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

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Have I told you how much I love you Castaways? I am truly blessed to have readers like you. Last week I get an email from Castaway Jane, she told me of her love of the Caribbean and how reading RSR takes her mind to the lower latitudes. She then goes on to tell me about her favorite island beach bar, The Nest on Antigua. Here’s what Jane had to say about her island paradise.

“Like all good beach bars, its a little hard to find. The sign at the end of the road is worn and hard to read, the road is dirt with lots of potholes and it winds along for a ways. But it is worth the trek – the beach with sea grape trees along the back, the turquoise water, soft sand, and the colorful Nest Beach Bar. Somehow the Carib is always a little colder, the English Harbour Rum a little sweeter, and the coconut shrimp worth a trip of thousands of miles. When your done eating, take a short stroll to the shade of the sea grape trees. Lounging under the trees, looking at the sea, watching the bright birds is the ultimate pressure drop. Its true – Elvis and his friends have created one memorable beach bar. Yeah, I feel more relaxed already.”

The Nest Beach Bar, looking out over Valley Church Beach

Her words paint a great picture of this little beach bar paradise. With visual writing like that she could steal my job!

The Nest Beach Bar, Antigua - By Castaway Jane

The restaurant caters to locals and cruise ship tourists, the prices are reasonable and the restaurant serves simple but well prepared local food. Spend your morning walking on the sand, then order up some Barbeque, Burgers, Caribbean cuisine, Hot Dogs, Pizza, Sandwiches, and or Seafood.

The Nest Beach Bar, Antigua

Here are a couple videos that I found on The Nest. The quality isn’t the greatest, but it’ll help you get a feeling of the what it might be like to spend a day here.

The Nest does look like a traditional Caribbean beach bar, but it’s missing the human graffiti that a lot of other beach bars boast. You won’t find thousands of dollar bills with names and cities on them. You won’t find bras and panties of women who might have had a little to much rum in the sun. You won’t find weathered t-shirts or license plates from around the world. What you will find is a clean atmosphere where the rum is smooth and the sand is soft.

The Nest Beach Bar, Antigua

Me, I kind of like all the miscellaneous graffiti on the walls. It adds character and gives your eyes something to do as you lime away the day. Also it’s always fun to leave your mark as well, then you’ll feel as if you’re a part of the place and will have to return one day to protect your territory.

Valley Church Beach - By Castaway Jane

Cheers to another Caribbean beach bar that teases us from afar.

RumShopRyan

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St John’s is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, a country located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea

Don’t forget to visit the the Antigua Rum Distillery it’s located at the Citadel and is the only rum distillery on the island.

Over and out from somewhere south,
RumShopRyan

Where do you begin a journey in a place as tantalizing as the Caribbean? If water sports give you the thrills and you want to let your family experience a one-of-a-kind experience vacationing in a charming villa with the most stunning view of a famous harbor, you can let the Caribbean Island of Antigua cast its spell.

From its scuba diving spots, super yachts, coral reefs and hundreds of old shipwrecks to fresh produce, vibrant cafes and warm engaging people, the premier destination is a perfect place for people who want a refuge from the daily grind. Famous singers, fashion designers and other celebrities have houses there. Once ruled by the legendary pirate Blackbeard, Antigua has metamorphosed into an idyllic getaway where people can enjoy one new adventure after another, or engage in wind surfing, jet-skiing, and deep-sea fishing, among other activities.

It comes as no surprise why travelers sneak off to this island paradise that’s known for having 365 beaches and for being a yachting heaven. Docked at the English Harbor and the natural harbor known as Falmouth Bays are yachts of all shapes and sizes. High-profile regattas and thriving dinghy schools for kids & grown-ups run by the Antigua Yacht Club add to the interesting activities.

Youngsters and adult companions expecting not just a bustling nightlife but unique gastronomic experiences won’t be disappointed. There are numerous great spots for dining while watching yachts – and time – slip by. One of the most historic places is Nelson’s Dockyard, which transports visitors back to the 1780s. Other sites, like Shirley Heights, where steel bands, reggae music and flavorsome barbecued food lure locals & visitors alike; and Galleon Beach can offer pleasant memories not just for families enjoying their vacation but couples honeymooning.

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