Eastern Caribbean Favourites

In this post I would like to concentrate on 3 popular island destinations in the Eastern Caribbean…..all of which are regular ports of call on Caribbean cruise itineraries.  As usual, I would like to focus on what you might want to do given a day in each port…

Antigua is the very British Island with a beach for every day of the year – 365 in total! not bothered about the beaches?  Take a tour to the historic Nelson’s Dockyard (used as a regional base for the Royal Navy) and Shirley Heights, for panoramic views of the island.

St Thomas has the shopping ‘Mecca’ of Charlotte Amalie town, and is considered to be the main island of the US Virgin Islands.   It also possesses the beautiful Magens Bay, and an opportunity to swim in the calm, sheltered turquoise waters.  Once you’re tired of shopping or swimming, you can take the cable-car up to Paradise Point.  The bottom of the ride is located across from one of the main piers at St Thomas, so you will only need to walk a few yards if you’re docked there!  If that’s not enough, you also have time to take the ferry over to the lesser-inhabited island of St John, with the beach at Trunk Bay a firm favourite.

Tortola is located in the exclusive British Virgin Islands, where millionaire yacht owners like to hang out in peace, away from some of the larger and livelier islands nearby.  Your cruise ship is less likely to visit here than the other 2 islands, so count yourself lucky if you get a stop here!  Take a stroll around the small marina at Road-Town, or have a pint (or a glass of rum) at the local British Pub!  Tortola is really like stepping back in time and seeing how a typical Caribbean island probably was about 50 years ago…

Over and out for now.