CARIBBEAN A–Z
D is for Diving
Clients could spend a lifetime delving into the Caribbean’s underwater world. Bonaire is known for its shore dives, playing host to shipwrecks and reefs close to land, while divers also flock to the wreck of the USS Kittiwake, just off Grand Cayman’s popular Seven Mile Beach. Anguilla, meanwhile, features wall diving for more-experienced divers and has recently announced a policy to transform the British Overseas Territory into a leading sustainable diving destination.
Matthew Billington (pictured), owner of local diving operator Scuba Shack, says: “Anguilla is home to more than 20 vibrant reefs and seven remarkable wrecks, making it one of the Caribbean’s best-kept diving secrets. Calm seas, excellent visibility and minimal currents make it perfect for beginners, while the variety of sites keeps experienced divers coming back. Popular sites include Sandy Deep Reef, No Name Reef and Anguillita – all around 18 metres deep. Wreck divers will enjoy the Oosterdiep (25m) and Kathlee H (18m). Expect turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and more in Anguilla’s pristine marine environment.”
Fis for Festivals Caribbean carnivals frequently steal the limelight,
E is for Excursions Many cruise clients will get their first taste of
the Caribbean through the array of shore excursions – from Azamara’s introduction to Creole culture on one of its AzAmazing Evenings in Martinique to creating your own batik fabric with P&O Cruises in St Kitts. Venture Ashore, which offers excursions for both cruise and land-based guests across the region, reports that its top destinations are Sint Maarten, Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia and St Kitts, with recent additions including conch and culture tours of Bimini in the Bahamas and a tuk-tuk trip in Antigua (pictured). Kirsty Bachelor (inset), director of sales for
Venture Ashore, says: “Culinary experiences are growing for us, along with adventurous tours like kayaking, paddleboarding or birdwatching. It’s about expanding a client’s knowledge of what the destination offers, be it eco-adventure parks, rainforests or culturally rich experiences specific to that location.”
but they’re not the only annual fixtures. The events calendar is packed during high season, from foodie festivals – such as the Anegada Lobster Festival in the British Virgin Islands, St Barthélemy’s Gourmet Festival each November and even Tobago’s Blue Food Festival in October – to sporting events such as Run Barbados in December and the Fat Tyre Mountain Biking festival in Jamaica each February. Families will love the Cayman Islands’ Pirate Fest every November too. Festivals can also make a low-season trip more appealing. The Tour des Yoles Rondes sailing regatta in Martinique in late July and early August attracts tens of thousands of visitors, while Jounen Kwéyòl day – celebrated in Saint Lucia (pictured) and Dominica each October – is a fantastic way for clients to learn about the mix of Caribbean, African and European heritage.
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travelweekly.co.uk 28 AUGUST 2025 39
PICTURES: Discover Dominica Authority; Aruba Tourism Authority/cadosbla; Valerie Gagliardi; Louise Leontyy; Anguilla Tourism Authority
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