When you think of a Caribbean vacation, you probably imagine white sand beaches, fruity drinks and nightclubs open into the early morning hours. You can do all those things, but if you’re looking for more unique and exciting experiences, you’ll find them on every island.
Great Things To Do In The Caribbean
Here are five great experiences you can have in the Caribbean. Consider adding them to your itinerary for your next excursion.
Go Snorkeling and Diving
Whether you choose to fly in or take a beautiful Caribbean cruise, you can find diving and snorkeling experiences on whichever island you land. For those looking for a special diving experience, Cozumel and Riviera Maya in Mexico offer drift diving with beautiful corals and plenty of marine life.
The clear water is perfect for snorkeling visibility year-round, and the dives are easy enough for beginners. You’ll see brightly colored sponges, sea turtles, tropical fish, eels and even sharks.
In Riviera Maya, you can dive into caverns and see breathtaking, ancient formations. Just around the bend in Banco Chinchorro, you can swim with American crocodiles if you’re feeling adventurous.
In the Cayman Islands are diving destinations where you’ll see incredible wreckage and wall sites. Grand Cayman is home to USS Kittiwake, a 251-foot shipwreck, and Little Cayman offers more than 50 dive sites, including Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park for a more dramatic dive.
Dive With Sharks
The Bahamas are a collective of over 700 islands and home to a large population of resident sharks. For the adrenaline seekers, take to the islands for a chance to swim alongside them. In Bimini, you can dive with great hammerhead sharks, a rare experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
The 15 Most Beautiful Beaches In ThailandAlong the shores of Cat Island, you can experience the famous Oceanic Whitetip Shark diving where you’ll see blue and tiger sharks, along with the great hammerheads. If you want something a little more thrilling to write home about, you can always venture a little further out to cage dive with great whites.
Swim With Dolphins, Stingrays and Pigs
If you’re looking to swim with animals that are slightly less threatening, you have an array of choices in the Caribbean. Swimming with dolphins is a popular attraction.
They are highly intelligent and will even take you for a ride. In the Bahamas, visit Dolphin Encounters of Nassau or Dolphin Cay Atlantis. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is home to Dolphin Island, a park where you can also see sea lions and sharks.
Maybe you’d like to swim with stingrays or even cute little pigs. While you’re in the Caymans, check out Stingray City, home to a large population of friendly stingrays that you can pet and feed. In the Bahamas, the island of Exuma is home to cute, wild pigs that swim along the shores of pink sand beaches. You can jump in with them.
Take a Glow-in-the-Dark Swim
In Puerto Rico, you’ll find a truly magical experience straight out of the movie Avatar. Mosquito Bay is home to the largest bioluminescent bay in the world where tiny dinoflagellates fill the water.
When they touch another living organism, they glow like fireflies and leave behind a stream of neon blue. If you take a night swim in the bay, you’ll find yourself literally glowing.
Our Guide to Sailing HolidaysVisit Old Havana
History buffs, there is something for you in Cuba’s capital city of Havana. The city itself is a step back into the 1950s with colorful buildings and vintage cars.
Visit the Catedral de San Cristobal to take in the Baroque architecture. Step inside the Museo de la Ciudad, a 16th-century fortress built to fend off pirates. Take in the live music, and you’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time.
Take advantage of the diverse opportunities of the Caribbean. Make dynamic memories along the shores and enjoy the diversity of marine life. If you can’t decide where you want to go first, consider taking a cruise; they’ll create an itinerary for you to ensure you get the most from your travels.
