10 of the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations

Feb 12, 2021 BY AWE365 Team

The Caribbean is a dream destination for many. And if you are into water based activities you are in for a real treat. In many places you can often kiteboard, windsurf, dive, sail, SUP, surf, snorkel and more. With that in mind we’ve pulled together 1o of the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations to inspire your next trip.

St Vincent and Grenadines Caribbean windsurfing Flickr CC image by _dChris

Top 10 destinations for Caribbean water sports holidays

Caribbean holidays overview

The Caribbean is much more than the jaw stunning islands we’d all love to visit. It runs from the tip of Florida and includes Yucatan peninsula coast in Mexico. From there it follows the eastern coast of Central America and the north coast of South America.

The Caribbean is a large area with great weather, stunning beaches and a huge variety of friendly cultures to learn about. The food is mostly fresh and tasty, and the cocktails are great too! Many destinations have a laid back vibe but you are never far from a party either.

On the whole the Caribbean is a safe destination to visit, although there are some no-go areas and places to be extra careful. So it is always worth checking the FCO travel advice on any destination you are planning to visit.

West Indies scuba diving holidays belize one of the best Caribbean dive sites Flickr image by Mastrfshrmn

Best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations

The Caribbean is a great place for everything from relaxing breaks to family trips and honeymoons to luxury vacations. But this article is all about doing water sports in the Caribbean. We explore the top vacation spots to get in a variety of activities on, in and under the water.

Do you adree with the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations below?

Aruba

The sapphire blue waters of Aruba, combined with flat conditions and reliable winds, make it a windsurfing and kitesurfing paradise. A week in Aruba is almost as good as a season in any other destination. It’s ideal for all ability levels, with great family facilities too.

snorkelling in Aruba one of the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations pixabay royalty free image

Aruba is also good for diving and snorkelling and often appears in articles about the best Caribbean scuba diving destinations. Plus the reliable winds make it a top spot for sailing holidays too. Although not famous for its surf there are waves. Head to Malmok Beach if you fancy surfing.

Aruba water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, surfing

Belize Islands

Imagine your own private Caribbean island. That’s exactly what you can get at some adventure retreats in Belize. Often with 25 guests or less, they are exclusive without being overly pricey. To get to know your island explore in a kayak or on a paddle board.

Belize is perched on the edge of a continental shelf and the Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world. With that in mind the scuba diving and snorkelling is incredible. The great blue hole is particularly famous but there are so many amazing dive sites.

Top 3 dive sites worldwide: Best scuba diving holiday destinations Flickr image by Isla Marisol Resort of Blue Hole Belize

Conditions are good for windsurfing and kitesurfing too with plenty of flat water and reliable winds. Although the barrier reef blocks the swell to the mainland you can find surfing outside the reef on Long Caye Island.

Belize Islands water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, SUP, snorkelling, sea kayaking, surfing

Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Situated on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, this tropical location is one of the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations. There is world class windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing and diving all available. There are stunning places to stay too, check out this Cabarete beachfront accommodation.

Kitesurfing in Cabarete Ocean Dream Beachfront accommodation

There’s plenty for kids in Cabarete, and it has been ranked as one of the top 5 family windsurfing destinations worldwide. On the rare days the wind and waves are not firing you can also go paddle boarding, kayaking or wakeboarding.

Cabarete water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, surfing, scuba diving, wakeboarding

Cancun, Mexico

The Yucatan peninsula of Mexico sticks out into the Caribbean Sea. Cancun is it’s most famous resort but there are many other places to stay such as Playa Del Carmen. There is some spectacular diving, for example at Cozumel and in the cenotes (flooded caves).

Cenotes of Mexico one of the best Caribbean scuba diving destinations Flickr image by dMap Travel Guide

The kitesurfing and windsurfing is exceptionally good for everyone from beginners to experts. There is wakeboarding both on the sea and at a wake park plus SUP, kayaking, sailing and so much more. Cancun and the surrounding are is without doubt one of the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations.

Cancun water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing, wakeboarding

Cartagena, Colombia

The beautiful Colombian city of Cartagena, offers year round warm weather and great conditions for all level of kite and windsurfer. Add to that a wealth of sightseeing and tour opportunities and it’s pretty much the complete holiday experience. And that is before you consider the parties! Be sure to complete a Check-MIG form before arriving in Colombia.

Cartagena one of the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations Pixabay royalty free image

There is also good scuba diving and snorkelling with reefs, wrecks and plenty of wildlife the spot. Much of the area is protected from swells, making kayaking and SUP popular but you can surf here and its good for beginners and intermediates. You can also join pirate (or normal) sailing trips.

Cartegena water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing, surfing

Florida Keys, USA

Not considered the Caribbean by some, but as the region begins at the tip of Florida it means the Florida Keys are within the Caribbean Sea. So we are including it! With reliable winds and Atlantic swells there is plenty of surf, kite and windsurfing options available.

Sunshine State adventure holidays SUP one of 5 new adventures in Florida Flickr CC image by bpkfishinglodge

You can also sail, wakeboard, SUP, kayak and do pretty much any water sport you could want to do. Finally the Florida Keys scuba diving is arguably the best in the USA. Plus you can combine the tranquility of the Florida Keys with the mayhem of Miami for a great holiday.

Florida Keys water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing, wakeboarding

Margarita, Venezuela

An idyllic island off the coast of Venezuela, Margarita is one of the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations. El Yaque is a kite and windsurfers paradise with perfect conditions that often makes it into articles about the best kitesurfing spots on the planet.

El Yaque in Margarita = kitesurfing holiday in paradise Wikicommons public domain image

If you want a change from wind based fun you can also dive and snorkel in the area. Plus paddle boarding and kayaking are popular.

Margarita water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling

St Martin

St Martin is the smallest island on the planet that’s split into two countries. It’s also an exceptional multi-sport destination. There is good diving and snorkelling with plenty of reputable dive centres.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing is popular with freeride and slalom riders. Plus island-to-island downwinders are possible. The main windsurfing and kiteboarding area extends about 2kms out into the Atlantic so there’s plenty of room.

Best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations: St Martin kitesurfing image by kitesurfari sxm

There is also protected SUP and sea kayaking plus some very good sailing schools and day trips. And on top of that, the conditions are suited to surfing almost ever day of the year. There are a large variety of spots in a small area with big waves for the advanced but beginner spots too.

St Martin water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, surfing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling

Tobago

Tobago is blessed with strong and consistent winds throughout the year and is known as having some of the best Caribbean windsurf spots. Head to the tip of Pigeon Point Heritage Park, for flatwater protected by the Buccoo reef. This is a beautiful beach and an ideal spot for beginner kiteboarders and windsurfers and those looking to improve.

Best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations: Trinidad and Tobago Windsurfing holidays Wikimedia Commons image by Nevit Dilmen

On top of that there is some good diving and snorkelling to be enjoyed. Tobago has great marine biodiversity for it’s small size and has plenty of dive sites. Many yacht charters and sailing holidays pass through Tobago plus kayaking and SUP are popular. There is even some surf!

Tobago water sports: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkelling, SUP, surfing, scuba diving, sailing, surfing, kayaking

Turks & Caicos Islands

The Turks & Caicos Islands are a collection of over 41 islands and cays at the southern end of the Bahamian chain in the North Atlantic. It is a spectacular destination to explore on a paddle board, kayak or aboard a yacht.

 Private Kiteboarding Course in Turks and Caicos Islands best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations image by Provo Kite

Plus the archipelago are a kite and windsurfer’s dream. There are great kiteboarding courses in the Turks and Caicos Islands and spots that suit everyone from beginners to experts. There are also some epic downwinders to enjoy with year round warm waters and a reliable trade winds.

Turks and Caicos Islands water sports: Kitesurfing, kayaking, SUP, windsurfing, sailing

We hope you found this guide to the best Caribbean water sport holiday destinations interesting and useful. Check out our Caribbean activity holidays for plenty of inspiration.

 
 

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