Caribbean Attractions

Anguilla
Here is a quiet, relaxed (most of the time) island east to the Virgin Islands where you can enjoy the Caribbean in about as close to virginity as is possible anywhere. While there are some very deluxe, world-class luxury resorts, all are small. But, here, you'll not encounter cruise ship crowds, casinos and other such. But if you enjoy clean, white sand beaches or scuba diving in water almost as clear as glass, this is the place for you.

Antigua
Heritage Quay at St Johns Harbour, where the Reggae and Calypso bands perform (and the cruise ships come in). Here is the duty-free shopping area.
Redcliff Quay, a unique grouping of tourist shoppes. Even if you are not 'buying', a leisurely stroll through this historic area is worth the little investment in time.
Yacht charters, especially available at English Harbour, providing you with the means to explore the dozens of beautiful bays around the island.
Hundreds of beaches with varied surf conditions offering a wide selection of environments. Pick a different beach for each dip. Those on the northwest side of the island are more popular with tourists because of the proximity of the many hotels and resorts.
Half Moon Bay on the opposite side of the island is very much in contrast; heavy surf crashing on the rocks can be very spectacular but just a few hundred yards away you'll find much gentler waters. Body surfing is very popular here.
Scuba divers enjoy exploring the many coral reefs and ship wrecks or just eyeballing the beautifully coloured tropical fish which abound in these waters.
Perhaps you enjoy cycling; take a guided bicycle tour and see St Johns from an entirely different perspective. Equestrians are also welcome; there are so many places to explore.
Golf (2 18-hole courses), tennis, even squash players are also nicely accommodated.
How about an old-fashioned carnival? They have created a new tradition, the Antigua Carnival (end of July, beginning of August) is almost two weeks of fun and frolic. Listen and watch as the many bands play, join in the singing and dancing. You will probably return home newly invigorated ready to retackle the workplace.
And there are the casinos. The usual slot machines, card games and roulette wheels are there waiting to challenge the gamers.
Many kinds of boat trips are available from the famous glass-bottomed boat trips to full-fledged cruises.

Aruba
Recreational Activities
The usual recreational activities are available, golf, tennis, horseback riding, surfing, etc., but the main activity seems to be in the casinos.
Casinos
There are about a dozen well-equipped casinos offering the usual games of chance. One game which is very popular is a form of poker called Caribbean Stud Poker. It is so popular that it can now be played on a video machine. Some of the more popular casinos include:


The Unique Bahamas
Most folks come to the Bahamas knowing little more about the islands than there are a lot of nice beaches, good diving and night excitement in plush clubs. And that's what they see. And how much they miss. The Bahamas are unique and a visit to the islands can really be a unique experience. Originally occupied by native 'Indians', the invasion of the English Puritans in the mid 1600s blasted the islands into a whole new culture. The American War of Independence saw those colonists loyal to Britain flee from the colonies to the Islands. Many brought their slaves with them. These were joined by more 'free blacks', then Africans freed from slave ships. Joined by people from other islands in the Caribbean, the social melting pot was really churning. Then, in the 20th Century immigrants arrived from Asia and the Mediterranean. And this is what has formed today's Bahamian culture.
So... what's here besides white beaches and emerald green waters?


Bermuda is neither a Caribbean island nor a tropical island. It is in the North Atlantic about 650 miles due east of Charleston, South Carolina. And, yes, it tends to be rather chilly in the winter. Bermuda is more than just one island though Bermuda Island is considered the 'mainland'. Bermuda and the other Bermuda Islands are all by themselves. At last count there were over 150 islands in the Bermuda Islands group, many not much bigger than stepping stones in a garden, others large and amenable enough to be well populated.

Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman
George Town, the capital city of the colony, is on Grand Cayman, largest and most developed of the trio. Attractions on Grand Cayman include:
Cardinal D's Park - a private collection of animals in a natural tropical park setting on Courts Rd
Cayman Islands National Museum
Cayman Turtle Farm - (16,000 sea turtles ranging from 6 ounces to 600 pounds)
National Trust's Mastic Trail - a 2-mile nature trail
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park - 65-acres of colourful beauty
Pedro St. James Historic Site (Savannah)
Stingray City - feed and swim alongside swarming stingrays
Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac, is less developed than its big sister, Grand Cayman. Complete with an abundant array or natural, terrestrial treasures, you can enjoy that escape for which you came. An active National Trust chapter is adept in organizing a variety of special interest activities. Bird watching here can be very exciting. Diving, also, is a very popular activity, here. Or, interject a relaxed walk along the mile-long bluff trail near the Brac Parrot Reserve. Or go on a cave exploration jaunt. Whatever; you'll be glad you came.

Jamaica
Jamaica is an island of contrasts. Expanses of white beach and palm-ringed coves around the perimeter with thick, lush, rain-forested, very steep mountains inland. The Blue Mountains are famous and their waterfalls are legendary. Probably the most developed of the Caribbean islands, Jamaica offers about anything a tourist might desire.

Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago are just off the coast of Venezuela. Once connected to the South American mainland, a channel developed over time separating Trinidad from the mainland. Trinidad is host to an obvious continuation of the Andes, These beautiful mountains provide sites for some very interesting nature preserves. Much of the remainder of the island is given to mangrove swamps fed by the island's many rivers.
Tobago, a much smaller island northwest of Trinidad, experiences much less tourism which allows it to exude a much more relaxed atmosphere. Again, beaches (they have white and brown sand beaches here) are not the big attraction but snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular. The waters range from clear to turquoise and range in the upper 70s (F).
Ecotourists are attracted to the even smaller islands of Little Tobago, Goat and St Giles. These are mostly uninhabited gems set with a wide variety of tropical birds.

Turks & Caicos

Grand Turk
Grand Turk is a small, treeless island having several pungent salinas (salt ponds). Once upon a time, salt (locally called white gold) was the most important industry. The beaches, however, are very nice.
North Caicos
North Caicos is 12 miles northeast of Providenciales (Provo). Boat ( charters) and air connecting flights are available making North Caicos very accessible from Provo. Cars and bicycles may be rented. Taxis and guided tours are available.
Along the northern coast of the island is Whitby Beach, a 7 mile stretch of beautiful, white sand. The famous Three Mary's Cays, a favorite site for snorkeling, is here. The rare Whistling Duck can be seen in the area of Pelican Point. The hotels and most of the residents are in the Whitby Beach area.
The southern part of North Caicos is composed of swamp and tidal flats, home to the largest sanctuary of West Indian Flamingos in the Turks & Caicos Islands. They are protected in nature p reserve; even planes are prohibited to fly over the area and, of course, boats are prohibited. You can view the area from a bluff; binoculars are recommended.