Caribbean - is it worth it for family hol?

[Wintercurrentbun]

Am due a long awaited payout from work and am thinking of blowing a chunk of it on a family winter sun holiday in Feb or Mar (kids primary ages).

Really fancy the Caribbean, but have never been and no idea which islands / countries make sense with kids.

Looking for experiences / thoughts / suggestions 🙏🏻

Or should I just look at Canaries and stop humming along to Billy Ocean in my head 😆

We went to Barbados as it was the easiest to get to and the easiest to get around. The kids loved being in the pool every day and flying with virgin was a breeze. Eye wateringly expensive for food which was a negative. Beautiful beaches. One of the more commercial islands but that suited us as a young family

Canaries we found cold in April even so Feb or march I'd say no.

Eeek, it says it’s usually above 20c, which is good enough for me, but cold doesn’t sound good!

Barbados is the one I’ve been looking at actually as read it was family friendly. Thanks 👍🏻

We’ve done St Lucia and Antigua and struggled with the poor/inconsistent service and lack of decent kids clubs tbh. Brand was Royalton, They advertised kids clubs activities but never ran them and often rocked up to find a locked door, closed up when they were meant to be running a great sounding activity.

waiting an hour for breakfast with kids isn’t fun.

woukd love to see a good recommendation on here though.

I was thinking canaries at Easter. I dont think it'll be cold. Its a year round location. In laws went in march. Ive got friends who go in February every year.

I fancy a nice beach though...

Barbados is beautiful. The West Coast has lovely beaches but the beaches are sloped and it gets deep, pretty quick and swells can make it hard for young children to get in and out of.

I think it is a better destination for older teens as snorkeling off the beach would be more relaxing. I wouldn't say it is great for young children.

Have a look at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
Grace bay is stunning. It’s an amazing family holiday

We went to Barbados pre kids and I'd love to go back - am trying to book something for August, w be now have a 4 and 6 year old and I know they'll love walking out onto white sand beaches and swimming. Everything is within about 30 mins drive which is ideal as I hate travelling too much on holiday. Be aware that the flights over Easter and may half term are insanely expensive - that was my original plan but flights are less than half the price in summer hols. We went in August previously and weather was fine - hot and sunny every day but a couple of times it clouded over, had to a call heavy downpour for an hour or so then the sun came back out . In fact places I've looked in Europe for Easter or may half term seem more expensive then than over the summer. May not be the case if you're planning to go term time though.

I love Barbados, by far the best Caribbean island I have been to. Have been pre kids and with a 5 and 10 year old and we all loved it.
It is expensive though, all inclusive would always be my choice and then you can still go out and about when you choose.

I love Trinidad and Tobago x

What about Maldives or Mauritius, service is so much better we've found than in the Caribbean. Even at ££ resorts it was all a bit relaxed.

We took primary aged dc to Cuba at Feb half term a couple of years ago. It was amazing. The kids loved it (although they did complain about the heat once or twice). Personally I think it’s a much more interesting place than Barbados and Antigua.

We like to explore though; if you just want an AI and a beach to flop on then those islands are probably easier. Choose your resort with care though and do check reviews.

We’ve been to the Canaries in Feb many times. Fuerteventura is wonderful. My favourite place is El Cotillo, a small sleepy place which has the most gorgeous beaches on a shallow lagoon, so perfect for littlies. The restaurants are friendly to kids and good value. Excellent local seafood.

The temperature there isn’t hot though. Usually varies between 19 and 22, but the breeze can make it feel chillier. This never stopped our dc going in the sea though!

The donincan republic is meant to be good for families

Have been to several Caribbean islands as well the Canaries. The beaches and water are stunning, not as good as some countries I’ve been to, but better than the Canaries. Not massively interesting beyond beach and water sports though. I recently looked at prices and I wouldn’t pay it again. V v expensive and not good value for money.

Much rather go to Costa Rica or Asia again which is stunningly beautiful and cheaper (but longer flights) and more interesting.

Personally I wouldn’t. We’re taking DC on a big trip when they’re older and will remember it. In the meantime we’re doing winter sun in the Canaries.

We went in an Airbnb (with daily service, many have this as standard) and we went in August. I calculated that an AI hotel would be on a par with an Airbnb and having to buy your food. We wanted privacy and freedom. We hired a car and explored the island but best days were just lazing around. The weather was hot and humid with some rain but we largely had two weeks of amazing weather. Service is usually terrible and I wouldn't want to set my hopes on a kids club. We went to Mullins beach a lot and the kids could paddle happily there, we also used the resort community pool. The Canaries it's difficult to say but we have been twice in early April and then late April and it wasn't sunbathing weather for us and I don't like it hot. We were inland though so that might be why. I think the coast is meant to be warmer.

As @Hillsmakeyoustrong says, much cheaper to go in August but always a risk during hurricane season…!

I’ve experienced heavy rain/storms in the islands July to October. Sometimes just v humid and it’s fine, other times tipping it down with rain and high winds for a few days.

It's a great time to go to Thailand. The resorts in Phuket are amazing compared to Caribbean ones. The staff are wonderful with kids, loads to do and sea and eating and drinking outside resorts can be really cheap.

Pain to get to though.

i’d recommend Carlisle Bay innAntigua.

The canaries are not in the Caribbean!

@LetsDoThis2023
The op asked I'm the op if they should just do canaries.

We went to lanzarote in April and had lovely weather though windy on a few days. Beach off limits.

Thanks everyone, some good tips to check out here.

I’ve also been looking at Cape Verde - which appears a little warmer than Canaries this time of year. I’m not mega bothered about it being 30c+ everyday. But some sunshine and t-shirt weather would be amazing.

I’d recommend Mauritius-cheaper, minimal jet lag and fewer American tourists…

@VenusClapTrap who did you book cuba with? That sounds perfect! How much was it (if you don't mind me asking?)