In the Caribbean, relaxing and beaches and swimming in surf is a trademark of any visit. And yet when calling at our favorite islands, taking a hike – which can range from strenuous activity to peaceful strolling depending on the park – is a wonderful way to commune with nature and experience a wilder side.
Did you know that rainforests abound in the region? In fact, rainforests (not to mention volcanoes) set the stage for our favorite hikes in places like Nevis, Puerto Rico, Dominica , Tobago and more.
We’ve chosen four of our favorite islands on which to hike (please share yours with us in the comments below). In every case, Windstar offers organized shore excursions and you can also customize your own experiences. Here’s our list of the best hikes we’ve tried in the region.
In Nevis, climb up a stratovolcano
Rising some 3,230 feet, Nevis Peak shows little volcanic activity but offers a wonderful opportunity to see fantastic views of the island’s west coast and of nearby St. Kitts.
What you’ll see: Hikes up to Nevis Peak start from the Mountravers Estate. The 18th century, one-time sugar plantation (now a boutique hotel) is home to wild green monkeys, tree frogs, bamboo palms, and zebra butterflies, among others. Its tropical rainforest is an unexpected area of the stratovolcano and is great for chilling.
Good to know: Listed as moderate in terms of activities, this is still a steep hike, both climbing up – and coming down. Windstar’s organized shore excursion offers a well-deserved post-hike trip to Nevis’ famous Pinney’s Beach for a well-earned lunch and lounge.
Tobago’s Gilpin Trace Trail
In Tobago, a hike through Gilpin Trace, known as a tremendous destination for birding enthusiasts, and the oldest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. Gilpin Trace is located in the UNESCO-listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve.
What you’ll see: The white tailed sabrewing, a hummingbird, was considered extinct before the breed’s was rediscovered in 1974. There are five other species of hummingbirds in the forest. Other birds you’ll see include blue-backed manakins, white-necked jacobins, pale-vented pigeons, rufous-vented chachalacas, and fuscous flycatchers. Flora and fauna along the way is lush, as you’d expect in a rainforest.
Good to know: The hike lasts two hours and Windstar’s destination experts label it as “strenuous.” We love that the excursion also includes a drive through Tobago’s villages and towns, where guides discuss history and culture along the way.
In Dominica, hike around Trafalgar Falls
Dominica is known as the Caribbean’s nature island and one of our favorite hikes is an easy stroll in Morne Trois Pitons National Park to see the Trafalgar Falls. There are two waterfalls; the taller one (279 feet) is dubbed Father and the shorter (131 feet) well, yes, is Mother.
What you’ll see: Think of this experience as like visiting an outdoor spa. It’s the greenest rainforest in the Caribbean, and beyond the waterfalls the region holds many enchanting possibilities, like streams, tropical flora and fauna, and birdwatching. Best of all? There are naturally hot and therapeutic sulfur water pools and cool streams where you can sit and soak.
Good to know: Wear your bathing suit underneath your hiking clothes.
El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
El Yunque is back! After 2017’s Hurricane Maria wreaked destruction on the only tropical rainforest on U.S. land, it’s come back strong. This is a place where you can find the solitude and wildlife you’d anticipate in a tropical rainforest and also a spot where adventurous activities abound.
Discover Puerto Rico lets us know that “many believe its name comes from the Taíno word Yuke, or “white earth,” a reference to the clouds that gather around the forest’s mountainous peak; others believe it derives from Yúcahu, the Taíno deity of fertility.
What you’ll see: On the El Yunque “Eco Wonder Tour” you’ll see more than 240 species of wildlife and plants, along with streams, waterfalls, and hiking trails that range from easy to more strenuous. There are a number of panoramic vistas, as well.
Good to know: Because many Caribbean itineraries use San Juan as a port of embarkation/disembarkation, this tour is more commonly offered as a final day experience that then delivers guests to airport or post-cruise hotels.
