You might think that Gilligan’s Island is the only place you don’t see a cruise ship disgorging passengers. Get ready to be pleasantly surprised.
Jamie Moore from Smarter Travel identified 10 islands in the Caribbean that still protect an authentic experience for visitors.
Unspoiled locations that are not mobbed on a regular cruise schedule. You can visit coffee or sugarcane plantations producing rum, palm lined beaches, great snorkeling reefs and some exceptional lodging.
Here is the list.
Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe Islands in the Lesser Antilles. Back in the colonial era this French eye candy sprouted over 100 windmills busy turning sugarcane into sugar or rum.
La Desirade, Guadeloupe Islands. Far from the maddening crowd this French island is perfect for exploring via bike or scooter.
Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Only 170 residents on this tiny retreat between Jamaica and Cuba. Best known by scuba divers for its Blood Bay Wall which is a legendary dive site with a sheer vertical drop of more than 1,000 feet.
Tobacco Caye, Belize. 10 miles east of mainland Belize by a 30 minute water taxi ride is this solar and generator powered getaway. Only 4 lodges and a couple bars and restaurants make this a true escape and one favored by divers for Glover’s Reef, Blue Hole and the Belize Barrier Reef.
Guanaja, Bay Islands, Honduras. Lush mountain terrain, forest trails, waterfalls, white sand beach bordered by pine trees. Wrecks, whale sharks and sea turtles are just some of the attraction for divers.
Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras. A one-town island that attracts a younger, laid-back type of visitor. Considered a great place to learn to dive. The training is cheap here and even snorkelers can swim with the whale sharks.
Big Corn Island, Nicaragua. Cruise ships are a long way off since it has not been long since electricity and phone service found Big Corn. No paved roads and you circle the whole island by bike in about an hour.
Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. No roads or cars and electricity only during specific hours. Tour companies, restaurants and beach bars are all within walking distance of the waterfront hotels. Try the coconut bread.
The Exumas, Bahamas. Technically it’s on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. Close enough that Johny Depp and Nicholas Cage own private islands among the 365 islands in this string of of sugary beaches. Check out 007’s Thunderball Grotto and the swimming pigs at Major Cay.
The Abacos, Bahamas. No cruise ships but it’s one of the world’s top destinations for boaters. The Abacos is a 120 mile long island chain with lots of protected harbors, full-service marinas and luxury resorts.
There you go. Ten awesome locations where you can completely relax, recharge and restore.
Continue Reading at: USA TODAY - "10 Caribbean islands cruise ships don’t visit"
