Image by Aranya Sen (bangalore)

Perfect beaches, great food, and warm weather- the Caribbean has a lot to offer. The islands have a fascinating history and culture and they’re also a wonderful place to see and interact with wild animals. Everywhere you go there is something different. Here are just a few of the best wildlife experiences in the Caribbean:

1. Stingray City, off Grand Cayman You don’t have to be an expert undersea explorer or even a particularly strong swimmer to get up close to the rays here. In some places the water is only waist deep. The huge but gentle inhabitants of Stingray City are used to a human presence and they’re very tame (and happy to graciously accept a few choice treats from patient hands).

2. Whale watching from Dominica There are several places in the Caribbean offering whale watching tours but Dominica’s steeply shelving coast makes it possible for even the biggest whales to come into sheltered waters. Sperm whales stay in the area all year round, although the summer months are usually regarded as the best for whale watching. These incredible creatures are anything up to 67ft from nose to tail and have the largest brain of any animal on Earth.

Lucky whale spotters may find mothers and calves as well as huge bull whales. A few different dolphin species are also common around Dominica, so visitors usually get to see these as well.

3. The turtles of Grenada Leatherback turtles are the biggest of all sea turtles and sadly, one of the most endangered species. Adults might weigh in at close to a metric tonne but they are struggling to survive in the face of continued poaching. Females come ashore at Levera Beach on Grenada to lay their eggs. It’s a good choice- wardens constantly patrol to keep the eggs safe on this beach at least!

Neither the Leatherback mothers nor the wardens mind if people come and visit the beach to watch the spectacle, as long as they keep their distance and respect these unique animals.

4. Birdwatching in St Lucia There are dozens of outstanding birdwatching destinations in the Caribbean- almost anywhere there is rainforest you’ll find a gorgeous and diverse array of bird life. The hiking trails of St Lucia are one of the best places to look. Try the Union Nature Trail for example. Visitors can see tiny, brightly colored hummingbirds here, or take a trip along the coast to the Mankote Mangrove Bank to watch larger birds hunting fish in the shallows.

5. Jaguars in Belize Go looking for whales around Dominica or birds in St Lucia and you won’t be disappointed, but the jaguar is both rare and shy. Sightings can never be guaranteed but visitors to the Rio Bravo Conservation Area do sometimes get to see the elegant, powerful jaguar in the wild. If you’re one of the lucky ones it’ll be a memory to cherish for a lifetime, but if not, Belize does have plenty of other wildlife to keep you happy. Anyone who misses out on the jaguar will still be able to see monkeys, tapirs, ocelots, iguanas, and crocodiles.

Jess Spate is a traveller and a writer for sites in the timeshare resales and outdoor industries. She loves the tropics and visits whenever possible.