Cruising to Some of the Southern Caribbean’s Best Islands

For a cruise vacation with some lesser known ports of call, try a Southern Caribbean itinerary that include Antigua, Barbados or Dominica. Of course, all are perfect for beach and water sports…it is after all the Caribbean.  But that’s not all!

Antigua

 The island also is known for having 365 beaches or one for every day of the year. One of the better ones that is close to the cruise docks is Miller’s Beach. A taxi is the best way to get there; be sure to negotiate rate before getting into the cab. Another great one is Galley Bay Beach where the, surfing conditions are first-rate.

Nelson’s Dockyard, the largest of Antigua’s National Parks, was once the home of the British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, and served as the headquarters of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson from 1784 to 1787. Fully restored to its original splendor, the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings of the Dockyard house shops, hotels, and marina businesses.

Devil's Bridge is a natural arch carved by the sea from soft and hard limestone. The area around the arch features several natural blowholes which shoot up water and spray powered by waves from the Atlantic Ocean.

Barbados

The Flower Forest combines a botanical garden and nature trail skillfully landscaped to showcase the magnificent beauty of the many tropical blooms and lush foliage which abound in the southern Caribbean. The sights and smells are a delight!

Travel deep beneath the earth’s surface by tram through Harrison's Cave, one of Barbados’ natural treasures! This limestone cavern features several streams, as well as stalactites, stalagmites and a 40-foot waterfall.

Stroll the meandering brick paths through the four acres of mahogany forest of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. The open reserve houses animals in their natural environment. The reserve’s hordes of Barbados green monkeys are free to come and go as they please, but there’s always some willing to ham it up for a photo!

Dominica

Hike to Trafalgar Falls. No worries, it's an easy 10-minute walk from the parking area to reach the twin falls. One is about 75 feet tall and the other about 125 feet tall. Best of all, there’s a great viewing platform where you can capture both falls in one amazing photo.

   

Visit Fort Shirley, an eighteenth-century garrison, located in Cabrits National Park. Some of the stone ruins have been reconstructed while others are half-buried in the jungle. It’s the most important historical site in the southern Caribbean, and the park is a great place to spend the day.

For snorkeling or if you’re an experienced diver, or if you just want to check out the view from the lighthouse, take a cab to Scotts Head Pinnacle. There is a small strip of land that joins the island to Scotts Head; on one side is the rough Atlantic Ocean and the other side is the calm Caribbean Sea.

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