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St Kitts Music Festival
Anguilla, Aruba, Caribbean, Curacao, Dominica, Jamaica, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands

Best Caribbean Music Festivals

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There’s more to the Caribbean music scene than reggae and steel drums. All across the region, a growing number of festivals and concerts are added to the calendar each year. Initially, jazz was the focus of many such events, now world music is part of the mix and famous artists are heard in a diverse array of musical styles that include blues, dancehall, soca, new age jazz, fusion, R& B and more. Each event and each successive year out does the previous, upping the ante on talent, parties and attractions.

March

Moonsplash Music Festival, Anguilla

The year 2015 marked the 25th year for this local event turned international extravaganza, which takes place every March during the full moon. Hosted by local musician Bankie Banx at his beachfront bar, The Dune Preserve, the party pulls in big names in reggae, along with upcoming local talent. For more information and the lineup for next year visit www.bankiebanx.net

April

Nevis Blues Festival, Nevis

The premier of this three-day event on Nevis took place in 2015 with a stellar line-up of local and international talent. Nevis is a natural, intimate and relaxed island and the organizers created the Nevis Blues Festival to complement that vibe. Guests are immersed in island culture and enjoy local cuisine while relaxing to sounds of blues at the Sundowner Stage on Oualie Bay. For more information and tickets for the Nevis Blues Festival, visit www.nevisbluesfestival.com

Love City Live, St John, USVI

This weekend-long celebration is filled with music, plenty of beach parties and boatloads full of revelers. A reggae concert kicks off an in-town block party. Later in the weekend the party moves to Cruz Bay’s beachfront and continues on boats that head to the British Virgin Islands. Local food, chef soirees and visits to local bars and restaurants are all on the agenda. Current dates, tickets and more information visit www.experiencelovecitylove.com

Tobago Jazz Experience, Trinidad & Tobago

The quiet island of Tobago is surely on the map after the 2015 concert, which featured a stellar lineup of international artists including recording star and actress Jennifer Hudson, singer- songwriter Jill Scott and legendary R&B band Kool and the Gang. Performances take place on the coastal town of Speyside and move to Pigeon Point Heritage Park as well as other coastal spots around the island for a full week of music, culture and gastronomy. For the 2016 lineup and more information visit www.tobagojazzexperience.com

May

Soul Beach Music Festival, Aruba

This five-day festival takes in the holidays around Memorial Day and combines Aruba’s tropical charms with rhythm and blues performances. The action takes place both day and night, with parties bouncing between the Moomba Beach and the Renaissance Aruba Resort. The majority of concert performances take place Friday through Sunday, leaving Memorial Day free for one last dip in the surf. The Soul Beach Amphitheater, the Havana Beach Club, the Hard Rock Café-Aruba are some of the main performance venues. For more information visit www.soulbeach.net

Aruba Soul Beach

During the annual Soul Beach Music Festival, the island of Aruba moves to the sounds of Rhythm and Blues. Celebrating its 15th year, this event has been named one of the best celebrations in the Caribbean. Photo: Aruba Tourism Authority

St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival,  St Lucia

The St. Lucia Jazz Festival started the trend of music festivals in the Caribbean over 20 years ago, and today it remains one of the most popular in the Caribbean, drawing crowds from both Europe and the United States. Since it inception in 1992, the festival has added a mix of popular acoustical, fusion and new age jazz, as well as soca and R&B. Once centered in the capital of Castries, the festival is now a week-long celebration of local culture, fashion and food, staged at venues across the island. The main stage is set on the peninsula of Pigeon Island National Park, with the sea as a backdrop. For more information visit www.stluciajazz.org

Curacao International BlueSeas Festival, Curacao

New on the circuit in 2015 was the inaugural Curacao International BlueSeas Festival. Attracting a veritable “who’s who” of modern blues artists, the event was labeled a celebration of “traditional and gentrified” jazz music. Performances were staged at Kleine Werf in downtown Punda, and a free two-day street festival in the historic Pietermaii district. With this entree into the world of the blues, Curacao has staked its claim in the Caribbean music festival scene. For more information visit www.curacaoblueseasfestival.com

June

St. Kitts Music Festival, St Kitts

Another longtime favorite event that will hit the 20-year mark in 2016 is the extravaganza that takes place at Warner Park Stadium on the island of St. Kitts. The lineup includes a range of musical styles including R&B, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, rock, calypso, gospel and contemporary. Past performers include John Legend, Lionel Richie, Michael Bolton, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Damian Marley and Shaggy. For more on this event go to stkittsmusicfestival.com

St. Kitts Music Festival

The jazz/reggae fusions of Arturo Tappin fill Warner Park Stadium during the 2015 St. Kitts Music Festival. The performance lineup includes everything from gospel to hip-hop. Photo: Jawanza Bassue/St. Kitts Tourism

July

Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica

This Montego Bay event attracts tens of thousand of reggae fans and includes music born out of Jamaica. Reggae pulls in the masses but hard-core lovers of the island’s many musical styles will be in heaven when they hear and move to ska, dub and dancehall. Top Caribbean bands and international talent headline the event. Evening events take place at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex, which is an outdoor arena. The final day is a beach party. For more information visit www.reggaesumfest.com 

Jamaica Montego Bay Reggae

At Jamaica’s Sumfest, Damian Marley carries on the musical traditions of his father, reggae legend Bob Marley. Staged at Montego Bay, the festival encompasses the full range of Jamaica’s music scene. Photo: Jamaica Tourist Board

September

Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival, Aruba

This annual event begins with a four-day warm up of performances staged at smaller venues, all leading up to the weekend’s main event. Come Friday, a full-on lineup of international and local jazz, Latin, soul and funk musicians take over the Renaissance Market Place in Oranjestad. Local bars, restaurants and food stands join in the fun with special festival menus and libations. Past events have featured George Benson, David Sanborn, Willie Garcia, Roberta Flack and Chakan Khan. This year the first band to ignite the festivities is Earth Wind & Fire. For additional information and tickets visit www.caribbeanseajazz.com

North Sea Jazz Festival, Curacao

This popular event has been pulling in talent and crowds for the past several years. The event draws enthusiasts from all over the world and has been praised for showcasing an eclectic mix of sounds to please pop revelers and die-hard jazz fans alike. This year’s line up will include John Legend, Enrique Iglesias, Usher, Wyclef Jean, Lionel Richie, legendary salsa vocalist Oscar D’León, British soul sensation Emeli Sandé, and the R&B group, The Pointer Sisters. Performances take place at Curacaos’ World Trade Center in Piscadera Bay. For tickets and more information visit www.curacaonorthseajazz.com

October

World Creole Music Festival, Dominica

An eclectic mix of music comes to the Nature Island with a festival that has been steadily increasing in size and popularity since its inception in 1997. The festival includes local celebrations and takes place during the island’s Independence Day, so everyone gets involved. Music traditions such as zouk, soukous and bouyon join reggae, calypso and soca tunes to keep crowds dancing and grooving through the three-day event. Outdoor venues such as the Botanic Gardens and the Layou River often become the site of free performances and family-oriented activities for both locals and visitors. For tickets and schedule visit www.wcmfdominica.com

Martinique Mount Pelee
Caribbean, Martinique, Play, Trip Ideas

Island Escapes: Hiking Martinique’s Mount Pelée

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There’s a slumbering giant on the island of Martinique, and you can climb its shoulders. It’s been nearly a century since Mount Pelee erupted in volcanic fury, covering the city of St. Pierre in a cloud of toxic ash that killed more than 30,000. Things are much quieter these days save for a few historic ruins. Little evidence of this tragedy remains, and hiking the green slopes of the volcano is a popular activity.

Rising to nearly 4,600 feet above sea level, Mount Pelée is one of the highest peaks in the Antilles. There are several paths that lead to the summit, the most popular being the trail along the Aileron Ridge. This route begins at the village of Le Morne-Rouge on the eastern side of the volcano, and follows its namesake ridge upward to circumnavigate the crater rim, drop into the fern forest of the inner caldera, then summit the steep inner cone. The upper slopes of Mount Pelée are frequently covered in clouds, but even on days when there are no grand panoramic views of island and ocean, the scenery is worth the climb.

Mt Pelee Martinique

From a vantage point near the crest of the Mount Pelée crater rim, a hiker takes in a view of the Aileron Ridge. The climb from sea level is challenging but achievable. Photo: Richard Christophe/iStock

For a sunnier, shorter and steeper path to the top, hikers can approach from the west on the Grande Savane trail. Adventurous trekkers seeking the path less trodden will sometimes opt for a third route that follows a trail known as the Morne Macouba up the northern face of the volcano.

All three trails join near the summit. The summit often takes three to four hours, so plan for a full day to get there and back. Each trail includes some steep and at times muddy terrain, making hiking boots the best choice for footwear. It’s advisable to carry plenty of water and snacks, plus exposure protection for both rain and shine. Depending on Pelée’s mood, you could be hiking in the mist or under the hot Caribbean sun. It’s possible to make the climb on your own, but many hikers sign up for a guided trek, which can be arranged though a number of tour operators and hotel desks.

Turks & Caicos Queen Triggerfish
Caribbean, Play, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

Into the Blue: Diving and Snorkeling the Turks & Caicos

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Whether you are an avid diver in search of dramatic seascapes and rare wildlife, or a casual snorkeler looking to spend a relaxing afternoon on a sun-dappled reef, the Turks & Caicos can accommodate. For many years, these islands were a bit harder to reach, and didn’t have the same level of infrastructure as better-known watersports destinations such as the Cayman Islands, Cozumel and Bonaire. That’s all changed, and today the islands are a direct flight from several US cities, there are a number of dive operators and snorkel charters that specialize in delivering divers and snorkelers into some of the best dive sites in the region.

Parrotfish Turks & Caicos

Parrotfish are common sights on the reefs of the Turks & Caicos. These fish feed on hard corals, and excrete sand as a byproduct of their digestion process. Photo: Deborah Liljegren/iStock

Diver’s Delight

Divers love clear water and dramatic undersea landscapes. The Turks & Caicos have both. The islands sit on a massive underwater plateau, and just offshore this submerged precipice rises to within 40 feet of the surface, then plunges vertically into a mile-deep abyss. The upwelling along these walls nourishes robust reefs covered in plate corals and sponges and the depth brings out the big boys: leatherback turtles, sharks and rays.

Turks & Caicos Reef Shark

A reef shark patrols a steep coral slope off the island of Providenciales. When left unmolested, these animals pose no real threat to humans, and are a prize sighting when encountered. Photo: iStock

There are no rivers on the islands, and therefore no runoff to cloud the waters. With clear oceanic water flowing right up to the shore, it’s not uncommon for divers to find themselves suspended in waters as seemingly clear as air—a true thrill when you are floating weightless over the edge of one of the island’s towering undersea walls. Near Northwest Point on Providenciales, it seems like there’s a special site every hundred yards. Provo has the international airport and most of the tourist traffic, but that doesn’t’t mean it has a lock on great dive sites. On the opposite side of the chain, South Caicos also has miles of walls begging to be plumbed. A quarter-mile from shore will put your fins over more than a mile of cobalt blue water in the company of hammerhead sharks and eagle rays. On the other side of the Turks Passage, Salt Cay south of Grand Turk is literally surrounded by shallow sites that transition to walls.

The number of divers experiencing these riches is so low that dive operations on islands other than Provo and Salt Cay come and go. There is a liveaboard, the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II that primarily visits sites west and south of Provo. An alternative to the deep sites, there are hundreds of shallow reefs just waiting to be explored, and enough underwater variety in the seascape to keep even the most avid divers enthralled for days on end.

Puffer Fish Turks & Caicos

This big-eyed puffer fish may seem harmless and vulnerable, but when provoked or frightened, it will swell up and extend rows of toxin-tinged spikes to deter would-be attackers. Photo: iStock

Shallow Water Splendor

The walls may be the big attraction for divers, but the Turks & Caicos Islands have plenty to offer snorkelers as well. The area inside of the barrier reef that runs along the north shore of the Caicos Bank is chock full of shallow patch reefs that are overrun with parrotfish, big eyes, surgeonfish, yellowtails, creole wrasse and the whole gang of colorful tropicals. Coral Gardens in Grace Bay is a favorite, but get creative and you’ll find unnamed attractions everywhere.

Turks & Caicos Wreck the Dome

The waters of the Turks & Caicos hold a number of historic shipwrecks awaiting exploration. The clear waters and bright sunlight allow for views of the remains of The Dome, a prop for a French reality show. Photo: iStock

Off South Caicos there are conch shell mounds, formed where fishermen have been cleaning their conch for generations that cover a quarter of a football field. The most spectacular snorkel site may be the Endymion wreck off Sand Cay near Salt Cay. In 1790, a British fourth- rater, the HMS Endymion found a then-unmapped solitary coral pinnacle that soars up from several hundred feet to within a dozen feet of the surface. The rocks holed the hull and the Endymion sank where she struck. Today snorkelers can dive from the surface down to inspect cannons and anchors. The heavy keel timber of the Endymion was pinned to her hull with large copper rods which still stand, now embedded in the reef, like the strings of a lonely harp. In one spot, there’s a perfectly square hole in the reef, about four inches square, the impression left by a Royal Marine’s ammo pouch, with .50 caliber balls still in it. There are dozens of snorkel tour operators in Provo, and at least one or two on each of the other major islands.

 

Maui Turtle
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Plan, Trip Ideas

Hawaii’s Best Turtle Snorkel Sites

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The waters of Hawaii are home to colorful coral reefs and several thousand species of tropical fish. But for many snorkelers, the highlight of a snorkeling adventure is an encounter with a sea turtle. These hard-shelled amphibians are most abundant in summer months, but can be seen in coastal waters year-round. If you find yourself sharing a reef with a sea turtle, just remember to be respectful and give the animal some space. It’s OK to look, but not to touch, and you’ll stand a better chance of creating a memorable encounter if you let the turtle come to you, rather than chasing after it. You might see a turtle most anywhere you stick your head below the waves in Hawaiian waters, but some sites are more popular than others, and also easier to reach. Here are some of the islands’ best bets for turtle encounters.

Hawaii Green Sea Turtles

A pair of green sea turtles occupies a beach in Kauai. When seen ashore during daylight hours, these animals are not nesting and laying eggs, but simply basking in the sunlight. Photo: iStock

Oahu

At Hawaii’s most popular snorkel site, turtles have grown accustomed to the schools of snorkel-equipped land mammals that enter the waters of Hanauma Bay each day. That said, even the most tolerant of turtles will shy away when pursued with too much enthusiasm by too many swimmers. To avoid the crowds and have the best chance of a rewarding turtle encounter, come early, or swim a bit farther afield. You’ll usually find turtles in shallow water near the reefs.

Oahu Waimea Bay Hawaii

Snorkel sites along Oahu’s north coast, such as Waimea Bay, are best enjoyed in calmer summer months, as winter swells can create towering surf and dangerous rip currents. Photo: JS Callahan/iStock

As an alternative to Hanauma Bay, head to the North Shore. A quick stop at one of the dive shops in Haleiwa will give you the latest word on conditions at sites such as Three Tables, Shark’s Cove, Waimea Bay and Laniakea—aka Turtle Beach. Big surf can limit snorkeling in winter months, but these same sites are often calm during summer, which is also when turtles are most abundant.

Maui

Maui has numerous bays and miles of beaches where snorkelers can swim with turtles, whether entering the water from shore, or by boat. From the Lahaina area, Honolua Bay is a favorite stop for snorkel charters, where in addition to the ubiquitous turtles, there’s a good chance of sighting octopus, parrotfish and even the occasionally spinner dolphin. For land-based snorkelers, the prime site near Lahaina is the headland known as Black Rock, which is located on the north end of Kaanapali Beach. Another site in the area worth checking out is the Mala Wharf, where turtles glide through the remains of a ship’s pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Maui Honolua Bay Hawaii

Maui’s Honolua Bay offers plenty of sea turtles plus the chance to encounter spinner dolphin. The bay can be reached by land, but most snorkelers arrive aboard charter boats. Photo: Brad Scott/iStock

There are a number of beaches along the southwestern coast of Maui where turtles are plentiful, and the most famous is the site known as Turtle Town. Here, turtles congregate around a collection of underwater lava formations, which also attract swarms of tropical fish. A number of boat operators provide tours to Turtle Town, and you can also get there from shore, as the site is just a short swim from Maluaka Beach. Another boat-based alternative is a trip to Molokini, and a visit to Turtle Arches.

Kauai

On Kauai, the deciding factor on where to snorkel is often the surf conditions. When seas are calmer along the north shore, which is typically in summer, sites such as Kee and Makua Beach offer some of the finest reefs in Hawaii, especially at the area known as Tunnels. A less known option that’s a bit off the beaten path, but often packed with turtles, is a small cove next to the tide pool known as Queen’s Bath. Getting there requires a scramble down a rocky shore, and the site isn’t safe when the surf is up, and crashing against the walls of the cove.

Kauai Kee Beach Hawaii

Kee Beach is one of the most popular places on Kauai to snorkel with sea turtles. Summer months are best, as this is the time when surf is smallest and turtles are most abundant. Photo: iStock

When the north shore isn’t an option due to larger winter swells, Kauai’s southern coast is the place to be. Poipu Beach is a perennial favorite, and offers easy entry and calm conditions, plus a reasonable chance of seeing turtles and sometimes even Hawaiian monk seals. A bit to the west, Lawia Beach has a protected inner reef that’s safe to snorkel even when waves are breaking over the outside reef.

Hawaii

The western shores of the Big Island offer miles of calm, clear water for snorkelers, but only a limited number of access points. Closest to the resorts on the Kona coast is Kahaluu Beach Park. This shallow, sheltered bay is home to one of the highest concentrations of fish on Hawaii, along with plenty of turtles. Ten miles farther to the south, Kealakekua Bay is a site best reached by boat, as shore entry will require a long hike over rugged terrain. A number of charter operators run trips to this popular site, and the reefs hold an abundance of both turtles and fish.

Puuhonua O Honaunau Park Hawaii

On the calmer western coast of the island of Hawaii, Puuhonua O Honaunau National Park overlooks one of the island’s best snorkel sites, which is known locally as “Two Steps.” Photo: iStock

Another of the island’s best turtle watching venues is easily accessed from shore. Snorkelers can enter the waters of Honaunau Bay at a site called “Two Steps,” which is just outside of the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Park. Roadside parking can be at premium here, but for a modest fee, you can leave your car in the National Park’s lot, use the restrooms and make the short walk next door to the entry point.

Hawksbill Turtle
Caribbean, Play, Trip Ideas

Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

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Any snorkel trip is better when there’s sea life to see, especially if it’s a sea turtle. An encounter with one of these aquatic ancient mariners never fails to delight. And thanks to an ever-growing range of conservation programs and nesting sanctuaries on islands across the Caribbean, you stand a good chance of seeing turtles at snorkel sites all across the region.

Green Turtle Caribbean

You don’t need to be snorkeling above a coral reef to find a green sea turtle, as they often patrol grass beds and sand-bottomed shallows, and can be quite tolerant of human presence. Photo: iStock

The turtles you are most likely to find swimming close to shore are the juveniles, with shells anywhere from the size of a dinner plate to a cafeteria tray. These youngsters, which may be anywhere from three years up to around age 20, are often curious, and may even approach snorkelers. Less often seen are the adults, which can reach sizes of five feet or more, and weight up to 500 pounds. If you do see a big turtle close to shore, it is most likely a mom, getting ready to come ashore and bury a nest of eggs in the sand, or resting up after doing so. These tired moms usually just want to be left alone, and you should respect their boundaries and not disturb their rest.

There are three species of sea turtles you may run into in Caribbean waters, and the best way to tell one from the other is by looking a their beaks. If the turtle has a bulled-shaped head and a short, flat beak, you’ve found a green turtle. Young green turtles are the most commonly seen turtles on Caribbean reefs, especially in destinations such as St. Thomas’ Turtle Bay, Grand Cayman’s West End and the west coast of Bonaire. They are often found cruising the shallows in search of small critters. As they mature, greens turn to a vegetarian diet, and you are more likely to find them grazing on sea grasses and algae.

Hawksbill Turtle

The hawksbill turtle takes its name from its bird-like beak. They use this beak to peck at sponges, and a single turtle can eat up to 1,000 pounds of sponges a year. Photo: Rainer von Brandis/iStock

Turtles with pointed bird-like beaks are aptly named hawksbills. Around islands such as St. Lucia, Barbados and Tobago, where reefs are rich in soft coral growth, you are likely to spot one nibbling on a sponge, which is their favorite food. The third turtle you may run across is the loggerhead, which get’s its name from its large, log-like head. These are less often seen on shallow reefs, as they roam far and wide in search of a meal. One of the best places to find loggerheads on a consistent basis is Akumal Bay on Mexico’s Rivera Maya coast.

Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead turtles have large blunt heads, which contain powerful jaws used to crack the shells of conchs and others shellfish, which make up much of this animal’s diet. Photo: H. Damke/iStock

The key to a successful interaction with a sea turtle is patience. A rapid, direct approach will likely startle the animal, and cause it to swim away. Instead, move in on sleeping or feeding turtles slowly and deliberately, and stay outside their comfort zone, which is usually around an arm’s length. If you come upon a swimming turtle, try to match its pace while moving in the same direction. You can then begin to subtly close the gap until you are cruising in formation, sometimes as close as a few feet apart. As long as you don’t seem like a threat, the turtle will likely keep going about its business, providing you with a long and very memorable encounter.

USVI Snorkeling
Caribbean, Play, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Into the Blue: the Best Snorkel Sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands

 

The clear, enticing waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands beg for exploration with mask and snorkel. And thanks to geography, which has graced the islands with numerous protected bays and coral-encrusted ledges, there are a wide range of sites where snorkelers can discover fish and colorful corals with a short swim from shore, or by setting sail to more remote coves and islets. There are literally hundreds of locations around the islands worthy of going overboard, and from that list we’ve chosen some favorites that offer the best combination of underwater scenery, beachside comforts and ease of access.

St Thomas

For shore-based snorkeler’s, Coki Point provides the island’s best combination of easy access, abundant fish life and interesting reefs. As a result, the beach area can get crowded, both by cruise ship groups and locals. There’s no surge or sharp rocks to negotiate as you wade into the calm waters, and you will soon be surrounded by swarming topical fish as you stand on the soft sand bottom. For some, this is enough, but those wanting to see more can head into deeper water, and towards the east end of the beach to discover hard-bottom reef structures with live coral and an even greater variety of sea life. Continue eastward around the small rock bluff and you’ll end up near the underwater observatory at Coral World.

Coki Point St Thomas USVI

An aerial view of Coki Point on St. Thomas. The namesake beach is to the right in this photo, and the best snorkeling reefs are between the beach and the end of the point. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock

Other nearby options for shore-based snorkeling include Sapphire Beach, which tends to be less crowded, and Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay. Both offer beachside amenities and calm water, with the chance to see stingrays and turtles in grass beds, and stands of elkhorn coral farther out. A number of charter boats provide day trips to the less-accessible bays of the north shore, and to many of the smaller islands and rock piles near the east end. Charters leaving from the south shore often focus on Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge, where turtles are frequently sighted, but the boat ride across open water isn’t for everyone.

USVI tropical fish

A school of tropical fish patrols a coral reef on the south shore of St. Thomas. Most fish are inured to the presence of humans, allowing snorkelers to approach for a closer look. David Coleman/iStock

Another popular option for charters originating at the east end is uninhabited Great St. James Island, where snorkelers can explore the calm waters of Christmas Cove, or the nearby rock pinnacles known as The Stragglers. Itineraries often take in two or more snorkel sites in a half- or full-day charter, and operators may vary destinations according to sea conditions and passenger preference.

St. John

With more than half the island incorporated into a National Park, St. John has a number of pristine and undeveloped beaches and snorkeling coves to explore. The most popular are also the easiest to reach. First on this list is Trunk Bay, home to a much-publicized underwater trail that leads swimmers through a coral reef fitted with underwater signage. This site is very popular with novices and families, as the waters are calm, the beach provides topside amenities and the site is a reasonable taxi ride from the ferry terminal at Cruz Bay.

USVI St John Trunk Bay

Snorkelers survey the underwater scenery at St. John’s Trunk Bay. This is one of many scenic sites throughout the islands where clear waters provide ideal snorkeling conditions. Photo: USVI Dept. of Tourism

Another perennial favorite is Watermelon Cay, which is known for its abundance and variety of fish life. Getting to the prime snorkel area begins with a 10-minute walk along the beach from the parking lot at the Annenberg Ruins, then a short swim from shore out to the small island. Those with their own transportation and the willingness to scramble over a few rocks can roam farther afield to access other top shore sites such as Haulover Bay. This site is reached by a trail from the East End Road, and will require some care when negotiating the shallow, rocky entry point. The reward is some of the most dramatic underwater topography around the island, including high-relief stands of elkhorn coral and an extensive grove of sea fans.

St John USVI Leinster Bay

On the north shore of St. John, the sheltering headlands of Leinster Bay create an expanse of calm water that is home to some of the island’s best snorkeling reefs. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock

Many more snorkel sites around St. John are best reached by water. A favorite itinerary takes in several of the north shore sites in Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho Bays, while anyone up for a bit of paddling can join a kayak tour to Henley Cay, where a rich garden of hard and soft corals holds a colorful assortment of parrotfish, angelfish, tangs and wrasses. Another popular kayak/snorkel takes place in the bay known as Hurricane Hole, where instead of coral reefs, swimmers tour coastal mangrove forests rich in a wide range of sea life.

St. Croix

Of the three main islands in the U.S.Virgins, St. Croix offers the greatest number of fringing coral reefs. Not all of these reefs are easily accessible, however, and some are washed by waves and surge, and are not well suited to novice or casual snorkelers. One of the island’s best-known snorkeling destinations is Cane Bay. This popular beach is flanked by a coral reef that begins in shallow water and leads out to an underwater wall that drops from 40 feet to depths of nearly a mile. In addition to an abundance of sea fans, the reef boasts an interesting collection of brain coral. Getting to the best parts of this reef will require a swim of 100 yards or more, but there’s also plenty of fish life closer to shore. Few beaches in St. Croix offer public facilities, but Cane Bay does offer a dive shop and several beachside restaurants.

A similar site worth considering is the beach adjacent to the Palms at Pelican Cove. Here, the long reef that runs offshore of Christiansted harbor comes closest to shore, providing snorkelers with an easy swim in protected waters, and a chance to discover sea turtles finning among the corals or through sea grass meadows. A map of the prime snorkeling areas is posted on a signboard, and a pair of beachfront restaurants are available for refreshment.

USVI Turtle

Green sea turtles are often seen in the coastal waters of the Virgin Islands, feeding on sea grass and sponges. Also common are hawksbill turtles. Both species nest on island beaches. Photo: iStock

Day guests are also welcome at the Buccaneer Resort, where for a modest fee, beach goers can spend the day at Mermaid Beach, and discover the reefs that lie just off the eastern end of the sand, and extend outward to Shoy Point. More adventurous types who don’t mind a 15-minute walk can head to the island’s east end, park at Point Udal and hike to Isaac’s Bay, where they will find an undeveloped beach and one of the best barrier reefs on the island. St Croix’s most famous snorkeling destination can only be reached by boat. The Buck Island Reef National Monument takes in the park’s namesake island and some 4,500 acres of surrounding reef. Within this protected zone, the Park Service maintains a guided snorkel trail that is fitted with underwater placards describing the flora and fauna of the park. Numerous tour operators offer three-hour to all-day trips to Buck Island. 

Buccaneer Beach St. Croix

Mermaid Beach at St. Croix’s Buccaneer resort provides a relaxing starting point for snorkeling explorations of the bay and a nearshore reef that runs eastward toward Shoy Point. Photo: The Buccaneer Hotel

Caribbean Cliff Jumping
Aruba, Bonaire, Caribbean, Curacao, Jamaica, Play, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Trip Ideas

Best Caribbean Cliff Jumping

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Most of us access Caribbean waters via the beach. It’s safe, easy and relaxing. But if you want to shake things up a bit, you can also find places suitable for a leap of faith. Adventurous types willing to trek through underbrush and scramble over rocky bluffs know of dozens if not hundreds of elevated launch points through the region. But if you are looking for a known quantity that’s easy to reach and safe to try, you might want to consider these five, which we have arranged in ascending order from mild to wild.

Conchi, Aruba

A visit to Aruba’s favorite natural swimming hole will take you through the island’s rugged interior to the windswept eastern coast and Arikok National Park. The journey to the site, which is known as either Conchi or Cura de Tortuga will require four wheel drive or a sturdy horse—so most people just sign up with a guide. Once there, a small lagoon is flanked by boulders that shelter swimmers from breakers that foam and surge against the outer rocks. Bathers jump in from one of several points around the pool, most at heights of ten feet or less. The main attraction isn’t the drop, but the stark beauty of this isolated site.

Ricks Cafe, Jamaica

The Caribbean’s best-known cliff jumps take place on Jamaica’s West End cliffs. A mile outside of Negril, Rick’s Cafe perches on the edge of the cliffs, providing panoramic views of the Caribbean and the area’s best sunsets. Here, an undercut cleft in the coastal facade creates an inciting turquoise cove that jumpers can’t resist. Youngsters and the less adventurous can begin at lower stations that promise easy entry. Bolder souls can propel themselves from the top of the cliff to drop 35 feet into clear water, while local performers mount makeshift platforms or shinny up cliffside trees to leap from even greater heights. Anyone who jumps can almost assuredly be guaranteed a cliffside audience, and plenty of encouragement.

Boca Slagbaai, Bonaire

A drive along the dirt roads of Bonaire’s Washington Slagbaai National Park will bring you to Boca Slagbaai, where a weathered limestone outcropping overlooks the southern end of the bay. After enjoying some refreshments at the adjacent waterfront restaurant, make your way through the scrub and cactus-covered slope to the edge of the cliff, where you’ll enjoy a sweeping view of the north coast as you gather your nerve for the 25-foot plunge. Showoffs have just enough time for a quick flip. Otherwise it’s an easy feet-first entry and a 30-yard swim back to the beach. The spot gets popular by mid afternoon, but the fun stops by four, as the park closes early.

Playa Forti, Curacao

A leap from the cliffs at Curacao’s Playa Forti isn’t for the faint of heart. With a drop of nearly 40 feet to the water, it takes nerve to edge out onto the small platform that locals have constructed as a launch point. Commit and you have an adrenaline-charged drop into 20 feet of clear Caribbean water. The path to the jump zone follows a ledge running between the cliff edge and the low walls of an open-air restaurant that perches on the bluff. After the drop, you’ll have a reasonable swim over to the beach, and some stairs to climb back up the parking area. This site in Curacao’s Westpunt region is well known, and most anyone on the island can provide directions.

Maho Cliff, St, Martin

Located just off the airport runway, St. Martin’s Sunset Beach provides safe thrills each time a landing jetliner thunders mere feet overhead. Anyone wanting to take flight themselves can walk up the beach towards the Sonesta Ocean Point Resort, and make their way through the hotel grounds to the cliff face at the western edge of the property. The drop is nearly 40 feet—plenty for most—but true adrenaline junkies can substantially up the ante by accessing the flat roof of the hotel. A running leap propels the brave and possibly foolish into an 80-foot free fall. From either height, there’s plenty of time to relive the jump as you make the 200-yard swim back to the beach.

 

Grand Cayman Queen Elizabeth Botanical Park
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Play, Trip Ideas

Grand Cayman’s Eco Adventures

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Vacationers flock to the beaches of Grand Cayman for sun and sand. Move inland a bit, however, and you’ll discover a quieter, greener side of this island. Here are a few ideas to get you headed back to nature.

Exhibit One

You don’t have to go trekking to catch a glimpse of Grand Cayman’s wilder side. Overlooking Georgetown Harbor, the island’s oldest public building now houses the Cayman Island’s National Museum. Along with cultural exhibits, there’s a gallery devoted to the island’s flora and fauna. If this exhibit whets your appetite for green spaces, take a short drive to the coastal village of Bodden Town and the historic Mission House. After touring the home, spend some time wandering the wooded grounds and adjacent wetlands, which are a protected wildlife habitat.

Grand Cayman Bodden Town Pedro St James House, eco adventures

The great house at the historic seven-acre Pedro St. James estate has been meticulously restored and furnished with period antiques to provide a glimpse of island life in the 18th Century. Photo: iStock

Smell the Flowers

For a civilized yet authentic take on Grand Cayman’s biodiversity, plan an outing to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park. A 40-minute drive from Georgetown, it’s located in the island’s greener North Side District, and on the site of a natural wetland. Meticulously tended floral gardens and orchid displays will delight the botanically inclined, but the real treat for naturalists is the Woodland Trail, which winds through the 40-acre grounds, giving access to a small lake that is a haven for waterfowl. More than half of Cayman’s native fauna can be found along this walk, and the park is also a haven for the indigenous blue iguana, which has rebounded from the brink of extinction.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana

Once plentiful in the Caribbean, the blue iguana is now an endangered species. This one has found refuge on the grounds of Grand Cayman’s Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Photo: Colin D. Young/iStock

Take a Hike

Named for the namesake trees that shade portions of the route, the two-mile Mastic Trail carries hikers through old growth forest, and ecosystems ranging from mangrove wetlands to palm groves, banana orchards, dry woodlands and former agricultural lands. Wooden walks span marshy areas, and the only climbing involved will be the imperceptible ascent to Grand Cayman’s highest point—which towers all of 60 feet above sea level. The walk will be rich in the scents of wild jasmine and the sounds of birds. The trail is open to all, and guided tours are offered through the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

Grand Cayman Mastic Trail

Grand Cayman’s Mastic Trail enters a nature preserve containing the island’s largest contiguous area of old growth dry forest. The 2.3-mile route is open to the public. Photo: Burrard Lucas/iStock

For the Birds

Avid bird watchers have identified more than 240 feathered species that either call Grand Cayman home, or make a stopover during annual migrations. You don’t have to be a die-hard ornithologist to appreciate the sea birds that swoop and dive along the harbor waterfront and patrol the beaches, but a trip to wetlands such as Collier’s Pond or Barkers National Park will reveal a whole different population of waders and fliers. An easy side trip from Seven Mile Beach is the Governor Gore Bird Sanctuary in the town of Savannah, where a boardwalk leads to a small pond that’s home to egrets and herons, while the surrounding woodlands shelter a variety of warblers, kingfishers, thrushes and more.

Grand Cayman Scarlet Ibis

A scarlet ibis searches for snacks in the wetlands of Grand Cayman’s Barkers National Park. More than 240 species of land and sea birds can be found on the island. Photo: Scott Griessel/iStock

Cruise, Paddle or Splash

Grand Cayman’s North Sound is an expansive area of mangroves and sea grass flats that provides a fertile nursery for marine life. You can discover this natural corner of the island aboard a stable pontoon boat, or get a closer look by joining a paddling tour. Kayak trips follow calm-water channels, and are suitable for the moderately active. For a total immersion into the shallows, several tour companies also offer guided snorkel adventures. In addition to finding fish lurking in the shadowy mangrove roots, there’s a chance of discovering seahorses camouflaged in colorful sponges and octopus hiding in the grasses. Tours depart from marinas in the Seven Mile Beach area.

Grand Cayman Kayaking

The mangrove-shrouded shoreline of Grand Cayman’s North Sound is butted by miles of shaded channels for kayakers to explore, and provides a protected nursery for many species of fish. Photo: iStock

Night Lights

Grand Cayman’s North Sound is one of only a handful of places in the world where water conditions nurture concentrations of tiny single-cell organisms known as dinoflagellates. At night, these diminutive creatures glow like underwater fireflies when disturbed by the flick of a fish’s tail or the stroke of a paddle. On evenings when there is little or no moonlight, guides lead boat and kayak tours into this phosphorescent soup. The more adventurous can even immerse themselves for a night snorkel adventure; creating glowing eddies with every fin stroke.

Grand Cayman Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

At night, the waters of Grand Cayman’s North Sound come alive with bioluminescent organisms. Paddle strokes excite tiny glowing animals, creating eerie glowing trails in the water. Photo: iStock

 

 

British Virgin Islands Sandy Spit Snorkeling
British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Play, Trip Ideas

Into the Blue: Best Snorkel Sites in the British Virgin Islands

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The British Virgin Islands are washed by clear waters and fringed by colorful coral reefs. There are hundreds of places all across this scenic archipelago where you can don mask and fins to enjoy a memorable afternoon of snorkeling. Some sites lie within a beachside stroll or a boat ride from a shoreside resort, while others may require a lengthier voyage to discover. Either way, you are in for a treat when you slip below the surface to discover a realm of waving sea fans and colorful fish.

Tortola

Whether you are staying on island, passing through or coming ashore from a cruise ship, Tortola is the primary starting point for day trips to the region’s premier snorkeling destinations. The most popular is a group of rock formations known as the Indians, which lie a half hour boat ride across the Drake Channel from Tortola. The submerged portions of these jagged pinnacles are riddled by swim-through passages and covered in colorful corals and sea fans. Fish are plentiful, but so too are snorkelers, so the best times to avoid the crowds are either morning or later in the afternoon. Some operators will add a second stop to an Indians itinerary by moving on to the coast of Norman Island, where a west-facing cliff is cut by a trio of sea caves. There’s a fish-filled reef just off shore, but the main event is a chance to fin into these shadowy passages, where legend has it that the pirate Bluebeard once hid his treasure.

BVI Indians Snorkeling

The rock formation known as the Indians is the most popular snorkeling destination in the British Virgins. It offers both dramatic drop offs and shallows filled with waving sea fans. Photo: iStock

Day trips also depart Tortola for the wreck of the RMS Rhone. The remains of this famous shipwreck lie scattered along a seafloor slope off Salt Island, at depths ranging from 20 to 80 feet. This site is a favorite with scuba divers, but snorkels can also enjoy the view from the surface, as details such as the hull, props and massive boiler tanks are clearly visible through the clear water.

BVI Rhone Wreck

The wreck of the RMS Rhone is popular with scuba divers, but snorkelers can also view the scattered remains from the surface, as water clarity is usually quite good. Photo: Kelli Dickinson/iStock

Another popular excursion that launches from the west end of Tortola is a trip to Jost Van Dyke, and the picture-perfect site known as Sandy Spit. On this miniature island, a deserted beach provides an idyllic backdrop for explorations of the nearby fringing reef. Boat tours to Jost Van Dyke may also stop at two additional small islands—Green Cay and Sandy Cay— or include a dip in the tidal pool on Jost Van Dyke, where waves create a natural bubble bath within the enclosed rock-lined basin.

On Tortola itself, there are two sites worthy of mention. The shallow waters of Smugglers Cove are ideal for young and novice snorkelers, as conditions are benign and the waters hold a colorful array of tropical fish. Nearby Brewer’s Bay delivers a more varied underwater landscape, with a sea floor cut by small canyons and ledges decorated by a wide range of corals. Here, snorkelers stand a good chance of seeing turtles, stingrays and lobster.

Virgin Gorda

With house-sized boulders piled on bone-white sands, The Baths is one of the world’s most scenic beaches. This site is a must-do for anyone visiting the island of Virgin Gorda, and it’s worth bringing the snorkel gear. Fish life and coral growth are sparse in the flooded grottoes created by the giant rock formations, but the interplay of light and shadow can be stunning. If ambition strikes, you can continue snorkeling along the rocky coastline south to Devil’s Bay. Boat tours to The Baths often make a secondary stop at a nearby site known as the Aquarium. Here, submerged rock formations are covered by a thicker coating of corals and sponges than at The Baths, and fish life is more abundant and varied.

BVI The Baths Snorkeling

On the southern end of Virgin Gorda, giant boulders are piled in the shallows and on the beach, creating a series of swim-throughs and grottoes known as The Baths. Photo: Gary Blakeley/iStock

From the harbor at Spanish Town, snorkel trips launch to the small group of uninhabited islands known as the Dogs. On Great Dog, a reef parallels the island’s lee shore, dropping dramatically from depths of 10 to 60 feet, with plenty of ledges, overhangs, and tunnels to explore. Resorts in the Leverick Bay area on the island’s north coast have access to an extensive reef system that extends east and north from the Bitter End Yacht Club and Saba Rock. Signature named sites include Eustatia Reef, Oil Nut Bay, Necker Island, Cactus Point, and Mosquito Island, but don’t get hung up in the titles. This entire area is filled with rich coral growth and abundant fish life, and most anywhere you roll overboard you are likely to discover something memorable. The truly adventurous can sign up for an all-day cruising adventure to remote Anegada Island, where the beach at Loblolly Bay overlooks a maze of coral heads and a barrier reef that stretches for miles, hiding the remains of several hundred unfortunate ships that came to grief here.

BVI Anegada

The beach at Anegada’s Loblolly Bay overlooks an expansive barrier reef riddled with coral heads and underwater ledges that provide hours of snorkeling adventure. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock

Charter Boat

The British Virgins are home to the world’s largest fleet of charter sailboats. Experienced crews can go it alone, while others can set sail with a captain and crew. Either way, a charter vacation unlocks a wealth of additional snorkel sites, with access as easy as stepping off the transom. In addition to the Caves, crews stopping at the popular Bight anchorage on Norman Island can come ashore at Pirate’s Bar and take a short walk down the beach to visit a lively reef on the southern side of the bay. For an added dose of excitement, this site can be visited at night, when underwater dive lights will attract large, silver-sided tarpon. A short sail from the Bight brings you to Peter Island and the pristine reef at secluded Buttonwood Bay, where you can spend a relaxed afternoon away from the crowds.

BVI Coral

Many reefs in the British Virgins are covered in luxuriant arrays of soft corals and sponges. Popular snorkeling sites are protected with mooring buoys that help prevent anchor damage. Photo: iStock

Along the string of small islands leading eastward to Virgin Gorda are several more sites worth a mention. The channel between Salt and Cooper Islands is particularly rich in fish life, especially around Vanishing Rock, a coral-encrusted outcropping that is exposed only at low tide. A stopover at the beach club at quiet Cooper Island puts you within an easy dinghy ride of Cistern Point and Little Carvel Rock, while adjacent Ginger Island offers the richly overgrown coral slopes of Alice’s Backside. If your route takes you to the north side of Tortola, a site that should not be missed is Guana Island’s Monkey Point, where you will be enveloped in swirling schools of blue-striped grunt and yellowtail snapper. In calm weather, you can also visit Coral Gardens on nearby Camanoe Island. Here, parrotfish, snapper and barracuda patrol an expansive field of sea fans and brain corals, while shy garden eels and jawfish peek cautiously from their seafloor burrows.

BVI Hogfish

A young hogfish on a shallow reef. Because fishing is not allowed within the waters of the British Virgin Islands’ marine parks, marine life on these sites often show no fear of humans. Photo: iStock

 

Cabo Horseback Riding
Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta

Mexico’s Best Horseback Beach Rides

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Sun, surf, sand and a cantering horse. It’s a compelling image, and a familiar entry on many traveler’s bucket list. The trick is finding a ride-worthy stretch of sand that’s not overrun with beach chairs and bathers, but still within easy reach of the resort. Equally important is choosing the right outfitter—one that provides healthy, well-trained mounts that respond with an enthusiasm and temperament matched to the rider.

Oceanfront rides are offered at a number of Mexico’s Pacific Coast vacation destinations by outfitters from itinerant and often unaccredited entrepreneurs to large tour companies that stage large group rides. For the best experience, you’ll want something in between: an established and reputable stable that specializes in smaller parties, stables with well-trained animals and has access to the most scenic trails and beaches. Here are some of our favorite outfitters and routes.

Cabo San Lucas

A number of tour operators in the Cabo San Lucas area can get you on horseback. But if you want the best, make your way north of town to Cuadra San Francisco (www.loscaboshorses.com). This premier equestrian center and riding academy trains in disciplines such as dressage, driving and polo, and also produces exceptional trail horses. Private or small group rides lead into the nearby hills of Cabo Real, along undeveloped beaches, or take in both. Horses are matched to each rider’s ability, providing novices with accommodating animals while inspiring experienced riders with a mount that shares their enthusiasm for the trail.

Cabo Horseback Riding

Near the town of San Jose del Cabo, wranglers lead a string of horses back to the stables after completing an evening ride along the beach. Photo/iStock

Mazatlan

Before you saddle up for Mazatlan’s favorite beach ride, you’ll first take a short boat ride across the harbor entrance channel to the area known as Stone Island. The close-by stretch of beach overlooking Isla Cardones is a favorite with day-trippers disembarking from the cruise ships, but your horse provides an easy escape from the crowds, and there are miles of undeveloped beach to the south to discover. In addition to following the surf line, routes may also take you through coconut groves, coastal mangrove forests and small local villages. The stable that earns consistent high reviews is Randi’s Happy Horses. (www.randishappyhorses.com)

Mazatlan Horseback

Just across the harbor from Mazatlan, Stone Island is a favorite destination for day trips, and a starting point for horseback rides along the wilder beaches to the south. Photo: Jerry Moorman/iStock

Acapulco

If your idea of the ideal beach ride includes crashing surf, you’ll likely be in luck when you schedule a ride along Acapulco’s Playa Revolcadero. This less-developed section of coastlines lies southeast of both Acapulco Bay and Puerto Marques, and is a favorite with surfers. The same cresting breakers provide a memorable backdrop for beach rides. Those willing to travel a bit farther afield can continue along the coast to Barra Vieja, where a ride can be one element of a day spent sunning, fishing and soaking in the laid-back vibe of this coastal village. The leading outfitter, Playa Revolcadero Horseback Rides, does not currently have a web site, but trips can be arranged through a number of tour companies or hotel concierges.

Acapulco Horseback

A sunset over Acapulco’s Revolcadero Beach. This coastline is less developed than beaches within the bay, and ideal for a memorable horseback ride on surf-washed sands. Photo: Andres Balcazar/iStock

Puerto Vallarta

As beaches all along the northern end of Banderas Bay see a new wave of beachfront development, there are no longer areas where horses and bathers mix. Which is not a problem, because the more dramatic backdrop for a seaside canter is still found to the north of the bay, on surf-washed beaches near the coastal towns of Sayulita and San Francisco. One of the area’s favorite stables is the Painted Pony Equestrian Center (http://paintedponiesequestriancenter.com), where riding adventures can range from a one-hour ride along Litibu Beach to half-day excursions that also take in coastal jungles and waterfalls.

Puerto Vallarta Horseback

A short drive north from Puerto Vallarta resorts and Banderas Bay, the wild beaches near the small coastal town of Sayulita are ideally suited for horseback rides on the beach. Photo/iStock