Where you can go outside of Barbados for a quick weekend trip or bank holiday? This article presents the Top 5 islands to go “island hopping”. The best part is, travelling to these countries is faster than one bypass trip from Oistins to Speightstown!
- Barbados to St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Travel time 40 minutes
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean with its’ hills and
mountains. However, there is much more to do in St. Vincent than mere sightseeing. You can enjoy some diving and snorkelling in the island known as the Critter Capital of the Caribbean with options including reef diving, wall diving, drift diving, wreck diving and cave diving. Also you can visit some dive sites on the island such as The Bat Cave and Anchor Reef, the latter of which has been voted as one of the top 100 dive sites in the world. There is the option of hiking at the wonderful La Soufriere volcano and of course experience the forests and waterfalls on your way to the top. As mentioned before, the scenery is amazing, and you can enjoy the experience of exploring St. Vincent’s tropical rainforests and tropical gardens.
- Barbados to St. Lucia – Travel time 45 minutes
St. Lucia has plenty of attractions for both locals and tourists. You can stay for a weekend at the Ladera
Resort, located on a volcanic ridge that stands 1000 ft above the sea. There you take in some beautiful scenery while enjoying the peace and serenity of this location. If solitude is what you are looking for then this location is ideal. One can also hike to the top of two enormous mountains, the Gros Piton (2530ft) and Petit Piton (2438ft.), especially ideal for fitness buffs looking for a challenge. By the time you reach the top after a few hours, you may even catch a sight of a humpback whale in the waters below. Also, there is the option of a full-body mud bath. While this in itself does not sound appealing, the mud is said to contain rejuvenating properties so it is perfect for those looking to relax and maybe revitalize after a long week.
- Barbados to Grenada – Travel time 55 minutes
Another ideal location for island hopping, Grenada is perfect for exploring rainforests. In these 
rainforests, you can encounter the national bird, the Grenada dove, armadillos and other unusual animals, birds, flora and fauna. Grenada also has many active waterfalls, something that is quite rare in some parts of the Caribbean. Enjoy a picture day at the Royal Mount Carmel Waterfalls which tumbles from over 70 feet or a lazy day at the Concord Falls. Also, be sure to visit the River Sallee Boiling Springs which is a collection of waterholes each of which has a temperature of 35 degrees.
- Barbados to Trinidad and Tobago – Travel Time 55 minutes
There is always something to do in Trinidad. The Caroni Swamp and Bird Sanctuary is maybe one of the island’s best known attractions to visitors. It is ideal for nature lovers, especially those with a keen interest in birds. Take a visit to Pitch Lake, the largest of three natural asphalt lakes in the entire world, where its Natural Springs are said to have healing properties. For the explorer, there is the option of visiting the Gasparee Caves, similar to our very own Harrison’s Cave but the experience is different as you can only access it via a boat ride from Chaguaramas and a short hike. Finally, experience the Tobago coastline by enjoying a boat trip along the coast. This boat trip allows you to access some of the bays that are usually inaccessible by car or only accessible after a long and tiring hike through the rainforest.
- Barbados to Dominica – Travel Time 1 hour
Our last option for Island Hopping is Dominica. From a 6 hour round trip hike and trek to Boiling 
Lake, to the classy experience of art, wine and food at the Talipot Cafe and Gallery, a weekend island hop to Dominica has something for a variety of tastes. If its fun and adventure you desire, be sure to contact Extreme Dominica, who provide half day adventures including rappelling down waterfalls and scenic hikes. You can also visit Emerald Pool, which sits at the bottom of a 4 ft waterfall, ideal for those wishing to relax in the peaceful rainforest-like setting. Of course, no trip to Dominica is complete without a relaxing boat trip along Indian River. This is truly a memorable experience as you can get up close and personal with iguanas hummingbirds, egrets and other creatures not seen in Barbados.
Happy Island Hopping!
