With mild tropical weather, azure blue skies competing with the shades of blue of the seas around, a region rich in biodiversity, Caribbean has all that which matters for water sports activities. And no wonder that there are so many options that tourists have to make repeat visits just to experience them all. Here are some of the activities that the countries in the region offer to tourists.

With a varied landscape, ranging from almost sea level to high mountains reaching up to 2000 m or more, the Caribbean is also blessed with a varied marinescape as its seas come with their own peculiarities in terms of geology as well as biodiversity. But there a few common points shared by all the Caribbean countries. Crystal clear waters that sport all the shades of blue imaginable and then some more as well as guaranteed 200 days or more of azure blue skies with nary a cloud in sight.

The moderate climate here makes it idyllic for tourists to explore different activities here, especially for water sports, from scuba diving or snorkeling on biodiversity-rich reefs to deep sea fishing and catamaran sailing. Here are some of the activities that an enthusiast can indulge in.

Open sea fishing in Dominican Republic

Live the life of a fisherman. For those wanting to experience how marine fishermen live, high seas fishing is perhaps the best way to explore and there are few other spots that offer this experience the way Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic does. It is one of the best places in the world to practice sport fishing in areas of great fauna such as Cabeza de Toro and Cap Cana. Lovers of this activity find on the high seas a wide variety of species of large fish. Fishing enthusiasts are advised to release back the fish that they do not wish to eat.

Several tour operators offer visitors the chance to enjoy fishing on special boats, with drinks service, designed for the safety of passengers of all ages. Also, for those who do not have much experience, some trainers help make fishing a success.

Swimming with whale sharks in Mexico

For those looking for some adrenaline pumping while out in the water, there is perhaps little that can compete with the sighting of largest or most dangerous inhabitants of the seas like whales or sharks and there is perhaps nothing more adventurous than something which combines both, whales and sharks. And this is where the idyllic beach resort of Cancun in Mexico comes up trumps.

There is nothing more magical than plunging into the deep blue waters off the coast of Cancun and coming face to face with the largest fish in the sea. They may be massive but whale sharks are gentle giants feeding on plankton. Their mouths are huge, but they couldn’t swallow you if they tried. Whale sharks seem to move at a lumbering pace, but keeping up to them is another story. Whale sharks actually swim very fast so be prepared to swim hard to keep pace.

Diving in Aruba

Scuba diving has gained on immense popularity in the past decade or so and is set to boom even more as the millennials and the Gen Z travellers develop a taste for them. While diving is now available in many countries around the world, for the enthusiasts, few places can match up to what Aruba offers.

The island has countless tours to enjoy the magnificent reefs of the area aboard comfortable boats with divemasters certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). The most recommended reefs for diving are Mangel Halto, Boca Catalina, and Reef Santana, mainly. These sites have an impressive ecosystem full of species such as anemones and sponges which coexist with an immense amount of animal species, such as sharks, barracudas, green eels, and octopus, to mention a few.

Boca Catalina is a paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts due to its calm and shallow waters that allow visitors to enjoy the biodiversity that inhabits the coral area. In Arrecife Santana, diving is not recommended for beginners due to the strong currents of the area. Here, experts enjoy watching a lot of species from the open sea and it is recommended to reach Baby Beach, where this experience can be memorable, especially if divers are lucky enough to find the remains of a sunken boat.

Kayaking in Puerto Rico

The American territory of Puerto Rico offers one of the best kayaking experiences in the Caribbean, as it is an island where there are perfect places to enjoy with the family. Balneario de Vega Baja is one of the best examples because it is a place of calm waters where people can enjoy a day of sun and adventures aboard kayaks. Another is Toa Baja, which consists of a long coastline with artificial breakwaters that allow visitors to get rid of the strong waves and swim or kayak with the greatest safety possible.

Another highly recommended spot is Isla Verde Carolina Beach, one of the favorite tourist areas. It is also perfect for kayaking or jet skiing due to its calm water, allowing families to live together in a safe and fun space. On its white sand beach, families enjoy days of sun and fun such as kite surfing, paddle surfing, volleyball, and soccer, among other activities.

But it’s not just the beaches that are good for kayaking in Puerto Rico. Visitors can also practice it in Bosque Aguirre Guayama, a lush, government-protected area, with a kayak pier. The tour goes through wonderful mangroves. There’s also a camping area with facilities such as showers, toilets, and rustic palapas for eating.

Go sailing in Jamaica

Jamaica is famous for reggae, its sprinters, Blue Mountain coffee, rum and much more. Going sailing in Jamaican waters is yet another experience that most visitors should have as it offers an extraordinary experience. The most popular routes are through the Cascades of Dunn’s River Falls and among the Montego Bay area where travelers can snorkel to enjoy the reefs, swim among a host of tropical fish, and have fun jumping on trampolines.

Jamaica’s tour operators offer safe and comfortable boats with snorkeling equipment, bathroom facilities, outdoor and indoor seatings, and a crew of expert guides. In addition, these boats can also hold parties with family or friends to dance to great Caribbean music.

Another of the most popular routes is the one taken in Margaritaville that sails along the coast of Negril where tourists can also dive on coral reefs and meet green turtles and rays. This service includes a bar service on board and transfers the tourists to their hotels.