Fun Family-Friendly Vacation Destinations In The Caribbean, According To Travelers

A region named for the sea that is its defining feature, the Caribbean is a huge draw for anyone in search of sun, sand, sea, and scenery to remember. Its moniker is derived from the indigenous Caribs that lived here, and today, this region has become synonymous with the idea of a tropical paradise, one well connected to cities around the United States. There is a wide range of countries and islands located around the Caribbean Sea. Some of these island groups are strictly situated in the Atlantic but are often lumped together with those in the Caribbean. These destinations offer enough variety to attract travelers with diverse tastes.

Whether you love lazing on a beach, exploring historic ruins, diving in clear seas, hiking up forested mountains, dancing the night away, or watching sunsets from a waterfront restaurant, the Caribbean has you covered. For families, though, some places stand out. Looking at data, including crime statistics, and scouring information on family-friendly facilities, we've put together destinations in the Caribbean that families will love.

A destination beloved by Americans, Cancún has some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean, but it's not the only appealing aspect of this Mexican getaway. Families here can find shopping malls and snorkeling tours — a submarine where they can get a close-up view of the local marine life. Day trips to islands and cultural parks are also easy to arrange. The town has something special that will bring kids and parents a feeling of fantastic wonder. Every evening, would-be pirates can book an excursion with Captain Hook and board a galleon-style boat for a cruise on the waters and a dinner. 

The staff are dressed as marauders of the high seas, and the adventure unfolds with entertainment, mock fights, food and drink, and a lively light show. Best of all, for families with younger children, kids under the age of 12 can participate for free. For a youngster who has flirted with the idea of being a real pirate of the Caribbean, this is a chance to dress up and make that dream a reality.

Along with St. Croix and St. John, St. Thomas is one of the three main isles within the United States Virgin Islands. It promises a wealth of things to do and places to explore that will entertain the whole family. The beaches are sublime, with Magens Bay Beach among the highlights — the sand is soft and sugary, the rainforest behind the beach dense, and the water, cupped by headlands, calm and stunning in its color and clarity. Thrill seekers will get great views of the bay from the zip lines and rope bridges at Tree Limin' Extreme, which is set up in the forest of St. Peter Mountain. Animal encounters are the draw at Coral World Ocean Park, a destination much more than an aquarium. 

During a dolphin-swim excursion, guests might get to kiss a dolphin, while the marine mammal can also be seen in the course of a kayak trip. Visitors can swim with sea inquisitive lions, while the truly daring can get in a tank with juvenile sharks. All the traditional trappings of an aquarium are also on offer, from a viewing area that sits under the surface of the sea to touch pools and areas with various other marine animals.

An island that sits south of Cancún, Cozumel is a popular cruise stop, but the island itself is largely untouched, with more than 90% covered in forest. The beaches and sea here are spectacular, and there is fabulous snorkeling all around the island, with vibrant reefs teeming with marine life. The chance to swim with dolphins and manatees is also an option. One of the more unique aspects of the island, which will provide families with an experience that is different and educational, is a visit to a pearl farm. Located on the north of the island, Cozumel Pearl Farm is a small operation that has been in business for about two decades. It claims to be the only pearl farm in the Caribbean.  

A tour of the farm is fun since it can only be reached by boat, taking visitors past tracts of forest and over expanses of striking turquoise and jade waters. The tour demystifies the painstaking, laborious process behind pearl cultivation, and visitors can snorkel around the section where the pearls grow. There is a statue of the Virgen de Guadalupe and an artificial reef here. There is also an opportunity for relaxing on a beach and a bite to eat, but for some, the real highlight is the chance to buy some of the pearls grown on-site.

On this island, which is split between a French and a Dutch side, it's fun to simply drive between them. Often, you might not even know you have crossed over to the other half since there is no formal border nor any security, just small, blink-and-you'll-miss-them signs that you have entered into the other jurisdiction of the island. But it's fun knowing that you can go over to one side and get flaky croissants at a French boulangerie or head over to the other half, where Dutch pancakes are on the menu. One of the most exciting things on the island is visiting Maho Beach. 

It's a beautiful section of shoreline, with soft sand and breathtaking light blue water, but what really draws the crowds is the beach's proximity to the international airport — it sits just to the west of the airstrip. In practical terms, this means that the beach is a fantastic place to watch incoming planes, with large jets flying low overhead in preparation for touchdown. It is a visceral moment when a giant aircraft roars so close overhead and then lands a few seconds later, and this occurrence, repeated several times a day, has become a bonafide tourist attraction. You can experience more excitement and tension on the island with a session at the escape rooms of Dutch Blonde Beach Bar.

Some places are so iconic that you might see a photo of them and immediately think you want to go there. One such location is The Baths in Virgin Gorda. Officially known as The Baths National Park, this southwestern part of the island comprises a scattering of mammoth granite rocks, some more than 40 feet across, that sit along the coast. It's an area of sublime beauty, not just for the dramatic grandeur of the boulders themselves but the way that they contrast with the dazzling white sand and shimmering turquoise seas. 

There are also fun little pools that form in the gaps and channels around the rocks, which are great spots for kids to explore. Another island jewel is the hike up to Gorda Peak, part of Gorda Peak National Park, which promises visitors incredible island views. Topping out at 1,370 feet, the peak is the island's highest point, the crowing glory of a dry forest set atop a ridge northwest of the island. Scientists have found endangered plants here, as well as the world's smallest lizard, the Virgin Gorda gecko. At the top, a tower viewpoint allows hikers to take in the isles of the British Virgin Islands.

Residents of Antigua like to boast about their island having 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, and while visitors won't get to see all of them during a stay, there are many amazing ones that shouldn't be missed. These include Ffryes Beach, Galleon Beach, Half Moon Bay, and Rendezvous Bay, to name just a few, places where sugary sand cedes to sublime seas. The water action at Devil's Bridge is a little more kinetic; the limestone promontory eroded by wind and saltwater has been hollowed out from below. And the waves surging into gaps and pockets shoot up through blowholes, creating an impressive aquatic spectacle. 

The coast isn't the only appealing location in Antigua, and adventurers will also find elevated thrills in store. Antigua Rainforest Zipline Tours takes visitors out to the canopy on a circuit of zip lines, with choices ranging from six lines to the ultimate rush of 13 zip lines, plus an array of walkways and bouncy suspension bridges. Best of all, the course is set up for participants of all ages, so families can participate in the high jinks, no pun intended.

This former British colony, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, has wildly dramatic coastlines, with sheer cliffs dropping to pebble-filled beaches. It's not a place travelers come expressly for the sandy beaches, though there are plenty that will sate the appetite of any beach bum. What is more alluring is the stunning nature of another sort — greenery is everywhere. Tourists will appreciate the lushness of the island on a trip to the Emerald Pool, a shimmering, mesmerizing body of water fed by a waterfall and cupped by dense rainforest. It's located in Morne Trois Piton National Park and is a rewarding place for a refreshing dip. 

For a more testing adventure, the hike to the Boiling Lake takes some beating. A destination that unleashes the latent power within the Earth's core is a volcanic lake that is bubbling with searing hot water. The hike here is strenuous, and this is a full-day trip, but it really is something you will never forget, passing through the chillingly named Valley of Desolation. The lake is 200 feet in diameter, often topped by wisps of vapor dancing in the air, the water gurgling like a witch's cauldron. Book a guide who can shepherd you along the route while also describing the flora, fauna, and geological processes along the way.