Adventure awaits in the Caribbean for those who desire to go on early Fall vacation before the snowy winter weather arrives. Now is the perfect time for you to get out to one of the many resort islands and enjoy a range of different aquatic activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, tubing, and sailing. So pack up your bags and get ready to redeem your Royal Holiday vacation club membership credits at these top 5 Caribbean islands that offer aquatic sports so you can feel the surf surrounding your feet and the salty breezes tousling your hair.
Punta Cana
Located in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana offers scenic ocean views of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The sparkling sandy beaches and endless clear waters will have you placing on the swimsuit and rushing out of the hotel before you have even checked in.
If you are in the mood to find out what types of aquatic life lurks underneath the warm waters, there are over 10 dive sites in Punta Cana for snorkeling and diving, including Cabeza de Toro Beach. You can look at the coral reefs, kiss a dolphin, or swim along nurse sharks and sting rays at the Marinarium. From July to September, fishermen take to boats to catch blue marlin. There are several tournaments hosted by the local Yacht Club as you can put your fishing skills to the test.
Turks and Caico
When you have seen and done everything that the Bahamas has to offer, pack your bags and travel southeast to a small archipelago just waiting for you to explore the turquoise waters. Turks and Caico island has 230 miles worth of beaches as you can go swimming along Long Bay or Pillory beach, scuba-diving at Provo’s barrier reef, or snorkeling at Salt Cay. If you travel to the back country of Turks and Caico, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy paddleboarding whether you are a beginner or a pro.
Oranjestad
Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, which guarantees that you will find all the aquatic sporting adventures that you could possibly want on your vacation. During the day, people flock to the beaches to enjoy the cool waters yet it is the high winds that call to sports enthusiasts who want to take part in water activities. Wind surfing, scuba diving, kite surfing, paddleboarding and swimming are available for beginners and pros at places like Hadicurari Beach, while the young kids can go swimming in the waters at Baby Beach. Oranjestad is also the perfect place to learn about “snuba,” which is a combination of scuba diving and snorkeling.
Bonaire
If diving and snorkeling are your two main aquatic sports, then head out to the island of Bonaire in the Southern Caribbean by the coast of Venezuela. This beautiful reef-lined island with its mangrove forests is a true treasure of the Caribbean due to its conservation and preservation efforts of the ecosystem. When seeking a water sport adventure, your first stop should be Lac Bay. Go kayaking through the mangrove forest until it opens up enough for you to dive from the kayak and take part in a snorkeling excursion. While beneath the water, you will see upside-down jellyfish and babay manta rays. For people who want more active sports, then windsurfing at Sorobon is perfect for you.
Guanica, Puerto Rico
Image Source: Ricymar Photography / License
When going on an island adventure, some people don’t want to stray too far from the United States, especially if this will be their first vacation away from the mainland. Guanica, Puerto Rico offers the best of both worlds were you can be on an island that is still considered part of the US. Guanica is a quieter resort location versus more crowded, tourist attractions such as San Juan as this town is located toward the southwest section of the island. Here, you can find a relaxing vacation with the right amount of sand, surf and sports activities. Gilligan’s Island, named after the popular 60s sitcom, has clear waters that are perfect for kayaking and snorkeling. Swimming is allowed at the public beach of Balneario Cana Gorda with calm waters that are perfect for family vacations.
There are so many islands that feature water sports that there is really no way to name them all here. The type of island vacation to go on will be based on your personal budget, the amenities that you are looking for, and the time of year — since the waters and winds can get rough in certain places, and the crowds can make it difficult to book the perfect resort package. To save a few dollars while still having the best possible vacation for yourself, your significant other or for the entire family, look for deals at popular resorts and hotels through Royal Holidays. You can earn credits that can be put toward the hotel stay so you can have a longer vacation and enjoy every type of aquatic sport that you love.
