Waterfalls, White Sands, and Volcanoes: A Guide to Exotic Outdoor Adventure in the Caribbean

20170712_Dominica_Morne Trois Pitons National Park_ Boing LakeBoiling Lake is a sight to see in Dominica.

When you think "Caribbean," what do you picture? Probably a fruity drink with an umbrella, a pristine, sandy beach, and dazzlingly clear water—right? While the Caribbean islands *do *offer plenty of traditional beach vacations, you’d be missing out if you spent your whole trip at a resort. Instead, learn about each island’s unique culture and history, get a taste of the regional cuisine, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, check out some of the Caribbean’s livelier offerings. From active volcanoes to spelunking to cliff diving (all arguably the antithesis of sipping cocktails on the beach), the Caribbean islands are full of opportunities for adventure.

Hike Mount Pelée in Martinique

Many of the Caribbean islands are actually pretty hilly.
Many of the Caribbean islands are actually pretty hilly.

Jean & Nathalie

Don’t be intimidated by Pelée’s nickname, "the Pompeii of the Caribbean." These days, scientists closely monitor seismic activity here so they can warn visitors and inhabitants of the French island of Martinique before another eruption like the one in 1902 that destroyed the fishing village of Saint-Pierre. At 4,583 feet, Pelée towers above the rest of Martinique, offering intrepid hikers a sweeping view of the verdant island and nearby Dominica. Several steep, strenuous trails ranging from three to 10 miles round trip will deliver you to the summit, but get an early start to avoid Caribbean showers and afternoon clouds.

Dive into Jamaica's Blue Hole Mineral Spring

Part adventure, part spa weekend, this geological wonder is situated in relatively remote Jamaica, about half an hour from the little town of Negril (it’s as far west as you can go on the island). The 35-foot-deep Blue Hole Mineral Spring is encased in Karst limestone, eroded by the same natural process that forms caves. Feeling brave? Jump off the nearby cliffs into the pool, or keep it low key and take the ladder down. This is no hot spring, though—the water you’ll find in Blue Hole Mineral Spring is downright chilly, though it (and the mud surrounding the pool) is said to do wonders for your complexion. When you’re ready to warm up, hit the beachside cabanas—above ground of course!

Cliff Jump at Damajaqua Cascades in the Dominican Republic

This park in Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast is home to the beloved "27 Waterfalls," where you can hike, scramble, plunge, and swim up, down, and around the cascades. Local guides are required and will lead the way on a 25-minute hike along an interpretive nature trail, where you’ll learn about the park’s many species of tropical flora and fauna, to get to the first waterfall. The falls plunge into a sparkling limestone pools, with options to jump off 20-foot cliffs or slide down on naturally occurring waterslides. Opt for a tour of seven or 12 falls, or go all-out with a tour of all 27 waterfalls.

Snorkel at Virgin Islands National Park

The best trails at Virgin Islands National Park are underwater.
The best trails at Virgin Islands National Park are underwater.

Matt Wade

Virgin Islands National Park, which covers a little over half of St. John, should definitely be added to your Caribbean bucket list. The hiking trails here will lead you past remnants of St. John’s fascinating history, including carved petroglyphs, as well as to the highest point on the island, Bordeaux Mountain. The best trails, though, are literally underwater. Trunk Bay’s Underwater Trail is marked by interpretive signs on the seafloor, and is great for newbie snorkelers thanks to the sheltered bay’s generally calm conditions. Once you’ve got your sea legs, head to Cinnamon Bay to see crabs and lobsters, or Maho Bay, where you’ll have the best chance of spotting sea turtles. Whatever you do, use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the park’s fragile corals.

Explore bat caves in Mount Tamana on Trinidad

Hiking to the highest summit in Trinidad’s Central Range, Mount Tamana, will only take you about a half hour. But once you’ve reached the 1,009-foot high point, the adventure has just begun. The mountain is home to a complex system of caves, home to hundreds of thousands of bats. Twelve bat species, some with wingspans of up to a foot, have been identified within the cave’s chambers, and the best time to go is at sunset to see them all fly out for the night. If getting this up close and personal with the local wildlife isn’t your thing, head up the mountain during the daytime, when you’ll also get to see the coffee estates and silk cotton trees along the trail.

Kayak in the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico

Bioluminescent bays are incredibly rare, but no one bothered to tell Puerto Rico: the tiny island is home to three of them. At night, the bays are lit up by bioluminescent dinoflagellates, a tiny, single-celled organism that lets off a flash of bluish light. When the sun goes down, these bays—La Parguera, Puerto Mosquito, and Laguna Grande—become aglow. It’s said that the microscopic creatures occasionally give off enough to read by, but in any case, there’s certainly enough light for a night time paddling excursion. (Tip: Plan your trip to fall during the new moon when the sky is especially dark.)

Hike to a boiling lake in Dominica

The temperatures around Boiling Lake reach almost 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
The temperatures around Boiling Lake reach almost 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

heatherandchris

For an incredible volcano-adjacent experience, head to Morne Trois Piton National Park, home of the fascinating Boiling Lake. (Yes, this 195-foot-deep flooded volcanic fumarole is actually boiling!) Temperatures along the edges of the lake, which you can reach via an 8-mile round-trip hike, range between 180 and 197 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking for more adventure, the park is also just 15 minutes from Dominica’s best canyoneering experience. Hike through the lush forests and cavernous canyons of the wild Roseau Valley, where you’ll get to learn about Dominica’s incredible biodiversity and rappel alongside a 270-foot waterfall (one of the highest in the country).

Originally written by RootsRated for Craghoppers.

Featured image provided by heatherandchris