SPECIAL EDITION CARIBBEAN A–Z


S is for Sailing


If your clients love sailing adventures, the Caribbean offers plenty of launch points. Jenny Basham, beach product manager at Carrier, says: “Yachts and boat excursions are favourites with our clients. The British Virgin Islands are best explored at sea, so we pair this with stays at some of the most exclusive resorts in the archipelago.” Antigua is arguably the best-known Caribbean sailing spot, with the annual Sailing Week (pictured) plus an inaugural


Racing Cup taking place in April next year. Diana Watt (pictured), an Antigua- based destination manager at Inspiring Travel, says: “While the races are on, there are many fun daytime activities for all. At night, come out and experience the after-parties with performances, steel pans and dancers along with the nightly racing prize ceremony. Not a sea lover? Enjoy lunch in the heart of Nelson’s Dockyard, where you can relax and cheer the boats as they cross the finish lines.”


T is for TV and film BBC hit Death in Paradise, filmed in Guadeloupe (pictured),


will return in early 2026 – a perfect time to shine a spotlight on this laid-back French island. Clients can experience so-called Saint Marie for themselves, from the police station to beachside Catherine’s Bar. Operators including Inspiring Travel and Marella Cruises report a spike in searches for their themed Guadeloupe tours while the series is aired. Amanda Springer, head of product at Exsus Travel,


says: “At Exsus, we’ve seen a 30% increase year on year from 2024 to 2025 for Guadeloupe. Series 14 aired in early 2025, and we saw quite an uplift. The Langley Resort Fort Royal features in the series and is our top-selling hotel. Guadeloupe has definitely been put on the map for British visitors following the series. The product is not high-end luxury, but offers an authentic Caribbean experience.”


V is for Volcanoes Though the region is known for its


U is for Underwater The underwater world is a key draw, but you don’t need Padi diving qualifications


to spot fish, turtles and plant life. Shanai St Bernard (pictured), nautical development manager at the Grenada Tourism Authority, says: “Whether gliding over coral reefs on a glass-bottom boat or snorkelling through one of our two Underwater Sculpture Parks (pictured), you don’t have to be a certified diver to enjoy the vibrant marine world. With calm bays and exceptional visibility, Grenada’s waters are easy to explore.” Another option is via Snuba, when swimmers go underwater while attached to a floating air tank. Many lines, including P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, offer Snuba excursions, as does Island Routes, the activity provider for guests staying at Sandals resorts.


white-sand beaches, the Caribbean’s black-sand coves, distinctive landscapes and fertile soil are telling signs of its explosive past. Today, there are 21 active volcanoes, concentrated in the Lesser Antilles from the British Virgin Islands to the ABC islands – and visiting a volcano adds an interesting geology lesson to any getaway. For instance, Saint Lucia’s landmark Pitons are actually two volcanic plugs, made from hardened lava. A half-hour drive away is the world’s only drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs (pictured), where clients can drive up to a viewpoint to overlook steaming vents, then take a dip in geothermally heated pools. Other volcanoes prime for exhilarating hikes include St Vincent’s La Soufriere, where clients will traverse gorges, waterfalls and rope bridges in the jungle to reach a vast grey crater. Diminutive Quill on lesser-known Sint Eustatius rises to 600 metres and offers beginner-friendly hikes.


¯ travelweekly.co.uk 28 AUGUST 2025 49


PICTURES: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority; Grenada Tourism Authority; Saint Lucia Tourism Authority/Ollie Jones; Shutterstock/Matej Kastelic


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