Aruba is a Dutch Caribbean island known for its pristine beaches, clear blue waters, and year-round sunshine. It offers a mix of outdoor activities like golf, windsurfing, snorkeling, and diving, alongside unique natural features such as divi-divi trees and the rugged landscapes of Arikok National Park. The capital, Oranjestad, blends history and modern attractions with colonial architecture, cultural sites, shopping, dining, and nightlife. Aruba’s diverse heritage—spanning indigenous, European, African, and Asian influences—is especially reflected in its vibrant, locally driven culinary scene.

In Dutch, Kralendijk means “coral dike.” As soon as you peek through your snorkeling mask off the shores of this main port of Bonaire, you’ll know the name fits. Paddle a kayak, peer down from a glass-bottom boat or dive right in the crystalline waters to join the radiant parade below. Surrounding the island is miles of protected reefs, while the island’s interior offers equal delights, including the desert landscapes of divi-divi trees and cacti at Washington Slagbaai National Park. History buffs will want to check out the 7,000 years of island history on display in the Terramar Museum or the artifacts, plantation tools and saltwater aquarium at the Museum of Natural History.

With a day at sea, enjoy the unique opportunity to unplug and relax into the unhurried life on board. Enjoy a workout with a view at the gym, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, watch the sky transform at sunset from The Observation Lounge, or find an intimate alcove in The Living Room and lose yourself in a favorite book.

A rich maritime heritage and ruggedly scenic seascapes welcome sailors and other visitors to Antigua’s southern coast. Falmouth Harbor is one of Antigua’s great natural anchorages, home to a laid-back coastal village and a modern marina designed for super yachts. Just a mile away is historic English Harbor, an important 18th-century base for the British Royal Navy. On this same bay, Nelson’s Dockyard – named after the legendary admiral – is a historic complex of restored Caribbean-Georgian architecture that today holds shops, restaurants and more. The surrounding highlands are dotted with colonial-era forts and strategic lookouts. Falmouth Harbor is a wonderful base for exploring the rest of Antigua, from its many beaches to the capital city of St. John’s on the northwest coast.

With some of the most celebrated beaches in the Caribbean, Anguilla has the added bonus of being off the beaten path, with plenty of room to relax on the soft sands of Sandy Ground. The protected cove offers tranquil, crystalline waters and a long stretch of beach, where you can spend the day swimming, lounging in the sun and sipping the island’s famous rum punch. It won’t take much more than 20 minutes to get to the tiny island’s other main attractions, from the luxury resorts and golf courses to the Wallblake House, Anguilla’s only remaining plantation home. On a kayaking adventure in a glass-bottom boat, you can explore secluded bays, limestone cliffs and sea caves, with stops along the way to snorkel in the vibrant coral reefs. 

Dramatic geology, unspoiled landscapes, quiet coves and gorgeous beaches are all part of Virgin Gorda’s appeal. Along the western ridge of the plump middle is Gorda Peak National Park, whose trails deliver stunning panoramic views. At the island’s southernmost tip is its most famous landmark, the Baths. Here massive granite boulders form tidal pools, grottoes and arches, and separate the white sands of Devil’s Bay and Spring Bay beaches. Spanish Town and Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour are laid-back centers of commercial and maritime activity. For a taste of local history, visit the clifftop ruins of a copper mine or Little Fort National Park, now a nature preserve. As the island stretches north, its roads end. The most exclusive resorts, restaurants and private homes are only reachable by boat, including the scenic, sheltered North Sound, popular for watersports.

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is an intriguing blend of the old and the new. Founded in 1521, the city was a key port in the Spanish colonial empire, as evidenced by El Morro, the huge fortress that guards the harbor. Behind thick stone walls, Old San Juan retains its original character of blue cobblestone streets, elegant plazas and brightly colored heritage architecture. This lively center is the city’s – and island’s – cultural hub for museums, music, dining and more. The nearby Santurce district has emerged as the city’s hippest, with unique shops, cutting-edge restaurants and trendy nightlife. Just minutes from the heart of San Juan are the iconic beaches of the Condado and Isla Verde, whose stretches of palm-fringed sands are lapped by the azure waves of the Atlantic.