Caribbean Ports of Call/Excursions

[vizzog]

I have just posted the following on a thread for our cruise in March but thought I would put it on its own thread for others.

 

Hope you find it useful

 

A little about some Caribbean ports of call

 

St Maarten

Port:

Catch the water ferry ($6 for an all day wristband last year) to the beach from the cruise terminal. Great place we have always stayed in the bay so can’t comment on the island. It is very American lots of nice bars and the place to buy duty free, jewellery. Sunbeds and brollies on the beach usually in front of the beach bars so someone comes out and you pay them (I think it was $10 for 2 beds last yr) then they will run back and forward if you want drinks or snacks!

 

Antigua

Port:

The first time we came here it rained!! So we didn’t go anywhere but walked around the town and had coffee. There are a few nice arty shops if you like that as well as the usual touristy ones quite a nice place for a wander.

We have also been kayaking here out in the mangrove swamps! Also visited one off the small islands on the Atlantic side of Antigua, Bird Island the sea is very rough on that side not for the faint hearted. It is a very beautiful island so probably a good island to go out and about there are the English Harbour and Nelsons Dockyard, which are popular places to visit. If you are a cricket fan there is a cricket tour you and do which visits the test ground and you meet one of the Caribbean cricket stars. We have used the local taxi’s here but do look after your belongings, as this is where our youngest son ‘lost’ or had stolen his iphone. Please don’t be put off by this, as 99% of the people on the islands are friendly. On our last visit here we went on the Crusoe Island excursion this was fantastic, about 40 people on their own island for the day open bar, music and lunch thoroughly recommend if you are a beach bum.

 

Dominica

Port:

There is a warehouse where the ship docks, the locals set up a market there so ok for a wander. The town is about a 20-minute walk away not very much there though. We have also docked right in Road Town right in front of the local market depends if there are two ships in port.

 

We have done the Arial Tram in the rain forest here I liked it. (OH fell asleep! had to nudge him in case the guide spotted him!) Great for seeing the rainforest, plants, trees and I did see hummingbirds. We have also been river tubing here twice we loved it but only great for those who love the water and getting wet. Tried the tubing on the Pagua River in the Carib territory but the journey there and back is very long and over very poor roads so if tubing on the Layou river is available this is a much better option.

We have also visited the waterfalls here and then went to a black sand beach for a couple of hours. Not an island for beaches it is a very much a tropical rainforest island with small narrow roads, mountains and valleys you do need to get out of the port to experience it but I would probably always do a ship excursion here due to the roads and terrain if you are late back on a ship tour the ship will always wait for you!

 

Barbados

 

Port:

The actual cruise terminal has lots of shops etc but walk (about 15mins) or taxi it to Bridgetown a lot more here. As far as beach you could get a taxi to Malibu on Brighton Beach ($20 return for the four of 5 years ago) it is about 10 mins from the ship and for about $5 you can have a tour of the distillery and There are beds and a bit of shade on the beach it is an absolutely beautiful beach

If you take a taxi anywhere on most islands you only pay the driver when he returns to take you back to the ship just give yourselves plenty of time to get back before the time they want you back onboard. There are lots of things to see and do in Barbados depending on whether you are beach fans, like the fauna and flora things or getting out on the water. My favourite time here was on a catamaran sailing down the coast stopping at Sandy Lane beach then out to a reef to swim with turtles. Most times here though we just walk into Bridgetown then out the other side onto Carlisle Bay for a swim and a beer. (Check it out on Google earth)

 

St Lucia

We have always gone out here, there are two cruise terminals the one on the right side of the bay does not have much, on the left side it is much better with shops and bars. Lots of taxi’s offering trips

We have visited Pitons and the volcano. The last couple of times we have got a taxi to Wharf Bar on Choc beach. There is a small Sandals resort at one end but it is quite quiet there is never that many people there. We did go and have a look at Reduit Beach where all the taxi drivers try and take you, it was packed and so busy we got straight back in the taxi and went back to Choc Beach! Unfortunately now this beach is only half as lovely as our first visit as during the rainy season a river flows out into the bay, and a lot of sand and palm trees have been washed away. For a first timer in St Lucia I would probably visit the Pitons and the volcano whether you do it in an organised excursion or take one of the local taxi’s maybe share with someone else from the ship.

 

Aruba

On our first visit here our friends got married so our day was spent at their wedding! We did go to a beautiful beach for photos after it is an island much like Barbados of white powder sand beaches and resort hotels. Our second visit last year we caught the local bus to Eagle beach only about 2½ US dollars return for both of us! The sunbeds and straw umbrella cost us over $20 on the beach and a couple of beers were expensive at $6 dollars each though.

 

 

 

Bonaire

Again only been here once went to a coral beach for snorkelling as the reef is very close to the shore amazing for this as this island is one of the top dive sites in the world. We walked off the ship in the afternoon, as there is a small market and craft stalls set up on the quayside

 

Curacao

First time we visited we docked right inside Willemstad the floating bridge was opened to let us pass through. We took a taxi to Sea Aquarium beach nice sandy beach quite close to Willemstad for a couple of hours, although if there are other ships in port this can get quite busy. Then spent a couple of hours in Willemstad across the floating bridge is a nice shopping area, restaurants and bars. Second time here we docked at the Mega pier just outside Willemstad the cruise terminal area has nice bars and shops and you can walk into Willemstad in about 10 minutes. We did a beach transfer here to a beach just a little further up from the Sea Aquarium beach. There is a highly recommended local bus company called Irie Tours, which have a tour, stop at the Curcao distillery, and an hour or so at the beach admission price included all for $20 (also beer and soft drinks!) which we are hoping to use next time here.

 

Grenada

The water taxi’s directly next to the ships pier will take you to Grand Anse beach and bring you back again, think the last time we used them it was $5 dollars each way? Might have gone up to $6 now, make sure you get some small $ bills when getting your holiday money. The water taxi’s run all day every 15 minutes or so. Grand Anse beach is huge so if you are looking for a quiet spot don’t take the first sun beds offered walk further along the beach. There is a market area where sovenirs, cold drinks, food and toilets are available. We no longer go to this beach having found our ‘ideal’ beach a bit further a field the name of which I have been asked not to say!! Grenada is the spice island of the Caribbean so a place to taste and buy the wonderful spices available here we usually go home with a few but jerk chicken is probably the only thing we have cooked at home!

 

 

Tortola

We have visited several times here is a brief over view of the excursions we have done as value for money the Tortola excursions are cheaper than the other islands.

Beach transfer – this is usually to Cane Garden Beach a lovely beach but can be crowded if more than one ship is port. This is easily available by local open sided buses and cheaper than the ship excursion costs just allow plenty of time to get there and back. (Once our buses gear box fell out!! Had to wait for his mate to come and pick us up luckily it was on the way there so we had all day)

Virgin Gorda – have done this twice it is about a 45 minute ferry or fast motor boat ride across but it is an amazing place. It does involve quite a bit of walking and if you wish to go to Devils Bay you have to climb up rocks, steps etc, go in water up to your knees and be able to bend down quite low. Again if there is more than one ship docked or a ship tendering off Virgin Gorda it can be busy. The first time we went here we were lucky enough to be the only visitors apart from the yatchs and private motor boats, last time it was very busy as two ships were docked in Tortola and a Silversea cruiser was tendering locally.

Jost Van Dyke – a 45 minute motor boat ride through Sir Francis Drake Channel takes you to an island on the other side of Tortola where you have a couple of hours on a fine white sand beach White Bay. There are a couple of bars here and you get a snack and a drink included in the price. Good value and a nice excursion.

Virgin Island Sailaway – did this last time unfortunately we did not have the greatest of weather quite showery and overcast the whole time. A catamaran sails you to Peter Island where you have chance to snorkel. I did enjoy this we saw rays and an abundance of fish. A stop on Norman Island at a beach club for a drink you can also buy lunch here, the beach is not great but then we did not have the weather that day. An ok excursion good for a bit of snorkelling and a sail on a catamaran (obviously the poor weather made it less enjoyable for us)

Skyworld and Cane Garden Beach – great value if you have not been to Tortola you see the island have a great photo opportunity (Skyworld is in fact a resturant in the middle of the island where you can go on the roof and see for miles on a clear day) then go to Cane Garden Beach for lunch and time on the beach.

 

St Vincent – not a favourite port the town is quite run down and not a great deal to do locally. There is a water taxi on the pier which will take you round to Villa beach a narrow beach with a few bars etc can become crowded if lots go there.

Have done the Waterfall and Coast excursion which will take you to the film set from pirates of the Caribbean, after about an hour or so in a bus so you see a bit of the island, lunch at a resturant then a cruise back to the port.

Escape to Bequia – a catamaran across to Bequia where you have some time on the beach and lunch onboard. I loved this as it was very much real sailing as it can be quite gusty and choppy sailing across but those who don’t have very good sea legs did find it a problem as it is quite a long way, (my husband would not do it again).

We have no idea yet what to do in March maybe take advantage of a quieter ship!

 

Guadaloupe – if we do actually visit!!! It will be a first time for us so just researching options at the moment.

[Roxally]

Thanks very much for posting this. I found it very useful for our forthcoming cruise.

[scareyness]

Nice for people to get a few tips, my take on it:

St Maarten

On our recent trip we took a taxi to the French side, to Marigot, had a great time. Trouble with all the cruise ports many people don't leave them and explore further afield, I find them all a bit samey. Once you've seen 1 Diamonds International how many do you need to see if you know what I mean??:eek:

Antigua

Went to Nelsons Dockyard & the harbour last time. Went to chill this time, hundreds of fab beaches on Antigua.

Dominica

1st time to this wonderful island this trip, absolutely loved it. Took an open truck tour which was great. Also wandered round the shops and market then went to the small but very interesting museum.

Barbados

Walked from cruise port to Carlisle Bay, lovely walk. Went in fish market on the way. 4 ships were in port and Carlisle Bay was heaving. Fab beach but too busy and too noisy if more than 1 ship in port.

St Lucia

Did a tour here last time. Rodney Bay too busy for us, but is where many people head. We went to Marigot Bay, less than 20 people on beach!

Aruba

Thought it was more upmarket here, but very nice. Good shops and places to eat. Nice beach close to port.

Bonaire

Did a tour, very rugged in parts of the island (certain places locals go to commit suicide!) saw lots of flamingos.

Curacao

Agree, loved the shopping here, beautiful brightly painted houses, very picturesque.

Grenada

Previously done a tour to waterfalls, the fort and plenty of chances to buy spices. This time walked to harbour then got local bus to Grande Anse beach, far end....bliss. I love Grenada.

Tortola

Had a wonderful tour here last time. This time went to Cane Garden beach, very rough and tide really high, came up under sunbeds, far too many people there, biggest disappointment of trip.

St Vincent

Shared a taxi and had a tour which was good, went to Wallilabou which was beautiful, also went to botanical gardens which are stunning.