From snorkelling to surfing: nine must-try Caribbean beach and water activities

When you think of the Caribbean, the first things that come to mind are most likely turquoise waters, relaxed vibes and swaying palm trees. But there’s a lot more to a trip to this part of the world than lazing around on a sunlounger, taking in the views and sipping exotic cocktails. The Caribbean offers a huge variety of other tempting activities, from windsurfing and waterskiing, to scuba diving and snorkelling to see some of the most beautiful, vividly coloured coral reefs imaginable. Here are a few of the must-try activities you can enjoy.

Snorkelling
Snorkelling offers one of the most magical and easily accessible ways of experiencing the Caribbean’s underwater world – crystal-clear seas, breathtaking coral gardens and dazzling tropical fish. For some of the Caribbean’s best snorkelling, look to the Exumas in the Bahamas, Molinere Bay in Grenada with its underwater sculpture park, or pretty much anywhere along the coast of Antigua – the island is almost entirely circled by reefs. But nothing beats snorkelling in the beautiful waters around Curaçao, where you can find the Curaçao National Marine Park, a snorkeller’s paradise. Snorkelling is also available to all-inclusive holidaymakers at all Sandals Resorts, including Sandals Grenada, Sandals Emerald Bay and Sandals Royal Curaҫao.

Waterskiing
For a blur of adrenaline, head to Montego Bay or Negril in Jamaica, where the conditions are perfect for waterskiing and wakeboarding. It’s worth mentioning that the Sandals Resorts in these locations include these activities in their all-inclusive holidays, as do Sandals South Coast, Sandals Grande St Lucian, and Sandals Halcyon Beach. All use professional, purpose-built waterskiing boats for when you have the urge to walk (well, ski) on water.

Windsurfing
The steady trade winds in the Caribbean – not to mention plenty of sunshine and warm waters – make it a first-class destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Barbados, in particular, is great for windsurfing, with plenty of scope for wave riding on beaches such as Silver Sands and Silver Point. Jabberwock beach in Antigua is another windsurfing favourite, with reliable onshore winds, or head to Anse de Sables beach at the southern tip of St Lucia where the winds and the shallow bay make it ideal for windsurfers and kitesurfers of all levels. Sandals customers can windsurf at Sandals Resorts including Sandals Grande St Lucian and Sandals Halcyon Beach, among other locations.

Kayaking
For something a little less energetic, try kayaking off one of the Caribbean’s pristine white sand beaches, perhaps Grand Anse in Grenada or Mullins beach in Barbados. Antigua and St Lucia also offer great opportunities for kayakers to paddle to secluded beaches protected by reefs, or across glittering waters framed by the spires of the Pitons.

Standup paddleboarding
There can be few better places to try standup paddleboarding than the warm, calm, turquoise waters of the Caribbean. It’s a great way to get out on the water – and in the Caribbean, toppling in is part of the fun. If you are tempted, it’s worth knowing that paddleboarding is just one of the many water sports included in holidays at Sandals Resorts, whether on the reef-protected shoreline of Antigua or the exclusive white sands of Jamaica’s Montego Bay.

Scuba diving
The waters of the Caribbean offer some of the most beautiful scuba diving spots in the world. Explore a world of wrecks and spectacular coral reefs – the warm waters of the Gulf Stream ensure there’s an abundance of marine life, from parrotfish to eagle rays and sea turtles. And if you’re a certified diver, at Sandals Resorts you can dive up to two times a day, excluding arrival and departure day. Its Barbados resort alone has access to 27 dive sites, while Grenada is fantastic for wreck diving, and sites off St Lucia include the Keyhole Pinnacles – four volcanic peaks rising from the ocean depths to just below the surface. The pinnacles are covered with coral and large sea fans, a type of soft coral, and are home to trumpetfish, filefish and even seahorses. Little wonder that Sandals’ dive programme has been voted one of the top five in the western hemisphere by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).

Glass-bottom boats
Don’t fancy donning a face mask and snorkel or learning to scuba dive? You can still marvel at the extraordinary, dazzling undersea world of the Caribbean from the comfort of a purpose-built glass-bottom boat. Sit back and watch as tropical fish, turtles and coral gardens glide beneath you. Glass-bottom boat trips are available at select Sandals Resorts, including Jamaica, Grenada and Barbados.

Surfing
Caribbean beaches are usually associated with their calm waters – but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some good spots for surfing, too. The best island in the Caribbean for surfing is Barbados – the easternmost of the islands, and exposed to the vast power of the Atlantic. Bathsheba beach in the north-east is home to world-class waves while the more gentle breaks of Dover beach on the island’s leeward side make it a good spot for beginners. In Jamaica, head to Boston Beach, or Makka beach, home to the island’s largest professional surfing competition, Makka Pro Jamaica.

Golf
Just an iron’s swing from the sweeping white beaches, the Caribbean boasts some seriously prestigious golf courses, and Sandals guests have access to four of them in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Santa Lucia, with all green fees included. Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas has the Caribbean’s longest course – an award-winning, par 72 designed by golfing legend Greg Norman, which winds alongside the coast of a rocky peninsula.

To find out more information, or to book your Caribbean holiday – where you can enjoy trying out different water sports as part of the luxury, all-inclusive packages – visit the Sandals Resorts website