You’ve been at sea for days. You knees feel weak and you long for solid ground. You look out towards the horizon and you see it, land. You’re ready to go ashore, spend your loot, find some “company” and drink rum until you smile crooked.

This is what the pirates did back in the golden age of the Caribbean. If you think about it, it really isn’t that far off from what the modern day cruiser does. Yes I am a pirate, 200 years to late.

The Caribbean is full of beautiful harbors and ports of call, some more beautiful than others though. These harbors/harbours act as hubs for the islands, a place where first time seafaring visitors first fall in love with the island. A love that will surely have them coming back time and time again. A mistress is never satisfied.

5 Most Beautiful Caribbean Harbors

1. Willemstad, Curaçao

Willemstad, Curacao - Photo by ISLANDS Magazine

Willemstad, Curacao - Photo by Curacao Visitors Center

This lively port is one of six UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Caribbean, joining the ranks of Old Havana, Old San Juan, and Colonial Santo Domingo.

The Punda District – once fortified and walled – along with its neighboring districts of Otrobanda, Pietermaai, Scharloo, preserve some 765 buildings as national monuments. Chief among these are Fort Amsterdam, the Governor’s Palace, Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue and the colorful Penha building on the waterfront.

2. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas USVI - Photo by Rob.Wiss via Flickr

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - Photo by Scott Moran via Flickr

Charlotte Amalie on the island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, is nestled on the mountainous slopes of a large natural harbor that accommodates several large cruise ships each day. The city has been declared as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean.

3. Gustavia, St. Bart/St. Barths

Gustavia Harbour, St. Barths - Photo by Fred911 via Flickr

Gustavia Harbour, St. Barths - Photo by Hole-in-one via Flickr

Gustavia Harbour, St. Barths - Photo by digidug via Flickr

Most cruise ships anchor outside sheltered Gustavia Harbour and tender guests to Port de Pleasance, past all the mega-yachts. Gustavia, the island’s charming capital city is a slice of France in the Caribbean. Surrounded by elegant designer boutiques, topless beaches, vibrant nightlife and waterfront bistros, the French vibe wraps around you like the warm blue sea.

4. English Harbour, Antigua

English Harbour, Antigua

English Harbour, Antigua

English Harbour is a center of boating, especially yachting. There are two sheltered deepwater harbours nearby; English Harbour itself and Falmouth Harbour.

English Harbour is best known for Nelson’s Dockyard, which occupies the site of the British Navy base. It displays restored buildings and other historical artifacts from the colonial period of the dockyard, especially the time it was commanded by Horatio Nelson. (Info from wikipedia)

5. St. Georges Harbour, Grenada

St. Georges Harbour, Grenada - Photo by MMayson via Flickr

St. George's Harbour, Grenada - Photo by Scaglifr via Flickr

St. Georges is the capital of Grenada and it’s also the largest harbor and city on the island. The city extends for miles in every direction from St. George’s Harbor, and ashore are more facilities than most can ever see in a single visit. Entering the harbor is easy, as the approaches from north or south are deep, wide, and easy to navigate, even for deep-draft boats.

6. San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico

San Juan Harbour, Puerto Rico - Photo by Scottograph via Flickr

San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico - Photo by Yosemitewe56 via Flickr

Shoehorned onto a tiny islet that guards the entrance to San Juan harbor, the atmospheric ‘Old San Juan‘, with its historical authenticity and pulsating modern energy, this seven-square-block grid of streets that was inaugurated almost a century before the Mayflower laid anchor in present day Massachusetts. Surreal sounds and exotic sights resonate everywhere.

7. Havana Harbor, Cuba

Havana Harbor, Cuba - Photo by Badly Drawn Dad via Flickr

Havana Harbor, Cuba - Photo by Dermoidhome via Flickr

Havana Harbour, Cuba - Photo by Boxley via Flickr

A view across the harbor in Havana, with a monument to Jose Marti in the Plaza de la Revolucion visible centre right. The monument was constructed between 1953 and 1959, just in time for the more recent revolution.

Which harbor is your favorite? Did I leave any off the list? Leave a comment below if you think you have a more beautiful Caribbean Harbor. My favorite? Going off of these photos, I’d have to say…St. Georges, Grenada. Simple, beautiful and old school Caribbean.

Cheers to the weekend Castaways!
RumShopRyan

Please subscribe and Follow on Facebook and Twitter
Subscribe to Daily Updates
www.Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
www.Twitter.com/RumShopRyan

Puerto Rico is known worldwide for its pristine beaches and luxury resorts. Travelers come to this Caribbean Island to take advantage of the natural beauty and luxury Puerto Rico Resorts. What many don’t get to experience are the ‘untouched’ natural wonders surrounding Puerto Rico.

Cliffs of Mona Island - Photo by jcolonmd via Flickr

Located in the Mona Passage, Mona Island is something you don’t read much about. This natural preserve is a flat plateau surrounded by dazzling cliffs on most sides. On Mona, you’ll find many species that are either endangered or cannot be found anywhere else in the world. If is for this reason that Mona is often compared to the Galapagos Islands.

Mona Island Iguana - Photo by jcolonmd via Flicrk

Take a tour of Mona and you’ll find countless species of animals. On land, the Mona Iguana freely roams the island but cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You’ll also find several species of rare birds. In the ocean, several endangered species of sea turtles swim freely amongst the unspoiled mangroves and rich coral reefs. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of dolphins or humpback whales.

Things to do in Mona

Most visitors spend a great deal of time simply exploring the island. For ocean-lovers, it has been said that Mona offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. Healthy coral reefs, clear visibility and warm waters attract ocean-lovers from around the world to this off the beaten path island.

Blue Waters of Mona Island - Photo by jcolonmd via Flickr

Camping in Mona

You won’t find any hotels on Mona. In fact, the only way to stay overnight is to pitch a tent on the inland. Camping is allowed on three different beaches and is restricted to weekends-only during hunting season.

Sardinera Bay, Mona Island

Getting to Mona

Accessing Mona can be done from the towns of Mayaguez and Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico. Charter boats carry visitors to the island. Since the trip takes 6 hours, you may want to plan to spend at least a couple days.

Old Mona Island Lighthouse

Next time you’re in Puerto Rico, consider spending a couple days of your vacation in the natural wonder that is Mona Island.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Enid_Glasgow

If anyone has explored Mona Island, I would love to know what you thought.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

Follow on Facebook and Twitter
www.Facebook.com/RumShopRyan
www.Twitter.com/RumShopRyan

Only a short ferry ride away from the main land lies Vieques, a beautiful island off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Together with the smaller sister island of Culebra they are known as the Spanish Virgin Islands, not far from the US and British Virgin Islands.

Both Vieques and Culebra are integral parts of Puerto Rico as municipalities. The language is Spanish, although English is widely spoken. Being Puerto Rico is part of the United States, visitors coming from North American don’t need a passport or visa.

It’s nicknamed “La Isla Nena” or the girl island. It’s located about 10 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico.

from 1943 to 2003, Vieques was used by the US Navy for military exercises and held a great part of the island territory. After years of pressure by local residents and many Puerto Ricans, the Navy left the island. Now the whole island is a paradise for tourists that come to enjoy the natural exotic beaches, far from big resorts and crowds of people.

The white sand beaches, the clear waters and the attitude of the locals make this island a real paradise. Many locals and visitors are trying to resist development that will change the look and feel of this tropical heaven.

There are two important towns, Isabel Segunda and Esperanza.

Pristine Beaches

Red Beach, Garcia Beach, and Blue beach are full of marine life that is ideal for Caribbean Snorkeling. Orchid Beach is great for surfing. Sombe or Sun Bay is where the facilities of “El Balneario” are. It has many facilities for visitors. Mosquito Bay is a phosphorescent beach due to a phenomenon caused by millions of a tiny glow in the dark organisms.

On your next Puerto Rican vacation, I recommend a visit to Vieques. You can fly there from San Juan’s International Airport on a quick 20 minute flight. There are also some flights from neighboring St. Croix and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

You may also drive east from San Juan to Fajardo and take the one hour ferry ride to Vieques. The ferry operates three times a day.

Remember the name Vieques; it is becoming more and more popular as the days go by.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddy_Tuchman

Topping the list is a beach unlike any other in Puerto Rico. It’s ecosystem is seemingly unrivaled, and there are no hotels to spoil your line of sight. Mona Island is often referred to as the Galapagos Island of the Caribbean, and like the Galapagos, some of the more bizarre species of animals call it home, roaming its land and waters, openly. As a result, the island is closed to tourists during hunting season (January – April).

To add to exclusivity, tours to the island are only offered from May through November and to visit the island, you’ll need permits from the Natural Resources and Environmental Department.

Coco Beach is not quite as elusive as Mona Island, but it does share some similar qualities. It offers lingering stretches of virginal beach and colorful contrast between greenery, sand, and vibrant blue ocean. On the beach, however, are as casual scatter of chic resorts; Gran Melia Puerto Rico and Coco Beach Golf and Country Club, just to name a few.

Shacks Beach, also known as Bajuras, of Isabela Island is known for spectacular waters that facilitate the best snorkeling, surfing, and windsurfing in Puerto Rico. What many notice are the sleepy coconut palms that line the beach and offer ideal conditions for napping or relaxing.

Another deserted beach still absent of hotels (we think), is the Northeast Corridor of Luquillo. The island is not as exclusive as Mona and still offers an impressive amount of exotic wildlife and lush vegetation.

What is particularly appealing about the beaches of Puerto Rico is that, save a few of the overdeveloped areas, most of them are incredibly secluded. They project a sensation of unaware onto their visitors. It is a feeling of isolation that is strangely comforting and familiar.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Hunt

Enjoy this bar hopping episode with Zane Lamprey as he gets familiar with the local drink customs of beautiful Puerto Rico. Cheers!

Sandwiched between the Condado and Isla Verde along San Juan’s coast, Ocean Park beach attracts more adults and less of the family trade. The wide beach, lined with palm and sea grape trees, fronts a residential neighborhood of beautiful homes, free of the high-rise condos that line other San Juan beaches. A favorite for swimming, paddle tennis, and kite surfing, the beach is also a favorite spot for young and beautiful san juaneros to congregate, especially on weekends.

Knowledgeable tourists also seek out Ocean Park, which has several guesthouses catering to young urban professionals from the East Coast, both gay and straight. So there is something of a South Beach-Río vibe here, with more than a fair share of well-stuffed bikinis and other beach outfits, but decidedly more low-key and Caribbean. It’s a good spot for tourists and locals to mix. There are a few beachfront bar-restaurants housed in the guesthouses, good for a snack or lunch or cold drink.  (Information from Frommers.)

This is Ocean Park Beach.

Have you buried your toes in this slice of sand? If so let us know what you thought of it!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

With over 7,000 islands, islets, reefs and cays, the Caribbean is a very diverse region. There are many well known larger islands and numerous smaller islands that are less known. If you want to take Caribbean vacations, you should try to visit as many of the islands as you can. Although these islands are in the same general region, each island has its own distinct characteristics.

One of the larger islands in the Caribbean is Puerto Rico. This island is an unincorporated territory of the United States. From Crashboat Beach to Playa de Ponce, there are beautiful beaches that surround this awesome island. There is a Tropical Agriculture Research Station on the western side of the island. The Arecibo Observatory is located near the center of the island and is a great tourist attraction. If you feel like hitting a round of 18 holes, there is a golf resort on the eastern side. When it comes to nature Puerto Rico has plenty of offer. There is a National Forest and Nature Reserve both located on the eastern coast as well.

If you are looking for an island where you can get away from your all inclusive hotels and spend all of your time on sandy beaches, then Barbados is the island for you. Mullins Beach, Paradise Beach, Sandy Beach, Casuarina Beach and Silver Sand Beach are some of the better known beaches on the island. The beaches on this island are what draws thousands of visitors each year.

There are plenty of other smaller islands that you can also travel to. These islands include St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia just to name a few. There are also the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands. The Bahamas also have their own cluster of islands that are also part of the Caribbean. Bermuda is another of the better known islands in the Caribbean. If you are looking for the perfect getaway for your romantic vacations, Bermuda is the island for you.

Whichever island you do decide to spend your vacation on, you are guaranteed to have a fabulous trip. The people in the Caribbean are extremely warm and welcoming. You will instantly feel at home. Whether you are looking to lounge on warm sandy beaches or to hike up a grandiose mountain, these islands are the diverse location that can provide each of these activities. After a week on one of these islands you will not want to leave. The Caribbean is definitely a part of the world that everyone should experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Lane