Three Caribbean Islands in 2 weeks

[phrankie]

I want to go to the Caribbean on holiday, but the idea of staying in one place for 2 weeks would really trigger my ADHD. I can do about 5 days in one place before getting an itch to move on.

Dh has suggested that we island hop in the Caribbean. Yes it's expensive but it's still cheaper than a return flight from the UK. We were thinking of seeing three different islands.

Thinking of doing either Antigua, St Kitts, and Nevis. Or maybe Grenada, St Lucia, and Tobago. Or even Grenada, Barbados, and Tobago.

Anyone been island hopping? For me, I like historical sites and for dh, he likes a picture postcard beach

We did Martinique and St Lucia and went between them on the boat Express des Iles which was fairly cheap. Those islands were quite different. Matinique has good historical sites like Josephine's house , museum about the volcano and banana museum.

We're looking at Caribbean cruises at the mo

Could this be worth looking at? That way you can see a few different places

On TUI website you can design your holiday where you stay in 2 different hotels not sure about 3. Not tried but sounds fab!

Why not a cruise then - we did one some years ago, I think there was a couple of days at sea, but otherwise new island every day.

I recently moved to the Caribbean. Personally I find there's lots to see and do on the 2 islands Ive visited so far so 3 islands in 2 weeks seems a lot to me.

For example we did Guadeloupe in 1 week and I want to go back as there's more things we didn't get around to doing. Eg we did canyoning, day on a boat, several different beaches, climbed the volcano, visited a beautiful natural site, swam to a local (small) island.

We didn't do several hikes which look interesting, or visit a couple of islands attached to guadeloupe. And obviously we only skimmed the surface of beaches.

In Martinique we've done many different beaches (different styles), several hikes (including to waterfalls and up the volcano), canyoning, boat trip to see dolphins, swum with turtles and beautiful fish (not on an excursion, they're just pretty easy to find), trip to a rum distillery, volcano museum, natural park. Trip on a quad. Sea museum.

We haven't yet visited a banana or sugar plantation. Or the slavery museum or the arboretum. I haven't done any nautical sports (sailing, canoeing, paddle boat, surfing, kite surfing...) though the DC have.

Anyway, I'd say 2 islands in 2 weeks if you don't want to stay in one place too long. There really is loads of things to do here.

Also bear in mind the HEAT! We tend to do activities in the morning but go home for the afternoon.

Also, next time in Guadeloupe we'll stay half the week on one side of the island and the other half on the other side to reduce time spent in the car.

We did a Caribbean cruise, you can get really amazing deals on cruises in the Caribbean. It does mean you only get a quick taste of each island though. Our cruise departed from Puerto Rico so we spent a week there first, really beautiful island with gorgeous scenery, highly recommend it.

@phrankie
Cruises are Claustrophobic! Big time. You don’t get to explore anything as time on shore is limited. Try and move around!

Plus: you do not need to fly between islands. It’s possible to take ferries. So you could look at the British Virgin Islands. Plenty of choice. Tortola and Virgin Gorda are great plus so many smaller ones. Also St John is a great American VI. Look at St Vincent, the Grenadines and Grenada. BequIa is in this group. You couldn’t go wrong being there! St Kitts, Nevis and Antigua are in easy reach of each other. I think 5 nights plus in each just fine if you get away from mainstream islands.

Why don't you do a cruise then you have a new destination every day ?

We went to Kitts and Nevis - it was about 10 years ago now but absolutely loved it. We hired a car on kitts and spend a few days going around Kitts from a base in Frigate Bay.

Then got the ferry over to Nevis and spent a few days there - at the Hermitage - which was incredible. We used taxis on Nevis.

We did it relatively cheaply be booking the hotel on Kitts for the 2 weeks B&B with the flight from the UK - but only using it for a few days and then booking Nevis accommodation independently.

We've been to St Lucia since and much preferred Kitts and Nevis - much more laid back and easy to get around by yourself and no feeling that you had to be cocooned in an AI. Which St Lucia felt geared to.

Highly recommend a cruise & stay option. We did 5 days in Barbados and a 10 day cruise taking in St Lucia, St Maarten, St Thomas, Antigua & St Kitts

I can't stand cruises .... we need to move on and see stuff but want to decide when and where....I've been on one and found it so claustrophobic.

@BarrelOfOtters
They are! It’s a snapshot of an island too. 5 days on a smaller island really can be lovely. Therefore anyone contemplating this should maybe fly to a bigger island, eg Tortola, and then get a ferry or a short flight to another Island. There are lots of laid back ones if you look! Without cruise ship ports!

@TizerorFizz
How expensive are the BVIs?

Sadly cruises are not for me, I’m too independent. I can’t let someone else be in control of my schedule :D

You could choose 3 different islands based on their heritage eg one that was British, French and Spanish. After saying that I hated Martinique. Of the choices you gave I would go with Grenada, Barbados and Tobago. Lovely islands. All of the Caribbean is expensive although you can cut costs depending on where you eat etc. BVI is basically focussed around sailing.

You could fit in Guadeloupe as well.

Or pick a big island. Cuba has loads of different areas and speeds.