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Natural Wonders of the Caribbean
By : Joanne Curcio-Quiñones
The islands that dot the tranquil Caribbean Sea are home to a virtual treasure trove of natural attractions for active travelers to experience. From an up-close peek at a safe, yet steamy, bubbling volcano, to snorkeling in a maze of sea pools around giant granite boulders and a moonless trek through the world's most luminescent phosphorescent bay, the Caribbean islands offer myriad opportunities to witness some of nature's most magnificent marvels. The following are just a few of the many wonders to experience in the Caribbean.
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
The thrill of feeding, petting and swimming with stingrays draws throngs of adventurous souls to Stingray City in Grand Cayman's North Sound. Over the last dozen or so years, the well-known 12-foot dive site has gained fame as a place where a close encounter with the hordes of hungry, yet tame stingrays is pretty much guaranteed. The rays happily accept donations of their favorite food, which is squid, and will politely suction it from an outstretched palm. Although Stingray City is mainly frequented by divers, the waist-deep stingray sandbar gives snorkelers a chance to surround themselves with the rays and get a feel for the majestic sea creatures that measure as much as six feet in diameter..
The Baths, Virgin Gorda
The Baths are probably one of the most visited attractions in the British Virgin Islands. This jumble of massive granite boulders strewn along the southern shoreline of Virgin Gorda form small sea-filled pools lit with a marvelous combination of sunlight and shadow.
It's said that these ancient boulders were formed millions of years ago when an intrusion of molten lava pushed through the cracks in the earth's crust toward the surface and created a huge dome. The magma, however, never made it through to form a volcano, and instead, the molten rock cooled and formed these geological giants. Today, the maze of caves, grottos and pools are a favorite of snorkelers due to the natural beauty of The Baths and the marvelous display of encrusted coral, sponges and tropical marine life.
Mount Soufriere Sulfur Springs, St. Lucia
Not far from the fishing village of Soufriere and St. Lucia's landmark twin peaks, the Pitons, is what is said to be the world's only drive-in volcano. Known as the St. Lucia Volcano or simply the Sulfur Springs, this intriguing natural attraction is shrouded in mystery as thick as the fog of sulfur that hangs over it. You don't actually drive in, but rather drive up to this rocky lunar landscape of gurgling mud that looks as if it is about to spew. But don't let its active appearance frighten you; the more than 20 steaming, bubbling, and belching craters of sulfur haven't posed any real threat since a small eruption in the late 1700s.
There's only one downside to this mineral-rich attraction, and that's the strong smell of sulfur that greets you the moment you arrive. But it's well worth the effort of holding your nose to enjoy a fascinating and educational tour of this amazing creation of nature. Half-hour guided tours are offered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a minimal fee.
Buck Island National Park, St. Croix
Just a few miles off the northeastern coast of the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands is Buck Island National Park, a small, uninhabited island surrounded with more awe-inspiring marine life than any snorkeling enthusiast could possibly dream of. It may be Mother Nature that deserves the credit for bestowing this tiny island with its fringe of coral reefs teeming with brightly colored fish and marine life, but it's mankind who deserves the applause for creating the Buck Island Underwater Trail to enhance the experience. The trail consists of underwater signage that offers snorkelers an introduction to the sport, as well as a visual guide to the many forms of life that make their home in these tropical reefs. Besides an impressive variety of coral, the waters that surround Buck Island are chock-full of sea creatures, including sea turtles that use it as a nesting site.
There are several glass-bottom boats, sloops, catamarans and trimarans that offer full- or half-day charters to Buck Island from Christiansted Wharf and Green Cay Marina. Most of the tours include an onboard party atmosphere and a swim-stop at the nature preserve's stunning white-sand beach.
Mosquito Bay, Vieques
Everything about this natural attraction is purely magical, except well… its name. Mosquito Bay is located on the island of Vieques, which is just seven miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Also known as Phosphorescent Bay, the tiny inlet was once listed among one of Travel + Leisure's 50 most romantic places on earth, and is home to countless tiny undersea creatures that sparkle when the sun goes down. The brightly speckled organisms, or dinoflagellates, sparkle like glitter when the water surrounding them is disturbed, making even the journey into the bay's narrow entrance a psychedelic trip worth remembering. This vibrant bay is said to have a higher concentration of dinoflagellates than anywhere else in the world. A gallon of its waters contain as many as three-quarters of a million of the neon-bright microorganisms.
Many visitors find that splashing and gliding around the bay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the highlight of their trip. The creatures are at their brightest on a moonless night, when the water's surface resembles liquid silver and the miniscule creatures below light up with every splash or wave. There are several licensed tour companies that offer various options for getting to the bay, including kayaks or small electric boats that don't disturb the sensitive ecology of the area.
Book your trip today! Visit www.aa.com, call American/American Eagle reservations at 1-800-433-7300, or call your travel agent for more information.
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