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The best Caribbean islands for families

Explore the breathtaking Caribbean islands and create wonderful family memories on a P&O Cruises holiday

4 min 14 Dec 2023

Editorial Team

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Whizz through rainforests on a Sky Safari Tours’ zipline adventure in St Kitts, discover the history of Dominica in the capital Roseau and sample truly mouth-watering local chocolate in Grenada, all while getting to the heart of each colourful island.

St Kitts, the firendly isle

St Kitts is a friendly little isle and a joy to explore for the whole family. Take in the brilliant UNESCO World Heritage Brimstone Hill Fortress, a real British military citadel with Napoleonic-era cannons, as well as the stone remains of the Wingfield Estate and the colourful Caribelle Batik (fabric art) at nearby Romney Manor. For those family members looking for a little more adventure, try the Sky Safari Tours’ zipline adventure and whizz through the green rainforest. Or explore more of the island by bike, jeep, catamaran or kayak.

Another unique way to explore this amazing island is to hop aboard the charming St. Kitts Scenic Railway. Travel back in time and learn how this old sugar train route once delivered sugar cane from the fields to the sugar mill in the island’s capital, Basseterre. Your little ones will enjoy a memorable journey around the island and experience beautiful views over the coastline, lush vegetation, old sugar cane estates and the Brimstone Hill Fortress.

When tummies rumble, head for the Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden, which boasts a fabulous restaurant, or drive to the quieter north side of the island for lunch at farm-to-table Kittitian Hill. After, experienced travel writer Cheryl Markosky recommends a visit to local artist Kate Spencer’s gallery for a taste of Caribbean art as a final bit of local culture.

View cruises to St Kitts here.

The adventurers can enjoy a thrilling zipline experience

Grenada, the Caribbean gem

Grenada is a Caribbean gem that offers a unique holiday full of adventure. Head to one of the many family-friendly beaches like Morne Rouge or explore Grenada’s capital and cruise port, St George’s, which is considered one of the prettiest harbours to sail into. Horseshoe-shaped, set in a volcanic crater and flanked by two forts with colourful French colonial-style buildings along the waterfront, it’s the perfect introduction to this beautiful island.

Feel like Willy Wonka for the day and tour the Grenada Chocolate Company. Fun for all the family, learn more about how chocolate is made from tree to bar and what makes it so incredible. Plus, you’ll get to try some scrumptious samples – what could be better? Don’t forget to stop off at the gift shop to snap up a few chocolate bars to take home.

For the older, more adventurous kids, trek into the rainforest to the Seven Sisters Waterfalls, which can be done on the Hike to Seven Sisters shore experience. After a short photo stop at the Grand Etang Lake, you’ll wind your way through the rainforest on the way to your destination, where two tiers of water flow from above down into pools. If you’re feeling hot from the hike, cool off with an invigorating swim in the fresh water.

View cruises to Grenada here.

Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Grenada

Dominica, the natural beauty

Home to breathtaking natural beauty with waterfalls, forests and gorges, Dominica may not spring to your mind as a family holiday destination but this wonderful place is perfect for making memories and comes highly recommended by experienced traveller Norman Miller. Discover the cultural history of the island in the capital Roseau with its 18th-century Creole buildings, Old Market that was once used for slaves, and the stone Catholic cathedral, Anglican Communion. Plus, if you and your family are looking for more information, visit the Dominica Museum, which provides an overview of the history of Dominica and its people.

If your family is full of nature lovers, check out Cabrits National Park, located near Portsmouth, the second-largest town. It occupies over 1,300 acres and protects tropical forests, coral reefs and wetlands, and is nestled between a pair of low-rising peaks, and extinct volcanoes. Maybe whale watching is more your family’s style and is a must as the island’s sheltered bays are the perfect haven for the sperm whales to breed and calve. They’re a great way to teach your little ones more about these magnificent creatures and, even if you don’t get to see whales, there are plenty of playful dolphins that usually tag along in the boat’s wake.

Be transported into nature with a scenic boat tour up the Indian River, one of 365 rivers on the island. Experienced skippers will take you silently down the river, past the spectacular Bwa Mang trees, wildlife and beautiful plants. Not only is it a wonderful way to take in the scenic beauty and wildlife, but you can also point out to the kids that parts of Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed on the river. What a wonderful way to spend time as a family!