The Caribbean always has a special place in my heart. Probably because that’s where I’m from. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, I grew up where so many people dream of going on vacation. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to other Caribbean islands and experience their cultures as well – Cuba, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago to name a few. But there are other Caribbean islands I want to visit, islands that some people tend to overlook. I want to experience everything about them. Not just the beaches, but the food, the music, and the overall lifestyle and culture. I plan to visit all these islands at some point … hopefully soon. Here are the Caribbean islands that are at the top of my list.

Turks & Caicos

Known for its powdery white-sand beaches and turquoise sea, Turks & Caicos is pretty much on everyone’s list. I’ve heard people say that Turks has the most beautiful beaches they’ve ever seen, so of course I have to see it for myself. I plan to stay in Providenciales (or “Provo” as it’s fondly called), where I can enjoy the beautiful Grace Bay Beach and go to the island’s popular Thursday Fish Fry.

Only a matter of time! Count down to Turks & Caicos is on!

Sint Maarten/Saint Martin

Can’t wait to visit this gem! You have the Dutch (Sint Maarten) on one side and the French (Saint Martin) on the other! Throw in the Caribbean culture and you have a true melting pot! I hear it’s a beautiful island and the food is to die for. You can also hop on a ferry to Anguilla, St. Barts, or Saba for a day trip (or more). So many beaches to visit, including Maho beach where you can watch the planes take-off and land at Princess Juliana’s airport.

St. Lucia

So much to do in St. Lucia – from soaking up the sun on the white-sand beaches, to enjoying the volcanic mud-baths at Soufriere. I can’t wait to view the Pitons, and who knows? Perhaps we’ll even climb Gros Piton.  I can’t believe I haven’t visited this island visited yet.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a major sailing destination and also a celebrity getaway. I plan to explore the main island – St. Vincent first, then make my way over to a few of the smaller Grenadine islands, such as Mustique, Canouan, and Bequia. I’ve been told this is not easy (and crazy expensive) so I’ll have to figure out the best way to do this. If you’ve been and have tips let me know!

Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao

Commonly known as the ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are all part of the Kingdom of Netherlands.

So let’s start with Aruba since I’ll be flying into Oranjastad to start my ABC trip. Aside from visiting Eagle beach, Palm beach and all the other beaches, I’m thinking of checking out the flamingos (on Renaissance Island), the butterfly farm, and the donkey sanctuary, mostly because I know my son would absolutely love them!

Bonaire will be a quieter trip and most likely a short one. I’ve been told that Bonaire is an amazing location for diving (not that I’m a diver, but for those of you who are). I’d love to take the Arawak tour, visit the salt pyramids, walk around Kaya Grandi and maybe, just maybe, try that cactus liqueur.

Curacao is a vibrant and colorful island! Seriously, just look at the buildings! In addition to the beaches, snorkeling, and diving, you can explore the city of Willemstad. Handelskade is where you’ll find the buildings painted in bright greens, pinks, yellows, and blues! While in Handelskade, watch the Queen Emma Bridge swing open to let ships through.

Antigua

Wadadli (as it’s fondly called) has tons of white-sand beaches! But that’s not all.  I plan on checking out Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbor. I wouldn’t mind taking a hike to Shirley Heights from English Harbor as well. What’s so special about Shirley Heights? Oh, just the spectacular view!  And did I mention the barbecue party on Sundays? I’ll be taking that hike on a Sunday so I can party hearty while watching the sun set. Sounds like bliss to me.

Martinique

Part of the French Caribbean, Martinique is a beautiful, vibrant country, where you will see the blend of French and Caribbean culture. In addition to visiting the beaches and enjoying the food, I plan to explore Fort de France; see Mount Pelee, and of course, visit Saint Pierre (the Pompei of the Caribbean), a city frozen in time by Mount Pelee’s eruption in the 1900s.

Guadeloupe

When I think of Guadeloupe, my head suddenly fills with the melodic tunes of zouk music. Seriously, if I visit Guadeloupe and have zouk playing in the background throughout the entire trip, I’ll be on cloud nine. I have quite a list of must-dos for this majestic archipelago of the French Caribbean: take a hike up the volcano – La Soufrière; explore Pointe-à-Pitre; visit Les Saints (a cluster of eight islands south of Basse-Terre); and last but not least, visit the Roches Gravées site to see the Arawak petroglyphs. I have to make sure I set aside enough vacation time for this trip!

*Jetblue will begin direct flights to Guadeloupe from New York (JFK) in February 2020.

Grenada

Otherwise known as the “spice island,” Grenada is another beautiful country on my Caribbean list. Now I’m not much of a diver, but I would love to visit the Underwater Sculpture Park at the bottom of Moliniere Bay to see all the underwater sculptures, especially the “Ring of Children.”

I can’t wait to visit and explore each of these islands! I’ll let you know how each visit goes. If you have the urge to travel to any of these beautiful gems in the Caribbean, don’t wait on me! Go right ahead and book your flight.