take place all along St. Lucia’s western coast, which is sheltered from trade winds and easterly Atlantic swells. A number of resorts provide kayaks and stand up paddleboards for local exploration, and there is also a wide range of organized tours to enjoy, including longer routes that venture into the mouths of coastal rivers and over coral reefs. Itineraries may also include stops at remote beaches, seaside villages and snorkel sites. Favorite itineraries include trips to the nature park and an 18th-century British fort at Pigeon Island, entries into the banyan-tree shaded channel of the Roseau River and sunset paddles around the Pitons.

Sheltered from prevailing easterly trade winds the western shoreline offers calm conditions ideal for swimmers, snorkelers and paddle boarders. Photo: Lucas Gilman/ St. Lucia Tourism Authority

Marigot Bay is the island’s center for sailing and fishing trips. Visitors can ship out for a relaxing day sail down the coast to the Pitons, or wait until late for a scenic sunset cruise, with a chance to see the fabled green flash as the sun drops below the horizon. Dolphin watching trips are offered year-round, and in winter there is a good chance of seeing sperm whales, humpback whales and pilot whales in the deep waters that run close to shore.

When storms come through sailboats head to Marigot Bay for calm anchorage. Nearby hotels, restaurants and bars overlook the beaches and marina. Photo: Michael McBride/Flickr

Around the Town

Less thrilling but no less memorable are the cultural adventures and civilized indulgences that await in the towns and resorts of St. Lucia. A long political tug-of-war for sovereignty between France and England saw the island change hands some 14 times over a 200 year period, creating a unique cultural blend of Anglo and Franco traditions that intermingle with the traditions of West Africa. While the official language of the island is English, a great deal of the St. Lucians speak French “Patois” which adds further to the island’s tropical mystique. St. Lucia’s heritage and culture can be discovered not only on formal tours of historic sites and landmarks, but also by simply visiting a local market, or joining the weekly village street parties known as the Fish Fry. Bigger events include annual celebrations such as Carnival, Dive Fest, Chocolate Heritage Month and the Jazz & Arts Festival.

The open-air market in St. Lucia’s capital city of Castries is a favorite outing for visitors looking for an authentic sample of local culture, food and local handicrafts. Photo: St. Lucia Tourism Authority

Mind and Body

St. Lucia’s lush surroundings set the stage for unique and upscale resorts that blend luxury, indulgence and rejuvenation. Premier spas focus on therapies adapted to fit the needs of each individual patron. In addition to traditional massage and cleansing programs offered at a number of spas, guests at premier resorts including Anse Chastanet, Ti Kaye and Jade Mountain can experience specialties such as Chavutti deep barefoot massage, Anpagal four-hands massage, and touch therapies from a Master Bhutanese practitioner, who delivers Kora Healing through a combination of deep tissue massage, Indian stretches and Reiki energy work. Equally popular as this pampering are the integrated wellness, fitness and nutrition programs at The Body Holiday that can turn a vacation into a physical and mental reboot. Days can begin with beachside yoga and include guided walks that encourage mindful awareness of nature or Pranayama meditative breathing sessions to calm and strengthen the mind.

The Kai Koko Spa at Ti Kaye Resort perches on the edge of a hillside, where treatment rooms provide patrons with dramatic views of Anse Cochon and the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. Photo: TiKaye Resort

At the Table The island’s rich volcanic soil yields a cornucopia of tropical fruits and vegetables. This bounty is reflected in the savory dishes of traditional Creole cooking, and it has inspired a new wave of organic and fusion cuisines that have earned island chef’s top honors in international culinary competitions. In addition to enlivening resort kitchens, St. Lucia’s farms and orchards support a thriving agricultural export sector that includes bananas and chocolate. One of the island’s sweetest day trips involves a tour of historic cacao plantations, followed by a chance to create your own chocolate confections.

Participants during the Tree-to-Bar experience at St. Lucia’s Boucan Hotel learn how cacao beans are grown, harvested and transformed into delicious chocolate confections. Photo: Boucan

Bahamas, Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Play, Playa del Carmen, Trip Ideas

Unique Caribbean Snorkel Adventures

February 1, 2018

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Sure, you’ve explored the shore in front of the hotel, and maybe even signed up for a boat trip to a nearby coral reef. But are you ready for a snorkeling adventure with a wow factor and maybe some bragging rights? These adventures exist in places across the Caribbean. But though they can be thrilling, they aren’t dangerous. Here are five of my favorite Caribbean snorkel adventures that go beyond the usual reef tour.

Blackbeard’s Treasure Caverns, Norman Island, BVI

Legend has it that the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard once stashed chests of gold and plunder in the sea caves of Norman Island. But even those who doubt that tale would agree that the real treasure is the chance to snorkel into this trio of semi-submerged caverns, which are cut into a cliff face just south of the popular harbor known as The Bight. It’s suitable for all ages, because there’s always a hint of sunlight in the caves, and no branching passages. I’ve brought dozens of snorkelers to this site during charter trips, and usually give them a waterproof light so they can hunt for marine live in the nooks and crannies, and admire the purple and red patterns on the rock faces inside.

The caves at Norman Island are said to have once held treasures hidden by the pirate Blackbeard. Snorkelers can safely explore these mysterious caverns. Dale Harrison/Flickr

Bimini Road, Bahamas

Legends of the Bermuda Triangle meet tales of the lost city of Atlantis just off the shores of the tiny Bahamian island of Bimini. On the island’s western shore, a half-mile-long line of rectangular limestone blocks runs parallel to the shore. This unusual formation was first discovered by free diving legend Jacque Mayol, and in the years since, all manner of experts have speculated about the origins and purpose of the structure. Some say it’s the remains of a wall or a pier, while others have pegged it as a highway that was once part of the fabled lost city of Atlantis. I’ve explored this site on scuba dives several times, but actually enjoy it more when seen from above. When floating on the surface with mask and snorkel, you can make out the full extent of the formation in the clear waters below, and then form your own opinion on its origins.

A snorkeler descends in clear Bahamian water to examine the unique formation known as the Bimini Road. Some believe it to be part of the ruins of the ancient city of Atlantis. Photo: Atmoji Photography/Flickr

Great Blue Hole, Belize

The aerial view of Captain Jacque Cousteau’s Calypso floating in the center of a gigantic submerged crater in the center of a Caribbean coral reef became a world-famous image. This perfectly round geological anomaly measures more than 1,000 feet across, and plunges down to more than 400 feet. I’ve done deep dives into the Belize Blue Hole, but honestly, the most interesting sights are right at the top, where the shallow rim of the hole is ringed in growths of coral. It takes a two-hour boat ride from Belize City or one of the resorts on Ambergris Caye to get to Lighthouse Reef and the Blue Hole, but the reward is a chance to glide over the cliff-like edge of the hole into deep water, then spend time watching tropical fish among the corals. Keep an eye open, because there’s always a chance to catch a glimpse of large tarpon or reef sharks emerging from the shadows below.

The Belize Blue hole is a massive 400-foot-deep pit set in the center of Lighthouse Reef. The rim of the hole is covered in coral gardens that are ideal for snorkelers to explore. Photo: Kasia Kaczy?ska/Flickr

Dos Ojos Cenote, Riviera Maya

Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is riddled with cenotes, which are natural sinkholes in the limestone bedrock that fill with clear fresh water. Many of these cenotes are connected to underground rivers that form the longest underwater caves in the world. But you don’t have to be a bold explorer to enjoy these amazing places. With just a mask and snorkel, I’ve swum in dozens of these natural pools. Often, the walls overhang the water, creating a chance to swim into the twilight zone and discover marble-white stalactites hanging from the ceiling. A personal favorite is Dos Ojos Cenote, where swimmers can follow a set of guidelines through a maze of caverns that connect a pair of sunlit pools. You can explore for yourself, or hire a guide to lead the way.

The cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula are filled with clear fresh water. At Dos Ojos, snorkelers can swim through overhanging ledges that lead to stalactite-decorated chambers. Photo: Guillén Pérez/Flickr

Lac Bay Mangrove, Bonaire

This snorkel adventure is more about relaxation than excitement, but that doesn’t make it any less memorable. It begins with a trip to the undeveloped east coast of Bonaire, and a stop at the Mangrove Information Center within Lac Bay National Park. Here, you’ll sign up for a guided kayak tour that leads through the twisting channels that lace the mangrove forest. Once you reach a hidden bay deep in the reserve, you’ll have a chance to get out of the boat and wade in waist deep water. There’s not much to see out in the middle of the sand bottom bay, because the real show begins when you swim closer to the tangled underwater roots of the mangroves themselves. These roots provide shelter for numerous species of small and juvenile marine life, making Lac Bay the island’s primary fish nursery. If you are lucky, you might also be treated to a swim by from one of the bay’s resident snook or tarpon.

A snorkeler glides through a sand channel in the mangrove forest of Bonaire’s Lac Bay. The tangled roots of these trees create habitat for small fish and other marine life. Photo: Mangrove Information Center

Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaii’s Best Surfing Competitions

October 13, 2017

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We can’t all be surfing superstars. But even if you’ve never caught a wave, you can catch up with some of the best riders in the world during one of the many surfing competitions staged across the islands of Hawaii. If you are making plans to hit the beach and take in the action, here are five of the best events to watch.

Vans Triple Crown

November and December bring some of the planet’s largest and best surf to the north shore of Oahu. The world’s top riders come to challenge these waves, and to compete in three of the sport’s most prestigious events, known collectively as the Triple Crown. First in the lineup is the Hawaiian Pro in the small North Shore town of Haleiwa. Here, for two weeks in November, spectators line the beaches of Ali’i Beach Park to watch an international cast of surfers make their best moves. Two weeks later, the competition moves to the surf break known as Sunset, for the Vans World Cup. This legendary surf spot tests the world’s best on fast breaking walls of water that can rise two stories high. Come mid-December, the stakes are even higher at the Billabong Pipemasters, which draws more than 40 of the world’s most skilled big-wave riders to the infamous North Shore break known as the Banzai Pipeline. When conditions are right, this experts-only wave becomes the big stage where the best of the best risk it all for glory and six-figure prize money.

Finalists in the Vans World Cup of Surfing pose with their trophies. This three-event series draws thousands of spectators to the north shore of Oahu each winter. Photo: Vans World Cup

The Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

The world’s oldest and most prestigious big-wave competition is known to most simply as “The Eddie.” This invitation-only event is named in honor of legendary Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard Eddie Aikau, who died heroically while saving lives during a storm. There is no fixed date for this competition, which could take place at any time between late December and the end of February, and only in years when conditions deliver ride able waves with faces that reach 30 to 40 feet in height. As many as 30,000 spectators will line the beach at Waimea Bay when the big swell does hit. Some two-dozen of the world’s best riders are invited to test their skills on the monster breaks.

The Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is a World Surf League special event that is only staged when wave face heights hit the range of 40-feet-plus. Photo: Quicksilver

Surf N Sea Haleiwa International Open

Not all surf contests are about fame and fortune, and this is certainly the case for the world’s longest-running amateur wave riding event. The Haleiwa Open was created in 1970 by two Oahu locals as a good will gesture to visiting Japanese surfers. Over the decades, the event has attracted an increasingly diverse range of both local and international competitors, who gather to showcase their talents on the surf breaks of Ali’i Beach Park. With both long board and short board categories, and divisions for everyone from early-teens to the 60-year-plus grandmasters, the competition remains true to its amateur roots. Competitors and spectators mingle in a setting that has a hometown vibe, and proceeds from the event go to the Haleiwa Surf Center and the local community.

Winners in the short board division at the Haleiwa International Open. This event gives young up-and-coming surfers a chance to showcase their talents and enter the professional ranks. Photo: Haleiwa International Open

HSA State Championship

On the mainland, it’s all about high school and college sports. In Hawaii, people follow the standings of the favorites in the HSA. Founded in the early 1960s, The Hawaii Surfing Association forged an alliance of professional and amateur surfers, organized community and regional surfing teams, and worked for the promotion and betterment of the sport. Today, the association produces 11 amateur surfing competitions on the island of Oahu every year, and another five events a year on the islands of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai. The 10-month HSA Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series features a mix of short board, long board, body boarding and knee boarding divisions. Competitors in each discipline earn points toward an invitation to the State Championships, which takes place in late April at the Ala Moana Bowls surf break on Oahu’s southern shore.

A group of young competitors at a Hawaii Surfing Association event. The association stages amateur competitions across the state of Hawaii, with divisions for children as young as seven years of age. Photo: Hawaii Surfing Association

Duke’s OceanFest

This eight-day celebration of the surfing lifestyle is named for Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the Hawaii native revered as the father of modern surfing. OceanFest take place at Waikiki Beach, which is where Duke and his fellow beach boys first introduced the world to the sport of wave riding in the 1920s. Highlights of OceanFest include the World Championship of Tandem Surfing. For this unique subset of the sport, a two-person team rides Waikiki’s long gentle waves while performing a series of gymnastic-style tricks such as headstands and choreographed body lifts. The same waves provide the stage for the AccesSurf Duke’s Adaptive Surf Competition, which attracts some of the sport’s top disabled surfers. In addition to surfing, OceanFest features a variety of ocean sports that were close to Duke’s heart, including Paddleboard Racing, Swimming and Volleyball. The festival kicks off each year on the third week in August.

Don’t miss this video: “Gone to the Dogs” SurFUR Competition- https://youtu.be/YsZ4d-JqJSs

Caribbean, Curacao, Play, Trip Ideas

Curacao’s Wild Side

October 13, 2017

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Curacao is a vacation destination that delivers not only sun and fun, but also one of the liveliest cultural and culinary scenes in the Caribbean. And there’s even more to discover for those who venture beyond the beach resorts of the southern coast, and the cobblestone streets of downtown Willemstad. Along the island’s elevated spine, the landscape returns to native vegetation, while the rugged northern coast is a land of surf-washed shores and red-rock formations. This wilder side of Curacao can be discovered by foot, bike or off-road vehicle, either on your own, or with an organized tour.

Surf and Slopes

Curacao has two national parks, and both offer unique hiking experiences. Shete Boka National Park lies along the island’s undeveloped northern coast. Here, trails lead to rugged limestone cliffs known as iron shore, where surf crashes against the rocks, and plumes of white water spray upward through blowholes carved by wave action. The coastline is cut by small coves known as bocas. The churning waters are not suitable for swimming, but the setting is impressive, and very photo worthy.

The north shore of Curacao at Shete Boka National Park presents a landscape of jagged limestone cliffs and crashing surf. Many areas of this coast are only accessible by hiking trail. Photo: Shannon Greer/Curacao Toursit Board

On the island’s northwestern corner, 5,000-acre Christoffel National Park encompasses three former plantations and a historic mining site. Today, this oasis of greenery is home to an abundance of bird life and the island’s population of native white-tailed deer. The hills of the park are laced with eight hiking trails that range from easy routes to a challenging climb to the island’s highest peak of Mount Christoffel. It takes most hikers about an hour to climb to the summit of this 1,227-foot peak. The route begins on a trail with a moderate incline, then involves a bit of scrambling over boulders towards the top. The reward for this effort is panoramic views of the entire island that includes both north and south coast. It is recommended that hikers start their two-hour round trip ascent to Mount Christoffel early to avoid mid-day heat.

Hikers pause on a hilltop to take in views of Curacao’s Santa Martha Bay, and the more distant peaks of Christoffel National Park. Much of the western end of the island remains undeveloped. Photo: Shannon Greer/Curacao Tourist Board

Forts, Forests and Ponds

Curacao’s rugged outback is ideally suited for back road and single track cycling, and there are several companies that rent mountain bikes or provide guided tours. One of the more popular itineraries takes riders to the eastern end of the island for a tour of the Caracas Bay Peninsula. The ride begins in the low hills of the Jan Thiel Nature Reserve, which is home to a number of unique and rare plants and animals. Riders circumnavigate a saltwater lagoon ringed in mangrove forests, where flamingos wade in the shallows. The route continues through former plantations and weaves through thickets of gum trees, brasilwood, dyewood and divi-divi trees. Highlights of the tour include visits to the remains of historic Fort Beekenburg, the restored dwellings of Landhuis Jan Thiel and colonial-era saltpan structures.

Curacao’s Fort Beekenburg was built to defend Spanish Waters Bay from pirates and British raiders. This 17th century structure was built from the discard ballast stones of sailing ships. Photo: iStock

Other memorable rides include the Jan Ottevanger trail, which begins in a green mangrove forest, follows the shores of St. Joris Bay, and ends on the cliffs of the north coast. The Koraal Tabak route passes through salt flats before reaching the greenery of the Malpais Nature Reserve. Along the way, riders can stop at the fishing village of St. Michiel, and visit a natural cave. Plantation Porto Mari offers a groomed mountain bike trail that can be followed up with a visit to the beach, while the hills of Christoffelpark present challenges for those looking to test their climbing abilities and downhill riding skills.

Mountain bikers skirt the shore of the lagoon known as Spanish Waters. This area lies within the Jan Thiel Nature Reserve, which is home to a diverse population of indigenous plants and animals. Photo: Curacao Tourist Board

Off road Adventures

If hoofing it or pushing the pedals isn’t your thing, there are a number of tour companies that can set you up for an off-road tour, either aboard a self-drive ATV, or as part of a guided jeep safari. Tours of the island’s eastern end often begin with rides on dirt trails in the gently rolling terrain around St. Joris Bay, where sea turtles are often seen. Riders then head toward to Playa Kanoa Beach on the north shore. Along the way, there are stops at points of interest such as an ostrich farm and a series of caves once inhabited by the Arawak and Caiquetios tribes of indigenous people.

Curacao’s Hato Caves contain pre-Columbian petroglyphs and cave drawings created by Amerindian Arawak and Caiquetio peoples, and was once a refuge for runaway slaves. Photo: Curacao Tourist Board

Another option takes riders to Shete Boka National Park, where green, hawksbill, loggerhead, and leatherback sea turtles come to nest on the small, remote beaches that are tucked into hidden coves. Curacao’s most visually exciting off road tour is known as the Orchid Route. This itinerary begins in the island’s central hills, and follows ridgelines toward Christoffel National Park. Riders pass through former plantations, and groves filled with native orchids to arrive at elevated viewpoints, some of which are more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape.

A four-wheel-drive tour vehicle shows passengers a different side of Curacao as it scrambles across a rocky shoreline on the rugged, surf-washed northern coast. Photo: Roger Gibbs/Curacao Tourist Board

Champagne Reef

Scott’s Head Beach

Solomon Reef

Salisbury Beach

Secret Bay

Douglas Bay

Ocean Atlas

The Sapona Shipwreck

Current Cut

Thunderball Grotto

White Sand Ridge

Blue Holes

Blackbird Caye Resort

Blue Marlin Resort

Sunbreeze Hotel and Sunbreeze Suites

Grand Cayman

Antigua

Nassau, Bahamas

Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas

Gibbs Cay, Turks & Caicos

Palm Beach, Aruba

Great Exuma, Bahamas

Atlantis Beach, Bonaire

Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Long Bay, Providenciales

Tahiti

Seychelles

Tonga

Thailand

In the Woods

On the Water

Around the Town

Mind and Body

Blackbeard’s Treasure Caverns, Norman Island, BVI

Bimini Road, Bahamas

Great Blue Hole, Belize

Dos Ojos Cenote, Riviera Maya

Lac Bay Mangrove, Bonaire

Vans Triple Crown

The Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

Surf N Sea Haleiwa International Open

HSA State Championship

Duke’s OceanFest

Surf and Slopes

Forts, Forests and Ponds

Off road Adventures

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