The Great Outdoors

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NATURE

For those looking to enjoy a holiday where they put space between themselves and other visitors, the options are limitless in the Caribbean, says Tamara Hinson

Finding that natural getaway for some private time and solitude is easy in the Caribbean, where social distancing was often the norm before the phrase was coined.

Whether it’s in a destination ringed with sugary-white deserted beaches, a gentle walk through a rainforest or in a national park in the shadow of a summitable volcano, the Caribbean has space and fresh air aplenty.

Strolling on a beach in Saint Lucia, with its two towering pitons as a backdrop, is an instant stress-buster, as is joining one of several trails in Antigua that start out from Nelson’s Dockyard National Park or Shirley Heights and reward walkers with views of the island and the Caribbean Sea.

Immerse yourself in nature in the scenically wondrous and lush Dominica, an adventurelovers’ playground with its nine active volcanoes, 365 rivers and a tangle of hiking trails. These include the Waitukubuli National Trail, the Caribbean’s fi rst long-distance walking route.

Montserrat has 11 chracterful hiking trails, with classifi cations ranging from light to extreme. Popular is the trail which leads to the island’s important petroglyphs, discovered as recently as 2016. Archaeologists believe the carvings date back over 1,500 years and were created by the destination’s fi rst settlers, the Amerindians.

Travellers heading to the Cayman Islands will fi nd numerous opportunities to learn about the region’s fl ora and fauna. Start with a hike along one of the trails which twist through Grand Cayman’s Mastic Reserve.

A waterfall and pool to call your own in Tobago

Ziplining in Belize

The forest is home to Cayman’s native parrots, West Indian Woodpeckers, butterfl ies, lizards, frogs and hermit crabs. Tour guides are available on many of the Caribbean’s popular hiking trails. They will point out birdlife, wildlife and landmarks along the way, and impart information on the culture, history and peoples of the area. Tour guiding is a vital source of employment and visitors are encouraged to contribute to the local economy by joining a guided tour or employing a guide when on a solo walk.

For a real walk on the wild side, head to Tobago, which achieved the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere designation in October 2020. The scheme was created to celebrate destinations with innovative approaches to sustainable development and the improvement of relationships between people and the environments they inhabit. The country’s lush interior offers plenty of opportunities for adventure.

Jamaica is not short of fabulous town experiences, in Kingston, Ochos Rio and Montego Bay (where Harmony Beach Park opened in summer 2021 with amenities that include a jogging trail, sports courts and children’s play area) but Jamaica’s real beauty lies among its abundance of outdoor space and vast tracts of wilderness.

English Harbour from Shirley Heights, Antigua

MOUNTAINS AND REEFS

St Vincent and the Grenadines is a destination with abundant ‘room to breathe’. A new Beaches resort due to open in 2021, on St Vincent’s south-west coast, will provide the perfect base for those keen to explore the island’s lush rainforest and mountains.

Visitors should consider hopping on the ferry from St Vincent to Bequia, where colourful villages cling to forested slopes grazed by sheep and goats. Some of the best views of nearby islands are from Bequia.

And consider a visit to Tobago Cays – fi ve tiny inhabited islands which can only be reached by boat. The highlight of these uninhabited islets and reefs is the horseshoeshaped reef, one of the Caribbean’s best snorkelling and scuba diving spots.

Aruba is a perfect option for holidaymakers looking for a destination that provides a sense of personal freedom but with resorts to suit every budget.

Arikok National Park is popular with both cyclists and hikers, its lunar-like landscape covering 20% of the island.

It is a ‘must visit’ for its wildlife (including Aruban whiptail lizards, burrowing owls and Aruban parakeets) and its caves, some of which contain ancient pictographs left by Caquetios, and graffi ti scrawled by early European settlers.

DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT IN NEVIS

They emerge one by one from a pile of eggs buried deep in wet sand. We make notes, counting the broken shells and the stillborn embryos and registering the number (40) of Leatherback turtle hatchlings that make it to the top.

Carefully, we place the tiny creatures into a folded T-shirt. It is almost midnight and, under a mercury moon, I am out on patrol with volunteers from the Nevis Turtle Group. Turtle Group. Between June Between June and October and October – turtle – turtle nesting season – they are here on Lovers Beach most evenings, monitoring the excavated nesting sites.

We tread carefully to the water’s edge, stepping over the tangled tree that are natural barriers for the turtles. We place the hatchlings, wriggling like miniature clockwork toys, into the foaming water.

As we make our way back along the beach by torchlight, we are startled by a large shadowy shape: an adult green turtle shuffl ing its way to the ocean.

The two-hour turtle watch is an activity offered by the Four Seasons Nevis.

Sailing in Grenada is a breeze

At a time when health is at the forefront, visitors will want to seek out destinations where they can surround themselves with nature

Aruba’s resorts and hotels are encouraging visitors to discover the local wildlife. One example is the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, which has teamed up with birder and photographer Michiel Oversteegen, to offer guests an Aruba Birdwatching and Nature Tour. Other companies offering tours which focus on Aruba’s less-crowded corners, which can be explored on foot, horseback or by mountain bike.

Hotels in Anguilla are also responding to guest requests for active pursuits that take them to the island’s natural spaces.

Guests at the Belmond Cap Juluca can join an Early Bird Nature Walk around the nearby Cove Pond, which borders the resort and is a nesting spot for island bird species such as Killdeer, Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers.

Award bonus points if you spot a Greenthroated Carib or an Antillean Bullfinch. •

FEEL FREE TO DISCONNECT

Bon Biní and welcome back to Curaçao. We cannot wait to see you again. Soaking up the sun on one of our beautiful beaches, enjoying our warm hospitality and our laid-back island vibe; we know you can’t wait to feel it for yourself again.

Curaçao has reopened and we’re thrilled to welcome back our dushi friends from abroad. There is no better time than now to travel to Curaçao.

Entry requirements and local measures are in place to keep our local community and travellers safe. Please check curacao.com for travel updates.

Ready to travel? Please follow the steps on dicardcuracao.com.