Caribbean Travel Blog

It was not all that long ago that Caribbean holidays were only accessible to the wealthy and required multiple flights and airport transfers. With the international travel market changing so drastically in the last few years, Caribbean breaks have become far more accessible, particularly for families. Prohibitively high flight costs have now dropped dramatically with the rise of budget providers such as Thomas Cook and the emergence of plenty of competition keeping the prices down.

Now that St Lucia has become affordable for those with children, other concerns come to the fore. Well established as a romantic honeymoon destination with three Sandals resorts and plenty of other adults-only hotels, parents may worry if St Lucia offers enough to keep their little ones occupied.

Here we run down 10 activities that families with kids can enjoy whilst soaking in the beauty of this tropical paradise.

1. Splash around at Coconut Bay's water park

Frequently thought of as the best hotel in Vieux Fort and just two minutes' drive from the airport, Coconut Bay Resort is great for families with young children. Their water park is particularly spectacular and the only one on the island. Kids (and brave parents!) will love zooming down the great selection of waterslides.

There are also lazy rivers and wading pools for chill-out time, and for the ultimate in relaxation, try the swim-up bar, where children can gulp down mocktails along side their cocktail-sipping parents.

2. Go whale watching

Try Hackshaw's Boat Charters or any other recommended provider for a whale tour. Your experienced tour operators will zip around the sea to track humpback and sperm whales, dolphins and even orcas, all for your viewing pleasure. Of course, there's no guarantee that the majestic creatures will be around when you are, but these experts have an excellent track record and will do everything they can to try and seek them out.

To avoid disappointment, make sure you book before you arrive on the island as these tours are popular and can get booked up very quickly.

The only remaining tribe of Carib Indians in the Caribbean reside on the reservation called Carib Territory. It is a modern community who has adapted their lifestyle somewhat but have at the same time preserved their ways.

One thing to see is the Escalier Tete Chien at Sineku a natural formation - it isn't on the normal tourism radar so thats why I would like to go and I imagine that like with many places in Dominica it can be a trek before you leave the vehicle !

I don't know who to thank for the images in this post I guess the Carib Indians is a start found here http://www.islandmix.com/backchat/f6/i-am-carib-arawak-west-indian-211879/index2.html

There are some very interesting reasons to pass by Carriacou if you get to the main island and nation of Grenada. It has some amazing beaches but you should try to get some street party action which is very good and it really feels like a different place than Grenada.

Before we get to that lets thank Lloyd for his superb Carriacou images from flickr >>

The Carriacou Carnival - this year starting very soon the 25th Jan to feb 17th sees verses of Shakespeare recited along with more regular carnival type fun. There are any events organised over this period. Read more >>

The Carriacou Regatta and Big Drum Dance - read more >> Carriacou has held onto pre christian spirituality more than perhaps anywhere else in the Caribbean and the Big Drum Dance is perhaps the best example of this when those passed away talk to their descendants. This is the culmination of the Regatta time in August.