Best Caribbean shore excursions

Whether your ideal cruise vacation involves lounging, exploring or learning something new, there's a Caribbean shore excursion designed to help you find your bliss. In a year-round destination like the Caribbean, most of the fun revolves around the sun, sand and sea. History, culture and food also top the lists of excursions available in the region.

You might be surprised by how many Caribbean islands have interesting geological features not found anywhere else in the world. Shore excursions offer plenty of adventurous ways to explore these attractions, from caves to volcanoes.

In our quest for the best Caribbean shore excursions, our goal was not to find the most popular tours but the experiences and attractions that make a destination stand out. Let's jump in with a look at our favorite tours.

Prices vary among third-party sellers and from cruise line to cruise line. To account for that, we are using the following price key to provide an idea of the costs to expect for each tour.

• $ = $0-$50
• $$ = $51-$99
• $$$ = $100-$199
• $$$$ = $200-$499
• $$$$$ = $500 and up

Best Eastern Caribbean shore excursions

Virgin Gorda and The Baths, Tortola

You can visit many gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean, but The Baths is about as unique as they come in terms of pure scenic beauty. The beach features giant boulders and stone formations that create hidden pocket beaches and spots where the sand and water rush in and out. Be prepared to climb large rocks and negotiate ladders along the trail between Devil's Bay and The Baths.

This area is part of the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands. To get there, you'll take a 45-minute boat ride from Tortola to nearby Virgin Gorda.

• 4 1/2 hours, challenging, $$$

Related: Caribbean cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

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Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure, Puerto Rico

This excursion out of San Juan starts at dusk and finishes well after dark. You'll travel by van to the eastern edge of the island to a beach near a bioluminescent bay. After receiving brief kayaking instructions, life vests and lights, you'll set off through the mangroves and into a small, sheltered bay. Every stroke of your oars sets off sparks of light in the water as you stir the tiny glowing organisms.

Availability is limited to cruises that stay in port overnight in San Juan or pre- or postcruise stays. Still, this excursion made our list because it is simply not something you can do in many places in the world. Kayaking in the mangroves in the dark was one of the coolest things I've ever done, and the bioluminescence was an incredible extra bonus.

• Six hours, moderate, $$$

America's Cup 12-Meter Regatta, St. Maarten

Are you up for a yacht race? You don't need any experience sailing to participate. You can simply go along for the ride or, with some instruction, help sail the boat as you race to the finish. It's possible to hop on a sailboat and cruise around sipping fruity drinks on any island in the Caribbean. What you cannot do everywhere is help sail the boat or participate in a race. St. Maarten is known for sailing — why not join the fun?

• 2 1/2 hours, easy to challenging, $$$

National Park Snorkeling Excursion to St. John, St. Thomas

This excursion simplifies the complicated process of getting from the cruise pier on St. Thomas to the island of St. John, home of the Virgin Islands National Park. You'll get to see a bit of St. Thomas on the way to the boat dock, then enjoy a beautiful boat ride before your snorkeling begins. This spot boasts some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean because the park encompasses more than 18,000 acres of submerged land; it includes 45 species of hard coral, 400 species of reef-associated fish and 17 documented species of whales and dolphins.

• 3 1/2 hours, easy to moderate, $$

Related: Best Caribbean cruise tips to help you make the most of your time aboard and ashore

Montserrat Volcano Flightseeing, Antigua

Helicopter flightseeing is a popular shore excursion in other destinations, but it's not something you'll find in most of the Caribbean. This flight offers the opportunity to see a still-active volcano from the air and experience the beauty of the islands from a unique perspective. You might also spot sea life like whales, dolphins and turtles below as you fly between the islands.

• Two hours, easy, $$$$$

Best Western Caribbean shore excursions

Blue Hole and Konoko Falls, Jamaica

Waterfall excursions are a big deal in Jamaica, with multiple excursions featuring the often overcrowded Dunn's River Falls. This tour from Ocho Rios takes you off the beaten path to two slightly less crowded sets of falls. Blue Hole is an idyllic waterfall-fed swimming hole where more daring visitors can jump from heights into the pool below. Konoko Falls is within a botanical garden featuring parrots, crocodiles and tropical birds found on the island. Here, you can climb to the top of the falls for a better look and enjoy a swim in natural pools.

• 4 1/2 hours, moderate, $$$

Flavors of Jamaica

Jerk chicken is one of the Caribbean's best-known dishes. Finding an excursion that allows you to experience it firsthand with a cooking class that teaches you about the flavors and culture of Jamaica is possible in most Jamaican ports. Most tours have you cooking your own lunch under the tutelage of a Jamaican chef. In Ocho Rios, a visit to a Jamaican estate house is a bonus.

• Three hours, easy, $$$

Related: Eastern Caribbean vs. Western Caribbean cruises: Which itinerary will I like more?

Xocolati — The Chocolate Experience, Roatan

You might think you know chocolate, but Mayan chocolate is a palate-pleaser not well-known around the globe. This excursion from Roatan, Honduras, allows you to learn and taste how chocolate fits into the Mayan culture. Part cultural education, part Honduran traditional lunch, this tour is a delightful option for Roatan cruisers eager to skip the sun and sand to experience a local meal.

• Three hours, easy, $$

Cave Tubing, Belize

Cave tubing is the only super popular excursion that made the list. Belize is well known for cave tubing, and we didn't want you to miss out. The drive through the jungle to get to the caves is half the fun of the excursion. Upon arrival, and after a safety briefing, you'll quickly get cool and wet floating through a tunnel of limestone. You'll want a waterproof camera for this one.

• 5 1/2 hours, moderate, $$

Discover Scuba Diving From Shore, Grand Cayman

If you've ever thought of learning to scuba dive, a Discover Scuba course is the way to try it. It doesn't take hours of classes or require loads of money. Plus, if you are going to try it, you might as well try it in one of the best diving locations on the planet. Not to mention, doing it from shore is less intimidating than trying it for the first time from a boat.

Several dive operators set up shop right at the shore within walking distance of the tender docks. You can make your own arrangements with the dive shops in advance to participate in a Discover Scuba class or sign up for a ship's excursion if there is one. You'll learn the basics of breathing through a regulator, then enjoy a guided dive around the reef just offshore (the reason ships anchor offshore at Grand Cayman).

• 2 1/2 hours, challenging, $$$

Save a Sea Turtle Experience, Cozumel

Most cruisers park their sunscreened bodies on a towel in the sand at one of the many beaches in Cozumel, Mexico, but you do have other options. Why not try something as cool as participating in a sea turtle hatching?

When sea turtles hatch, not all of them make it out of the nest and into the sea. This educational excursion allows you to help the little guys that didn't make it out. Under the careful watch of experts, you'll dig in the sand at already-hatched nesting areas. You'll look for hatchlings that can either be helped into the ocean, or retrieved and raised in a sanctuary until they are strong enough for release. Bonus: Tiny baby sea turtles are adorable.

• Four hours, moderate, $$$

Best Southern Caribbean shore excursions

Whale and Dolphin Safari, Dominica

There is exactly one place on the planet with a known resident pod of nonmigrating sperm whales, and it's off the shores of Dominica. During a guided tour, you can see them from a boat that's licensed to seek out both whales and dolphins; sperm whales aren't the only cetaceans that pass through this area. As with any whale-watching tour, there aren't any guarantees, but this one puts you in the right place for sightings.

• 3 1/2 hours, easy, $$

Related: The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler

Cave Snorkeling, Bonaire

Bonaire has dozens of accessible caves, some filled with actively growing stalactites and stalagmites. Most cruise excursions will take you to at least two of them. These tours are not for the faint of heart.

The hardest part is climbing into the caves. Some involve ladders, and others are more challenging. They may require you to don a climbing harness and pick your way down a rock wall with the help of an expert guide.

Once inside the cave, snorkeling allows you to experience the incredible clarity of the water that has filtered through rock crevices to form pools. You might need to take a brief swim through a passage leading to another room in the cavern. If you're up for it, you'll return to the ship with a remarkable story. This is near the top of the list of amazing things I have done.

• Three hours, challenging, $$

Sky Canopy and Aerial Tram, St. Lucia

Many islands offer adventure courses. However, St. Lucia's geography allows visitors the unique chance to experience a true treetop zip line experience among the island's mountain peaks. Begin with a gondola ride into the mountains, ending near the first zip line tower. The lines are interspersed with rope bridges, making the whole course an adventure. Bonus: There's a cold beer waiting for you at the cantina when you finish.

• 4 1/2-5 hours, moderate, $$$

Spice and Waterfall Tour, Grenada

Called the "Isle of Spice," Grenada is the ideal destination for a tour focusing on one of its biggest exports. During the tour, you'll learn all about nutmeg (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer and exporter of the spice), as well as other island-grown spices like pimento, clove and cinnamon. The waterfall portion of the excursion lets you explore Grenada's stunning Annandale waterfall, including a refreshing swim in a cool mountain pool.

• Four hours, easy to moderate, $$

Half-Day Land Rover Safari, Aruba

Some of Aruba's best sites require a 4×4 to get there. The Land Rover option is a bit more comfortable than the ATVs many people choose. You'll visit the famous California Lighthouse and the more picturesque side of the island. On most of these excursions, you'll end up at a beach, so wear your swimsuit and bring a towel.

• 4 1/2 hours, moderate, $$$

Harrison's Cave Exploration, Barbados

A motorized tram takes you through winding tunnels within this active cave (meaning water flows through it). Formed over thousands of years, the limestone cave is home to a remarkable gallery of stalagmites and stalactites, as well as sparkling emerald pools. The cave also features a great hall with a ceiling height of almost 50 feet.

• 3 1/2 hours, easy, $$

Bottom line

Shore excursions in the Caribbean give you the opportunity to explore beyond the pier or even the city where your ship docks. Whether you crave water sports, wildlife or a taste of local food, you can easily find an activity to enhance your time ashore. When your ship stays in port all day (as they often do in the Caribbean), half-day excursions leave you plenty of time for those other cruise basics, like shopping, lounging on the beach and kicking back with a tropical drink.

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