My 9 Favorite Islands to Sail to in the Caribbean

A cruise is a great way to get a taste for the Caribbean Islands.  While some say “if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all”, I wholeheartedly disagree!  Each offers their own unique beauty, culture and history.  And with the convenience and cost savings of a cruise, why not explore for yourself?  Here are my top picks…

• Barbados (Bridgetown) – My number 1 destination in the Caribbean, no visit to Barbados would be complete without a stop at the Boatyard.  There you will find a pristine beach, plenty of water sports and friendly locals to mingle with.  But, if by chance that does not appeal to you, there are plenty of other amazing shore excursions to choose from such as Harrison’s Cave, swim with the turtles, scuba dive, food tours, fishing charters, etc. 
• Trinidad (Port of Spain) – Okay… this may be another number 1. Docking in Trinidad we were met with a group of locals playing the steel drums.  I get chills to this day remembering the amazing sounds of that music.  Learning about the history here on a City Tour alone is fascinating but there are many other options including nature tours such as bird watching, waterfall, or rainforest.  Or… why not sign up for a steel pan lesson? 
• Grand Cayman (George Town) – Coming in at a close second, Grand Cayman is another beautiful island stop known for its diverse sea life and coral reef. This island can be very pricey to stay on so a cruise is a great option to be able to check it out.  While we thought the Stingray excursion was the best here, you can also opt for horseback riding and swim, dolphin encounter, or seven-mile beach getaway.
• Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) – Part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are many top shore excursions to enjoy here. This is also a great island to skip the organized excursions and venture off on your own.  There is plenty of shopping and even a fun ice bar in town.  Fortunately, this is a very popular stop for many cruise ships so chances are if you are a cruiser, you will find this on many future itineraries and is well worth multiple visits.  In addition to a visit to town, you can opt for a day at St. John, a shark encounter, kayaking, snorkeling and so much more!
• Kitts – The spirit of the people was a big draw here with everybody seeming to enjoy their family and friends while barbecuing on the street. It put a smile on my face just watching people have a good time enjoying each other’s company.  The scenery on this island is beautiful which makes for a lovely volcano or rainforest hike.  We enjoyed an ATV tour that was not only adventurous but very educational. 
• Jamaica (Montego Bay) – The vibe here is definitely laid back and all about fun! I would recommend an organized tour on this island as the main town can get quite busy… chaotic even.  Fortunately, there are many to choose from…. Dunn’s River Falls, Green Grotto Caves, white water rafting to name just a few.
• Martinique (Fort de France) – An island of French and West Indian influences, here you will find a lovely island with narrow streets, quaint shops and cafes in town. Though the main town should be your first stop, most of Martinique is considered a natural park so there is plenty of scenery to take in. 
• Antigua (St. John’s) – With 365 pristine beaches to choose from, this island is a beach lover’s paradise and on your way to the beach there will be plenty of stunning views. Though there are many beach activities to enjoy – horseback riding on the beach, segway beach tours, or snorkeling – hiking, golfing or ziplining are other exciting options.
• Maarten (Philipsburg) – Though you can find many similar, and equally exciting, shore excursions here – bird watching, beaches, water sports, rum tours – what stood out about this island was the actual cruise port and Jet Blast Beach. The cruise port offers a great place to pick up local handmade souvenirs or great spices.  Jet Blast beach, if you’re a lover of aviation (like me!), you are in for an adrenaline rush with an airplane flying just a few feet overhead while you are relaxing on the beach.