Why you should consider a Caribbean Beach break during coronavirus

Travel has been looking a little different lately, and change is happening, but unfortunately much more slowly than many of us would like! Many of you have been making the most of UK staycation this year but are desperate to return to the skies and continue visiting and making memories in amazing destinations across the globe.

caribbean holidays

The Caribbean has long been a favourite of UK holiday makers but during coronavirus Caribbean resorts’ ability to be self-contained is really appealing to travellers. Additionally, many Caribbean destinations are now on the UK’s Green list or Green Watch List and now that fully vaccinated UK residents no longer must quarantine when returning from Amber List countries, UK holiday makers can now enjoy quarantine free Caribbean holidays!

From the ever-beautiful Barbados and the tropical and turquoise shores of the Turks and Caicos Islands to the calm and stunning waters of Antigua and Barbuda, there is no Caribbean destination you won’t love and treasure for your holiday!

The stunning Antigua and Barbuda is home to one of the most loved beaches in the Caribbean, Dickenson’s Bay, where you will find calm and gentle blue waters, perfectly golden sand, and the amazing adult-only, All-Inclusive Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa. This world-renowned resort is centred around couples and makes for an excellent honeymoon destination! With 11 gourmet dining venues, a large multitude of pools and the ability to take part in a variety of water sports from catamaran tours to PADI diving excursions, there is not a moment you won’t love at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa. Also, all Sandals resorts are also offering in-resort complementary Covid-19 testing for your return to the UK to make your holiday as seamless as possible!

caribbean holidays

When in Antigua and Barbuda travellers can easily be swept away by the beauty of the beaches and forget to explore the island – when visiting the island, I hired a car and drove to the UNESCO certified site Nelson’s Dockyard National Park where you can see how Caribbean docks in the 18th century operated, as this is the only 18th c. Dockyard in the world still in operation! Another great day out if you choose to hire a car (which I highly recommend doing even if just for a few days) was Devil’s Bridge: Indian Town National Park. This is a beautifully dramatic section of the northeast coast that the ocean has sculpted over thousands of years, and if there is hightide you will see the water being pushed through blowholes in the rock to form geysers! There are plenty of hikes at Devil’s Bridge: Indian Town National Park but you can also just look out over the dramatic landscape!

Those travelling with children will want to ensure their resort is family friendly and offers just as much fun for the adults as the children! Barbados is the perfect Caribbean Island to visit for those travelling with younger children, and one of the most beautiful hotels in Barbados that caters for all is Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels.

Similar to Sandals, Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels is an All-Inclusive hotel but instead of simply catering to adults this resort accommodates guests of all ages, so it is perfect for a family get away! Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels is located on the south coast of Barbados and the spacious and impressive rooms look out over the beautiful Caribbean Sea. When I said this resort was child-friendly I was not exaggerating: children will be treated to their own pool, excellent child-friendly organised activities with dedicated team members, a complimentary kids club for those aged 3-12 and an on-resort ice-cream parlour for them to go nuts in! Of course, there is also plenty going on to keep the adults entertained: from catamaran trips, Hobie Cat sailing, three different restaurants including the beach front Sand Trap where you can sample a variety of local flavours, and food and the hotel is just minutes away from the vibrant St. Lawrence’s Gap – an area filled with night clubs, restaurants, bars and so much more!

caribbean holidays

The hotel is sat upon a beautiful white sandy beach where you can relax, sip on cocktails or paddle in the crystal-clear ocean. If you want to head out for the day, visiting the UNESCO certified historic Barbados town, Bridgetown, is a great place to browse through the colourful stores in Broad Street and Swan Street and sample a variety of clothing, jewellery, shoes and local fruits and vegetables that make the perfect Barbados souvenirs (not the fruits and veg though – you have to taste them right there and then for the ultimate Caribbean freshness you won’t be able to get enough of!). Keen explorers will also want to head to Harrison’s Cave – here you will see signature cave features such as stalagmites and stalactites up-close, but also this unique cave can be explored on foot and by tram to see the stunning geological features throughout this natural wonder! Again, to see the island to its fullest hiring a car is a great idea and I have always found it seamless. Though organised tour excursions also are available if you prefer!

Beaches Turks and Caicos is another incredible All-Inclusive family holiday destination that will offer you relaxation, turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, fine dining, and hours of fun for all the family. Beaches Turks and Caicos likes to adopt the moto of “more is more” and in this case, it really is! The resort is split up into 4 sections: The Seaside Village, the French Village, the Italian Village, and the Key West Village each with their own unique style, décor, pools and restaurants! Beaches is THE place for families and Beaches Turks and Caicos have their very own kids water park “Pirate Island”, lazy river, Sesame Street activities for younger children, kids club, games room, surf simulator, and under 21s are even treated to their very own night club “liquid” where they can party with their new-found friends long after the sun goes down!

caribbean holidays

With 22 fabulous restaurants, a resort spa, gym facilities, 10 pools, 15 lounges and bars, an Xbox 360 games room, a retail village with high-end designs and 12 miles of pristine turquoise coastline you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding what to do on your Beaches Turks and Caicos holiday!

As a big fan of Italian food, 2 personal favourite restaurants of mine were Giuseppe’s and Bella Napoli Pizzeria as they served amazing Italian dishes in a cool, authentic Italian restaurant setting! Another much loved restaurant at the resort when visiting was Schooner’s – they serve fresh Caribbean seafood with a sensational view of Grace Bay Beach. Though keep in mind that many of the restaurants have smarter dress codes for dinner reservations, so be sure to pack plenty of smart outfits as well as your beloved bikinis and trunks! 

Currently, Caribbean Islands require “fit to fly” certificates (a COVID-19 PCR test) for international travellers and conditions are constantly changing, so be sure to check with your travel agent before flying about the UK’s and your Caribbean destination’s travel requirements. At Charter Travel, our Caribbean experts can help you make your Caribbean holiday choices to ensure you have a seamless and relaxing holiday, simply call 01635 551011 to speak to our expert Caribbean travel advisors today!