There are many islands to visit in and around the Caribbean, each with their own unique style and flavor. However, one of the favorite islands to visit among tourists is the Jost Van Dyke Island, located among the British Virgin Islands. There's not much to Jost Van Dyke, but that's kind of the point. There are only 4 square miles, just 150 residents and lots of beaches. There's little else to do but soak in the sun on the beaches.
Barbados is the eastern most island in the Caribbean chain, considered part of the Lesser Antilles. The island is non-volcanic, composed chiefly of limestone coral. This tropical island is covered in mangroves and lovely hardwood forests. The trade winds keep it reasonably cool around the year, while the Caribbean sun beats down on its pristine beaches. Barbados is the " Little England of Eternal Summer. " Meaning " the bearded ones, " it's name is said to have been given by a Portuguese discoverer because of the beardlike vines on the fig trees. With nearly 1,600 inhabitants per square mile, Barbados is one of the most densely populated countries in the Caribbean; the friendliness of it's people is it's foremost charm.
Most major hotels have a beach or are near one, and most types of aquatic gear can be rented. Motorboats for water skiing and sailboats are available for hire at beach club resorts. Conditions are excellent for skiing in the tranquil waters off the west coast, while sailing is favorable on both the west and south coasts. In the path of the trade winds, the east coast beaches are considered dangerous for swimming but ideal for surfing, with the Soup Bowl at Bathsheba being the best area for this sport.
Popular west coast beaches include Mullins Beach near Speighstown, which features a good snorkeling reef just offshore as well as shaded areas, shower facilities and an open-air restaurant providing a view of the bay. Paynes Bay, recognizable by the neighboring fish market, is a site where one can indulge in numerous water sports. Visitors will enjoy the picturesque bay at Sandy Lane, with public access available from either side of the hotel.
Southeast coast beaches are not known for swimming amenities, but rather for their rugged beauty. Bottom Bay is a delightful cove with a white sand beach surrounded by cliffs and a coconut grove. At Crane Beach, pounding waves crash against the rocky shore. A hotel known as The Crane rests atop a dramatic cliff surrounding the beach; parking is available at the beach or hotel. Foul Bay Beach is accessable by a road that travels downward to a paved parking area. This long stretch of beach, nestled between two cliffs, has a wide expanse of seagrape trees.
Popular Beaches on the south coast of Barbados include Accra, where water-sports equipment is available for rental and opportunities are good for body surfing. Casuarina Beach is frequented by windsurfers due to large waves and abundandt winds. Sandy Beach is preferred by families because of it's shallow lagoon and calm seas.
During his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus paid homage to a hill-encircled abbey near Barcelona, Spain, naming a tiny, mountainous island Montserrat after the Spanish landmark. Although the Caribbean land mass 27 miles ( 43 km ) southwest of Antigua outwardly resembles Spain's venerated peak, geologically, it greatly differs from its namesake. The ruggedly beautiful slopes of the " saw-toothed mountain " actually are those of a 3000 foot ( 914 meter ) volcano which drew worldwide attention in the 1990's as torrents of hot volcanic debris destroyed its southern portion. Originally a sugar plantation, the island moved to the production of limes when the sugar and slave markets collapsed, and in the 20th century became a haven for musicians who enjoyed recording in its quiet, laid-back atmosphere.
Along Montserrat's west coast, beaches with pearl-grey volcanic sand provide plenty of swimming and water sports opportunities; equipment can be obtained through most local hotels. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular sports, and the island offers numerous coral reefs for exploration.
Beginners can dive at Lime Kiln Bay, with a maximum depth of 45 feet ( 14 m ). Schools of reef fish dart past swimmers at Northwest Bluff, while Rendezvous Bay cave divers encounter thousands of fruit bats dangling from the chasm's ceiling. High waves make Little Redonda, the Pinnacles and Yellow Hole difficult to reach, although visiting such sights as a sunken 19th-century ship and spectacular undersea rock formations tempt advanced divers.
Little Bay and Woodlands Beach are popular shore sites, with picnic areas and snacks close at hand. For a little privacy, Lime Kiln Beach and Isles Bay Beach are great choices. Furthest north, Rendevous Beach is the only non-volcanic white sand beach. In the south, the aftereffects of the volcanic eruption are evident at Foxes Bay, where stripped mangrove trees and the ruins of a former bird sanctuary linger. More inspirational is the sight of green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles nesting on Montserrat's beaches August through September.
The island's chief attraction is its culture, and although the damage from the volcanic eruption was immense on the southern end of the island, much beautiful terrain still exists north of the ash zone. Visitors can immerse themselves in the culture of, "The Ireland of the Caribbean,", and although George Harrison's AIR studios were destroyed by Hurricane Hugo, the island is still a favorite for both native and visiting musicians.
Separated by a mere 2 miles ( 3.2 km ), St. Kitts and Nevis ( NEE-vis ) constitute one of the world's tiniest nations. Their beauty and charm, however, are not proportional to their size. Dominated by 3,792-foot ( 1,156-m ) Mount Liamuiga, mountainous St. Kitts contains some of the islands' finest beaches. Nevis embraces a single peakrising from the sea to a cloud-shrouded height of 3,232 feet ( 985-m ). Beaches of coral sand are found along its shores. Missing from St. Kitts and Nevis is the profusionof towering resorts found on many of the bigger, more developed islands, as by law no building can be taller than the palm trees. Its visitors can still enjoy the rustic atmosphere and slow-paced " island time " that some say makes for real relaxation.
St. Kitts Island, a volcanic island, is located in the eastern Caribbean 1,200 miles from Miami. The island is 60 square miles in size, with a population of 31,880. The primary language of the island is English. The capital city of Basseterre, a French name that means "lowland", features Georgian architecture. Besides those along Frigate Bay, good beaches are found along the south coast, at Dieppe Bay in the north and along the southeast peninsula. From the white sands of the peninsula's Turtle Beach, Sandy bank Bay and Cockleshell Bay, visitors can get fine views of Nevis.
The center of St. Kitts is Mount Liamuiga. To the north of this mountainous area are plantations that grow sugar cane, papaya, mangoes, avocados, bananas and breadfruit. Tourists are attracted to the warm waters and the white and black sandy beaches. The water is calm on the Caribbean side and offers exciting wave action on the Atlantic side. Scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, fishing, Catamaran cruises appeal to many. A multitude of possibilities are available for hotels and resorts, elegant condominiums and villas, plantation inns, guest houses and apartments. St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino, located on the Caribbean, offers numerous amenities. Ottley's Plantation Inn, located on the Atlantic,is a magnificent 17th century sugar plantation on 35 acres located at the foot of Mount Liamuiga. Nevis Island is a small slice of sandy land unspoiled by loud tourists and pollution. Instead, you will find that the " Queen of the Caribees " is tranquil, natural, and serene. If you want to head to an island, but you don't want the hassle of battling teens on vacation, head to Nevis Island.
The island itself is approximately 36 square miles and is around 200 miles to the south of Puerto Rico, and to the west of Antigua. Though you will find plenty of great beaches here, such as Pinney's Beach and Qualie Beach, that offer excellent swimming, you will notice right away that Nevis is also plush with green spaces. Only 10,000 people cccupy Nevis year round, but all of them are happy to greet tourists with a friendly face upon arrival. In many ways, Nevis is more about discovering nature than drinking or spending your time lying on the beach. This is precisely why tourists find that Nevis is an active place to visit. However, if you do like a drink or two, Sunshines Bar and Grill is a must visit. After all it is the home of the Killer Bee Cocktail.
Throughout the island, there are many hiking trails that will entice you; though it is highly recommended that you take a trail guide with you for safety's sake. Those that want to take a simple route will find that the Plantation Carriage Rides are fun for the whole family. Of course, no island vacation would be complete without some great cruisine, which is why Nevis has many quaint restaurants that are a far cry from those chain stops found on large islands. You will find many West Indian restaurants serving up local fare on this island,along with some restaurants that showcase worldly cruisine.
The waters between St. Kitts and Nevis are the final resting place for more than 400 ships sunk between 1492-1825, yet only some one dozen sites have been identified thus far. Experienced divers can expkore many of the sites. Arrangements for dive trips can be made through most hotels.A favorite spot for experienced divers is " The Caves, " a series or coral grottoes on Nevis' west coast. In every manner, St. Kitts and Nevis, are the ideal islands for you to go if you want to truly unwind.
As if Nevis Island in the West Indies wasn't already a gorgeous island paradise, Sunshine's Beach Bar & Grill makes it absolute perfection. Sunshine's came into existence in the early 1990s when Llewellyn "Sunshine" Caines set up his grill under the swaying palm trees and began cooking fresh seafood for passersby. Pretty soon, Sunshine added some tables and chairs, and a new island tradition was born.
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