School’s out for the summer. Rates are low and adventure is high. Summer travel is in the air, and now is the best time of the year for a vacation, whether with your family or your significant other. Few places are better for summer vacations than the Caribbean. Relative temperatures on the beach are consistent and comfortable, the water is warmer and better for swimming and water sports and, best of all, you’ll find some great deals and extras. Here are the best Caribbean summer vacations for 2016.
Learn to Sail
Get out on the water and do something you’ll never forget — learn to sail. And there’s nowhere better than the Caribbean’s best hotel for watersports, Virgin Gorda’s Bitter End Yacht Club. The resort has a fleet of more than 100 boats that you can use for free, unlimited — but it’s got an even better sailing school. And when you’re not out on the water, you can either hit the beach or enjoy the property’s daily excursions to neighboring islands in the BVI. This just might be the ultimate summer vacation.
Go Snorkeling
If being on the water isn’t your thing, maybe it’s time to go under it. Bonaire has some of the world’s best diving, meaning it also has some of the world’s best snorkeling, whether you take guided tour to nearby Klein Bonaire or simply take your fins in right off the shore in Bonaire’s marine park. And at the end of the day, enjoy one of the Caribbean’s top food scenes. Where to stay? Try the Harbour Village luxury resort, Bellafonte Bonaire or the Buddy Dive Resort.
Take a Sailing Charter
It’s one of the Caribbean’s best adventures – chartering a sailboat. If you’re experienced, you can do so bareboat, but if you simply want a fun and exciting trip around the islands, you can get a crewed charter. Either way, the best option is always The Moorings, which has bases all over the Caribbean, from its hub in Tortola to the Abacos.
Something for Everyone
Few resorts in the Caribbean have a more diverse array of activities than Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic’s La Romana. No matter the size of your traveling party, there is something here for everyone: tennis, horseback riding, water sports, a sports academy and a host of excursions near and far, from Saona Island to the local Altos de Chavon 16th century replica Mediterranean village (above). And did we mention the Caribbean’s best golf?
A Couples’ Escape
Looking for a romantic summertime escape? Look no further than Anguilla, the tranquil, upscale island with some of the world’s best beaches. And if you’re seeking an upscale stay, take your loved one to the hip, contemporary Four Seasons Anguilla. Just make sure you have nightly cocktails at the Sunset Lounge.
Go Paddleboarding
You can learn how to do it in half an hour (or less), and it’s addictive. Paddleboarding has taken the world by storm, and particularly the Caribbean, quickly becoming one of the region’s most popular watersports, both for beginners and, increasingly yoga enthusiasts. So take the whole family to Antigua’s Verandah all-inclusive resort, with ultra-calm waters and all the paddling you can ask for.
Go Affordable
Summer in the Caribbean is always surprisingly affordable, with great deals abounding the region. But for a tried-and-true affordable Caribbean vacation, try the St Kitts Marriott, a great value hotel on a very nice stretch of beach in St Kitts. And while you’re there, check out the St Kitts Music Festival June 23-25.
Go Diving
A little over an hour from Miami is one of the world’s great diving destinations: The Cayman Islands. There’s a reason seasoned divers from all over the world come here, whether near Grand Cayman or in the world-class reefs near tiny Little Cayman. And the tri-island destination is full of great dive resorts, from the Sunset House on Grand Cayman to a CJ favorite, the Little Cayman Beach Resort.
Your Next Family All-Inclusive
Looking for a different kind of all-inclusive vacation? Head to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, a massively fun resort where rock-and-roll meets the Caribbean. And it’s great for families, with activities for all ages, from the hotel’s Little Big Club kids’ program to a terrific casino.
Your Own Superyacht
Maybe you want a truly luxurious way to traverse the region. Try a Camper & Nicholsons yacht charter, home to some of the world’s top superyachts, yours for the week. Like, for instance, At Last (above), a superyacht with room for 11 guests and eight crew that spends its summers in the northern Caribbean.
The Caribbean You Haven’t Explored Yet
Why not try something new this summer? Why not try an adventure-filled getaway to Trinidad, the fascinating Southern Caribbean country that’s a cultural cornucopia, from some of the Caribbean’s tastiest food to staggering natural wonders. Use Port of Spain as a base (and stay at the country’s best hotel, the Hyatt Regency Trinidad), and then begin exploring. The most beautiful part of the country? The islands between Trinidad and Venezuela in the Bocas del Dragon (above), best explored by charter boat.