Thinking about a vacation to the islands and wondering what for best Caribbean islands for families? We have you covered. In the Caribbean, there are many places to visit for a family vacation, all of which have their own individual character and offer something different for parents and kids alike. The top islands listed below all provide the perfect getaway with a wealth of activities, good food, and easy-going atmospheres that cater well to families on holiday together.
1 – Jamaica
This beautiful island nation of the Republic of Jamaica is well-known for its lovely Caribbean beaches, a wide variety of resorts, and lots of activities. This island paradise was one of the best Caribbean islands for families that visited for decades. Jamaica offers something for everyone, from white-sand beaches to energetic nightlife.
Jamaica is home to an array of family-friendly hotels that offer activities galore. Jump in the water at Doctor’s Cave Beach, located on Jamaica’s north coast, or spend some time learning about Jamaican history at Bob Marley Museum in Kingston. Visit Dunn’s River Falls where you can climb up steep steps right behind cascading waterfalls – it won’t be hard to get the kids going!
Jamaica offers a wide range of family vacations for those looking for something fun or adventurous. Despite being well known as a party destination, Jamaica has plenty to offer families with young children. Negril is one spot that must be visited due to its stunning beach area with safe swimming conditions and child-friendly environment throughout most of the resort areas. While in Negril you could visit Rick’s Café for cliff diving into the sea or Dunn’s River Falls for
2 – U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands appeal to families who want to enjoy beach time while also getting out and about a bit. With 20-plus pathways, Virgin Islands National Park on St. John provides this combination – and more – with Coral World Ocean Park, where kids can swim with dolphins and sea lions. Parents looking for some alone time can go see the Cruzan Rum Distillery in St Croix.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are also known for their unique cuisines, like Johnny Cake and Salt Fish, or local delights like fried plantains.
3 – Bahamas
The Bahamas, with its stunning beaches, magnificent reefs, and opportunities for horseback riding and surfing lessons, is a favorite among families. In addition to this, the chain of 700 islands includes plenty of low-cost and family-friendly accommodation. Atlantis Paradise Island, for example, has its own 141-acre water park as well as the world’s biggest open-air marine habitat for children (and young at heart) to enjoy.
The Bahamas is also a great destination for kids looking to get into the groove of vacationing. The Atlantis Resort hosts a Kids Club that offers everything from arts and crafts to beach games, movies and outdoor activities.
4 – Cayman Islands
The largest and most well-known of the three islands is Grand Cayman, which caters to families in a variety of ways. Adults and children alike may sunbathe at Seven Mile Beach, build sandcastles, or float in the Caribbean Sea. In Stingray City, adults and kids can swim with stingrays in shallow water.
To get up close and personal with more sea life, head to the Cayman Turtle Centre to interact with turtles of all shapes and sizes
The Cayman Islands also offer plenty of kid-friendly adventures and activities.
5 – Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a popular family vacation destination, with warm crystal-clear turquoise water backing one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, snorkeling in reefs that are swimming distance from shore, and a plethora of family resorts with kid-friendly facilities.
6 – British Virgin Islands
Calm waters and pristine beaches attract travelers of all ages to the British Virgin Islands. While the destination can be pricey, families can save money by splashing around Smuggler’s Cove, a free beach known for its sea turtles and relaxing vibe. Visitors will also love exploring The Baths National Park on Virgin Gorda, a rugged natural attraction with breathtaking boulders, caves, and beaches.
The BVI is perfect for a family vacation because it’s packed with kid-friendly perks. At Wickhams Cay 1, kids can take a day to discover the wonders of natural pools and caves. And parents can not only relax, but enjoy dining out in style at any one of the 10 restaurants on Jost Van Dyke.
7 – Martinique
There are various free activities and attractions to participate in while on vacation in Martinique, which makes it a particularly good choice for travelers on a budget.
Adventurous groups should explore the area surrounding Mount Pelée, the island’s active volcano. To save some additional funds, consider staying in a smaller hotel or a rental home.
8 – Curacao
Curacao is sometimes overlooked in favor of more colorful neighbors like Aruba, but it delivers just the right mix of relaxing beaches and leisurely pastimes.
The white beaches are the main attraction, but scuba diving is also popular, and photos of the colorful Dutch colonial architecture along Handelskade will entice everyone. The island has a number of hotels with specific activity programs for children and teenagers.
Curaçao is one of the most family-friendly Caribbean destinations. From unlimited reefs and shoals to calm waters for swimming, this island will not disappoint. Top things off with trips to Christoffel National Park, where visitors can hike through Curaçao’s thickest vegetation and Atlantic Ocean beaches, or the Curaçao Sea Aquarium for an up-close view of the marine life in the Caribbean.
9 – St. Kitts & Nevis
For families craving a sunny beach getaway, St. Kitts & Nevis offers the perfect doses of relaxation and enrichment. Here, you can enjoy aquatic pursuits like sailing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing along with historical sites like Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on St. Kitts. Vacationers of all ages will also have fun riding the St. Kitts Scenic Railway across the island.
This family-friendly destination is one of the best family vacations in the Caribbean. Visitors can explore its natural delights by hiking into mysterious caves and waterfalls like Brimstone Hill Fortress, while adventurers will enjoy river tubing and zip lining through romantic forests.
Hike up to the peak of Mt. Liamuiga for a bird’s-eye view over St. Kitts and Nevis, which sits in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, or visit Turtle Beach to see huge green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Go dolphin-watching at Cockleshell Bay or take an educational family tour of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park – home to 246 cannons and miles of tunnels dug out by hand during colonial times and now considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10 – Anguilla
If you and your clan want to avoid thick tourist crowds, Anguilla is the island for you. Anguilla does not allow casinos or high-rise hotels, which means there’s lots of room for families to absorb the local culture and soak up the island’s beautiful shorelines. Visit the well-known Sandy Ground for snorkeling and lunch, or Rendezvous Bay for a more private experience.
For family fun, take the kids to nearby Sandy Island. There are no facilities here but there is plenty of room for family picnics, as well as opportunities for family-friendly fishing and snorkeling.
11 – Puerto Rico
Family fun can be had on a family vacation in Puerto Rico.
The island is ideal for people who want to get away but don’t want to go too far. Because American visitors to Puerto Rico do not require passports to enter, it is a popular destination for families looking for convenience.
Unlike some of the other locations on our list, Puerto Rico has a lot more to see outside of the hotel. El Yunque National Forest and Vieques’ magical bioluminescent Mosquito Bay are among the options available. Meanwhile, San Juan’s Castillo San Felipe del Morro – an ancient fort with cannons and barracks – serves as a great lesson in history for young visitors.
The family-friendly Isla Verde area of San Juan offers some of the best family hotels in the Caribbean, plus a long strip of family-friendly beaches. In Old San Juan, you can explore family-friendly museums and historic sites, then head to El Morro for great views of the city. You can also visit family-friendly parks like La Guancha.
12 – St. Martin / St. Maarten
This island is ideal for families since there are several areas where they can feel at home. If you’re traveling with children, take them to Friar’s Bay (on the French side) or Little Bay (on the Dutch side), two beaches with gentle water for swimming.
Hike up to the highest (and, arguably, most beautiful) point on the island: Pic Paradis if the whole family wants to get their blood circulating. Unsurprisingly, St. Martin is known for its family-friendly cuisine, featuring scrumptious creole cooking.
13 – St. Vincent & The Grenadines
St. Vincent & The Grenadines is a great place to visit with your family if you’re seeking a real holiday. These islands are more remote than other Caribbean islands and, as a result, are mostly free of visitors. The destination’s exclusive resorts and private islands provide excellent opportunities to relax on the beach with your loved ones. Some hotels even offer family suites with sleeper sofas, which means you can get the whole family together under one roof.
Tobago Cays is a family-friendly destination for snorkeling and picnicking. The island’s shallow waters make it perfect for families, plus there are lots of great local guides and restaurants that provide top family facilities.
14 – Barbados
Barbados has a wonderful, safe, fun, and easily accessible Caribbean holiday with family-friendly lodges. Explore Bridgetown while you’re not lounging on a white sand beach like Carlisle Bay or traveling to attractions like Harrison’s Cave and the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in the interior. Load the kids into a submarine for an even more memorable trip to view a colorful undersea world filled with sea life.
Barbados is a synonym for a tropical island paradise, with beautiful beaches, and friendly people. It’s a popular tourist destination with a lot of things to see and do.
15 – Trinidad & Tobago
Travel to this pair of Caribbean islands to experience the best of both worlds.
Trinidad is known worldwide for inventing steelpan and limbo, whereas Tobago is recognized for its beautiful beaches.
Kid-friendly accommodation options abound, and you’ll have no trouble entertaining the whole family thanks to the destination’s abundant outdoor activities, including zip lining and boat tours.
16 – St Lucia
Sandy beaches with turquoise water as far as the eye can see – this is what many people envision when they think about the Caribbean Islands. St Lucia has these qualities and more – it also houses historic plantation houses like Jalousie Plantation that will make your family feel like they’ve gone back in time.
The family-friendly Blue Waters Resort houses private butler service for family members staying there, which is perfect if you need somebody to help your children get dressed for dinner or bring them breakfast in bed.
St Lucia offers also the best Caribbean islands for families without the stress of trying to figure out what you’re going to do next – its parks and attractions are spread out enough that you don’t feel like you’re running around all day trying to keep up with your family.
17 – Antigua
Antigua has some of the best beaches in the world, offering beautiful sand dunes. There are 365 beaches to select from, ranging from noisy strips to remote sanctuaries. The seclusion of Half Moon Bay and its peaceful water makes it ideal for snorkeling, while Dickenson Bay is perfect for families who want to be in the thick of things without being mobbed.
18 – St. Barts
If you’re thinking of visiting St. Barts with the family, look for a hotel or resort that offers kid-friendly facilities. Activities might vary from snorkeling and sailing to specialized art and culinary activities suited specifically for youngsters, depending on the location. All visitors will have access to the island’s 14 public beaches, including the popular Bay of St. Jean, regardless of age.
19 – Bonaire
Unspoiled and family-friendly, Bonaire is also one of the best Caribbean islands for families destinations. Visitors who want to be near family facilities and family-friendly beaches will find these aspects easier to access if they stay in one of the island’s family hotels or resorts. The island has lots of family-specific activities, such as family-friendly snorkeling.
Summary
The Caribbean has a lot to offer family tourists including beaches, rainforests, ancient forts, and over 1000 islands – many of which are family-owned or family-oriented resorts with kid-friendly activities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, or even nanny services if that’s what you’re looking for. Some locations have a low-key activity offering where children can do many things from horseback riding to going on beehive hikes to snorkeling. Search through the article to see if an island family vacation is for you!
Caribbean family vacations often mean family resorts, kid-friendly activities, and family-friendly beaches. Many Caribbean islands are catered towards family tourists meaning that they have packages just for family fun or family romantic getaways that include children. Take your family to explore unspoiled nature, tropical landscapes, and spectacular oceans in this idyllic destination. There’s nothing like a family holiday in the Caribbean!
The best Caribbean Islands for your family vacation will offer various things depending on the activities you want, but most importantly it offers relaxation and time with your loved ones – which is what makes for fond memories no matter how old one gets.
The family vacation can be unique to each family depending on their interests, but the following Caribbean destinations are all family-friendly and cater to many different tastes. Whatever family member you are thinking of, there is sure to be an option below which will suit your family’s needs.
