With so many beautiful Caribbean Islands to choose from, deciding where to take your family on your next holiday can be daunting. Most islands have everything you could ever want for a family holiday – stunning beaches and numerous activities for adults and kids. To help you decide where to go, refer below for the top 10 Caribbean Islands to visit with family.
1. Jamaica
Jamaica is great for families who prefer to spend most days splashing in the waves. The beautiful island nation is a playground for adults and kids, offering numerous activities for all ages.
Family-friendly attractions like the Turtle River Falls & Gardens, Green Grotto Caves, and Mystic Mountain will make your family holiday in Jamaica even more exciting. When it comes to the beaches, you can take your little ones to Seven Mile Beach, which has the most tranquil waters, safe for your kids to swim and snorkel.
2. St Lucia
St Lucia is an incredibly gorgeous island, offering the perfect setting to create lifetime memories with the family. It has lovely beaches with shallow waters and offers numerous water sports to delight your active kids.
Visit Pigeon Island, where kids can play a pirate treasure hunt on this historic site. Sail down to the lovely town of Soufriere on a catamaran and visit the Sulphur Springs and Toraille Waterfall. After a day full of adventures, relax at your villa and bond with the kids at your private pool.
3. Barbados
Barbados offers everything you could ever want for a family holiday in the Caribbean. Aside from its abundant sea, sun, and sand, you will find some of the best luxury Caribbean villas in Barbados, perfect for families who want to indulge in luxury.
Crane Beach, regarded as one of the world’s best beaches, is a must-visit for families, where the adults can lounge in the sun while the kids play in the sand. If your kids want to discover the wildlife, go snorkelling at the Folkestone Marine Park. Fringed by colourful coral reefs and teeming with colourful fish, it’s a playground for adults and kids.
4. Grenada
Grenada is another Caribbean Island perfect for a family vacation. The best way to explore is to rent a car and drive from north to south. For fun days at the beach, head to Grand Anse, featuring a 2-mile-long stretch of sand with gentle slopes, a safe place for kids to swim around.
If you prefer to visit somewhere remote, drive to La Sagesse Nature Preserve and spend the afternoon hanging out on the secluded shore. Other places worth visiting are the Levera National Park and Hog Island.
5. Antigua
Antigua is one of the best Caribbean islands to take your little kids to since it has many resorts with amenities like baby clubs and kiddie pools to cater to your little ones. And with more than 300 beaches, you will have plenty of options for fun days at the beach.
The stunning Long Bay, with its shallow and clear water, is ideal for families with toddlers. You can also visit the nearby islands on a boat trip, which includes a stop at secluded bays like Deep Bay, where you can swim and have lunch.
6. Saint Martin
St Martin is fun to visit with kids who love to spend the entire day splashing at the beach. It has many beaches safe for your little ones, such as Mullet Bay Beach and Great Bay Beach.
If your kids are already old enough for snorkelling, take them to Tiki Hut Snorkel Park, where you can explore the colourful sea life of the Sint Maarten Sea. The Parrot Ville Bird Park and Butterfly Farm are fun attractions your kids will also love.
7. Nevis
Nevis is one of the two islands that make up St. Kitts and Nevis. It may be small, but it has numerous attractions that adults and kids will love, such as unspoiled beaches, lush rainforests, and hot springs.
Aside from spending time at the beaches, take your family to explore historic sites, such as the Alexander Hamilton House & History Museum. If your kids are adventurous, hike up Nevis Peak, a tree-covered volcano with natural hot springs.
8. Mustique
Mustique may be a small island, but there’s a lot to do here with your little ones. You can introduce them to scuba diving or take them on a boat trip to explore the hidden coves around the island.
When heading for the beach, you’ll find many family-friendly options in Mustique. Macaroni and Simplicity beaches are suitable for surfing and body boarding, while Endeavour Bay is more suited for swimming and relaxing. You will also find numerous picnic sites around the island, where you can have lunch or enjoy refreshments. Other fun activities for families in Mustique are hiking, horseback riding, and golf.
9. Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama may be famous for honeymooners, but it’s also ideal for families, especially nature lovers. You can try the many eco-tours on offer, where you can explore the wonders of nature and observe wildlife up close.
The Lucayan National Park is a fun place to explore. It has over six miles of caves and caverns, considered one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world. The Garden of the Groves is another fun place to explore, featuring exotic vegetation, ponds, and waterfalls. For families with kids old enough to dive, visit the UNESCO Dive Centre in Port Lucaya, which offers scuba diving activities for beginners and experienced divers, including the opportunity to swim with the dolphins.
10. Roatan
Roatan, which lies off the coast of Honduras, is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, making it an ideal destination for families of divers. While it may not have the quiet and secluded beaches other Caribbean islands have – it has a brilliant reef offering fun and exciting underwater adventures. Aside from diving, there are also land-based activities for adventurous kids, such as zip-lining and hiking.