We did a lot of island hopping in the Windward’s and Leeward’s, from Trinidad and Venezuela in the south to the Virgins in the north. Though not technically part of the Caribbean (it’s actually part of the North Atlantic), the Bahamas exudes everything you think of when dreaming of a Caribbean vacation. The close proximity of the Caribbean islands makes it the perfect base for a freedom-filled island-hopping adventure with various activities, cultures, and island vibes to choose from. Enjoy Island Hopping on a Caribbean Multi Island Vacation. View More. Caribbean vacations are meant to be relaxing. Though ambitious-types might want to cross as many places (and Insta-gram posts) off their list as possible, you’ll be missing the point. It’s home to the only adult pool at The Atlantis properties, and it’s still incredibly family-friendly thanks to the features on offer (like the water park). Everything You Need to Know About Roatan Honduras Read More. For instance, take another ferry from Nassau to Georgetown (Exuma Island), or jump on a 40-minute commercial flight to Great Exuma, via Bahamasair. It’s like booking your own private cruise. The 400 Sport Yacht is perfect for island hopping, providing the best in water travel and safety. The breathtaking resort includes multiple restaurants and bars, a luxe spa, and two hilltop infinity pools—with excellent bay views. The next morning we headed to the port to board our ship the Wind Surf.We basically just dropped our bags and jumped in a shuttle to Maho Beach for $16 per person round trip. Post Views: 11,184. We knew we wanted to spen… Each island can offer something different so that you can take in more from what it has to offer. Guadeloupe: From St. Barth’s, take a one-way flight to Guadeloupe. If you have enough time to go island hopping, the Caribbean is the best destination to take advantage of this. If you don’t stay on Paradise Island, make sure to head across the bridge, which charges a nominal fee, and spend some time on Cabbage Beach. Fliers should ask if the pilot (especially if there is no co-pilot) has any health issues, and if the operator (or plane itself) has any accidents or incidents in its history. Fan & I will celebrate our 25th Anniversary next year and we're trying to decide on a destination. When it comes to island hopping in the Caribbean, options are aplenty.You can book flights to zip between splashier destinations like St. Martin and San Juan or pick a smaller group of islets, like the ones in Guadeloupe, and ferry between them. You've dreamed of island hopping for years, thinking if you could ever get the right boat, you could spend the winter traveling the Caribbean Sea. They're also pretty comfortable when you are docked or anchored. Built on a dramatic peninsula overlooking Morningstar Bay, Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort has some of the most gorgeous sea views in St. Thomas. FLIBS 2018 is Here! Exuma: You can finish the trip in Nassau (that’s four key islands) or continue the journey (optional) through more remote areas of the Bahamas. Nassau: Begin your adventure in the country’s capital, Nassau, 184 miles from Miami. Below we've listed four Caribbean island-hopping itinerary ideas, along with some tips and tricks. The Cove is the most modern and attractive of all the Atlantis resorts. Atlantis mega-resort and its gigantic waterpark, View of St. Lucia from Jade Mountain/Oyster, Beach at the Mary’s Boon Beach Resort/Oyster, Drake’s Seat, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands/Oyster, Our U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel Pick: Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Beach at the COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos/Oyster, The Best Time to Visit the Caribbean (and the Worst): A Season by Season breakdown, 11 Rookie to Avoid on Your Caribbean Vacation, The 9 Most Unspoiled Islands in the Caribbean, The 9 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Florida, 7 iPhone Accessories to Help You Take Better Instagram Photos, 12 Things to Pack for a Fun Family Lake Vacation. Ever dream of visiting multiple islands in the Caribbean on the same vacation, without sharing space with hundreds (er, thousands) of cruisers who are on the same ship and trip? Many flights between islands could be on a prop plane. Either way, the Exumas consists of 365 islands and is known for swimming pigs, nurse sharks, colorful fish, coral reefs and other marine life, as well as boating excursions, on-island tours, and miles of rarely-visited beaches—in other words, plenty of Caribbean activities to keep you busy for days. We cruised the Caribbean living in a sailboat for 8 years. The island-style rooms are stylish, and feature large, flat-screen HDTVs, free Wi-Fi, and private balconies—some with ocean views. Pricing for Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. When planning your own Caribbean island-hopping itinerary, make sure to stay at least two nights in each destination. The soft sandy beach provides plenty of relaxation space. But sailing schedules change with the seasons, and new service is added … All of the islands mentioned above have ferry services that travel from one small island to another. Harbour Island: Now that you’ve seen two of the country’s more popular islands, next, take a morning ferry from Nassau to Harbour Island, via BahamasFerries.com, where you’ll find small island charm and long stretches of soft pink sand. How To Travel. (In other words, prepare to splurge a bit more on this leg of the trip.). Later, on Jost Van Dyke, you’ll find some of the best places of the trip for nightlife and live music. From Magens Bay to the Virgin Islands National Park (which takes up 60 percent of St. John island) to Blackbeard’s Castle, there are some really unique things to see when you hopping around these Caribbean islands—they are unlike others in the region! In the Abacos, Exumas and at the north end of Eleuthera (nexus for Harbour Island and Spanish Wells), you can island hop via ferry boats and water taxis if you aren’t renting or chartering a boat yourself. Caribbean Islands - Best Self Guided Island Hopping in the Caribbean? If this sounds scary, you can choose the efficient 45-minute ferry crossing from St. Martin instead. Willy T’s floating bar and Foxy’s bar are both legendary and have helped the BVI become recognized as one of the best Caribbean party islands. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. You’re off to a good start. The British Virgin Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands are some of the top places to sail in the Caribbean, thanks to excellent trade winds, crystal-clear blue water, and intricate coral reef systems. and U.S.V.I. Upcoming Conferences. The family-owned Hotel Le Village offers a charming slice of European life in the tropics. You can browse a dizzying array of options to choose your perfect boat and crew (many with a married captain and chef team) with photos and reviews. One affordable G Adventures sailing trip ($1699 at the time of publishing) buys an unforgettable eight-night trip sailing around St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Island hopping can give you an exhilarating and special memory like no other. Aside from its natural and historical attractions, you can also find nice shops for souvenirs and upscale restaurants. Be sure to ask about extra charges like dock, airport, and takeoff fees. Planes and/or boats link all the main Caribbean islands with their neighbors. Its central location near the St. Barth’s downtown shops and restaurants, as well as lovely rooms with spacious outdoor kitchens or kitchenettes, makes this boutique hotel as convenient as it is memorable. Our Windstar cruise started and ended in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. 5 affordable Caribbean islands to live on and 2 to avoid Read More . Achetez neuf ou d'occasion We recommend staying on the French side due to its romantic restaurants, charming boutiques, and sandy beaches (the Dutch side, where you’ll fly into, is known as the party side). One of the best things to do in St Maarten is head to Maho Beach and watch the planes land. St. Barth’s: After a few days on St. Martin, hop aboard a quick 15-minute flight to St. Barts, where you’ll land on one of the shortest runways in commercial aviation. Editors Choice . We've got the low-down on all the most-visited islands, complete with what's best about each one, and we've categorized them by their ease of access, so if your time is … With so many different island nations, traditions, cultures and cuisines to explore, our team can put together your own bespoke combination of Caribbean destinations and create the most fascinating island hopping experience. Noté /5. This is one of the world’s most famous stretches of sand for a reason. Caribbean; Island-Hopping; Caribbean in detail. However, experienced boaters will tell you that the best way to see multiple islands in the Caribbean at your own pace is by chartering a private yacht. You’ll then visit the lush landscapes of St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park, which covers nearly all of the island. Island-Hopping. Therefore, you get to explore more islands on the same vacation. Island Links. Pricing for Hotel Le Village St Barth. Invite some friends along with you and this pricey-sounding adventure could even be more affordable than you realize—or at least equal to what you'd pay for a high-end hotel room. We were required to check in and out of each island. The Cove shares a separate beach and large family pool with neighboring Reef Tower, making it a great spot for travelers of all kinds. Any reputable operator should have safety information readily available, and won’t mind answering questions about their pilots. When chartering a boat or booking a tour, do ask about customizing the itinerary. Hi, What size boat would be best for island hopping around the caribbean ? Find incredible Caribbean villas here. Answer 1 of 2: Hi All, I'm looking for location recommendations for Caribbean island hopping via rental of: kayak, a hobie catamaran, or a small motorized dinghy for my girlfriend and myself. All things lux and lavish are just a click away – let British Airways help you holiday like a celebrity in combined destinations like Saint Lucia and Grenada. Chartering a private sailboat or yacht to enjoy a Caribbean island-hopping vacation for a small group or family is about as dream-worthy (and splurge-worthy) as it gets. Customer Satisfaction Award Winner - 19 awards in 13 Years! It’s quite easy to island-hop really. These three are neighbouring islands that, together, provide the complete Caribbean experience. You can also spend time wandering through the quiet streets looking for pastel-hued cottages and unique architecture with nothing more than the occasional chicken and golf cart in your path. Let us help you make your Caribbean island hopping experience the best it can be! Unfortunately, not all Caribbean islands are connected by ferry boat or flight, but as each year passes, more and more means of transportation are being added. Finding direct flights between Caribbean islands can either be difficult, expensive—or both, but there are options. From here, ferry back to Nassau. Top 3 Features That Every Monterey Boat Owner Loves! Oh, and the cook makes fresh Creole cuisine for a taste of island life every night. Discover the best beach-hopping destinations in the Philippines here! The past year has changed a lot about the travel industry. Your next stop is The Baths on Virgin Gorda, a beach full of fascinating geological formations where you can swim, snorkel, and explore until you work up an appetite. Warning: JavaScript is disabled on your browser. I am looking to get another boat to cruise Because tickets are priced for the local market, with advance planning you can find airline tickets for about US$150 to US$200 or less. Each island can offer something different so that you can take in more from what it has to offer. Our website uses cookies to ensure a great experience. Offshore you can snorkel at the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail, which has underwater signs explaining the types of the sea life you may encounter. Divided by only two miles of water, St Kitts and Nevis are ideally situated for a Caribbean island hopping experience with Tropic Breeze. And beyond: Depending on how much time you have, from Guadeloupe, you can access other islands like Martinique, St. Lucia, and Antigua by purchasing affordable, one-way flights on carriers like LIAT and Caribbean Airlines. Curacao charms with its Dutch-influenced architecture. Unless you have a private aircraft that makes island hopping a breeze (and if you do, let’s be friends), getting from one island to the next in the Caribbean can be remarkably difficult and expensive. There are some wonderful boutique hotels here that offer easy access to the beach. Having 7,641 islands, the Philippines surely has the best Islands for beach-hopping in the world. Monterey Introduces The M225 To The Outboard Line Up, How to Plan Your Next Island Hopping Adventure. This sample itinerary allows you to see four French Caribbean islands, accessed with affordable, direct, one-way flights—in one fell swoop. The second option is one of the most popular routes – a Caribbean cruise. But I also appreciate the convenience of just stepping off the boat onto a dock so I can go up to the nearest Tiki Bar of lunch or dinner One eight-day sample itinerary sets sail from St. Thomas where you’ll cruise to a beach in Trunk Cay, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are even ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks along the Reef Bay Trail. We also use third party cookies. Sure, this alleviates some of the adventure factor of planning your own trip, but you’ll still be on your very own multi-island vacation without the cruise ship crowds. For the easiest island-hopping itinerary, book through a tour operator. The most enticing stretch of sand on this verdant island is generally agreed to be Grand Anse, which is conveniently close to St George’s and the airport – ideal if you want to fly and practically flop out of Arrivals into the best locations. Island Hopping in the Caribbean Obtaining Crew for Coastal Cruising in the Caribbean (or anywhere else) Delivery vs. Cruising. What to Expect from Monterey Boats. Eleuthera: Since Harbour Island is located just off a much bigger island—Eleuthera—you can head there next, by water taxi (a short and cheap ride) to finish the trip in the pineapple capital of the world. Once you get a price quote for any tour or private transfer, it’s worth the effort to call around and get additional quotes. Spend a few days exploring some of the 16 beaches, each with its own distinct personality, and of course chic boutiques and restaurants. Check out companies like Abercrombie & Kent, G Adventures, or the U.K. based company Tropic Breeze for various sailing excursions and options. Cruising around the Caribbean is substantially different from helping someone on a long passage. Believe it or not, you don’t need your own boat to go island hopping in the Abacos. Personally, I much prefer anchoring out because it's cleaner and there isn't as much vermin to deal with. The following island-hopping information is compiled from Caribbean tourism offices. Whether it's your first or 15th visit to the Caribbean, check out our article on what not to do in the Caribbean. I had a 20' ski boat when I was younger but never took it out into the ocean. This bustling capital city hub provides a nice mix of city and island life, as well as Bahamian culture and lifestyle. 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