Everyone knows the Caribbean for its luxurious combination of sun, sand and sea. This charming group of islands offers an unforgettable, decadent vacation experience, with virtually everything you could want from a visit to a paradise island (or several!).
However, the Caribbean is much more than luxury resorts, turquoise waters and sandy beaches as soft as sugar. It also has a really rich culture, with each island having its own history, traditions and cuisine. But most significantly, the region offers some of the most astonishing and jaw-dropping natural wonders in the world.
So before you departed on a cruise from Puerto Rico or jump on that plane to Jamaica, take a look at some of the natural wonders of the Caribbean, and plan to explore beyond the coast on your next vacation.
Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
If snorkelling is your thing, then Offshore Baths Virgin Gorda maybe your idea of paradise. An amazingly chaotic collection of sunken rocks, grottoes and underwater grottoes provides safe haven for an incredible variety of coral reefs and marine life, making these charming natural formations perfect for snorkelers of each experience level. Explore caves, then dive into the glistening waters offshore for the ultimate combination of relaxation and adventure.
Bioluminescent Bay, Vieques, Puerto Rico
Bioluminescence caused by tiny plankton in the water, which glow brightly when gently disturbed. Seeing this natural phenomenon in real life is an indescribable experience, much like the Aurora Borealis in the sea, and Vieques in Puerto Rico is among the best places in the world to experience it. Bahia Fosforescente is a natural formation at the end of a long, thin mangrove river, and its shimmering light show is specially impressive on a moonless night. Swim or kayak in the bay for a really magical once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Pitons, St. Lucia
The incredible rock formations that make up The Pitons in St Lucia are some of the most astonishing natural sights in the whole Caribbean, and possibly the world! Two volcanic peaks rise majestically above the island, rising from the water below to stand out as an iconic panorama of the area. The Pitons Management Area is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers opportunities to trek through lush tropical forests, dive underwater and explore crystal clear coral reefs, and bathe in naturally heated springs. You can even hike Gros Piton, if you need a bit more adventure!
