Relax and retreat to the Caribbean ~ guest article Caribbean travel

Winter Holiday on Caribbean Island Beaches, Watersports, Golf

The islands of the Caribbean are famed for their breathtaking beaches and surrounding oceans which attract millions of visitors every year, both tourists and locals alike.

The Caribbean has endless stretches of beaches to suit every desire from the blissfully empty beaches found in The Out Islands of the Bahamas to the unspoilt beaches of Haiti such as Tortuga Island which was at one time swarming with pirates and was even a popular haunt for Captain Jack Sparrow.

For water sports such as windsurfing and kite boarding visit beaches such as the curving strand at Cabarete in the Dominican Republic.

Though relaxation tends to dominate Caribbean holidays there is a wide variety of sports available in the Caribbean such as golf and horse riding to water sports such as surfing and diving.

The Islands boast a vast selection of world-class golf courses that are typically found in hotels, resort complexes and country clubs. The sunshine and beautiful scenery makes for an idyllic setting to explore the championship courses designed by some of the leading names in the business such as Greg Norman and Trent Jones.  

The surrounding waters of the Caribbean islands are also a favourite with divers from all over the world boasting a vast unspoiled playground filled with exotic sea creatures and ever-changing colours. The waters are clear and mild throughout the year and the Caribbean is home to the world's third largest barrier reef.

The reef attracts hundreds of thousands of divers every year looking to explore the canyons and caves, warm water springs and coral formations that seem to go on forever. The reef itself is home to a spectacular and diverse collection of sea plants and tropical fish, from sponges and snappers to shark and octopus.

Explore not only the reefs, but also the wrecks of hundreds of ships, many of them centuries old, sent to the bottom by storms, pirates and enemy fire.  

The Caribbean is as well known for its food as it is for its laid back attitude. While you will find international cuisine throughout the islands there is also a bountiful selection of local dishes to sample.

Typical Caribbean fare will include spicy stews and soups, exotic vegetables such as cassava and an endless selection of fresh fish and seafood.

Tropical fruit is also a local favourite and is often used in fresh juices, something to enjoy in between all of the local rum, cocktails and beers available to you.

Monarch over a wide selection of Caribbean holidays, including destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.