Showing posts with label Champagne Reef. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Champagne Reef. Show all posts

Monday, 15 May 2017

CARIBBEAN: Good Snorkeling Beaches In The Caribbean

You don’t always need a boat to appreciate the Caribbean’s underwater wonders. Because some of the Caribbean’s best snorkeling spots are right on the sand.

At these snorkel-friendly beaches in the Caribbean, you can wade right in and enjoy some of the best submarine sights simply by dipping your face in the sea.

Klein Bonaire, Bonaire

It’s a 15-minute kayak ride from Harbour Village Resort on the mainland, but once you reach the beach of this uninhabited west-coast islet (part of Bonaire’s marine park) you’re mere steps from the pristine coral reef that surrounds it.

Champagne Reef, Dominica

Just off the sand in the southwest of Dominica is Champagne Reef, perhaps the most unique snorkeling experience in the Caribbean. Thanks to underwater geothermal springs, the water is filled with bubbles, making you feel like, well, you’re snorkeling in champagne.

The Baths, British Virgin Islands

Wade into the warm waters of Devil’s Bay or Spring Bay to snorkel the crystal-clear pools formed by the giant granite boulders that are the Virgin Gorda’s marquee attraction.

Cane Bay, United States Virgin Islands

St. Croix’s most popular beach earns this distinction not just for its silken sands but also for its proximity to the seven-mile-long coral reef just a few yards from shore.

La Chiva Beach, Puerto Rico

On Vieques, the water at the eastern end of the playa also known as Blue Beach features fish-filled sea grass flats, and there’s plenty more sea life secreted around the small cay just offshore and within the rocks at the end of the beach road.

Smith Cove, Cayman Islands

The tiny twin beaches just outside George Town, Grand Cayman are popular with locals, who come to snorkel the parrotfish-filled crevices of the ironshore that give the cove its heart shape.

Arashi Beach, Aruba

Easily accessible by public transport, this north coast beach has shallow waters that make it beginner-friendly, and a profusion of small colorful fish (look out also for palometas and bottom-feeders) with universal appeal.

Trunk Bay, United States Virgin Islands

The calm and clear waters off this St. John beach are perfect for newbies, and feature a sign-posted snorkel trail so you know exactly what you’re seeing.

Anse Chastanet, St Lucia

Just 15 yards offshore from the brown sugar sands of Anse Chastanet resort is a thriving reef where snorkelers can spot sea horses, turtles and octopus.

The Bight, Turks and Caicos Islands

Known locally as Coral Gardens beach (after the nearby hotel), Providenciales’ most popular and accessible snorkeling spot is ideal for beginners, with a rope-marked trail and plenty of tame fish.

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Enjoy Caribbean Adventures

Take a break from the norm on your vacation and dive into a few unique adventures you've likely never heard of before. From biking over open water to snorkeling through a sea of bubbles, these experiences can only be enjoyed in the beautiful islands of the Caribbean.

Cycle on Water
Walking on water is still just out of reach, but biking on it can be arranged. If you've ever dreamt of riding a bike over crystal-clear waters, you're in luck. Sugar Beach in St. Lucia now offers catamaran-bike hybrids that can glide safely over open water for a self-guided tour of what lies beneath, offering a great alternative to the usual options of snorkeling or boat tours. The bikes are available for rental, but for a more tame experience, you can try spinning on the water.

Dive for Your Dinner
You haven't had fresh lobster until you've caught it yourself, and Four Seasons Nevis offers just that opportunity. The “Dive and Dine” experience will have you dressing up for dinner — in a wetsuit. Certified divers can take advantage of this opportunity to slip beneath the shimmering blue surface of the warm Caribbean Sea to explore the sea floor and literally lasso your own lobster.

Back on shore comes the dining, where you hand over your lobster to the resort's chef, who will then prepare your hard-earned catch the traditional Nevisian way — with an array of locally grown herb blend. All you have to do is enjoy your beachside cocktail, take in the aroma of salty sea air and fresh Caribbean barbecuing, and maybe catch a few culinary secrets before you enjoy a succulent lobster dinner.

Swim in Champagne
You're probably thinking that diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean isn't exactly a unique idea. But doing it in Champagne Reef is a whole new experience. Immersing yourself in this water will have you surrounded by tiny floating bubbles — much like swimming amongst the little effervescent bubbles in a bottle of champagne.

While the bubbles are fun, the experience is made even more exciting by the knowledge that you're really swimming in a volcano, and it's one of the few places in the Caribbean where it can be done. The bubbles are created by hot air escaping vents in the sea floor of the volcanic crater. Beyond the bubbles, the site is also a very healthy and colorful reef, which is home to a variety of bright sea creatures. The site itself is easy to access, too. No boat is necessary, since this sweet spot is located right off of a volcanic sand beach.