Caribbean: which island?
Caribbean vacations -- especially at all-inclusives-- are a hot topic year-round. Below, find an overview of popular islands. Use this map of the Caribbean Islands to orient.
See also: Which Caribbean Islands have all-inclusives?.
Anguilla
- small, lesser-known destination for families
- eastern Carib'n, just east of the USVI
- don't expect mega-resorts
- beautiful beaches; good snorkeling, scuba
- British influence (incl. left-hand drive)
- good rating for friendliness and safety*
- see Family Fun, at the Anguilla Tourist Board site
Antigua
- small island, near Anguilla
- 365 beaches; snorkeling; scuba
- day trips to undeveloped sister island Barbuda
- British influence
- historic districts. Nelson's Dockyard National Park, fully restored, is the only Georgian dockyard in the world
- Jolly Beach is a prominent family-friendly all inclusive resort
- more about Antigua and Barbuda
- in the Dutch Carib'n, below the hurricane zone
- Oranjestad town has historic sections
- 43 nationalities
- local lingo Papiamento is fun to try
- don't expect lush terrain
- name-brand resorts
- A+ for friendliness, safety*
- see Aruba for families - resorts, outings and attractions, flights and airports
Bahamas
- just a hop from Florida (and technically not Caribbean islands)
- 700 islands!
- British influence; historic forts
- busy areas, quiet areas
- avoid during Spring Break
- many resorts, including the unique Atlantis with "waterscape" that includes a shark lagoons, large kids pool area, lazy river, and amazing waterslides
- Our Lucaya Resort, Grand Bahama, with Westin and Sheraton resorts, is popular with families and has a pool with slides and waterfalls
- See Bahamas Travel Guide for attractions, travel info, resorts, and more
- most eastern Caribbean Island
- British influence; direct flights from UK
- much-developed, except for rugged Atlantic coasts
- resorts include ritzy Sandy Lane, all-inclusive Almond Beach
- "A" for safety, friendly atmosphere*
- see Barbados for families
Bermuda
- known for pink sand beaches
- 180 small islands; seven are connected
- location is north, 600 miles off N. Carolina; technically not Caribbean
- low season is Nov.- April, unlike Caribbean Islands
- safe, upscale, flowery destination
- British influence
- sightseeing includes forts, caves
- Barrier Reef nearby, for scuba and snorkeling
- resorts, inns, B&B's, cottages
- A for safety and friendly atmosphere*
- see Bermuda Island Guide
Bonaire
- one of the Dutch Caribbean Islands
- don't expect lush terrain, or big name-brand resorts
- known for diving
- the ocean is the big attraction, and Bonaire's fringe reef is a protected national park (Bonaire Marine Park)
- Buddy Dive Resort welcomes families
- Dutch, English, Spanish, and Papiamento (creole language) are spoken; kids will enjoy learning a few words of Papiamento
- see Bonaire For Families - where to stay, attractions and fun outings.
British Virgin Islands
- eastern Caribbean Islands
- best-known are Tortola and Virgin Gorda (with unique park, The Baths)
- much less developed than USVI
- take boat trips to empty beaches, coral reefs
- Bitter End Yacht Club & Resort likes kids and has boats for guest use
- A for safety, friendliness*
- see BVI tourism site
Cayman Islands
- western Caribbean Islands, about an hour from Miami
- Grand Cayman --a financial center--offers luxury; Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are small and secluded
- ringed by coral, good for scuba and snorkeling. Great beaches too.
- attractions on Grand Cayman include "Stingray City" and Atlantis submarine tours
- annual events include a Pirates Week on Grand Cayman, and a Family Week on Cayman Brac. Read more.
- in the Dutch Caribbean, near Venezuela, and below the hurricane zone
- don't expect lush terrain
- fascinating town, Willemstad, is a World Heritage site
- 70 nationalities on this Caribbean Island
- local language Papiamento is fun to try
- all-inclusive Breezes Curacao has kids programs
- good snorkeling, diving
- A+ for safety, friendly atmosphere
- see more about Curacao for Families - resorts, attractions, fun outings
- fast-developing island with many family-friendly all-inclusive resorts
- shares the island of Hispaniola with impoverished country Haiti
- Punta Cana area on the southeast has beautiful long beaches
- north coast is good for boogie-boarding, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and has several tourist towns
- capital city Santo Domingo has centuries of history and is a UNESCO World Heritage site; not easily visited from the resort areas, though.
- outings include horseback riding, river-rafting, waterfalls
--continue to more Caribbean Islands, p. 2--
