My last reading week/study break has now come to an end. Over the past four years, while completing my commerce degree at the University of Ottawa, I have been fortunate enough to travel widely across the Caribbean. Despite having visited the Caribbean multiple times, I have not yet visited every island. The Caribbean consists of 7000 islands making up 26 countries stretching from the Southern coast of Florida to the Northern tip of Venezuela. Known for its stunning landscapes, picturesque beaches, clear waters and vibrant cultures, the Caribbean is a dream vacation destination for many. From the crystal-clear waters of Curaçao, the white sand beach in Aruba and the unique landscapes in Saint Lucia, the Caribbean has endless opportunities and experiences waiting to be discovered.
In this blog, I will take you on a journey to discover the best Caribbean islands I have travelled to and share the highlights of my vacations to specific Caribbean islands. Whether you're just looking for a quick break from school or the office, a romantic getaway, time with family or an adventurous vacation, here, I'll provide the insights you need to make your Caribbean vacation the best it can be.
Arikok National Park - Aruba
Aruba is a top Caribbean destination for many, for my family it's close to number 1. Personally, I've been 3 times and keep talking about making another trip. The island is the best Caribbean Island for a vacation spot with activities for all ages, making it a great place for a vacation with friends, family or a significant other. Aruba is known for its beaches, including Eagle Beach and Baby Beach for their white sands and Palm Beach where there are endless opportunities for hotels, shopping and restaurants. Or one could go to Oranjestad, the capital city full of luxury shopping, historic landmarks and nightlife. I cannot forget to mention the stunning Arikok National Park where an amazing desert-like landscape, with caves and natural pools where you can snorkel or hike. The national park is one to visit with a tour so you can sit back and relax, or take on the extra adventure by renting an off-road vehicle and having fun on the rough terrain.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are the best Caribbean Islands to visit if you're looking for crystal-clear waters. St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix offer many famous beaches for snorkelling with active wildlife such as sea turtles. St. Thomas was the first place I ever walked on a beach and saw multiple sea turtles. Touring St. John by boat is the best way to experience the secluded beaches only accessible by water, private or group charters are readily available to offer experiences tailored to what you wish to do. My family chartered a private boat for a day and visited every beach around St. John. We even stopped at a floating restaurant called Lime Out, which is eco-conscious using solely solar power and reusable cups. They also encourage boaters to not anchor on the ocean floor and to use mooring buoys to ensure that the coral reefs below remain protected. You can visit Lime Out's website site here.
The Pitons - Saint Lucia
The best Caribbean Island when it comes to landscape and culture is Saint Lucia. The iconic Pitons, where active travellers can take the challenge and hike the Gros Piton, or those on a more relaxing vacation can visit the Sulfur Springs which is the Caribbean's only drive-in volcano, where travellers can take part in mud-baths in the mineral-rich water. Saint Lucia is also home to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens where endless tropical flowers and plants as well as waterfalls create a movie-like setting. For travellers who prefer to spend their time on the ocean like I do, the sunset cruises offered in Saint Lucia are the best, taking travellers to Sugar Beach which lies between the famous Pitons for breathtaking views and looking out at the sunset over the horizon.
I finally just checked Curaçao off of my bucket list last week, after falling in love with Aruba, I've been wanting to visit. Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire are a part of the Dutch Caribbean and are the most Southern Caribbean destinations. To my surprise, Curaçao may be number one on my list of the best Caribbean Islands. The waters are so clear that it is difficult to determine how deep of water you're in. The beaches there are all unique, and the island is larger compared to the previously mentioned Caribbean destinations, however, each one offers something very different. Gros Knip and Pirate's Bay on the western side are beaches that have the brightest white sand making the water the perfect Gatorade-Blue colour. Whereas Tugboat Beach on the more eastern side has darker water due to the coral reefs below. Tugboat Beach deserves its own blog post because it was a highlight of our vacation. But to summarize, you can snorkel up to a sunken tugboat, it is 30 feet long and has been sunken for years, therefore the local fish have taken over. The crazy part is, you're snorkelling under a giant oil rig. Now, I've never seen one in person before but it certainly felt weird being allowed to swim so close to it.
As my last reading week came to an end, and I reflected on my many vacations discovering the Caribbean, I can confidently say that whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, there is a perfect spot waiting for you in the Caribbean. I hope that the experiences I have shared from my top 4 Caribbean Islands inspire you to plan your own Caribbean vacation. Stay tuned on Study Break Toprics for my upcoming Blog posts, where I will share more about each destination and even go into the different ways to travel the Caribbean whether is be an all-inclusive resort, hotel or cruise. Don't miss out, start planning for your next study break in the Caribbean today!
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