The Caribbean islands have always been a fabulous place for a Caribbean family vacation. Families are able to shake off real life and relax beside the turquoise sea and enjoy a slower pace.
In recent years hotels have realised that the family market is a valuable one and have been creating sophisticated kids clubs and lots of activities and sports just for children. Some hotels even offer teen spa treatments. Villas have come into their own for families, as self-catering is often the best vacation choice, especially with young children. Many Caribbean villas come with staff to do all the chores.
There are some islands that lend themselves to a Caribbean family vacation more than others, usually with direct flight connections and plenty of safe beaches and attractions.
Jamaica
This island welcomes families with open arms and has some of the Caribbean’s oldest family resorts. Nowadays there are canopy tours, banana boat rides, jungle trails and water parks along with the many wonderful beaches and watersports.
Antigua
Famed for its beaches, there’s plenty more for families to explore on this island. There’s culture at Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, with kids interactive exhibits at the Dockyard Museum. There are day sails for older kids and kayaking adventures with an eco slant. At Stingray City kids can swim with the rays or head to the rainforest for a zip wire experience. And don’t forget to join the party at Shirley Heights on Sundays.
Bahamas
If you’re looking for full-on Caribbean family vacation fun, The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island is hard to beat. Kids adore the waterpark with its shark filled lagoons and there are kids clubs for all ages with everything from slumber parties to no parents allowed nightclubs for teens. Venture to the Out Islands and the pace slows, but there’s still a host of nature based activities and watersports for children.
St Lucia
St Lucia has a little bit of everything for family vacations. Down south are the Pitons to explore, the Botanical Gardens, a walk-in volcano, mountain biking through a rainforest and a zip wire adventure. Across the island there is horse riding, turtle watches, great family restaurants and resorts with great kids clubs.
Cayman Islands
This safe island group is an easy family vacation. You could spend the entire time chilling out on Seven Mile Beach, but there’s plenty for families from the Atlantis Submarine to a go-track cart and plenty of natural wonders from Stingray City to the blue iguanas at the Botanic Park.
USVI & BVI
These island hopping destinations aren’t an obvious family vacation choice, but for older children it’s a great place to learn to sail and experience the thrill of island hopping.
Anguilla
If you’re prepared for the journey there, Anguilla has beautiful calm beaches, good even for very small children, and the island excels in natural attractions such as turtle and dolphin spotting and watersports.
Barbados
This vibrant island has a lot to offer families with a free sports camp in the summer, some impressive playgrounds, Atlantis Submarine, Harrison’s Cave and even a drive-in cinema. A good range of hotels are well geared up for families and there’s a fabulous choice of villas.
Grenada
The sleepy island of Grenada welcomes families and the main attractions are beaches, watersports, impressive rain forest and lakes. Kids will love seeing how chocolate is made at Belmont Estate.
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Well-to-do families have been coming to the private islands of the Grenadines for years, and now the main island of St Vincent is opening up to family vacations with kid friendly resorts and activities.
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Island Guides | Click to learn more about the featured Islands
