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Are you 18 years old and planning a vacation in the Caribbean? Then, this is the perfect article for you as we outline the best Caribbean islands for 18 year olds.
The Caribbean is blessed with 106,300 square miles and comprises of more than 700 islands, islets, reefs and cays. Therefore, there is something for every type of traveler.
In this article, we provide comprehensive details of the best Caribbean for 18 year olds, the top things to do and where to stay in each of these destinations.
So let us dive into the particulars.
1. Barbados
The tourism slogan for this island is that there is never a dull moment in Barbados. This destination is perfect for 18 year olds seeking white sand beaches and entertainment in the Southern region of the Caribbean.
Miami Beach and Accra Beach are two spots to visits as well as the Fish Friday which is a weekly street party in the community of Oistins.
Due to the popularity of the island, there are numerous flights from major international cities.
Top Things To Do In Barbados
Explore Harrison Caves– this is truly one of the island’s natural wonder where you can tour a network of limestone caves using electric trams. There are also refreshments at the facilities as well as souvenir shops.
Ride the St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway– take a dive into the history of the island where you can see a great house, museum and distillery. This activity is wheelchair accessible.
Take an Atlantis Submarine Day Tour – this experience involves sailing around the island in a Catamaran which you can take in the beauty of the coral and marine life.
Where To Stay In Barbados
The South Coast is an excellent region to stay as there are a number of restaurants, bars, grocery stores, fast food chains which makes life without a car seamless.
On a whole, hotels in Bridgetown and Christ Church are excellent regions to consider as they are near to the city centre and other amenities.
Budget Options– Pirate’s Inn and Coral Mist Beach Hotel
Mid-Range Options– Coral Sands Beach Hotel and Coconut Court Beach Hotel
Luxurious Options– Savannah Beach Club, Hilton Barbados Resort, Courtyard By Marriott Bridgetown
2. Antigua & Barbuda
If you love the beach and the main travel motivation is spending time basking on white sands, Antigua and Barbuda is the perfect destination.
This island prides itself on having 365 beaches being one for every day of the year. Dickensen Bay Beach is one of the best in Antigua.
Seeking exotic pink sand beaches, then head over to the smaller island of Barbuda!
The island is home to one of longest beach in the Caribbean being Low Bay Beach and magnificent pink sand beaches.
Top Things To Do In Antigua & Barbuda
Take a day trip to Maiden Island- fondly referred to as Maid Island, this excursion is suitable to swim and snorkel in privacy and seclusion.
Private Island Getaway– Laviscount Island is also a perfect private island to visit. Situated on the Northeastern coast, this is an excellent location to see giant Aldabra tortoises.
Tour The Island On Dune Buggies-explore unpaved roads using dune buggies. This tour includes visits to historic and heritage sites as well as Antigua’s National Parks.
Where To Stay In Antigua & Barbuda
For an adult only all- inclusive, Cocobay Resort Antigua and Escape at Nonsuch Bay are excellent options.
For proximity to the famous Dickenson Bay Beach, Trade Winds Hotel, Buccaneer Beach Club and Yellow Maison are suitable accommodation providers.
Royalton Antigua is a high end option to consider near this beach.
Alternatively, if you will love easy access to the capital city, Hodges Bay Resort & Spa as well as Heritage Hotel are great options to consider.
3. Jamaica
Looking for a quick getaway to the Caribbean? Then Jamaica is the ideal island to consider for 18 year olds.
Jamaica is known globally for reggae music, unique cuisine, white sand beaches and entertainment.
The island is extremely diverse with waterfalls, rivers, beaches as well as friendly people.
Top Things To Do In Jamaica
Rastafari Experience, Montego Bay- explore the country side on ATV and get an opportunity to have an authentic Jamaican lunch, swim and see a ganja or marijuana field.
Luminous Lagoon Night Tour, Montego Bay– discover the unique bioluminescence lagoon by boat. You can enjoy the chance to swim in lagoon. Included are welcome drink as well as hotel pick up and drop off.
Dunn’s River Falls, Secret Falls and Blue Hole Tour- swim in the Blue Hole, Dunn’s River Falls and Secret Falls from Montego Bay all in one day. Tour includes stop at local jerk shop and Columbus Park. Hotel pick up and drop of from Montego Bay Hotels are available.
Where To Stay In Jamaica
If you are considering spending time in Negril and the iconic Seven Mile Beach, we recommend Negril Treehouse Resort, Merrils Beach Resort II and Negril Palms.
Furthermore, to enjoy the countryside of Montego Bay, Toby’s Resort and Altamont West Hotel are excellent accommodation providers.
For all inclusive options in Montego Bay, S Hotel Jamaica and Riu Reggae are two amazing choices.
Alternatively, if you are interested in staying in Ocho Rios, Ocean Palms, Hibiscus Lodge Hotel and Pineapple Court Hotel are places that we recommend.
4. St Lucia
This destination is loved by nature enthusiasts and is one of the best Caribbean islands for hiking.
It is home to the stunning twin peaks called The Pitons. St Lucia is a popular destination in the Southern Caribbean and is great for island hopping to the French Caribbean Islands via ferry and for coffee lovers.
Top Things To Do In St Lucia
ATV Tour– explore the natural beauty of the island on ATV. This tour allows you to drive through rainforest, rural communities, historical sites and plantations.
Waterfall Adventure- due to the volcanic nature of the island, you can enjoy mineral and mud baths at the Diamond and Toraille Waterfalls.
Aerial Tram Tour- get an awesome aerial view of the lush vegetation of the island with Rainforest Adventures. The open air gondola is suitable for eight persons. Explore the flora and wildlife of the island from the sky.
Private Horseback Ride- see beaches and scenic spots on the island on horseback. There are horses to match the varied riding levels. Get an opportunity to swim with your horse.
Hike The Gros Piton– climb the Gros Piton which has an altitude of 2,620 feet. Enjoy panoramic views of St Lucia and the neighboring Caribbean islands.
Project Chocolat- enjoy delicious chocolate grown and processed on the island. Additionally, you can enjoy delicious cocoa cuisine such as cocao burger and ice cream.
Where To Stay In St Lucia
The best place to stay in St Lucia is in Gros Islet as there are many restaurants, marinas, bars, banks, malls and supermarket all in the vicinity.
Additionally, it is easy to access the capital city, Castries from Gros Islet by public transportation.
Bay Garden Hotel, Coco Palm and Harbor Club, St Lucia Curio Collection by Hilton are all phenomenal locations to stay in the heart of Gros Islet with easy access to buses to the capital city, Castries.
Royalton St Lucia is also another premium property ideal for an all-inclusive stay.
For an upscale and world class experience, we recommend Jade Mountain with stunning views of the Pitons.
5. Bahamas
The Bahamas is another great destination to consider if you are short time for a vacation as it is situated only about one hour flying time from Miami International Airport.
Consisting of 700 islands, cays and islets, the Bahamas is a perfect destination to enjoy white sand beaches with turquoise waters as well as a bustling nightlife atmosphere especially in the capital city of Nassau.
Top Things To Do In The Bahamas
Enjoy A Swimming Pigs Encounter- from Nassau take a 30 minute boat ride to picturesque Rose Island, where you can swim and play with the pigs. Additionally, you can enjoy snorkeling and a range of water sporting activities.
Take An ATV Island Tour- explore the capital city of Nassau on an Outlander 450 ATV. Tours are conducted in the morning and afternoon. There is an expert guide to share the history of the island as well as stops to sites such as Queen’s Staircase and Fort Charlotte. Pick and drop off are included.
Take A Nassau Food & History Tour By Bus– learn from an experienced guide the traditional food and drinks of the island. This includes tasting bush teas and authentic Bahamian dishes. The tour also includes visiting a cake factory, historical museum and ancient forts.
Where To Stay In The Bahamas
The best place to stay in the Bahamas for easy access to a range tours and proximity to key landmarks as well as the night life hotspots is the Nassau.
For more budget friendly accommodations, we recommend Ocean West Boutique Hotel and Orange Hill Beach Inn.
For a high end premium experience in Nassau, we suggest Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and SLS at Baha Mar.
Paradise Island is also a great location to stay. We recommend Comfort Suites Paradise Island, The Coral at Atlantis and The Royal at Atlantis.
6. Aruba
If you are interested in the Dutch culture while enjoying sunny weather, white sand beaches, donkeys, butterflies and golf courses, then Aruba is an excellent destination to visit for 18 year olds.
Top Things To Do In Aruba
Take A Parasailing Tour– this is a lovely activity to experience the beauty and landscape of the island from the sky. There are individuals available to capture your moment of bravery.
Explore ATV Tour- see various off the beaten path spots on ATV such as secret beach and caves. This is truly a great way to experience the desert like landscape of Aruba.
Visit Top Local Bars Via Bus- bar hop via bus ride to various entertainment hotspots in Palm and Eagle Beaches. There is a live DJ and music on the bus. A great way to experience the city at night.
Day Trip To A Private Island -do you love private islands? Then, De Palm Island is a great place for an all-inclusive experience. There are waterslides, boat rides, flamingos, underwater helmet walks and more. A great activity for a group of friends.
Where To Stay In Aruba
The best place to stay in Aruba is the capital city of Oranjestad or at a resort on the famous Eagle and Palm beaches.
To enjoy the white sands and turquoise waters of these above beaches, we recommend Coconut Inn, MVC Eagle Beach and Board Walk Boutique Hotel Aruba.
For high end accommodation on Eagle and Palm beaches, The Ritz Carlton, Aruba and Bucuti & Tara Boutique Beach Resort are two premium options.
For accommodation options in the capital city of Oranjestad, we recommend, Wonders Boutique Hotel and Hyatt Place Aruba Airport.
For a private island escape where you can take instagrammable pictures with the pink flamingos, we recommend Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.
7. Puerto Rico
Our final recommendation is the beautiful Caribbean island of Puerto Rico which is a great option for history enthusiasts, salsa dancing, white sand beaches, nightlife and private island getaway.
Puerto Rico is also an overseas territory of the United States of America.
Therefore, no passport is necessary for travel and the US currency is the official medium used for financial transactions.
This makes the destination a perfect one of consider for 18 years olds especially if it is your first time to the Caribbean.
Top Things To Do In Puerto Rico
Take A Food Tour- experience the many flavors of the island and sample authentic dishes such as plantains and sofrito. The tour includes visits to various locations where you admire the colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. There is an expert guide who can explain the history of Old San Juan.
Sail To Icacos Island– as part of the Cordilera Keys Nature Reserve, this island is about 30 hours from Fajardo. Enjoy the beach as well as snorkel with all equipment provided. A buffet with lunch and drinks is available. Great activity to enjoy with a group of friends.
Kayak In Condado Lagoon– this tour is in a clear bottom boat with LED lights at night time. Complimentary locker is available to store your valuables.
Where To Stay In Puerto Rico
The capital city of Old San Juan is a great place to stay for sightseeing, soaking up the culture, and visiting historic landmarks.
We recommend Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel and CasaBlanca Hotel for your stay.
Alternatively, if you are thinking of spending time at the beach and enjoy fine dining, we recommend that you stay in Condado.
For accommodations, we recommend El Canario Lagoon Hotel and Acacia Boutique Hotel.
For a more upscale experience, we suggest AC Hotel By Marriott San Juan Condado and Condado Palm Inn San Juan, Tapestry Collection By Hilton.
Final Thoughts: Best Caribbean Islands For 18 Year Olds
We trust that you found the information valuable as you plan your adventure in the Caribbean.
We are extremely confident that you will enjoy your stay at any of the above island that you choose.
Peradventure, you have an ideal destination in mind that was not included in this article we invite you to continue reading using the search bar located at the top of this page.
More Best Caribbean Guides:
Best Caribbean Islands To Explore Without A Car
Best Caribbean Islands To Spend A Month
Best Caribbean Islands To Spend A Week
Best Caribbean Islands For Activities (The Ultimate Guide)
Best Caribbean Islands For Bird Watching (Ultimate Guide)
