You only have 10 hours in a Caribbean port. What's the best way to spend your day?
Many travelers spend hours poring over shore excursion listings, trying to find the perfect way to make the most of their time in port.
Some people prefer to go straight to private guides or look for a company for a shared tour. However, most people, especially first-timers, prefer excursions organized by the cruise line. And although the choice is huge, this does not make the decision process any easier.
This list of the best shore excursions in 30 of the most popular Caribbean ports will help you make your choice.
Antigua: Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights Historical Tour
The Caribbean is known for its beaches and sunny weather, but Antigua is also rich in history. In St. John's, the main historical attractions are Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights, both preserved from the British war years.
These sites can be seen in half a day and are often included on island-wide bus tours that also offer beach stops and lunch.
Aruba: Island Sightseeing Tour
The best way to experience Aruba is on a tour that covers the island's key attractions with a stop at the beach. The route includes rock formations, lighthouses, and a drive through desert landscapes and less touristy towns.
Barbados: Harrison's Caves Electric Tram Tour
If you need a break from the beach, a popular alternative in Barbados is a tour of Harrison's Caves. This limestone cave is full of streams, pools, stalactites and stalagmites.
Explore the cave system on a guided electric tram. Note that some full-length island tours also include a visit to this cave.
Belize City: Cave Rafting and Ziplining in the Rainforest
For a bird's eye view of the Belize rainforest, ziplining is a must, and for those who enjoy swimming in ancient, darkened caves, caving is a perfect choice. If you're feeling adventurous, book a tour that combines both for an active day at the port.
Bonaire: Snorkeling, Diving and Sailing Tours
Explore Bonaire's clear waters with a snorkeling or diving trip. See sea turtles, stingrays and a variety of tropical marine life. Take to the water by boat, then dive into the underwater world.
Costa Maya: Beaches and Restaurants in Mahahual
Costa Maya is a laid-back Mexican tourist village built in the Yucatan jungle, with bars, restaurants, shops and swimming pools. And while you can stay and just relax in a tourist complex, or take one of the worthwhile trips – like the mysterious Mayan ruins at Chacchoben – many passengers prefer to spend a carefree day on the nearby beaches.
Beyond the tourist complex is a real town: the former fishing village of Mahahual, with its beaches and beach shops and restaurants, is just a five-minute taxi ride away. Snorkeling, diving, paddle boarding and other water sports are sometimes included in shore excursions to Mahahual.
Cozumel: Mayan Ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza
A highlight of a visit to Cozumel is a tour of Tulum or Chichen Itza, the ruins of ancient Mayan cities. Tulum, perched atop cliffs overlooking the ocean, offers a fascinating history and stunning scenery. Chichen Itza, located further inland, is famous for its massive and majestic step pyramid.
Note that excursions to Tulum from Caribbean cruise ports require about an hour and a half each way (including the ferry and bus ride); Chichen Itza requires a full day—about three hours each way from Cozumel—so expect to have little time to explore the ruins.
Curacao: Scenic Island Tours with Hato Caves and Distillery Visit
Explore Curacao on a scenic island tour. Visit the Hato Caves with their limestone formations, then sample the famous Curacao liqueur at a distillery.
Dominica: Trafalgar Falls and Rum Punch
The southern Caribbean island of Dominica is a nature lover's paradise, home to over 170 species of birds, numerous waterfalls, and mountains that reach 5,000 feet. The best way to explore the island is on an active excursion.
Try a tour that includes a short hike through rainforest to the twin Trafalgar Falls with a relaxing dip in the Emerald Pool (a waterfall grotto), all paired with a few glasses of rum punch.
Freeport: Coral Reef Snorkeling Tours
This Bahamian port is perfect for a classic Caribbean vacation: beach time and snorkeling. Explore Freeport's amazing coral reefs, tropical fish, rays, dolphins, sea turtles and more on a snorkeling excursion. Some trips are organized by boat, while others allow you to simply dive into the water from the shore and start snorkeling.
Grand Cayman: Sandbanks and Rays at Stingray City
Without a doubt, Grand Cayman's main attraction is Stingray City, a legendary sandbank where stingrays once gathered to feed on fishermen's discarded remains and now wait for tourists in bathing suits to feed them squid.
Visitors have the unique opportunity to dive into shallow water with these creatures, feel their velvety skin and take photos. You will be accompanied by guides. Many excursions combine a visit to Stingray City with relaxation on the beach.
Grand Turk: Scenic Catamaran Tours or Power Snorkeling
Cool off in the turquoise waters of Grand Turk on a snorkeling tour, many of which include scenic catamaran rides.
Try power snorkeling using hand-held propellers to help you explore the underwater world.
Grenada: Spice Gardens, Forts and Grand Etang National Park
Visit the "Spice Island" of Grenada to see spice plantations and enjoy the beauty of Grand Etang National Park, located around the crater lake of an extinct volcano. A typical tour includes a visit to both of these sites, as well as Fort Frederick and Annandale Falls. For the more adventurous, a hike to Seven Sisters Falls is offered, often combined with visits to spice and rum factories.
Havana: Old Havana Tour with Cocktail
Steeped in flavors, culture, and history, Havana offers a packed tour of the city's top attractions. The bus tour takes you along the Malecon and historic sites of Old Havana, such as the Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de Armas. The tour ends with a cocktail.
Martinique: Half Day Tour of Balata Gardens
Martinique attracts tourists with its French boutiques and beaches, but for those looking for something a little different, there's a half-day tour of the Balata Gardens, a beautifully manicured botanical collection of tropical plants.
Montego Bay: Historic Plantations with Tropical Fruit Tasting
Montego Bay offers water sports, beach fun and dolphin encounters, but for a more in-depth understanding of Jamaican culture, visit plantations like Croydon, where you can sample pineapples, bananas and sugar cane straight from the plantation.
Nassau: Aquaventure Day Pass at Atlantis
Nassau's main attraction is the Atlantis Resort. Here you can spend a day at Aquaventure, a 130-acre water park filled with water slides, pools, and calm rivers. It's a great place for the whole family.
Ocho Rios: Dunn's River Falls and Swimming with Dolphins
One of the top experiences in Ocho Rios is climbing Dunn's River Falls, a 600-foot waterfall that empties into a pool on the beach. You can combine this with swimming with dolphins, lounging on the beach, or snorkeling.
Playa del Carmen: Swimming with Sea Turtles at Akumal Beach
Shore excursions to Tulum are popular from Playa del Carmen, but you can also get there from Cozumel. The best way to spend time here is to experience the region’s diverse marine life. Snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles in the protected waters of Akumal Beach are great options.
Progreso: Half Day Tour to Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins and Cenotes
If you're interested in Mayan ruins but want to avoid the crowds, the lesser-known Dzibilchaltun ruins near Progreso are a great alternative. Don't miss the opportunity to take a dip in a cenote, a natural pool of crystal-clear water.
Roatan: Tabyana Beach and Animal Encounter at Gumbalimba Park
No cruise visit to Roatan, a tropical island in Honduras, would be complete without spending time on the beach and getting to know the local fauna. Ideally, the excursion includes a visit to Gumbalimba Park with its free-roaming monkeys and birds, as well as lounging on Tabiana Beach, one of the best on the island.
San Juan: El Yunque Rainforest with Waterfalls and Hikes
A stroll through Old Town San Juan is a must, but for nature lovers, the El Yunque rainforest just outside the city offers stunning waterfalls and scenic trails. Tours to El Yunque typically include stops at waterfalls and short hikes.
St. Barth: Sea Adventure with Snorkeling
St. Barth's is a place for shopping and luxury, but you can also take a boat tour on a catamaran or sailboat with stops for swimming and snorkeling.
St Croix: Boat Trip to Baka Reef
Baca Reef off the coast of St. Croix is a national monument that spans 19,015 acres of land and sea. The tour includes a bus ride and a scenic boat ride to the reef, where you can enjoy snorkeling and exploring the marine life.
St Kitts: Nevis Island Tour by Sea Taxi
An island tour of St. Kitts is a popular choice, but for a more secluded experience, take a sea taxi to the lesser-visited island of Nevis, where you can enjoy historic sites, lunch on the beach, and swim in the Caribbean.
St Lucia: Scenic Cruise with Views of the Pitons
The Pitons of St. Lucia are two volcanic spires that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to see them is on a scenic cruise that may also include stops for swimming and snorkeling.
St. Maarten: America's Cup Yacht Races with Room Punch Toast
Independent travelers can go shopping and casino in St. Maarten, but for a special experience, try the America's Cup regatta, where you can feel like a member of the crew of a racing yacht.
St. Maarten: Shopping and Dining at the Marigot Market
St. Maarten attracts cruisers with its shopping. The Marigot Market offers French fashion, perfumes, and jewelry. Be sure to visit Le West Indies Shopping Center, which features restaurants, bars, and designer boutiques.
St. Thomas: Magens Bay Beach and Duty Free Shopping in Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is known for its beaches and shopping. Luckily, you can combine both pleasures in one tour. Spend a couple of hours soaking up the sun on Magens Bay Beach, then head to Charlotte Amalie for duty-free shopping.
Tortola: Snorkeling at Norman Island
Norman Island off Tortola is one of the best snorkeling spots. Join a guided tour to explore caves and coral reefs that are home to a variety of marine life.
Each port offers unique experiences that will make your adventure unforgettable. Immerse yourself in the tropical atmosphere, feel the warmth of local hospitality and create memories that will last forever!
Sea cruises across the Caribbean by link.
