30 Cool Shore Excursions in the Caribbean for Young Couples
The Caribbean is undoubtedly one of the most romantic and inspiring destinations for young couples. Especially if traveling by cruise ship as you immediately have the chance to visit many dream destinations with minimal effort and stress. The only real question once you have booked your cruise is how to make the most of each place? With so many activities and cultures to soak in, it can be tricky to plan an itinerary that covers all your needs. Here, we listed down the 30 top shore excursions in the Caribbean.
We recently took a 7-day cruise through the Caribbean onboard the Splendor of the Sea with Carnival Cruises. We were so lucky to visit the 4 Caribbean Islands during this time. Each one with a multitude of excursions on offer. From walking tours, wildlife spotting, adventurous and adrenaline-inducing activities, and most importantly, romantic and peaceful getaways to secluded beaches. Carnival has many cruise ships. It operates between key destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and the coast of the United States and Mexico. Here is our selection of the 30 top shore excursions in the Caribbean that can be enjoyed by young couples.
Table of Contents
Romantic:
1. Swim at the Dunn’s River Falls
The most famous attraction in Jamaica. This tour will let you climb the 6000-foot tall limestone rock formation as water flows past you. You can also relax in the water pools along the way. Not only that but, you get to enjoy a traditional Jamaican lunch at a local restaurant.
Suggested Tour: Dunn’s River Falls Shore Excursion From All Ports
2. Glass Bottom Undersea Nightlife Cruise
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This excursion would let you experience a lovely night at the Luminous Lagoon. You’ll be riding a glass-bottom boat out on the glowing waters of the Luminous Lagoon and you can choose to jump in for a swim among the harmless phosphorescent phytoplankton.
Suggested Tour: Luminous Lagoon (Glistening Waters) Night Tour
3. Rhythms of the Night
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A theatrical performance by a Mexican contemporary dance group based on ancient civilization. You’d get to learn about the history of Mexico through a pre-Hispanic music and dance show.
Suggested Tour: Music and dance show in Caletas Puerto Vallarta
4. Island Tour
Learn about how both the Dutch and French settled the island in the 17th century in this excursion. The French side is St-Martin and the Dutch side is St Maarten. This tour has a duration of 4.5 hours.
Suggested Tour: St-Martin and St Maarten: Sightseeing Tour of the French and Dutch Sides of the Island
Cultural:
5. Xunantunich Mayan Ruins with Lunch
A half-day horseback ride to Xunantunich ruins from San Ignacio. You don’t need to have a horseback riding experience to do this. Explore the ancient Mayan ruins on foot with a guide, ride through a traditional village and a private organic farm, those are some of the highlights of this tour.
Suggested Tour: Horseback Ride to Xunantunich Maya Ruins Including Traditional Lunch
6. Ancient City of Tulum
This tour will give you a unique and incomparable chance to see Tulum as ancient Mayans did when they sailed into the port. You’d also get the chance to experience a 4-hour Mayan ‘temazcal’ ceremony to learn more about the Mayan culture.
Suggested Tour: Full-day Mayan Adventure: Tulum ancient city and Temazcal Ritual
7. Best of Bonaire
This 3. hour excursion begins with a scenic drive alongside the capital city of Kralendijk. Discover the key landmarks of the island including the salt mines of Cargill, the old slave houses, Goto Lake, and many beaches. Admire the views of beautiful beaches and lush nature during this tour.
Suggested Tour: Bonaire Essentials Island Tour
8. Jungle Buggy and Monkeyland Tour
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Have a wonderful experience on this excursion. Feel the adrenaline of driving your very own 4×4 jungle buggy in the Dominican wilderness. Following that, interact in close proximity with beautiful squirrel monkeys at Monkeyland.
Suggested Tour: Bayahibe/La Romana: 4×4 Buggy and Monkeyland Tour
9. A Flavor of Barbados
A full-day excursion to discover the best of Barbados. It includes sightseeing tours such as the Welchman Hall Gully, Harrison’s Cave, and sea turtle cruise. Get the chance to spot wildlife including green monkeys at Welchman Hall Gully. This tour also includes a delicious Caribbean-style lunch at the Copacabana Beach Club.
Suggested Tour: Best of Barbados Tour
10. Embera Indian Village Experience
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Discover some traditions unique to the Embera Indian Tribe of Panama. Get a glimpse into the lives of the Embera Indian tribe. Seeing their arts and crafts and spending some amongst these fascinating people in their unchanged lifestyle. Not only that but you can also meet the chief of an Embera Indian Village and enjoy a lunch of fish and plantains.
Suggested Tour: Guided Embera Indian Village Tour
11. Explore Don Diego River
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Expect to see a place full of charm, where nature, adventure, and archaeology mingle to give you unforgettable memories. Do a morning hike and an afternoon of relaxing river tubing, this combination will surely give you a wonderful excursion. You can also enjoy a walk of approximately 1 hour through the indigenous terraces and the museum.
Suggested Tour: Tayronaka Ruins & Tubing at Don Diego River
Wildlife:
12. Grand Cayman and Stingray Sandbar Exploration
Explore the magnificent Coral Garden of Grand Cayman, be prepared to see wild stingrays in their natural habitat at Stingray City and swim with colorful tropical fish at Coral Gardens using provided snorkel equipment. You really learn about the biology and behavior of these graceful animals while seeing them in their natural habitat.
Suggested Tour: Stingray City and Snorkel Tour in Grand Cayman
13. Clifton Heritage National Park
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A half-day tour that features an ATV ride to the Clifton Heritage National Park. You’ll have a tutorial on how to operate your ATV. Doing this ATV ride, you’ll learn about the culture of the Bahamas as you see historical villages and plantations, movie filming locations, and stunning underwater sculpture.
Suggested Tour: Clifton Nat’l Park ATV Tour (Beach break, Lunch, Mix Drinks, Rum Cake Souvenir)
Adventure:
14. Atlantis Paradise Island
Never miss the opportunity to enjoy Atlantis Paradise Island. You can observe sea life such as barracudas, stingrays, and sharks. Have access to Atlantis’ white sand beaches and amenities. You’ll have a relaxing yet productive day here.
Suggested Tour: Beachfront Paradise: Day at Atlantis Paradise Island
15. Green Grotto Caves Tour
Wander three-quarters of a mile with a Guide through stunning formations of dripstone as they explain the ecosystem within these coastal limestone caves. The amazing rock formation, its stalactites, stalagmites, and abundance of overhead ceiling pockets, and bats. The tour lasts approximately 5 to 8 hours.
Suggested Tour: Green Grotto Caves Private Tour
16. Adrenaline Zipline Adventure
The Rainforest Adventure Park is reached after a 30-minute drive and features the Tarzan Swing and Tarantula’s Nest between 18 different platforms. After your fill of adrenaline rush-inducing zip lining is a gentle hike back through the forest to the ship docked in St Lucia. This is a 4.5-hour activity.
Suggested Tour: Rainforest Adventures St Lucia Aerial Tram and Zipline Tour (with Transfer*)
17. Gumbalimba Park, Zipline & Beach tour
This tour will give you the knowledge and understanding of Roatan while enjoying the tranquility of Gumbalimba Park. In just a short drive from Gumbalimba, west bay awaits for you, Central America’s number one beach where everyone can enjoy Caribbean music, play up in the white sand beach, go for a long beach walk, swimming, snorkeling, and having lunch under the shade.
Suggested Tour: Gumbalimba Park, zipline & beach
18. Bonaire 2-Tank Scuba Dive
Certified divers can see Bonaire’s Marine Park up close, a protected area of perfectly preserved coral reefs. This is reached by a short boat road and has a total of 2.5 hours excursion. Be sure to check health and training requirements prior to booking.
Suggested Tour: Diving or snorkeling with your own private guide on Bonaire
Walking/City tours:
19. Old San Juan Walk
A guided walk through historical sites within the cobblestone streets. Discover local secrets and legends dating back to 1493. You’ll get to visit all the must-see spots and most Instagramable moments of San Juan in an evening setting.
Suggested Tour: Evening Old San Juan city tour & historic walk
20. San Juan City & Shopping Tour
Another opportunity to learn about the atmospheric streets, amazing architecture, and intriguing history of one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in the world on this half-day Old San Juan tour. You’ll get to see the amazing art and artifacts of the Museo de Las Américas, and a lot more.
Suggested Tour: Old San Juan Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
21. Punta Cana Tour
Sail on the crystal blue waters surrounding Punta Cana on this small group. You can swim and snorkel in the seas while enjoying your drinks aboard your comfortable catamaran. Anchor in a sandbar and enjoy beverages from a floating bar as part of this wonderful water experience.
Suggested Tour: Punta Cana Small-Group Sailing and Snorkeling Catamaran Tour
22. Colonial Santo Domingo
You’ll have a local tour guide that will help you explore Santo Domingo. Visit 3 Eyes National Park and the Colonial Zone, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tour includes pickup and drop-off at your Santo Domingo hotel.
Suggested Tour: Santo Domingo Colonial Walking Tour
23. Discover Bridgetown in Barbados
Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit St Michael’s Cathedral, St Mary’s Church and the Bridgetown Synagogue. Go to the monuments in National Heroes Square, see the Barbadian Parliament buildings, and stroll through Queen’s Park to see a famous baobob tree. This tour is approximately 2 hours in total. And after the tour, you can enjoy lunch and shopping if you want to.
Suggested Tour: Bridgetown Walking Tour in Barbados
24. “Double the Fun” in Curacao
It’s a 6 hours tour at the Playa Lagun and Shete Boka National Park in Curacao. Snorkel in the shallow azure waters at Lagun Beach. Get the chance to see hawks, frigate birds and sea turtles in their natural habitat. You’ll surely have a day filled with fun and adventure!
Suggested Tour: Shete Boka National Park and Playa Lagun Snorkel Adventure in Curacao
Boat trips:
25. VIP Saona Island with Lunch
Another full-day experience with a unique combination of luxury and exoticism. The beach is not crowded and you’ll have an amazing lunch. See and enjoy the island in its natural form while having a luxurious experience.
Suggested Tour: Saona Vip
26. Westin Champagne Sunset Sail
Experience the romantic Caribbean sunset and celebrate one of nature’s wonders of color under full sail aboard a 55′ catamaran called the Daydreamer. The relaxing atmosphere of the waters of Pillsbury Sound with views of the beautiful beaches is such a mood. A champagne sunset sail in the Virgin Islands is the perfect way to start a romantic night on your Caribbean getaway!
Suggested Tour: Westin Champagne Sunset Sail
27. Explore the Stingray City
Explore Stingray City from Grand Cayman by boat. Experience swimming in shallow water with dozens of stingrays. This tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
Suggested Tour: Stingray City Experience from Grand Cayman
Gastronomy:
28. Grand Turk History and Food Exploration
Your guide will lead you through the historical capital of this small and diverse island, Grand Turk. Learn about the traditional food and drink of the Turks and Caicos Islands while tasting samples of authentic dishes. This tour has 6 stops where you will sample the island’s delicacies. After hours of touring, have an Island-style lunch at a local restaurant.
Suggested Tour: Grand Turk Food History and Bus Tour
29. Graycliff Chocolatier – The Art of Chocolate Making
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In Nassau, the Bahamas you can become an expert in the art of chocolate molding following a fascinating tour of the factory in which you’ll learn the whole process from bean to bar. This is a 1- hour activity.
Suggested Tour: Graycliff Chocolatier – The Art of Chocolate Interactive Tour
30. Jamaican Food Tour
This tour will help you learn about popular Jamaican dishes and your guide will escort you to some local restaurants. Expect to also visit a local market where you can purchase fruits and other snacks to take with you.
Suggested Tour: Jamaican Food Tour of Kingston
This list of 30 excursions in the Caribbean will leave you an awesome experience, great moments, and fun adventure. Never miss the chance to try any of these. Or have you tried even one on the list above? Share with us your thoughts and experience!
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