Wednesday, August 26, 2015

The Caribbean Sans the Crowds: The Islands' Best-kept Secrets

Because of their jaw-dropping beauty, the Caribbean islands attract throngs of people yearly, and while crowds are a part of traveling, being caught up in too many tightly-packed places can put damper on things, especially for those who want to relax in privacy. Fortunately, there are still some well-kept secrets in the islands where one can go to avoid the masses of vacationers.

For scuba diving enthusiasts, there's the island of Andros, known among locals and perhaps still just a handful of tourists for its blue holes or underwater sinkholes. Though Andros is the biggest among the inhabited Bahamian Islands, its population is still quite small and is considered to be the least-explored island in the Bahamas.

 Image source: pinterest.com

Guests who like to keep active may want to head on to the "Island of Sport," or as it is formally known, Nevis. The 20-mile circumferential road on Nevis is perfect for road biking while the network of trails within the island attracts hikers. Fishing, running, and horse and drag racing are also quite popular there.

There's also Culebra, which is not really a secret as it's often referred to as the Caribbean's quietest and most peaceful island. However up until five years ago, there were only about 1,818 residents and the numbers are still low. There, one can find Playa Flamenco, a seaside resort that's been touted by many travel writers as one of the best in the Caribbean for its pristine white sand and gorgeous green waters. Another point of interest in Culebra is the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge where nature lovers can observe thirteen species of seabirds and three species of sea turtles.

Image source: wikimedia.org

 Finally, those in search of secluded resorts can choose from Fowl Cay in the Bahamas, Hotel Bois Joli in Les Saintes, Gaudeloupe, and the tellingly-named Secret Bay Resort in Portsmouth, Dominica. These resorts pride themselves in providing tourists with tranquility and utmost comfort, in addition to beachfront accommodations and spectacular vistas. John Jefferis is the well-regarded and acclaimed hotelier who owns the Coco Reef resorts in the Caribbean. Find more tips for off-the-beaten path travel in the Islands from this Twitter account..

2 comments: