Activities in the Caribbean for the Adventurous Traveler

What's you're idea of the perfect tropical vacation? Soaking up some sun on a quiet secluded beach? Reading a good novel while the sounds of gentle waves lull you to sleep? Not! If this sounds like a waste of vacation time to you, and you want to spend your Caribbean experience enjoying more active pursuits, then have no fear; many of the Caribbean Islands offer more than just a day at the beach and picturesque sunsets. Adventurous vacationers traveling to the Caribbean can spend their days enjoying plenty of invigorating activities. Try great sports like tennis and golf if you want a little friendly competition. There are also exciting watersports and underwater exploration for those who want to get their feet wet. And nature-friendly activities allow you to become one with the great outdoors. And all you have to do is choose which activity interests you the most, and you're set for all kinds of fantastic adventures during your vacation in the beautiful and exciting Caribbean. Golfing and Tennis A lot of resorts and hotels in the Caribbean have tennis and golf packages to accommodate travelers who are looking for a little competitive action while on vacation. Many of the larger resorts in the Caribbean have tennis courts on site that are available to their guests and by reservations for those who aren't staying at the hotel. Often, hotels with tennis courts will provide tennis instruction for various fees, so even if you're new to the game, you can still enjoy some great tennis action on your vacation in the Caribbean. If you happen to be vacationing in the Caribbean during the right time, or if you do some planning in advance, you can catch a professional tennis match while visiting your favorite island. If you want to spend the daylight hours soaking up some sun or just doing nothing, many of hotels have lighted courts, so you can hit the courts at night, which may also be more comfortable than playing in the hot Caribbean sun. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a little extra for the luxury of lighting. To ensure you can get a match going at any of the much-coveted courts in the Caribbean, contact your hotel or any of the resorts near where you'll be staying to see if they have courts available, if the courts are lighted, and how much they charge to play. There are several islands in the Caribbean where vacationers can go to find great tennis courts and facilities, including the Dominican Republic, Aruba, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica, which feature resorts that provide special tennis packages and top-notch facilities. Golfing is also a popular past-time for vacationers visiting the Caribbean. For some people, golf is a relaxing sport, while other see the game as exciting competition. The beautiful weather in the Caribbean is great for playing a round of golf almost any time of year, and many courses in the region are located in breathtaking settings among majestic mountains and tropical greenery. Vacationers can find great golf courses throughout the Caribbean, but especially on the larger islands. The majority of courses are available to visitors and offer equipment for rental as well as golf lessons for various fees. The costs of golfing on particular greens will vary from course to course, and can range from extremely pricey to budget play, so check ahead with the course or golf resort. In the Caribbean, vacationers will be able to golf at courses that were designed by world renowned golfers and expert course designers. You can find exciting golf courses and golf resorts on many Caribbean islands with some of the best being in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Underwater Pursuits During your vacation in the Caribbean, you'll be surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and the dazzling Atlantic Ocean, so you'll have access to a wide array of watersports and other aquatic endeavors, like snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing, just to name a few. People come from all over the world to visit the Caribbean and enjoy offshore activities in the region's warm, clear, blue waters. Below the surface of the Caribbean waters is a wondrous world of vibrant and exotic ocean wildlife including brilliant fish and coral. Because of its fascinating underwater habitats, the Caribbean has some of the most popular dive spots in the world, and is home to a lot resorts and hotels that focus especially on the diving aspect of visiting the Caribbean by offering special dive package. Many dive resorts and hotels provide equipment rental for scuba diving and snorkeling, and even offer scuba diving lessons and certification, since you must have a license and some instruction in order to get the most out of your diving experience. Coral reefs, old shipwrecks, volcanic vents, and underwater formations are wonderful places for some underwater exploration, and can be an exciting experience for vacationers of all ages. The cost of your dive or snorkeling excursion will vary according to the kind of dive you take, when you go, and what kind of certification you want to get. Travelers can find great dive spots all over the Caribbean, but especially on the Cayman and Virgin Islands. Other kinds of aquatic activities that travelers can enjoy while vacationing in the Caribbean are watersports like windsurfing, which, in recent years has become extremely popular in the region. Fishing is also a popular activity for many who visit the Caribbean, which has a countless number of fish species beneath the surface of the crystal blue waters. Also, there is kayaking, parasailing, water rafting, and many other ways to enjoy the waves of the salty Caribbean. Ecological Activities For a lot of travelers, a Caribbean vacation is the perfect chance to get back to nature. Many islands in the region feature landscapes with lush vegetation and are home to a variety of exotic animal species. Eco-oriented travelers can experience nature in the Caribbean in several ways, like hiking, camping, and mountain biking. To find out more information about outdoor excursions and nature-related activities, the best place to start is your hotel information desk, which may be able to provide you with maps of the island, the names and numbers of rental companies where you can get camping equipment and mountain bikes, and information on local guides that you can hire to show you around island trails. Hiking is great way to get some exercise while seeing secluded parts of the islands that can't be reached by car. Vacationers can choose from several levels of hiking difficulty, including leisure strolls or brisk uphill hikes and more strenuous treks. Mountain biking is another way to get off the beaten path and see parts of the island you couldn't see by staying in the city limits. Take a trip up the side of a volcano, visit a cascading waterfall, or do some exotic birdwatching. The Caribbean offers all kinds of ecological possibilities. Vacationers who want to enjoy more active endeavors on their Caribbean vacation won't be at a loss for things to do in this spectacular region of the world, which is rich in an array of sports and activities. You're sure to have a truly unforgettable experience in the Caribbean.