Professor Beach Blog » Caribbean

Professor Beach visits Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts

Professor Beach — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:45:26 +0000

Brimstone Hill Fortress in St Kitts in the North Eastern Caribbean.

Professor Beach Visits Frigate Bay Beach

St Kitts Collage

St. Kitts Beach

A view from St Kitts with Statia in the background

Tour the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis

Professor Beach visits Shoal Bay in Anguilla

Professor Beach — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:54:54 +0000

Shoal Bay in in the Northeast area of Anguilla on the Atlantic Ocean

More Info on Shoal Bay Anguilla

http://www.squidoo.com/shoalbay

View from my room at the Ku Resort in Shoal Bay

Street scene Ku Market sign in Anguilla

Check out www.ShoalBayBlog.com for even more from Professor Beach!

Anguilla – Tranquility in the Caribbean

professorbeach — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:20:41 +0000

I just returned back to the states from 10 days in Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis – what a great trip and great islands!

If you are looking for a more exclusive and private beaches, Anguilla is the place! The white sand beaches and turquoise water, as well as beautiful weather year round with temperatures ranging between 80-86 degree, make this a great place to visit. Uncrowded beaches, water sports and a spectacular coral reef are just a few reasons to visit for relaxing and unwinding.

The best activities to take part in are scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, charter boats and water sports. One can also take day trips to St. Maarten and St. Barts. There are more then 80 species of birds, so bird watching is another great activity. Other land activities include hiking, bike riding and horseback riding.

Anguilla is a British overseas territory, one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla which is approximately 26 km (16 miles) long by 5 km (3 miles) wide at its widest point. If you are seeking a special, romantic getaway on a small island, gifted with 33 of the best beaches in the Caribbean, this could be the island you are looking for.

Yes, there are 33 beaches, each one super in their own way. They range from the really serene Little Harbor to the wild Windward Bay, from the popular East Shoal Bay & Rendezvous Bay. And don’t forget Maunday’s Bay, Shoal Bay West and Cove Bay for starters.

You can view my photos and see more videos in a new blog about my visit to Shoal Bay

It was fun meeting Bankie Banx. He is Anguilla’s reggae star and local real estate mogul. I met Bankie at the Dune Preserve in Rendezvous Bay.

We have heard that the rich and famous go to other Caribbean islands when they want to be seen, but they go to Anguilla to hide & disappear. You do not have to be rich and famous to vacation here.

Interesting – there are no chain stores or restaurants here – no franchises are allowed. This is a 100% genuine, tropical Caribbean island getaway. The shopping here is not great, but if shopping is on your agenda, a 20 minute ferry ride to St.Martin/St. Marteen is worth the ride.

Click on these links below to get more info:

Anguilla Tourist Board

Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website for more information on Maundays Bay

Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website for more information on Shoal Bay

Professor Beach’s New Squidoo Lens about Shoal Bay in Anguilla – West Indies

2008 Music Festival in Oranjestad, Aruba

professorbeach — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:28:10 +0000

REO Speedwagon & Gloria Estefan will be performing at the 7th Annual Aruba Music Festival in Oranjestad.

The 2008 Music Festival is coming up October 10 & 11th

Aruba is among the most southern of the Lesser Antilles islands. It’s about 15 miles (24 km) from the coast of Venezuela. On a clear day the Venezuelan mainland is visible from the southeastern coast of Aruba. It’s about 42 miles (67 km), or 20 minutes by airplane, to the nearest Caribbean neighbor, Curacao.

The island has a jagged coast & heavy surf on our north, windward side. On the southern, leeward coast there approx seven miles (11 km) of honey-colored sand beaches. Aruba is about five miles (8 km) at it widest point and 19 miles (30 km) in length.

Aruba attracts some one million visitors and cruise passengers per year, most from North America and nearby Venezuela, and it ranks as one of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation spots. There are miles of beaches; some quiet beaches & some beaches with stiff winds & a choppy surf. Of course you will find many 1st class resorts, gambling casinos, shopping, and dozens of opportunities for fine dining

Oranjestad is the capital city. It is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island. It is extremely colorful with its Dutch colonial architecture and pastels. Along the wharf, you can find merchants selling fresh fish and produce right off the boats every morning. The downtown area with shopping malls surrounding it is the primary shopping area on the island.

Visitors looking for beautiful beaches, glamour, glitz & plenty to do, choose Aruba. Make sure to visit the Natural Pool, the Natural Bridge and the Quadiriki Caves while you are visiting Aruba.

Official Site of Aruba Tourism Authority

Click here for more information on Oranjestad from Professor Beach’s website where you will find photos, maps and airport info.

Diving in the Cayman Islands

professorbeach — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:36:19 +0000

The Cayman Islands are an outstanding choice for couples or families looking for a fabulous vacation. The Cayman Islands consist of 3 islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. This group of islands is located in Caribbean Sea, approx 150 miles (240 km) south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica. The Cayman Islands are located approx 20 degrees north of the Equator. This results in nice temperatures year-round. The coolest month in the Cayman Islands is February and the warmest month is July.

Winter (Dec-April) is the peak tourist season. This is when hotel rates are usually higher and the beaches and lodgings are more crowded. The winter temperatures average 75°F (23.9°C) during the day and 68°F (20°C) during the night & humidity is at its lowest. Summer is great time to visit if you are looking for a bargain. The weather is hot, but accommodations are less expensive (approx 40% ) and the crowds are much thinner. There is more rain in summer but it tends to clear quickly. During the summer, temperatures average 83°F (28.3°C). Rainfall is highest from middle of May to October, but the frequent showers clear as quickly as they arrive. Remember though, summer is also hurricane season.

Grand Cayman is approx 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point. Grand Cayman is approx 90 miles south of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are approx 5 miles apart.

Cayman Brac is approx 12 miles long and 1 mile at its widest spot. Cayman Brac has the highest point in all of the Islands with the impressive “Bluff” that rises 140 feet out of the sea.

The smallest island is Little Cayman. This island has a population somewhere around 150 people.

This illustration is not to scale. Little Cayman & Cayman Brac are much further north and east of Grand Cayman.

This map puts the islands into better perspective

If you are a beach lover, you have many choices on Grand Cayman – Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Public Beach, Spotts Beach, Smith Cove, West Bay Public Beach, Cemetery Beach, Rum Point, East End Public Beach, Cayman Kai and Heritage Beach.

Depending on your likes, there are many places of interest on Grand Cayman:

Boatswain’s Beach (Cayman Turtle Farm)
National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
Pedro St. James Castle
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
Wreck of the Ten Sails Park

There is public minibus service on Grand Cayman but I suggest renting a car. This is the best way to explore the island. Motorcycles and scooters are also available on all three islands. Traffic moves slow and driving is on the left.

Taxi are readily available on Grand Cayman, though they become fewer the further you get from George Town. Taxis are not available on Little Cayman or Cayman Brac, however, many hotels offer shuttle services to guests.

Surprisingly enough, there isn’t a ferry service from Grand Cayman to either of the sister islands. There are many private boat operators that will shuttle you between Cayman Brac and Little Cayman for a fee.If you don’t want to charter a private boat, the only way to get from Grand Cayman to the sister islands is by air. Cayman Express and Cayman Airways offer regular service from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman is less than 3km (2mi) south of George Town. Taxis are abundant for the trip into town. Gerrard-Smith International Airport is located at the western end of Cayman Brac. On Little Cayman, Edward Bodden Airfield is located just west of South Town, on the southwestern coast. These 2 sister islands do not offer an airport taxi service, but the hotels will be happy to pick you up.

The Cayman Islands are noted for diving. If diving is your pleasure, check out these links:

http://www.divecayman.ky/

http://www.cayman.org/scuba.htm

http://www.petermilburndivecayman.com/index.htm

http://www.paradise-divers.com/

http://www.donfosters.com/index.html

Before you book your trip, take a peek at the links below for more info on the Cayman Islands where you can visit Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website!

Click here for Grand Cayman

Click here for Little Cayman

Click here for Cayman Brac

Barbados the Islands

professorbeach — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:20:36 +0000

Barbados is located in the Caribbean in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela. The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.The capital is in historic Bridgetown, is one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean.

There is much to see and do in the Barbados. You can easily rent a car or take one of the guided bus tours. If you choose to rent a car in the Barbados, the roads meander and are often unmarked, so don’t get frustrated if you get lost – seems like everybody does! If you make a wrong turn, consider it part of the adventure of touring Barbados. You might want to pick up any of the several free maps available everywhere. The locals are usually very helpful in getting you to your destination. They will do their best to try to steer you the right way, even if the directions seem a bit skewed. But not to worry, you will get there eventually.

The prime resort area with its beautiful beaches can be found on the West coast. Here you will find some small towns with a wide selection of restaurants, accommodations and duty-free shopping.

The southern end of the island is the hub of the island’s nightlife with St. Lawrence Gap as the center of activity. You will find a variety of restaurants, accommodations, duty-free shopping and action-filled beaches during the day. Here you can visit the nature & wildlife reserve and/or the rum distillery.

On the east Coast, with the Atlantic coastline with its crashing waves and empty beaches, this is the quieter part of the island, though very popular with island tours. In the rugged area of the Scotland District, you can find spectacular rock formations – this is a photographers dream. A trip on one of the island’s Safari Tours will ensure that you will see it all. This area is especially known for its relaxing accommodations and restaurants.

In the northern part of the island you will find secluded coves, a wildlife reserve, weathered cliffs, pounding surfs, breathtaking viewsand sleepy fishing villages. This northern section is also the least developed part of Barbados.

In the central part of the island, you will find a great experience for lovers of natural beauty, who want to see an array of botanical wonders, gullies and cane fields. You can go underground by electric tram and see some of the most beautiful caves found anywhere, or soar sky-high over the tree tops for a bird’s eye helicopter view of the shores and countryside.

You can sail along the tranquil waters on a day or night cruise, touring the lovely coastline and witnessing the beautiful sea life. It’s fun to swim with the sea turtles or snorkel on a coral reef. You might just want to lay on one of the many palm-fringed, coral sand beaches and relax!

There are some upcoming festivals yet to come in 2008.

The Taste of Barbados Food Festival starts October 3rd and runs through October 11th.
2008 Virgin Atlantic Music Festival Barbados starts October 30 and runs through November 8th.

More links to visit if you are thinking about a trip to the Barbados:
Official website of the Barbados Tourism Authority.

Fun in Barbados

Barbados Government

Grantley Adams International Airport

Transportion on the island is good, with ‘route taxis’, travelling to most points on the island. These small buses can at times be crowded, but will usually take the more scenic routes to destinations. They typically depart from the capital Bridgetown or from Speightstown in the northern part of the island.

There is also a helicopter shuttle service, which offers air taxi services to a number of sites around the island, mainly on the West Coast tourist belt. Air and water traffic is regulated by the Barbados Port Authority. More information regarding the Port at Bridgetown can be found here: The Port of Bridgetown.

Visit Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website for more information! You will find maps, photos, chamber of commerce info, airport info and more. Just click on each link below.

Click here to visit Bridgetown

Click here to visit Bushy Park

Click here to visit Holetown

Click here to visit Oistins

Click here to visit Speightstown

Click here to visit St. Lawrence Gap