Caribbean

The name Bay of Pigs immediately brings to mind the failed invasion by a US-backed army of counter-revolutionaries that happened here in 1961. Nowadays however, it is a destination that is increasing in popularity for tourists for its natural beauty, birding and variety of wildlife, and as a place where excellent diving and snorkelling can be done from the shore. The waters are warm, clear, calm, and brimming with sea life. Back from the shoreline is some dense forest much of which is protect in national parks. There are some interesting excursions that can be done through these forests with local park guides, to caves and natural swimming holes. https://www.cubagrouptour.com/au/album/playa-giron/bay-of-pigs.html

Playa Jibacoa area, mostly chosen by Cubans, is located on the north coast of Mayabeque. It has resorts and several camping sites of good quality. The area is notable for the beautiful typical landscape with a deep blue sea, surrounded by cliffs, on the side facing the land, and rocky hills where are located the hotels. The excellent beaches are famous for their clear and shallow water and is a local and tourist favourite for snorkeling from the beach. It is worth noting the scuba diving area opposite the shore, where you'll find coral reefs and a good amount of fish and shellfish. There is a wide range of activities to practice in the area, from small hiking to horseback riding or it may be good to rent paddle boats https://www.tripcuba.org/playa-jibacoa-beach-mayabeque

La Caleta Underwater National Park, one of the first in the region, is a popular dive site located close to Santo Domingo. It’s known for its multiple shipwrecks, but also for its abundant marine life ready to be explored by all levels of divers, from beginner to advanced. Depths go from six meters (20 feet) to 180 meters (591 feet), over an area stretching 10 km² (four square miles) from Las Golondrinas Cave to Punta Caucedo. La Caleta’s irregular topography includes three defined terraces, underwater caves, and well-known shipwrecks. A variety of corals and schools of colorful critters thrive here, using the reefs as shelter and food source, including grouper, balloon fish, rays, lionfish, octopuses, and turtles. Among the more popular shipwrecks is the Hickory, a 1984 ship located at about 18 meters (60 feet) deep, submerged in 1984 by a group of submarine researchers to create an artificial reef for the proliferation of marine life. Additional wrecks include El Limón and Capitán Alsina, located about 30 meters (100 feet) deep, and the Don Quico at about 58 meters (190 feet) of depth. Nearby, an impressive system of karst rocks creates a meandering network of underwater caverns and tunnels over 100 meters (328 feet) long—an ideal place for technical diving. https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/poi/excursions/boca-chica/parque-nacional-submarino-la-caleta/

Located just three miles northeast of Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island (also known as Salt Cay) is home to dolphins and sea lions at Dolphin Encounters, but it also offers everything that you would want on a private island getaway. You can swim in a hidden lagoon with clear blue water, snorkel right off the beach and see coral reefs teeming with numerous species of tropical fish, sunbathe on white-sand beaches surrounded by coconut palm trees, and walk through lush natural vegetation that is the habitat for nesting birds. You can purchase a package that includes round-trip boat transfer to Blue Lagoon Island, lunch, free access to the Inflatable Aqua Park, plus use of the facilities, beach sports and game equipment. Water sports equipment is also available to rent: paddleboards, kayaks, clear bottom kayaks, water bikes, underwater scooters, and snorkeling gear. https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/blue-lagoon-island-beach

This long stretch of white powdery sand beach is a great place to pack a picnic basket and spend a relaxing day at the beach swimming and snorkelling. At low tide, you can walk or swim to Gaulding's Cay, a small island with a few casuarina trees. There is a place to park and shade is also available. https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/gaulding-cay-beach

This small beach, located just below the Stella Maris Resort on the Atlantic side, is partially protected by offshore rocks. Imagine sitting here on the pretty, coarse white sand, alternating with occasional natural rock pools, feeling the ocean breezes, and watching the wave action. Great for snorkelling! The rocks adjacent to the reef contain a wondrous assortment of marine life including parrotfish, gigantic spiny sea urchins, fan and brain coral, queen and grey angelfish, damselfish, grey and yellowtail snapper and butterflyfish. https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/love-beaches

Nassau Paradise Island is the place to be for anyone who loves the sun, sand and sea. With so many stretches of beautiful beaches—and miles upon miles of powdery white sand—there’s always a perfect place for you to lie back, relax, and enjoy in The Bahamas. https://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/things-to-do/beaches

Bird Island is a 20 acre islet lying almost three kilometers north-east of Antigua. Over 20,000 tourists visit Great Bird Island annually who generally regard it as a “desert island” dream. Named by sailors who were amazed at the number of birds that they found living and nesting there, Great Bird Island is a miniature paradise. White sand beaches at either end of the sandbar are the main attraction for visitors http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/client.php?id=723&cat=35

Your Stingray City Antigua Snorkel Adventure will be the highlight of your vacation. An experience that will live with you forever. Our Southern Rays are the brightest rays in the Caribbean, very friendly and gentle. Come and enjoy interacting and feeding a Stingray, together with snorkeling amongst magnificent coral reefs and colourful tropical fish. When we return to our land base, enjoy a complimentary rum or fruit punch. Come, journey with us over to Stingray City where you can make a splash with stingrays and snorkel alongside ‘The Brightest Rays in the Caribbean’, one of nature’s most amazing and captivating creatures. Afterwards, enjoy a refreshing rum or fruit punch and truly take in the sights of our Caribbean paradise. Come and visit the 'Brightest Rays in the Caribbean'! http://www.stingraycityantigua.com/index.html

This secluded beach stretches for over 1,250 feet and is located at the extreme western end of Antigua. http://www.visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-directory/hermitage-bay/

Balneario El Escambron is the most picturesque beach in San Juan protected by a coral reef with soft golden sand and perfectly landscaped with tall palm trees providing cozy shaded spots. Be sure to block off much more than beach time, you’ll be walking into a recreational park with enough activities for a fun-filled day the whole family will enjoy. Escambron Beach is located in Puerta de Tierra within walking distance from Old San Juan and Condado. Escambron is the best public beach in the metro area offering much more than a great beach experience. Here you can snorkel, scuba dive, take a romantic walk along the scenic oceanside trail, visit the historic Bateria El Escambron, find quiet spots just for two, enjoy the green area at Parque Tercer Milenio (Third Millennium Park), eat great food and more. The city is vibrant, full of energy but once you get here, you’ll experience the relaxing and invigorating allure of this tropical city. https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/balneario-el-escambron-beach/

Condado Beach attracts a diverse crowd, from families to famous celebrities. Beachfront resorts such as La Concha Resort and Condado Vanderbilt are loved by Puerto Rican celebrities, they are right at the center of all the action and allure of Condado Beach. https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/condado-beach/

Brownes Beach is the closest to Bridgetown. At only a five minute walk from the city centre, this beach is majestic with close to a half-mile of sand. Liveliest on Sundays, Brownes Beach is home to most beach sporting activities, the Barbados Yacht Club and Barbados Cruising Club. Beach facility. Lifeguards are on duty. https://www.visitbarbados.org/brownes-beach

A beautiful stretch of beach on the south of Bridgetown, Pebbles beach has crystal clear water and beautiful views of the city. Lifeguard on duty. Beach facility. https://www.visitbarbados.org/pebbles-beach

Tucked away on the south coast, past the Crane Beach and Sam Lord's Castle is Bottom Bay, a wide expansive beach with smooth rolling waves riding onto the shore. The beach is semi enclosed by high coral cliffs, providing a panoramic view of the south shore. The scene is completed by the presence of tall palm trees that add to the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of the bay. A favourite picnic spot, Bottom Bay is also becoming a popular place to live with a number of homes are being built on top of the cliffs overlooking the beach and ocean. People who live there report spotting turtles and whales in the waters below. http://barbados.org/botbay.htm

Paradise Cove offers direct access to Deadman’s Reef on the island’s southwest side, which is rated the best reef on Grand Bahama Island. The reef is within swimming distance of the beach and teems with tropical marine life. You can explore the reef in a glass-bottom or ocean kayak. A snorkel tour is available that includes transportation, equipment and floatation belts. Available Equipment: Snorkel Gear, Wet Suits, Ocean Kayaks, Glass-bottom Kayaks, Sea Scooters, Floats with window, Lounge Floats. Amenities: Volleyball, Lounge Chairs, Beach Umbrellas, Covered Deck, Games, Bar and Grill, Gift shop, Rest Rooms, Fresh-water Shower. Site is available for exclusive functions. https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/paradise-cove

Oceanfront activity center offering floating bouncy slides, a bar & grill, banana boat rides, jet skiing, zip lining, and much more. One of the newest attractions on Grand Bahama Island, Pirate Cove sits on nearly 7.5 acres of beachfront property where there is an array of energizing and tranquil activities for the entire family. https://www.bahamas.com/vendor/pirates-cove-waterpark-and-zipline

Coconut palms sway in a fragrant breeze and crystal-clear turquoise waters lap gently along the shore. There's no impatient crowds, no rush to grab beach chairs, no boring restaurants. At Grand Lucayan, we work to strike the perfect balance between the luxuries of a modern-day resort and the magic of one steeped in Bahamian culture. http://www.lucayabeach.com/

Crab Cay, or Cayo Cangrejo, sits roughly one kilometer (.6 miles) off the east coast of Isla de Providencia. From Providencia, the view of the small outcropping makes for a prime photo op, but snorkelers will be itching to hire a boat or rent a kayak and dive into the crystal-clear waters—a dazzling array of shades of blue—surrounding the cay. https://www.afar.com/places/crab-cay

Discover the exquisite beauty of Stocking Island at your own pace. This tour has been designed for guests who want to take a trip without a tour guide. It will depart from George Town at the Government Dock and will begin with a short sightseeing trip across Elizabeth Harbour to Stocking Island. https://www.pleasantactivities.com/page/product/11472/discover-stocking-island-exuma

Kaliko Beach Club is a gorgeous beach and hotel located on Cote des Arcadins along with a number of other pristine beaches and hotels on that strip of Haiti, including CLub Indigo, but it has distinguished itself with: its beautiful poolside restaurant serving scrumptious meals throughout the day, the very elegant looking umbrellas along the shore and a number of great activities such as diving, beach soccer, board games, basketball, tennis and even a boat ride at sunset for those looking for a special moment. http://visitportauprince.com/beaches/

Looking for a weekend destination not far from Port-au-Prince? You’ll find the low-key glamping experience at Kokoye Beach that is an altogether different sort of luxury. Set into the unrivalled beauty of Haiti’s south coast, the pristine cove of Kokoye is just an hour’s boat ride from Petit-Goave. Leave your troubles and your backpack in the tent provided, enjoy seafood served up by a local host, and spend your days swimming, snorkeling and drinking rum punch in a cove worthy of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. “Glamping" (glamorous camping) is a popular alternative to both low-convenience regular camping and high-priced but underwhelming hotels, but what really sets glamping apart from either is the access it affords to the wilderness, and is the uniqueness of the experience. https://visithaiti.com/destinations/kokoye-beach/

This is a beach located close to Mariani, it is more frequented by the Haitian youth but it’s less organized than most of the beaches and hotels previously mentioned. http://visitportauprince.com/beaches/

A horseshoe-shaped bay set into the northern coastline, Labadee is the beach of choice for the cruise ships that regularly call at Haiti. The beach stretches over a mile of soft, silky sand, and crystal-clear blue waters. Labadee is on the same coast as the beautiful Cormier beach, but offers a unique array of attractions catering to visitors who arrive on the cruise ships. You don’t need to join a cruise to get here though - while the Haitian government leases a portion of the bay to Royal Caribbean, most of the area is open to other visitors, and many of the attractions can be accessed by non-cruise guests for a fee. Labadee Beach is home to top-notch adventure attractions including coastal tours, water parks, kayaking, snorkelling and the Dragon's Breath - the world's longest over-water zip-line. https://visithaiti.com/beaches-islands/labadee-beach/

Today, the beach has been greatly improved. The facilities are excellent. The club has well kept changing rooms, showers and lavatories. Its new entrance, administrative office and shop are also quite inviting. Beach chairs, umbrellas and lilos can be rented daily, the beach is manicured every morning and the translucent waters which the doctors recognized as buoyant and invigorating have not changed. Although many other beaches have some of the qualities of Doctor's Cave, none have all of them. The Sand Restaurant and Bar provide a great variety of meals and drinks. Come and enjoy our great famous beach on your next visit to Montego Bay! Doctor's Cave is also a part of the Montego Bay Marine Park which has a wide variety of marine life among the coral reefs. http://www.doctorscavebathingclub.com/the-beach/

Travelling on Jamaica’s South Coast, you’ll discover a treasure chest of coves and bays, where the Caribbean meets our sandy and sometimes rocky shores. A mixture of dark and white-sand stretches, rocky coves, fishermen’s enclaves and secluded swimming spots, the South Coast’s shores promise a range of possibilities. A favourite beach community of both locals and visitors alike is Treasure Beach (a spot that surely lives up to its name). Treasure Beach is a six-mile stretch of coral-coloured and sometimes black sands, private coves and rocky shores. For travellers who want to discover the South Coast’s vibrant local culture and people and are in search of untrodden beaches, a visit to one of Treasure Beach’s main bays – Billy's, Calabash, Fort Charles (also known as Starve Gut) Great and Frenchman’s – is a must. In Calabash Bay, friendly fishermen dock their brightly painted canoes and unload the day’s catch. Visitors swarm, waiting patiently at beachfront cafes and stands, so they can be first to enjoy it – soon to be seasoned and grilled to perfection. Other uniquely Jamaican dishes, such as curried goat, jerked meat and pumpkin soup are also available at roadside stands at Treasure Beach’s public beaches. All lovely, laid-back stretches are well-suited for swimming, snorkeling, biking, hiking, and of course, the mellow vibes of kicking back in the sun with a cold Red Stripe in hand. https://www.visitjamaica.com/listing/treasure-beach/474/

Dolphin Cove Negril sits on 23 acres of ocean frontage in just a short car ride from Negril. Guests have the opportunity to interact and swim with dolphins, enjoying the thrill and love of these amazing lovable marine mammals. At Dolphin Cove Negril, riding a camel and interacting with stingrays make this a place where you come for the day but remember for a lifetime. Remember to take along your towel, sunscreen and be prepared to have fun! https://www.visitjamaica.com/listing/dolphin-cove-montego-bay/27/

Located on the picturesque north side of the island, “Rum Point” is famous for its island atmosphere, white sandy beach and shallow clear waters. It is an ideal spot for swimming and snorkelling. The beach hammocks, shady trees, picnic tables and delicious food beckon visitors and locals alike seven days a week. Rum Point also offers changing rooms, showers, huts, hammocks, snorkelling and volleyball nets. About 45 minutes by car from most hotels and the cruise terminal, Rum Point is well worth the day trip. Another option for accessing Rum Point is by ferry! With affordable prices and killer views, this is a great way to get here and relax or enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner. https://www.visitcaymanislands.com/en-us/experiences/beaches/rum-point-grand-cayman

Off Shamrock Road in the Spotts Newlands part of Grand Cayman is where you’ll happen upon Spotts Beach. Away from everyone else, Spotts Beach has homes and waterfront condos surrounded by iron-shore cliffs and white sand, while still providing plenty of space for a surfside walk. It’s a nice place to watch the sunrise since Spotts Beach faces to the south. There are cabanas along with some benches and tables available for barbecues or picnics. There is also great snorkelling due to the limited amount of watercraft. https://www.visitcaymanislands.com/en-us/experiences/beaches/spotts-beach-grand-cayman

Governor's Beach is a relaxing spot within Seven Mile Beach, located beside and in front of the Governor's home. With families visiting in the morning and games played in the afternoon, this shore sees all the action. Governor's Beach is excellent for snorkelling, a picturesque stroll or floating on the water with a cold drink. Beachgoers can enjoy the shade while snacking on the sea grapes that fall from the trees in June and July. And as with all views to the west here, you’ll witness the most memorable sunsets. https://www.visitcaymanislands.com/en-us/experiences/beaches/governors-beach-grand-cayman