BARBUDA was unfortunately 90% destroyed by hurricane IRMA in 2017 relief efforts are ongoing. The islanders were evacuated to Antigua but have now mostly returned (not all maybe too painful and lost homes). There has been some disputed land rights since the hurricane it seems as investment was needed to reinstate the island a can of worms was opened and unfortunately it seems the residents were 2nd time victims.
Hurricane Iirma

The island of Barbuda is now accepting visitors in the form of tourists again- please come and visit helping the barbdans and the local economy.

Welcome to the Island Nation of Antigua and Barbuda. A very British of islands Antigua , now an independent nation it was for a long time a British Colony evidence of which can be seen in the architecture in the capital St Johns and in the historic naval harbours on the south coast and in attractions such as Betty's Hope. Betty's Hope one of many sugar mills and plantations where slaves were brought from Africa to work. The sugar trade was vital for nations at the time who wanted to remain with power.

Welcome to the island of Aruba.

Aruba , the first of the chain of Islands in the Dutch Antillies called the ABC Islands. Bonaire and Curacao making the other two. Its a flat Island and gets cooled by the trade winds. Itis only 15 miles off of the coast of Venezuela. It has some real top beaches on the south Coast as they are more sheltered.

The north has rougher seas and ironshore (old dead coral think grey hard and sharp and very irregular with a mysterious beauty !). Aruba has a desert like interior. The National Park called Arikok has tall cacti  giant boulders and caves with ancient Indian art. The trade winds bend the divi divi trees towards the south west. Coincidentally a lot of the main hotels are here near and around Eagle Beach, so if you get lost the divi divi may point to your hotel :)

We are looking for owners and managers to obtain your aruba vacation rentals to put on this website.

November and December the island gets brief showers giving the 50 cm rainfall average per year. January and March is carnival season the busiest maybe best time to go.

Welcome to the Bahamas.

The Bahamas: The Group of Islands making up the Bahamas generally sits on two shallow banks and depths don't exceed 30 feet but then you get out to the trenches which of course drop of thousands of feet. With the magnitude of islands there is all kinds of diving, walls, caves wrecks. Famous for its Caribbean Reef Sharks and Liveaboards there is something for every ability and interest. Tourism is not more developed anywhere else and being so close to Florida means that it can be easy to get to. You could spend the rest of your life getting to know the place - what a thought.

The best general online resource for diving and enjoying the Bahamas.

Welcome to the Island of Barbados. Did you know that a person living in Barbados is said to be Barbadian or Bajan. They tend for some reason to be good at churning out very fast sprinters such as Obadele Thompson. 

The Complete Incomplete Barbados Island Guide

It is true that each island in the Caribbean is unique and there are some massive advantages to choosing this island (over other worldwide destinations for a sunny relaxing time) for many kinds of holiday vacation. Families find the bajan’s hospitality towards children welcoming but couples can enjoy adult only resorts likewise. There is simply not enough time even in two weeks to see all of Barbados AND then you need just that resort time that gives you the relaxation you need. The really big draws to Barbados are numerous but generally speaking here a just a few :

The watersports capital of the caribbean (few have surfing none as good as here) As an alternative consider a surfcamp based holiday or a hybrid scuba surf vacation..

Its well rated overall for the quality of the resorts..

It has many fantastic beaches..

Its easy to get around using a bus (a barrier to budget travel otherwise)..

It has nightlife to suit all kinds of reveller (tip : don’t just stay in the GAP), restaurants of course are all ranging from local bbq and snack shacks to high end top dining experiences..

It has a beautiful rugged east coast that has many nature options like hiking and botanical gardens at Bathsheba (spend half plus day walking around Bathsheba and the gardens) watching the surfers and large boulders that look ready to topple into the beach. This is the undeveloped side of Barbados..

Calm perfect seas typify the west coast where the higher end resorts (see Sandy Lane) are located in and around holetown. There are of course exceptions see the Crane..

The rougher seas of the south coast are fun and I enjoy battling around in them. This is a feature of most of the beaches of the south..

There are plantations, cigar factory and rum tour that form some other kinds of activity. You would need more than a day to get all of Bridgetown done fully but a half day can give you a great taste. The capital has some great photo opportunities and feels friendly. Its very walkable with water and suncream as a minimum..

Welcome to Belize and her welcoming Cays and adventure travel.

Belize is well Known for its scuba diving due to it hosting the worlds second largest barrier reef but also lesser known is that it has three out of the four coral atolls in the western hemisphere! One of these is most famously known as the Blue Hole. It also has Mayan ruins and jungles and rivers that can be toured from Belize city. The offshore Cays , Ambergris and Caulker allow access to over 100 dive sites in addition to the Atols. You might not find any central american country to really host the best caribbean resorts but you can sure find luxury resorts in Belize.

Diving is usually done from resorts on the Cays or liveaboards. There are walls wrecks, caves, pinnacles coral gardens and faroes. Visibility is generally very good exceeding 100 ft.

The Blue Hole: At over 1000ft across and more than 400 feet deep has a cavern with stalagmites and stlactites - this is an advanced dive.

FYI the fourth Atoll in the western hemisphere is off Mexico's Yucatan peninsular south east called Chinchorro Banks.

When to Go April to June has the most predictable weather, waters are warm year round but can get choppy with swells in winter. The Barrier Reefis calm year round mostly.

Related Belize travel sites you might like.

http://belizeadventure.com/

http://www.naturallybelize.co.uk/

Overheard:

"I didn't think the reef was comparable to that of Roatan Diving" - Bob - USA Cruise Shipper.

One of the ABC's Bonaire is B of course and differes greatly from its neighbours Aruba and Curacao. Bonaire is very highly rated for diving and a lot of the dives are shore dives. This means that you are as likely to be travelling to your dive site by pickup truck and this means that the island has a drive in filling station ! No other place on earth can boast this service. Maybe you can get your tires done at the same time !

The BVI's were unfortunately hit hard by the hurricanes of 2017 and you should check up here to see how the island is coping.
http://bvinews.com/new/

Welcome to the British Virgin Islands :)

With over 60 islands and islets the BVI's are not short of beaches and this is sailing mecca due to the trade winds and calm seas.

Mainly enjoyed by Sailors, windsurfers and divers and of course the residents you find a great community of expats providing sailng services diving resorts and all kinds of businesses. You might look at property here as your place in the sun !

The British Virgin Islands (aka BVI's) are a collection of 60 Islands in the North East part of the Caribbean. There are some of the best resorts of all the Caribbean Resorts in the BVI's. Non commercialised and safe they are best known for sailing windsurfing and scubadiving.The two main Islands Tortola and Virgin Gorda have lush wooded peaks terminating in perfect white sandy beaches. In true contrasting character Anegada is an Atoll with fantastic reefs and beaches.
It is best known for sailing, some say the worlds best due to the ability to learn the winds and calmness of the oceans.

Part of the fun is island hopping here and easily achieved. It's probably best done on a sail-boat. On and off shore there are 20 national parks looking after many species such as the Anegada Rock Iguana.

The accommodations vary with excellent restaurants the BVI's should be considered your Caribbean Island of or Islands of choice. Don't miss the Baths on Virgin Gorda - volcanic formations of grottoes rock pools caves and deserted beaches.

Watch this aerial shorts video to get an idea of the stunning beauty which is hard to put into words. 

On these islands you will find some of the best Caribbean Resorts. The Caymans consist of Grand Cayman and the two smaller Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The latter 2 are 5 miles apart and they are away from the large island 89 miles away.
The temperature is averages at 27° c and the water temperature goes from 79° - 82° farenheight with a usual good visibility.
You can dive from shops or liveaboards.

About The Caymans

The Cayman Islands is a fabulous destination that can be found in the Western Caribbean Sea. Consisting of three islands, this is British Overseas Territory and was first sighted in the early 1500s by the intrepid explorer Christopher Columbus. The three islands that make up the Cayman Islands are Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. No matter which of the three islands you visit, you will find that there is something unique to hold your interest, from the fabulous surroundings to the culture, the history, the people and the attractions. These are small but vibrant islands, all of which boast unique charm and character.

These islands boast a long and rich history dating back to the 1600s, prior to which they were largely uninhabited. This has become a hugely popular destination amongst those looking for a holiday destination that boasts beauty, glorious weather, rich history, exciting culture, and many attractions. Whether you come here to relax and soak up some sunshine, explore the history, take in the natural beauty, or drink in the balmy, tropical ambiance, you will not be disappointed with this tropical haven.

There are many different reasons why people decide to head to the Cayman Islands for some fun and adventure, one of which is the superb recreational opportunities that can be found here. A wide range of water activities can be enjoyed when you come to the Cayman Islands, which is perfect for those looking for some exhilarating outdoor adventure. You will also be able to look forward to soaking up some sunshine or having fun on the pristine beaches, such as the incredible Seven Mile Beach, lined with fabulous resorts and hotels.

There are many attractions that can be found in the Cayman Islands, with something for everyone from exciting theme parks to wildlife attractions, natural attractions, and even shipwrecks. You will find plenty of historical attractions to enjoy here too, so you can combine relaxation with fun, adventure and excitement. Whether you are heading off on a romantic vacation with a partner, a fun holiday with the family, or a holiday of relaxation and adventure with your friends, you will find this paradise destination is the perfect choice.

There are three airports in the Cayman Islands, with one airport serving each of the three islands, making it easy and convenient for visitors to travel to and from the islands.

Accommodation

Annie took this photo where you can get no closer to the beach!

There are a bunch of options in the Cayman Islands suiting a variety of options. Not least is the BnB option where you can really save on a lot of money yet get the best home away from home feeling. For the best Cayman Islands Best Airbnb's hit the link. You can find your ideal place between scuba sessions.

Cuba was unfortunately hit hard by IRMA in 2017 and you should check up here to see how the island is coping.
http://www.havanatimes.org/

Cuba is a very large island the biggest in the Caribbean. It has a most unique history and currently if you travel through Cuba you will not feel that you have been here before. Spend some time each end of your trip in Havana 5 days would be enough in total but longer doesn't hurt. Check out Vinales to the east of Havana, don't bother going to Varadero though the beach is nice there are nicer places with comparable beaches. Varadero doesn't really feel like Cuba.

Overheard 'Havana in places is like a bomb hit it and no one cleared up' - this is somewhat occasionally true  (becoming less so daily) and you should welcome this approach to urban development, in places of course it is swish and swanky like the nacional hotel on the malecon.

Take a look at our resorts and scuba diving outlets in Cuba.

Trinidad and the nightclub in a cave are good to do there is also a cave tour by night in Cayo Guillermo where bats fly around as you party. Trinidad has nice beaches and the most preserved beautiful colonial architecture. Some people do a tour from Varadero that must be tough to know that you visit a really nice place for a day and get carted back to Varadero. Las Terrazas is an eco resort worth a visit. Way out on the other side of cuba is Baracoa, where an old run down town with baseball stadium on the beach and fishing villages close by go to Baracoa if you can. Staying in casa particulars should hold no fears its a very controlled licensed system and should be used to support this local cottage industry. Make sure you visit a cigar factory and check out the real local scene on the malecon. Casa de la musica is a bit touristic in havana.

Diving The diving is fair but not exceptional due perhaps to overfishing as they have national parks in place to protect things. Maria La Gorda is a descent resort mainly for divers but a couple of days of doing not much for non divers would be ok. More than 5 days here would get boring as all the dive sites would have been done.
The equipment available to rent is of very poor quality and better to take your own. Its not a country you should go to dive in specifically but for sure go and have a dive if your there to visit the country. Isla de la Juventud was not dived by the author and it is supposed to be the best, not so quickly accesible you have to really want to go there. And for me at the time the country was far too interesting to make a special detour. BUT DO GO TO CUBA !
When to Go Year Round bear in mind.Hurricane season is June to November IF one hits.

Cuba Backpacking - a guide to some of the best destinations in cuba especially for the backpacker. Forget the all inclusive cuban holiday - take your soul on a time travel.

Size : 42,804 Sq Miles
Population : 11,822,800
Main City : Havana
Language : Spanish
Currency :Cuban Peso, Peso Convertible (CUC) [cuuks]

Cuba Travel Destinations

Welcome to Curacao.

Curacao has some of the best diving in the Caribbean. Handy is the fact that the sites are close in meaning a lot of shore diving or short boat trips, also like Roatan in this respect, though Roatan doesn't have shore dives. You can expect coral gardens slopes walls and all depths of diving catered for Caves too.
Good for beginners and advanced divers. They protect the reef with their Curacao Underwater Park 1,500 acres worth with plans to extend to the whole coast. Most diving is on the west coast with shelter. There can be strong currents and rougher swells on certsain sites, these mostly on the south eastern side.

Welcome Look At Willemstad Curacao With Gabe

Dominica was unfortunately hit hard by Hurricane Maria in Septenber 2017 and you should check up here to see how the island is coping.
http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/

The natural paradise (the nature island) that is Dominica says Welcome.

Dominica is an oddity in the Caribbean and is known as the natural island. Just for example it has sulphur pools you can swim in at Soufriere, spectacular amounts of hiking and some of the most interesting and best diving in the Caribbean and should be world known. It also is mostly rainforests and rivers and mountains. It's popular for its nature and in fact also sperm whales who pass between November and June but can be seen year round on occasion.

A sample of cultural things to do too; visit a Carib Indian village and see them craft their tools or take a boat up river to the swampy interior. Hike to waterfalls and boiling lakes. It is one of those places where 2 weeks simply isnt enough and you will have to choose what to do.

Dominica is a very ecologically aware country so you will find the resorts reflecting this axis with eco resorts leading the way.

Enjoy some scuba-diving in the Dominican Republic.

Visit us in the spice isle of Grenada.

Grenada has a single mostly localised touristic spot in the south West corner with an amazing beach called Grande Anse and now also Sandals Pin Gin Beach will be dominating for tourism.

There are a couple of Dive Shops on Grand Anse so it might be better to book an all inclusive rather than a diving package - you will need to check out both options. It is quite hard to find better value than all inclusive plans. The tourist infastructure ok if you want to explore the island you can get a mini bus organised and do it yourself. The centre of Grenada is amazingly green and lush with waterfalls. Known as the island of spice because Grenada produces nutmeg, cinnamon and cocoa - the smells of which are evident in the air. It really is LUSH !

Diving The biggest wreck in the Caribbean is here the Bianca C - but the best diving I found was of Carriacou the small island north. And you will probably be diving alone ! Nurse sharks turtles and baracudas can be spotted here frequently.

The Bianca C is from the main island of Grenada but its a difficult dive to do on air with strong currents and it being at a depth of 170 ft. comming up to 100ft. So Nitrox is a better way but for a tech diver it must be brilliant. Also depending on the year the vis can be poor - it's an advanced dive in anyones book who hasn't done it before.

Grenada Travel Adventure 
grenada grenadines

Haiti was unfortunately hit hard by the hurricanes of 2017 (a very unlucky country :( ) and you should check up here to see how the island is coping.
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/

Help us get back on our feet, let us show you the fortitude and love from the people of Haiti.

If you're wondering why Honduras is in a section of a website dedicated to Caribbean Islands well our excuse is that it has a few Islands that offer great vacations in paradise and some of the worlds best value scuba diving. Honduras diving is centred on both the islands of Roatan and Utila. The Bay Islands are known locally as Islas de la Bahia.

When to Go

The high season for Roatan is usually considered to be around Christmas and New Year and then through to June. During the rainy season (August to December) temperatures can be a little fresh in the evening but in the day the sun usually comes out enough to make for a good holiday but you should get some lightweight rain gear in case a tropical storm is around. This would make you very unlucky indeed. You could still go diving in some sheltered spots on the south side via the shore like in Flowers Bay. Usually Roatan isn't affected by Hurricanes. The last significant one Mitch.

How to get to Roatan and Utila

For backpackers there are daily ferries twice per day from the mainland port of La Ceiba. If you want to travel from Utila to Roatan they are synchronised to allow you to connect. Otherwise there is a catamaran service for about $50 single way. More information can be found in Getting to Roatan Flights into the only local international airport (code RTB) on Roatan and Cruise ships into Coxen Hole and the newly created Mahogany Bay by and for Carnival Cruise Liners.

Where to stay in the Bay Islands

If you run or own a property resort in Honduras you can take live bookings or simple enquire with Roatan Divings own Roatan Vacation Rentals - Add Your property today.

Check out the Roatan and Utila Resorts listed on our site for ideas on places to stay.

Normally the bulk of visitors to the Bay Islands stay in Roatan, Utila, Guanaja and Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands) in  that order.
Roatan Key Areas of interest and Beaches
Westend
Consisting of Westend village and west bay this is the main touristic hub on Roatan. It has the best restaurants and some of the finest resorts. The island is spreading its touristic wings east and if you don't mind the quieter side then check out the east end or places like sandy bay.
East End
Camp Bay Oak Ridge and Port Royal

Mid Island
Jonesville, French Harbour and Coxen Hole for the main centres not so interesting for tourists however. The airport is just outside Coxen Hole and the Cruise ships arrive there and slightly further along at Mahogany Bay if they are Carnival.

Beaches of Roatan

West Bay 
One of the best beaches in the Caribbean never mind the Bay Islands ! With resorts that are not high up it feels like a nice place to be. There are dive shops restaurants and bars to keep you hydrated. The diving is fantastic off here I especially love Mandys Eel Garden which is reachable from shore and free diveable.

Half Moon Bay 
when you arrive at the T junction in west end you are in Half Moon Bay – turning right takes you into west end village. This is an awesome spot join and ask us in the forum where the secret spot is ! It's a great place to snorkel. Also offering paddle boarding in steves paddle shack next to Roatan Radio. When its open the Beach House has an amazing breakfast and you can have it while enjoying the views of the bay. Divers getting ready etc.

Westend 
There is little actual beach here instead its waterfront is home to restaurants like the Blue Marlin and diveshops like Ocean Connections and the Jetty of West End Divers.

Things to do in Roatan

There has been an explosion of tours and excursions in recent years so the problem is choice. Simply go and see what you fancy. We will throw into the mix some Deep Sea Fishing with Artley and his Blue Cool Running Tours. You can get fishing for amazing fighting pelagics for the lowest prices I have seen in the Caribbean !

Restaurants in Roatan

For our readers we recommend in westend village the Blue Marlin, Tongs and The Splash Inn. Service is poor throughout Roatan unfortunately excepting the Blue Marlin- fortunately the food is very good. We didn't like Eagle Rays due to the bill being incorrect and tax and tip being added automatically We recognise this could be a one off- tell us in the forum of your experiences please.

Roatan and Utila Nightlife

You should stay on these islands if you want to move your bumper to some sounds and meet travelling folk or expats as the scene is very social. In Roatan this means the west end and more westend village than westbay. In Utila there is only one centre East Harbour or Utila Town and its nightlife rivals that of Roatan and is made up of more backpackers due to it being cheaper.

Annoyances and some things to be aware of

The sand fleas flies or no see ums are a real annoyance unless you get used to them after a good while on the island. They if left unchecked will give you a terrible nights sleep as you scratch the bites producing nasty red spots that look very unattractive indeed. Get some Off or perhaps better eco friendly lotion. Once they do you they seem to then leave you alone for some reason.

If you are a cruise ship passenger  you will be harassed upon arrival in the ports to get tours and taxis for example. You can book a tour or taxi in advance from http://roatan-diving.com this will help as you will be met and transported to your chosen dive shop or taken on your tour by the guide.

The Bay Islands are pretty safe generally and you should feel safe to walk around anywhere – just take precautions as normal and minimise those walks if you are especially female and alone. You should not experience theft in most reputable hotels in Roatan but again don't leave temptation in peoples way. Your holiday spending money will be a lot compared to the workers salary.

Related Websites

Honduras Travel Reviews

More specifically Honduras in the Caribbean this means the Bay Islands made up of RoatanGuanja and Utila and the islets of Barbaretta and Cayos Cochinos.

Please allow us to show you that we DO have a Mexico Caribbean side :)

Welcome to Montserrat !

Puerto Rico was unfortunately hit hard by the hurricanes of 2017 and you should check up here to see how the island is coping.
https://www.elnuevodia.com/

Puerto Rico says hola ! Disfruta.

Little Saba island a mecca for diving in the Caribbean.

St Barts was unfortunately hit hard by the hurricanes of 2017 and you should check up here to see how the island is coping.
http://www.news-sbh.com/en_US/

Ciao from St Barts!

St Eustatius says Welcome to our island nation.

Welcome from us in St Kitts and Nevis.

We want you to enjoy the beauty and splendour that is St Lucia.

Come sail around St Vincent and the Grenadines for some of the most beautiful cays in the world.

Let us show you all the brilliance of Sunday School Tobago style !!!

The Turks and Caicos Islands were unfortunately hit by the hurricanes of 2017 and you should check up here to see how the island is coping.
https://www.visittci.com/weather-and-astronomy/hurricanes

We welcome you to our islands in the Turks and Caicos. 

So, mention Turks and Caicos to most people and you get the typical reaction, where? Well, let me do you the kind honour of enlightening you.  This is one tropical destination you should not miss.

Nestled in the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos is all white sands and turquoise clear water and secluded bays.   The backdrop kind of reminds you of the stage set of Pirates of the Caribbean.  Hang on a minute is that Johnny Depp I just saw?  Quite possibly. Turks and Caicos doesn’t really have a lot of travellers, hence why the celebs love it.  Bruce Willis got himself married there for the second time.  In fact, you’re more like to see more donkey’s than you are people! And to get to your tropical destination is not exactly a mission and a half.  It’s only a 90 minute flight from Miami.

Once there you can also nip across to the next island of Grand Turk (part of the Turks islands).  Which is set in a time long since past, with dilapidated buildings, salt ponds and narrow lanes, a contrast with the ever-expanding Providenciales, tourist gateway to the Caicos Islands.

Divers will delight in the sea quality here.  The warm waters are teaming with sea life, which is thankfully devoid of crashing waves.  Even the most travelled of you will be impressed with amazing beaches.

One of the attractions in the tropical paradise is the weather.  It rarely drops below 25 degrees c, but not above 32 degrees c.  The hottest months are between August to November, with winter season being the peak season for visitors. Hotel availability plummets and the prices soar from December through to April. Despite increasing popularity, even at the height of the high season, rooms to fit most budgets are generally available. A good option for travellers is to visit during the low season.

The islands are British dependant with the US Dollar being the official currency.  They also have a local currency called Crown and Quarter. On the downside it is very pricey and only the major islands of Grand Turk and Provo accept credit cards for bigger transactions, but charge a fee of 5%.

Another great benefit to the islands is crime  is relatively unheard of, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the sensible of precautions of locking money and valuables away. And in terms of your health the bigger islands have hospitals just in case….