The Caribbean is a hot spot for travelers because of its beautiful weather, chill vibes, and delicious food. Although the Caribbean Sea is made up of 7,000 islands, there are only a few frequented by tourists.
Visiting all of the Caribbean islands is a challenge in itself, but you can achieve visiting lesser-known areas while island hopping.
If you want to experience the Caribbean like never before, try doing these 20 things.
Whale-Watching
Dominican Republic
Did you know that the Dominican Republic has the largest whale-watching industry in the Caribbean? Head to Samaná and you’ll be able to take whale-watching tours to Silver and Navidad Banks.
Visit during December through March for a chance to sight over 200 humpback whales during their migration from Canada, Iceland, Greenland, and North America.
Swim With Pigs
Bahamas
Head to The Exuma Cays for a chance to visit Pig Beach. There are about 20 pigs and piglets for you to swim with!
Underwater Gallery Hopping
Grenada
Moliniere Point in Grenada has over 60 statues that can be observed while snorkeling. Only a 10-minute ride from Grand Anse beach, this underwater sculpture park is certainly a sight to see.
Friday Fish Fry
St. Lucia
Although St. Lucia is a quiet island, it comes alive on Fridays. Head to Anse La Rate to experience live music, people dancing and deliciously fresh lobster, tuna, crab and snapper.
Whine Up During Carnival
Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad is the home of Carnival, where each year, thousands of people dance through the streets wearing exquisite costumes. Carnival in Trinidad is known to be the “biggest party on Earth.”
Swim In Hot Springs
Dominica
Morne Trois Pitons in Dominica houses five volcanoes and hot springs. You can hike the Waitukubuli National Trail and then relax in one of the open-air mud pools and hot sulfur springs.
Off-Roading
Aruba
Arikok National Park takes up about 20 percent of Aruba. You can experience the park in its entirety on an ATV. While riding, you can stop off to get a close look at caves, rock formations, and rock drawings.
Snorkeling
The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands has an abundance of tropical fish, colorful reefs and snorkel sites. Even if you’re a beginning swimmer, you can snorkel in the shallow waters at Stingray City. You can also snorkel at Sports Beach and Seven Mile Beaches Cemetery Beach.
Hiking
Guadeloupe
Head to Basse-Terre to experience the 54 acres of waterfalls and forests at Guadeloupe National Park. There are about 200 miles of trails to hike where you can see the Soufrière volcano, the tallest peak in the Lesser Antilles.
Sip On Rum Swizzles
Bermuda
Rum swizzles are the national drink of Bermuda and were first served in 1932 at Swizzle Inn. Today, the establishment is the oldest pub on the island.
The cocktail is made with Gosling’s Rum, a variety of citrus juices, Angostura bitters, and spices. It can be found at almost every bar in Bermuda.
Scuba Dive
Saba
Saba is home to 26 dive sites, 150 marine different marine species, and undersea lava fields. You can access the island by taking a 15-minute flight from St.Martin/St. Maarten.
Swim With Sea Turtles
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Visit the Tobago Cays Marine Park in Southern Grenadines for a chance to snorkel with green and hawksbill turtles. The Baradal Turtle Sanctuary is the perfect place to swim with turtles because they are all protected.
Parasail
Turks and Caicos
Take in the beauty of Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos from above. You may even be able to see dolphins while parasailing!
Treasure Hunt
St. Eustatius
St. Eustatius has been nicknamed “The Caribbean’s Hidden Treasure” for a reason. The water surrounding the island houses sunken ships. Try to spot glass blue beads in the sand — they date back to the 17th century and were once the local currency, used to trade for cotton, rum, slaves and tobacco.
Go Kayaking
Bonaire
Take a glass-bottom kayak and make your way through Lac Bay’s mangrove forest. You’ll be able to stop for snorkeling and see clear waters, vibrant fish and black coral.
Soak In The Sun
Anguilla
Anguilla, located north of St. Martin is home to 33 white-sand beaches. Most of the beaches on this island are ranked as one of the world’s 10 best. Sunbath at Shoal Bay Beach or Rendezvous Bay for complete relaxation.
Sailing
The Virgin Islands
Sailing both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands is a great way to observe over one hundred untouched islands. Also, it’s super easy because the islands are located within a 50-nautical-mile radius.
Restaurant Hop
St. Maarten
St. Maarten may be only 37 square miles, but it is home to over 400 restaurants. From low-fare eateries to fine dining — St. Martin has plenty of dining options.
Get A History Lesson
Puerto Rico
Visiting San Juan is ideal if you enjoy learning about the history of a city or country while traveling. The historic district of San Juan has two 500-year-old forts and is lined with cobblestone streets.
Casa Blanca Museum is the perfect place to see artifacts and read about Puerto Rico’s history.
Go Shopping
St. Thomas
St. Thomas is perfect for boutique shopping and finding cool souvenirs at the craft market. Head to Main Street in Charlotte Amalie for awesome duty-free shopping.