San Juan to San Juan

Glowing turquoise waters, lazily bowing palm trees, and pristine white sand beaches – it‘s all waiting for you in Jost Van Dyke‘s picturesque Caribbean splendour. Slip off your shoes, you won‘t be needing them too much in these parts, as you wander soft, heavenly sands, and paddle out into impossibly clear waters. The island escape of choice for dallying yachts, which visit to soak up the off-the-beaten-path good life. Join them around the pristine beaches of this tiny celebrity magnet of an island. View less If this is your first experience of the Caribbean‘s splendour, you may be a little sceptical about the reality of those famed, shockingly bright colours that you see in photographs. If so, Jost Van Dyke will be love at first sight. Splash into water that glows with a bright teal hue and is blotched with occasional swells of deeper royal blue. Snorkellers will adore the explosions of colourful fish beneath the waves. White Bay is a slice of island perfection, with a neat hill of trees framing a sandy sweep of shaded beach bars. There‘s nothing for it but to indulge on a bed of soft pearly-white sand, and soak in the staggering beauty of it all. The wander up to Majohnny Hill is the most exertion needed to explore this four-square-mile island, and it‘s worth it to see the heavenly beaches emerging from tranquil waters below. Even the natural sea formations here encourage you to unwind, with waves gurgling and frothing over the rocks to create Bubbly Pool, a natural jacuzzi. Jost Van Dyke has a reputation as the off-the-radar island getaway of choice for celebrities like Keith Richards. A lot of that comes down to the calypso charm of its rustic beach bars – especially the legendary Foxy‘s Bar, which is run by island legend Foxy Callwood. Rum-drenched cocktails and icy buckets of beach beers await – sure to get you into the island’s party spirit in no time.

As one of the Caribbean’s most dramatic islands, Montserrat has always done thing a little differently. While the rest of its neighbours were busy promoting tourism in its masses, Montserrat was content to sit back and stay in the (metaphorical) shadow. The island remains relatively undeveloped for the archipelago, with off the beaten path beaches, hidden creeks and so much natural beauty that we fully expect this little island to soon become the next go-to eco-tourism destination. View less Much of Montserrat’s discretion is because it is governed by seismic activity and has endured more volcanic eruptions than any other Caribbean island. These have earned it the nickname the “Pompeii of the Caribbean”, understandably so, as much of the main city was covered in ash after the 1995 eruption. The cause of this is the mighty Soufriere Hills volcano, dormant since 2010 yet still spewing sulphur and smoke. However, it is not all doom and gloom and Monserrat’s other nickname is “the emerald isle”, is not only because of its lush verdant forests lined with lime trees and palms, but because its coasts bear a certain similarity to Ireland. And yes, Guinness is available! Montserratians are optimistic and fun loving and Little Bay locals are the perfect example. Set at the very tip of the island, the town is intended as the new capital, and is being enhanced with the modernity once would expect of such an honour. Little Bay beach is without doubt one of the most beautiful in Caribbean, and is a tonic for the soul.

Antigua, onderdeel van de Benedenwindse Eilanden in het oosten van de Caraïben. Het zonovergoten eiland is klein met slechts 108 vierkante mijl, maar het heeft 365 stranden en kristalhelder water. Geschiedenisliefhebbers zullen Nelson’s Dockyard National Park willen bezoeken, waar een van de grote admiraals van de 18e eeuw zijn vloot bewaarde. Het UNESCO-werelderfgoed is sinds 1745 onafgebroken in gebruik en toont een telescoop die ooit door Nelson zelf werd gebruikt. Andere bezoekers kunnen ervoor kiezen om te loungen op een van de witte zandstranden, watersporten te beoefenen of een ritje te paard langs de kust te maken. Maak een wandeling naar Shirley Heights, een gerestaureerd militair uitzicht en een wapenbatterij, voor een panoramisch uitzicht op de havens, of maak een culinaire tour om Caribische klassiekers te proeven, zoals rumpunch, geroosterde kip en West-Indische curry. Het eiland trekt veel zeilers en is perfect om te windsurfen, waterskiën, zeilen, snorkelen en duiken

The largest of the Windward Islands, Martinique is 4,261 mi (6,817 km) from Paris, but its spirit and language are decidedly French, with more than a soupçon of West Indian spice. Tangible, edible evidence of the fact is the island‘s cuisine, a superb blend of French and creole. Martinique is lushly landscaped with tropical flowers. Trees bend under the weight of fruits such as mangoes, papayas, lemons, limes, and bright-red West Indian cherries. Acres of banana plantations, pineapple fields, and waving sugarcane stretch to the horizon. The towering mountains and verdant rain forest in the north lure hikers, while underwater sights and sunken treasures attract snorkelers and scuba divers. Martinique is also wonderful if your idea of exercise is turning over every 10 minutes to get an even tan and your taste in adventure runs to duty-free shopping. A popular cruise-ship excursion goes to St-Pierre, which was buried by ash when Mont Pelée erupted in 1902.

Like so many of the islands in the Caribbean, 2017’s double whammy of hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated much of St. John. However, as relief funds get funnelled into rebuilding, normality is gradually being restored, and St. John version 2.0 is emerging – bolder, brighter and better. St. John’s small size might just give it the edge over other desert islands. View less The US purchased the tiny landmass (at just nine miles long, the island is the smallest of the three American Virgin Islands) from the West India and Guinea Company in 1917 and it remains under US govern to this day. Historically speaking however St. John is Danish, who colonised it for almost 250 years before its sale to America. The Virgin Island Nation park covers almost two-thirds the island, meaning visually St. John is stunning, and will remain that way for generations to come. This ‘gift’ to the world comes thanks to Laurence Rockefeller who in 1956 gave the 5,000 acres of lush forest to the people of the island, with the caveat that it become a national park. Thus, velvety green hills slope into picture perfect white sand beaches, which are ringed by turquoise seas. One very definite winner of the tourism hiatus since 2017 has been the marine wildlife. Underwater life was barely affected by the storms and the subsequent lack of tourism has allowed the eco-systems to propagate. The island’s abundant coral reefs were not overly affected by the storms and today the waters are teeming with sea turtles, reef sharks and sting rays.

Onmiskenbaar Brits, met een formidabele vesting bovenop Brimstone Hill (de “Gibraltar van de West Indies”), een stadscentrum bekend als het Circus waar elk uur het geluid van de Big Ben volgt, vergeet daarnaast niet de bekende peperkoek te proeven.

This small group of islands lies opposite the western part of Guadeloupe. They were discovered in November 1493 by Columbus, who named them Los Santos. French settlers established themselves in 1648 and changed the name to Iles des Saintes, commonly known as Les Saintes. Since then the islands have been closely connected with Guadeloupe.

An almost mythical utopia of virgin beaches, rustic rum shacks and bays so scenic you feel like you’re intruding – Bequia Island is an island mirage of Caribbean perfection. This is the real, unspoiled experience – and with just 6,000 locals living here, you quickly start to recognise the same smiling faces, welcoming you with outstretched arms. Offering glorious – often deserted – beaches of pure golden sand, and hillside sweeps of forest and almond trees, Bequia Island is an extraordinary feast for the senses.

Unlike some of the flashier Caribbean islands, Bequia – a part of the Grenadines – is a rustic, unassuming and off-the-beaten-path choice. The staggeringly picturesque natural harbour, Admiralty Bay, greets you on arrival, and is peppered with day-tripping yachts bobbing on the gentle waves. The island’s tiny capital, Port Elizabeth, sits behind, with its bustling fruit and vegetable market, turtle sanctuary, and stalls selling hand-crafted model ships. This tiny, pretty island is ridged along the centre, and you can earn your beachside bliss with a gentle hike to the top of Mount Peggy, looking out over views of Grenada and St Vincent. At just seven miles long, you can discover the whole island in a few hours – but that would be to miss the point somewhat. Bequia Island coaxes you in to slow the pace and soothe your soul on blissful beaches, where you can revel in the uncomplicated joys of sitting, reading and swimming in heavenly shallow waters. The royally approved Princess Margaret Beach is one of the finest – an arching band of soft sand and cobalt-blue waters. As evening sets in, you may find you’re beckoned to share with communal barbecues of the day’s fresh catch with the locals, or to indulge in rum-heavy cocktails at beachside bars, lashed together from sea-blanched wooden limbs.

De mooie, Europees-beïnvloed haven van Charlotte Amalie wint de prijs voor Caribische winkelen sensatie. Camera’s, sieraden, horloges, parfums zijn er allemaal. Dus zijn prachtige stranden, onderzeese tuinen en verhalen over Blackbeard. Voorbeeld excursies aan wal: Sea Trekking Helmet Dive & Coral World; Champagne Catamaran Sail & Snorkel naar St. John; St. Thomas Ocean Racing; Ultieme eilandervaring.