Family Holidays in the Caribbean

Caribbean Family Holidays in Bermuda

Discover the oldest British Overseas Territory – technically outside the Caribbean but often classed as part of it because it appeals to the same kind of holiday-makers, with its family-friendly beaches, golf courses and great package deals. 

Royal Naval Dockyard

Beyond the beaches and water activities including eco kayaking and diving, its biggest attraction is the Royal Naval Dockyard, now a complex of restaurants, shops, craft markets and museums. Spend a day exploring the former military structures and underground chambers, and the National Museum of Bermuda in a sprawling six-acre fortress at the edge of the Dockyard. 

Bermuda Railway Trail

Don’t miss the Bermuda Railway Trail – the ‘Old Rattle and Shake’, Bermuda's only train, made its first run in 1931 and was gone by 1948, but the stretches of old line in nearly every parish are perfect  for an easy family bike ride or hike – and there’s also mountain-biking and horse-riding, and the Walsingham Nature Reserve with its mangroves, bird-watching, and tranquil grotto and caves. Kids also love the Crystal Caves in Hamilton Parish – especially the walk across the pontoon bridge over underground Cahow Lake.

Caribbean Family Holidays in the Lucayan Archipelago

The Bahamas

Venture just off the east coast of Florida to one of the Caribbean’s most family-friendly destinations: the Bahamas with its pink sands, New-England-style charm and great all-inclusive deals.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Venture to the Turks and Caicos Islands with their upscale resorts, many of them favourites among the rich and famous.

Caribbean Family Holidays in the Greater Antilles

The Cayman Islands

Head south to some of the Caribbean’s most famous and diverse islands. The Cayman Islands have plenty of family-friendly attractions and events, including Pirates Week in November. 

Jamaica and the Dominican Republic

Discover old and beautiful Jamaica, or the Dominican Republic  – fast developing a reputation for ecotourism. For families with an adventurous streak, Cuba can tick all the boxes but the political situation is unstable and it's not always accessible.

Puerto Rico

At the tip of the Greater Antilles, explore Puerto Rico (an unincorporated US territory) with its Spanish influences and great historic sites and museums. Take a trip to El Yunque National Rainforest or go bat-spotting in one of the world's finest cave systems at Rio Camuy Cave Park.

Caribbean Family Holidays in the Lesser Antilles

Venture to these islands arcing along the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, made up of the Leeward Islands in the north, Windward Islands in the south and Leeward Antilles in the west.

British and US Virgin Islands

In the north, try the British and US Virgin Islands for child-friendly resorts, great beaches and plenty of watersports, including some of the very best snorkelling and dive sites in the Caribbean. Throw in charming historic towns, duty-free shopping and a little US influence and you’ve got the perfect destination for winter sun holidays. 

In the British Virgin Islands, head to Tortola’s Brewer’s Bay to snorkel with trumpet fish, barracuda and octopus, or visit Smuggler’s Cove for the two impressive reefs just 30m offshore, and indulge in a Friday fish-fry on Apple Bay Beach. 

You can also make a day-trip or overnighter to the unspoilt island of Jost van Dyke for eco-tours, snorkelling, horse riding, hiking, kayaking and diving, or head to remote Anegada, the only coral island in the BVI, for mind-blowing diving and snorkelling. 

In the US Virgin Islands,
visit sleepy little St John, known for its pristine beaches and  St John National Park, offering 22 hiking trails as well as being home to Trunk Bay Beach – consistently voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches and home to a fantastic underwater snorkelling trail with underwater signs.

Antigua

For low-key tourism head to Antigua, or Anguilla is perfect for families looking to really get away and able to create their own fun. 

St Kitts and Nevis 

Upscale little St Kitts and Nevis are home to some of the region’s most luxurious family resorts, but everything is small-scale and friendly. 

On St Kitts, head for Frigate Bay and Cockleshell Bay (‘Reggae Beach’) for paddling and swimming, or the Atlantic side with its volcanic black sand and hearty waves  for body-surfing. Try sailing or kayaking, join the St Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network team for a beach clean-up, visit the rainforest with Greg’s Safaris, spotting hummingbirds, monkeys and vast fincas trees, and take a catamaran cruise including deep-water snorkelling. 

There’s also the St Kitts Scenic Railway Tour or ‘Sugar Train’ along the Atlantic coast, past former sugar plantations, the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress and the Sky Safari rainforest zipwires. 

On Nevis a short boat ride from St Kitts, enjoy steel pan lessons and learn about traditional village life at Peak Haven.

Windward Islands

In the Windward Islands find well-established islands including laid-back St Lucia (a great bet for reasonably priced package deals) and gorgeous Grenada, home to some of the region’s best dive sites for families. 

Don’t miss the Underwater Sculpture Park, an eco-friendly submarine gallery created to relieve the pressure divers inflict on the natural reefs. You can see it by scuba-diving or snorkelling, or from a glass-bottomed boat. 

There’s also river-rafting on the Balthazar, walking in  Grand Etang National Park with its lakes, waterfalls and monkeys, and glorious 11km Grand Anse Beach.

Martinique 

Choose Martinique for its blend of French and Caribbean influences, mild climate and plenty of outdoor activities for kids. Or for those new to the region, Barbados with its top-notch accommodation and  kids’ clubs makes for an easy, very family-friendly intro to the Caribbean.  


Trinidad and Tobago

South of the hurricane zone, discover Trinidad and Tobago - the eco-tourism giants of the region, with nature tours and eco-packages the big draw for families.

Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao  


Last but by no means least, head to the Leeward Antilles in the west – home to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao with their pristine waters, pastel-coloured Dutch gabled houses, and lack of hurricanes! Snorkel, swim, sail, kayak, surf, water-ski, para-sail, horse-ride on the sand and go fishing. Land-sailing has also become more common here. 

On Aruba, take the kids to Arikok National Park, the Donkey Sanctuary and the Butterfly Farm. There are also ferries to  privately owned De Palm island with its water park, snorkelling, beach volleyball, salsa lessons, Atlantis Submarine and more. 

On Curaçao, Willemstadt’s floating market is a lovely sight, and Museum Kura Hulanda, one of the largest and most unusual in the Caribbean, has a life-size reconstruction of a slave ship. 

Bonaire, a well-kept secret, has snorkelling and kayaking, plus Dutch Caribbean architecture in Fort Oranje.