The 5 Best Things To Do In The Caribbean With Kids
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Planning a Caribbean vacation with family? Discover the best things to do in the Caribbean with kids.
The Caribbean is renowned for its world-class beaches, beautiful weather, and luxurious resorts, making it a top choice for a family-friendly holiday. Best of all, it offers numerous activities geared towards families. Aside from enjoying water-based activities, you can go hiking, visit theme parks, or explore colonial cities and picturesque harbours. To help you plan your trip, here are the best things to do in the Caribbean with kids.
Best Things To Do In Caribbean With Kids
1. Catch A Glimpse Of Wildlife In Jamaica
While most visitors to Jamaica would come here for the beaches, wildlife lovers will find plenty to discover on this magnificent island. Jamaica is home to an incredible array of animals, from land crabs to various types of frogs, butterflies, and fireflies. There are also snakes and crocodiles! You can also stumble upon many lizards living around houses and gardens, feeding on insects.
For families who love nature and wildlife, consider hiking Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. It’s the country’s only national park, occupying over 100,000 acres of land, including Blue Mountain Peak, Jamaica’s highest point. Conquer the park’s countless scenic trails, taking you to waterfalls, where you could come across some of the world’s largest butterflies!
Seeing baby sea turtles hatching is one of those activities your kids are guaranteed to love in Jamaica. The island has many beaches popular with nesting turtles, which include the beaches along the north coast, such as Winnifred Beach, Hope Bay, and Ocho Rios. On the south, you can spot turtles in Treasure Beach and Bluefields. You will also find many tour companies that can organize turtle-watching tours with knowledgeable guides who will be happy to share interesting information about sea turtles.
2. Enjoy The Water Sports
Some of the things that kids look forward to on a Caribbean family holiday are the fun water sports. The islands’ sapphire blue waters are beautiful and inviting, luring you to swim and play in the fresh salty sea. If you and your kids want to get active on your Caribbean holiday, you will have plenty of options.
The majestic blue waters of Aruba offer the perfect condition for diving and snorkelling. Also, the island’s reliable winds make it a top spot for sailing. One of the best spots to snorkel in Aruba is De Palm Island, a tourist island a few miles from the western shore. Here, kids can hop in and out of the water at their own pace or try other water sports, such as zip lines and water slides.
The Dominican Republic is another Caribbean Island where your kids can enjoy numerous water sports. It offers opportunities for surfing, diving, kayaking, sailing, canyoning, and more! In Punta Cana, you can try parasailing with the kids, which is a fantastic way to enjoy a scenic bird’s eye view of the island.
3. Visit The Beaches In Barbados
Home to child-friendly beaches, Barbados has become a popular destination for families. The beaches of Barbados are some of the best in the world, and most have calm and shallow waters that are safe enough for the little ones to swim in. In addition, some of the best Caribbean villas are in Barbados, which have direct access to the beach and are spacious enough to accommodate families with kids.
Rockley Beach is a great beach to visit with kids. At the tip of this beautiful beach is a protected area where little kids can wade while the older kids can enjoy a range of water sports, such as boogie boarding and surfing. The beach has beachfront shacks that serve delectable drinks and snacks.
Enterprise Beach, also called “Miami Beach”, is another beautiful beach with conditions suitable for the entire family. One end of the beach is very tranquil and safe for little ones to paddle through. Meanwhile, the waves on the other side are livelier, allowing older kids to enjoy boogie board and surfing. Enterprise beach has all the facilities and amenities families need, such as a washroom, shower, and a lifeguard on duty.
4. Go Hiking
The Caribbean Islands boast breathtaking landscapes, from lush mountainous interiors to crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by swaying palm trees. One of the best ways to admire the region’s natural beauty is on a hiking adventure with the kids. The hiking trails of the Caribbean are nothing short of spectacular, taking you to sparkling turquoise Caribbean waters with beautiful scenery and wildlife found along the way.
St. Lucia is a great place to consider for a hiking trip to the Caribbean. The island is home to twin peaks, Gros Piton and Petit Piton. Although Gros Piton is the taller peak, the trail to the top is easy and is suitable for families with older kids. It takes around four to five hours to climb, and the gorgeous views of lush rainforests will make the journey well worth it.
Martinique is one of those Caribbean islands that are well-suited for hiking. The island’s scenic trails, called “traces,” stretches to over 350 km of the island’s varied terrains. You’ll walk through lush trails and discover secluded beaches and stunning waterfalls, making for an exciting trek.
5. Go Snorkeling
Snorkeling is a fascinating way to introduce your kids to the incredible underwater world. Your kids will love their close-up encounters with marine life, including turtles and manta rays and the excitement of swimming amongst colorful fish and corals. Unlike scuba diving which requires you to go deep into the water, snorkeling keeps you close to the surface, which makes for a safer activity for even little kids and those learning to swim and enjoy.
Aruba, one of the most southerly islands in the Caribbean, located close to the coast of Venezuela, is an ideal spot to snorkel with the kids. The area boasts warm and clear turquoise water, and you won’t have to go far to the shore to discover marine life. Baby Beach, which has shallow and calm waters, are safe for babies to swim. It has a small reef with colorful fish at one end, where your little ones can spot colorful fish, including the blue parrotfish.