Editor’s letter C AR I B B E AN COL L E C T ION 20 2 5


National Geographic Traveller — The Collection team Editor: Sacha Scoging Deputy Editor: Charlotte Wigram-Evans Art Director: Becky Redman Deputy Art Director: Lauren Atkinson-Smith Lead Designer: Rosie Klein Chief Sub-Editor: Olivia McLearon Senior Sub-Editor (maternity): Hannah Doherty Acting Senior Sub-Editor: Victoria Smith Sub-Editors: Lucy Coward, Rory Goulding, Chris Horton, Ben Murray Head of Sales: Danny Pegg Heads of Campaigns: James Bendien, Matthew Rickard Production Manager: Daniel Gregory Production Controller: Vinny Bains


Island-hopping across the Caribbean conjures certain images: cerulean waters, soft alabaster sands and lavish resorts framed by thick pelts of swaying palms. But look a little closer and there’s another Caribbean — wild, storied and infi nitely more surprising. That’s the version we celebrate in this issue. Leading the way is our guide to the region’s lesser-known escapes — places


that promise a rich, deep kind of adventure with all the natural beauty of their celebrated neighbours, but without the crowds. Think sleepy, secluded cays in St Vincent & the Grenadines with only fl amingos for company; bath-warm waters in Dominica, where you can snorkel through silvery volcanic bubbles; and rainforest-clad outposts in Guadeloupe, where tree frogs sing and tropical birds dart through the canopy (p.6). In fact, there’s an incredible array of wildlife to discover across the


Caribbean, which is why, on page 16, we round up six of the region’s most unusual creatures and where to fi nd them. Elsewhere, we dive beneath the waves in little-known Anguilla, where a number of beginner-friendly sites have opened up the island’s kaleidoscopic underwater world (p.26). We also shine a light on the Caribbean’s under-the-radar carnivals — celebrations that bring the region to life in a riot of colour and sound, from Carriacou’s theatrical Shakespeare Mas to Curaçao’s glow-in-the-dark costumes and Montserrat’s epic steel pan parades (p.38). For those of you after even more inspiration, the Directory, brought to you by


our partners, off ers some of the region’s fi nest hotels and experiences (p.40). Sacha Scoging, editor


National Geographic Traveller (UK) team Editorial Director & Chief Operating Officer: Maria Pieri Editor: Pat Riddell Deputy Editor: Amanda Canning Executive Editor: Lorna Parkes Features Editor: Georgia Stephens Associate Editors: Farida Zeynalova Managing Editor: Glen Mutel Senior Editor: Sarah Barrell Senior Content Strategist: Berkok Yüksel Digital Content Editor: Karlina Valeiko Commissioning Editor: Angela Locatelli Assistant Editor: Sam Kemp Branded Content Manager (maternity): Flora Neighbour Senior Branded Content Editors: Sara Crossley, Jessica Prupas Senior Project Editor: Beth Finney Project Editors: Emma Al-Mousawi, Zoe Bell, Emma Monk


Assistant Project Editors: Kira Richards, Hannah Wild Senior Art Editor: Lauren Gamp Art Editor: Kelly Markwell Senior Designers: Tully D’Souza, Dean Reynolds Picture Editor: Ben Rowe Associate Picture Editor: Aisha Nazar Operations Manager: Seamus McDermott Events & Operations Administrator: Safia Reid Head of Marketing: Sophy Moyes Digital Marketing Manager: Tilly Tasker Digital Marketing Assistant: Mélissa Otshudy Head of Events: Sabera Sattar Events Manager: Angela Calvieri


Commercial Director: Matthew Midworth Head of Sales: Phil Castle Campaigns team: George Clarke, Bob Jalaf, Ben KeyStone, Kevin Killen, Mark Salmon, Jack Sharry, Perry Sophocleous, Oscar Williams


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National Geographic Traveller (UK) — The Collection is published by APL Media Limited, Unit 310, Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL. nationalgeographic.com/collection Editorial: T: 020 7253 9906. editorial@natgeotraveller.co.uk Sales/Admin T: 020 7253 9909. sales@natgeotraveller.co.uk Subscriptions: T: 01293 312166. natgeotraveller@subscription.co.uk


National Geographic Traveller (UK) — The Collection is published by APL Media Ltd under licence from National Geographic Partners, LLC. Their entire contents are protected by copyright 2025 and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden. The Directory is a collection of Partner Content curated by the National Geographic Traveller (UK) team. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine, but the publishers assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information that is contained in the magazine. Neither APL Media Ltd nor National Geographic Traveller magazine accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.


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National Geographic Traveller (UK) is trusted for its independent and impartial advice. Our writers and photographers often receive support from the likes of tourist boards, tour operators, hotels and airlines. However, there is never any guarantee of positive coverage. Any sponsored or commercial features will always be clearly labelled.


Copyright © 2025 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved. National Geographic Traveller and the Yellow Border Design are registered trademarks of National Geographic Society and used under license. Printed in the UK.


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