The Caribbean

As frequent cruisers, the Caribbean has become our playground. We are so fortunate that as Floridians we are situated so close to this beautiful corner of the planet. Did you know that this region is home to more than 7,000 islands? Mainland countries such as Belize, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and even parents of Brazil and Venezuela are often considered part of their Caribbean due to their political and cultural ties.

A Brief History of the Caribbean…

The Caribbean has been inhabited since at least 3600 BC. The Europeans began colonizing the region shortly after the arrival of Columbus. The Europeans brought with them enslaved Africans and used the area became a mecca for the slave trade industry. Later, the region became known as a haven for pirates. During the 1950s and 60s, many of these islands gained their independence and began to form new nations. Today, this region is home to more than 227 million people living in 13 independent island nations and 12 dependent territories.

A list of countries and territories

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Barbados
• Bonaire
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Cuba
• Curacao
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Federal Dependencies of Venezuela
• Grenada
• Guadeloupe
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Martinique
• Montserrat
• Navassa Island
• Nueva Esparta
• Puerto Rico
• Saba
• Saint Barthelemy
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Martin
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• San Andres and Providencia
• Sint Eustatius
• Sint Maarten
• The Bahamas
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos
• United States Virgin Islands

The islands that are in bold are ones that we have had the opportunity to visit over the years. As we publish articles about these destinations, we’ll add information about the island(s) below.

Antigua

Antigua is hands-down one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.  Known for being a luxurious tropical destination, the island boasts stunning beaches, upscale shopping and resorts, and has plenty to offer its visitors.  The island’s rich history has been impeccably preserved and it’s historic structures are a must-see.

Aruba

Aruba is located in the Southern Caribbean, just north of South America. In fact, it’s so close that you can see lights from Venezuela once the sunsets. What surprised me most about Aruba was its terrain. I was expecting lush green hillsides, much like the rest of the Caribbean. However, much of the island is actually a desert. Although it does have beautiful beaches, the island is completely different than any other Caribbean I’ve been to. Aruba is a charming little island with tons of adventures waiting to be had!

The Bahamas

The Bahamas are just a hop skip and a jump away from our home state, Florida and as frequent cruisers, we get to visit often. They are a truly beautiful chain of islands full of gorgeous beaches, exciting history, and of course, rum. When many people think about The Bahamas, they think of the capital, Nassau, which is located on the island of New Providence. However, the chain consists of an impressive 700 islands and cays.

Bonaire

Bonaire is a tiny island municipality of the Netherlands located just off the coast of Venezuela. Although it is located on the South American continent, it is often considered to be part of the Caribbean. It is surrounded by a stunning reef and fabulous beaches making it truly one of the most gorgeous places on our planet. Bonaire, along with the rest of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao) is truly magical.

The Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are made up of three islands Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands and home to the capital city, George Town. The Caymans are known for their dive sites and for being the Bank Capital of the World. In fact, there are nearly 600 banks and trust companies! One of our favorite things to do in the Caymans is to hit the water. We love, love, love hanging out with our stingray friends at Stingray City!

The US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands (USVI)- an unincorporated territory of the United States. The other islands are St. Thomas, St. Croix, and many other smaller islands. The islands are located 40 miles east of Puerto Rico and just west of the British Virgin Islands.

The islands are known for their soft, white, and beaches- the most famous of these being Magens Bay and Trunk Bay. Like many of the other Caribbean islands, St. Thomas and St. John are volcanic in origin which means they are extremely hilly. Neighboring St. Croix is a bit flatter.