Caribbean Things to Do

The Caribbean, as far as geologists are concerned, is generally considered a nice and sunny little archipelago comprised of the Greater and Lesser Antilles. What tectonic forces came together to push and pull these little gumdrops of tropical paradise up out of the water we’ll probably never fully understand (or at least this author won’t), but what we do know is that there’s a lot of fun to be had here, and the Caribbean, especially the Southern Caribbean, is a great place to vacation.

St. Lucia is the Caribbean island that has it all. Dramatic green cliffs that plummet into the azure ocean, rainforests, warm water, undersea diving, history, culture – you name it. Many tourists opt not to bounce to any other islands once they land upon St. Lucia’s golden shores – such is the lure of paradise. Is it then any wonder that it has been named the “World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” for five consecutive years?

Many first-timers to the Caribbean think that all there is to do in this little corner of the globe is lie on the beach or sailboat, drinking cocktails and soaking in the sun. And far be it from me to knock-it (I’m your prototypical sun lizard), but with this mentality it’s easy to miss the excitement that lies hidden on each and every island nation. Take, for example, Trinidad and Tobago.

The British Virgin Islands are, for many, the quintessential islands of the Caribbean. Not as fast or busy as the neighboring U.S. Islands, the BVI is exotic, multifaceted, and yet serene. The pace of life seems slower here, and with not so much to distract you, a trip to the islands lend themselves perfectly for getaways with or without kids. Thing is, if the whole family is in tow, what to do with the little ones? It can be hard explaining to youngsters the appeal of doing nothing on the beach for hours on end, but rest assured – with a little forethought, there is plenty to do in the British Virgin Islands for the whole family.

Tucked away in the Caribbean’s Lower Antilles is the small island nation of Grenada. Known for its feel-good atmosphere, island rhythms, a history in the spice trade, and some great beaches and underwater diving, Grenada is one of the jewels in the Caribbean’s turquoise waters.

Looking at a map of the Caribbean, and in particular, a map of the Lesser Antilles, it can be hard to tell just where in that little sunny gumdrop land of paradise you’d like to visit. Maps are great for telling you where in the wide world you are, but tell you little about the actual nature of a place. But if you’re on the scout for a Caribbean island with plenty of activity both above and below the water, all while preserving that quintessential island experience, take it from me – consider Guadeloupe.

Exploring the Virgin Islands is one of life’s great experiences. With the wind in your sails, the sun on your face, and the smell of some freshly caught fish being grilled to perfection somewhere in the cabin beneath you, the spirit of youthful adventure fills your blood and it’s hard to imagine you’d like to be someplace else.

The island of Barbados might be small in size, but it’s big in stature. You’ll encounter this when you first meet a local. Boisterous, friendly, with an English-Caribbean accent, you’re likely to fall in love quickly with this little-big island nation and its residents. And if you’re just getting into town, you’ll likely be coming into Bridgetown Cruise Port.

There’s no doubt about it: if you’ve come to the Caribbean, chances are you’re looking to put in some top-notch beach time. With that sparkling sun, the white sand, and the little fish splashing in the water – it’s time to get your tan on and relax beachside. So if you’ve headed (or are planning on heading) to the Caribbean for some much needed R&R, here are some of the best beaches in the US Virgin Islands.

This post originally appeared on Viator’s travel blog as the Top 25 Things to Do in the Caribbean as part of our annual Viator Travel Awards.

 Each year we check out traveler reviews, data from the millions of people who check out Viator.com during the year, and information on which tours in the region travelers book most often and select the best things to do in the region. From the list, here are some of the top things to do in the Caribbean!