Absolute best things to do in Caribbean
Terrifying landings, swimming with pigs, hiking up mountains, island-hopping, and rafting down rivers. It might sound like an adventure from Pirates of the Caribbean, but these are just some of the things to do in the Caribbean and should be on your ‘bucket list’ for this beautiful location.
The Caribbean is made up of more than 7000 islands, some of which are uninhabited, and they are as high in their diversity as they are in number. The range of things to do in these beautiful locations will have you challenged to fit everything into your itinerary.
So, we decided to put together a list of eleven exclusive activities for you to do on your Caribbean holiday. On this list, we’ve tried to take on different islands and a wide variety of activities, so there is something for everyone.
1. Island Hopping – Multiple Caribbean Islands
If you want to experience the most from your Caribbean holiday, and potentially do everything on this list, there is no better way to do so than island-hopping on a crewed yacht charter. You will experience a new island every day during this unique, luxurious, and memorable activity.
Goolets are the leading experts in this field, and they can arrange everything for you, from your favorite drinks on board to your very own itinerary of ‘bucket list’ things to do and places to see.
An experienced skipper and sailors will crew your yacht, and they will show you some hidden gems among the 7.000 or so islands that make up the Caribbean. You will also have a private chef preparing delicious food and snacks to the highest quality and matching your exact specifications.
You’ll have as much fun on the cruise as you will have to visit the beautiful islands, with their wonderful sights and activities.
A Goolets yacht charter is an ultimate activity to do on your Caribbean holiday. That is why it has the prime spot in our list of exclusive Caribbean ‘bucket list’ activities.
2. All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Tour – Aruba
An exciting way to explore Aruba’s north coast is by 4×4 ATV. You’ll not be traveling in any luxury, but you will undoubtedly enjoy the dirt tracks and back roads if this rugged coastline. You’ll visit some of the island’s remotest bluffs and beaches, as well as top attractions, like the Alto Vista Chapel. Once you’re done with this hot, dusty, and exciting tour, there’s plenty of time to cool off with a refreshing swim.
You can start and finish your Aruba ATV tour from your hotel. Driving the vehicles is restricted to over-18s, so younger participants will have to remain as passengers.
3. Private Martha Brae River Rafting and Dunn’s River Falls Tour – Montego Bay
This private tour combines river rafting with a waterfall climbing adventure, and it is an excellent way to experience so much in a single outing. It is also ideal for escaping the hectic pace of life in Montego Bay. Your tour starts with a guided hike to the top of Dunn’s River Falls.
From here, you will embark on a raft made from bamboo. You will use this basic craft to navigate the twist, turns, and rapids of the Martha Brae River. There will be plenty of time for refreshments, taking a cool dip in the river’s calm spots, and grabbing a souvenir of your adventure.
4. Scuba Diving – Bonaire
Bonaire might not be as well-known among the diving community as its neighbor, Curacao. However, for those who learned to dive here or those experienced divers who keep coming back, Bonaire is the entrance to an underwater paradise.
You will be amazed by its brightly colored corals, sloping drop-offs, and the fantastic sea-life, including the color-changing Peacock Flounder, or torpedo-like Barracuda up to two meters long.
5. Blue Mountain Peak Hike – Jamaica
Towering above Kingston, at 7402 feet, the Blue Mountain Peak is Jamaica’s highest point. To get to the top of this giant for dawn, you set out on your trek at around 3 am.
Your hike will meander through the inky-dark night, illuminated only by the fireflies in the surrounding forests. You will cross streams and water cascades, often needing to clamber on all fours, or hold on to vegetation clinging to vertical rock faces. Look down, and you will see the life of Kingston reduced to specks of lights. However, as dawn breaks and the view opens up, you will enjoy spectacular views of the island’s whole eastern side.
6. Swimming With Stingrays – Grand Cayman
You may have seen stingrays at an aquarium, catching a mere glimpse of these majestic creatures through view-distorting glass. However, that is nothing compared to swimming with, feeding them and petting them. You will be in awe of one of the ocean’s most beautiful animals, as it glides past within inches of you, in a graceful and elegant slow-motion ‘flight.’
Stingray City is a shallow sandbar located just off Grand Cayman’s coast, and it is home to dozens of stingrays. You will not get many more rewarding experiences than swimming with these amazing fish in their natural environment.
7. Terrifying Runway Landing – Saba
Many of the Caribbean’s seven thousand islands are no more than big rocks. Finding a suitable place to construct a runway to land an airplane on most of them is a challenge. On Saba, it was a challenge to, but they managed to build one – just about!
At a mere 400 meters, the Juancho E. Yrausquin airstrip is the shortest commercial runway in the world, and just meters from its end is the edge of the island and a drop into the sea. You’ll be guaranteed to have part sightseeing tour and part thrill-ride on this short flight. A must-do for thrill-seekers visiting the Caribbean.
8. Immerse Yourself in Culture at the National Carnival – St. Kitts
St Kitts is rich in tradition, culture, and folklore. Every year, the people celebrate the richness and diversity of their island through the National Carnival. The carnival is made up of many festivals commencing in late November and continuing through to New Year’s Day.
If you go to the Caribbean, then a visit to St Kitts has got to be part of your schedule. You will have a fabulous time among the colorful processions of bands, dancers, and artists. Of particular note is the “Moko-Jumbies.” These dancers are challenging to miss as they strut their stuff on giant stilts. The highlight of the carnival season is the end of year Grand Parade. This culminating event occurs in St Kitts’ capital, Basseterre, and you won’t want to miss it.
9. Kite and Windsurfing – Dominican Republic
Perfect wind conditions make Cabarete, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, an ideal place for kite and wind-surfing. The best time to visit, for the best wind conditions, is in February or March. Whether you are a complete beginner, or an experienced kite or windsurfer, this place will give you the best conditions for your exciting sport.
There’s no need to bring any equipment with you. The resorts have everything you need available for hire from novice rigs to high-performance kites.
10. Swim With Pigs – Bahamas
No, it’s not a typo, and it is not some kind of fish! You will be swimming alongside actual pork-bellies. The Bahamas is well-known for its diverse sea life, but one of its uninhabited islands offers you something different. On Big Major’s Spot in Exuma, you can swim alongside wild pigs. These pink and brown porkers Live wild on the island and frequently venture down to the beach for a cooling dip in the ocean.
Where they came from is a source of mystery. Some say the pigs first swam ashore after a shipwreck. Others are adamant that pirates stashed them there as a food source should they need a hideaway. Whatever the source, these pigs are now a popular attraction for visitors of the closeby Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
11. Cycling Tour – Cuba
Cuba cycling tours are one of the best ways to see this island. The southern coastal road is one of the most exciting stretches of tarmac you will ever pedal along. Sandwiched between the wild Caribbean and the Sierra Maestra mountains, this is a spectacular part of the Cuban cycling tour that cannot be missed.
Your tour will take you from colonial city splendor to the picturesque, idyllic rural settings. This tour is something to get in quickly, while the island still enjoys a relatively low development level.
Conclusion about things to do in Caribbean
The Caribbean is a remarkable place to spend your vacation. It is just too impressive to get everything into one visit. Unless you opt for our number one choice on this list and charter a Goolets yacht for a couple of weeks of luxurious island-hopping, you’re going to have to return quite a few times to complete this Caribbean bucket list. Now wouldn’t that be a shame!
