Caribbean News

The Most Popular Boating Cities in the Caribbean

Published

9 months ago

January 8, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Nassau, The Bahamas

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Number of Vessels: 167

With its turquoise waters and proximity to the famous Exuma Cays, Nassau offers fantastic boating experiences and stands out as the busiest boat rental destination in the Caribbean. Popular boat trips include visiting Pig Beach, snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto, and exploring private islands. Fishing charters are a top boating activity in Nassau, with visitors booking half and full-day excursions on fully-equipped fishing boats for deep-sea adventures. The warm climate and thriving marine life make it exceptionally popular for winter escapes and Spring Break vacations for families and groups of friends of all ages.

Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Number of Vessels: 110

Fajardo is known for its bioluminescent bays and the nearby Cordillera Nature Reserve. Boat trips to Icacos Island and Vieques offer opportunities for pristine snorkeling, diving, and the unique experience of visiting a bioluminescent bay. It’s seasonally dependent, but if you come at the right time, you could be greeted by glow-in-the-dark organisms illuminating the waters around you during a tour by boat at night. This is often considered a bucket list experience, and Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is one of the best destinations for it. The consistent weather and calm seas are also ideal for sailing year-round.

Cartagena, Colombia

Most Popular Style of Boat: Catamarans

Number of Vessels: 285

Cartagena boasts a rich cultural heritage, charming old town streets, alongside stunning coastal waters. It’s one of the most visited cities in Colombia, both by international and domestic tourists. The most commonly chosen boating itinerary for visitors on vacation is a day trip to the Rosario Islands. These islands are known for coral reefs and vibrant sea life, and provide the perfect scenery for photo shoots, island hopping, and sunbathing. Its year-round tropical weather makes it a favorite for yachters looking for day excursions or even overnight adventures.

Bavaro, Dominican Republic

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Number of Boat Listings: 167

Located on the eastern coast, north of Punta Cana, Bavaro is a growing tourist destination in the Dominican Republic, thanks to its proximity to the international airport and its rapidly-growing accommodations and facilities. It’s also a very affordable destination for yachting, with average hourly rates starting at just $125/hour for large yachts.

With 10 kilometers of coastline, there are many great beaches to explore and enjoy, and cruising around from Bavaro to various sandbars and tiny islands off the coast is a top activity enjoyed by visitors on vacation. Popular trips from Bavaro include snorkeling in coral gardens and cruising along the lagoon. Boat tours here with local captains provide for an unforgettable vacation experience.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Number of Boat Listings: 345

With the international airport in Punta Cana receiving over 1.5 million tourists annually, it’s a top Caribbean destination for travelers seeking sunshine and warmth, especially during the winter months and over Spring Break. Punta Cana is known for its white-sand beaches and warm, blue waters, and it offers fantastic boating options. Popular excursions include Saona Island, exploring natural pools and sandbars, spotting dolphins in the wild, or even full day trips to Punta de los Nidos. It’s a remarkably affordable yachting destination, especially if you’re visiting with a group and can split the cost. Many options start at under $100/hour for impressive vessel rentals with captains included.

Jan Thiel, Curacao

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Number of Boat Listings: 24

Jan Thiel in Curacao is a gem of the Caribbean for on-water adventures, where you can cruise and discover secluded beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Motor yachts and large sailboats are the most in-demand style of boat to charter or rent here, as the favorable winds make it ideal for sailing, and there are many great areas to explore by private yacht. Popular trips by boat from Jan Thiel include exploring Klein Curaçao, a remote island perfect for snorkeling and diving, and day trips to Fuikbay and the Spanish Lagoon. It’s an area of the island with many beach clubs and waterfront restaurants that you can visit by boat, or book a catered lunch onboard your yacht charter.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Number of Boat Listings: 53

Montego Bay is celebrated for its lively culture, luxury accommodations, incredible yacht services, and beautiful scenery. It’s a top destination in Jamaica for the over 2 million visitors who travel to the island annually.

Boating trips from Montego Bay often feature visits to Doctor’s Cave Beach and the Montego Bay Marine Park. Many visitors opt to have an all-inclusive bar and catered local food onboard. The area’s warm waters are perfect for kayaking and snorkeling, and many larger yacht charters will include equipment for these sorts of activities.

Oranjestad, Aruba

Most Popular Style of Boat: Yachts

Number of Boat Listings: 18

Aruba’s Oranjestad is renowned for shipwreck dives and luxury catamaran cruises, and has grown in popularity in recent years as a top vacation destination for visitors from around the globe. Popular destinations include the Antilla shipwreck and the calm waters of Eagle Beach. Sunset cruises are another popular choice here, and are an ideal way to end a perfect vacation day. The gorgeous beaches and waters of Oranjestad coupled with the easy access to boats and yachts in the various marinas of the city make it a top choice for boating enthusiasts on a trip to the island.

Leeward Settlement, Turks & Caicos

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Number of Boat Listings: 27

Turks and Caicos experienced record tourism growth in 2024, and an upscale area of the islands, the Leeward Settlement, is a top Caribbean destination for boat rentals and yacht charters. The area offers natural beauty thanks to its clear turquoise waters and pristine, white sand beaches. Popular trips by boat from here include exploring Grace Bay and snorkeling at Smith’s Reef. The shallow, calm waters make it an ideal spot for family boating. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, and incredible colorful fish.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Most Popular Style of Boat: Sailboats

Number of Boat Listings: 15

While not as busy with respect to boating as the east coast city of Fajardo, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, combines vibrant city life with excellent boating opportunities. Sailing is a top choice here, with visitors opting for sightseeing and sunset cruises. Popular excursions by boat from San Juan include trips to nearby islands like Palomino and Culebra. Its rich history, iconic landmarks and warm, sunny weather make it a top choice. Make sure to snap some photos of the old fort infrastructure while cruising around.

San Pedro, Belize

Caribbean News

Guyanese Scholar and Olympian Arrested in Iowa ICE Crackdown

Published

6 days ago

September 27, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

September 27, 2025 – In a shocking breach of public trust and institutional oversight, Ian Andre Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, who is a citizen of Guyana, was arrested on September 26 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a string of serious offenses that raise troubling questions about hiring practices, accountability, and public safety.

Roberts, born in Georgetown, Guyana, is a former Olympian and accomplished scholar. According to online reports, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University after transferring from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he played soccer. He holds two master’s degrees—from St. John’s University and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business—attended an Executive MBA program at MIT Sloan School of Management and earned a doctorate in education with a focus on urban educational leadership from Trident University.

Despite these accomplishments, Roberts was living and working without legal authorization. ICE reported that he fled a traffic stop and abandoned his school-issued vehicle. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. He also has a prior weapons-related charge.

ICE officials questioned how Roberts could hold such a prominent role while subject to a final deportation order issued in May 2024. The school district said they were unaware of his immigration status, noting that he had undergone background checks and completed an I-9 form confirming work authorization. Roberts was placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

This case highlights vulnerabilities in systems meant to safeguard public institutions and underscores the challenges ICE faces in identifying individuals operating outside U.S. immigration laws while in positions of authority.

For many, Roberts has become a near-literal poster child for these enforcement gaps.

Caribbean News

Bermuda Shaken by Targeted Murder as Crime Returns After a Decade of Calm

Published

2 weeks ago

September 21, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Bermuda is reeling after the brazen murder of 37-year-old Janae Minors, a mother of two, who was gunned down in her own beauty supply store on Court Street, Pembroke. The attack, which police describe as “targeted,” has rattled the island, not only for its brutality but for what it says about the state of law and order in a country that less than a decade ago was celebrating a dramatic fall in violent crime.

The Attack on Court Street

According to police, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, a lone gunman pulled up on a stolen black motorcycle, walked into the Beauty Monster shop Minors owned, and shot her multiple times. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to hospital.

Detectives say the killer was thin, tall, dressed in dark clothing with a full-face helmet, and wearing bright gloves. CCTV shows him fleeing north on Court Street, down Tills Hill toward TCD, before turning onto Marsh Folly Road. Investigators are pursuing all leads, with a focus on recovering evidence from nearby cameras and eyewitness accounts.

Police Commissioner Darrin Simons confirmed the attack bore the hallmarks of gang-related violence, a chilling indicator that Bermuda’s gang rivalries — long simmering beneath the surface — may once again be spilling into broad daylight.

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Minors, remembered as a hardworking entrepreneur with “a vibrant, beautiful personality,” leaves behind two children, ages 16 and 18. Her murder has ignited outrage across Bermuda, not just for its senselessness but for its timing: the island had once prided itself on virtually stamping out gun violence.

Then: Near-Zero Murders

Back in 2014, Bermuda made international headlines for reporting zero firearm murders — a remarkable achievement given the small island had endured a spate of gang-related shootings in the early 2010s. Police credited intelligence-led operations, tighter firearms interdictions, and aggressive prosecutions of gang leaders. Community programs and mentoring initiatives also played a role, giving at-risk youth alternatives to gang life.

By 2015 and 2016, gun crime was at historic lows. That period was hailed as proof Bermuda could beat back the tide of violence with coordinated policing, social investment, and political will.

Now: Alarming Resurgence

Fast forward nine years, and the picture looks starkly different. In 2024 and 2025, Bermuda has recorded a rise in gun-related deaths. Rival gangs such as Parkside and 42 have resurged, fueled by a new generation of recruits. Economic pressures, high youth unemployment, and the easy flow of smuggled firearms through maritime routes have undermined earlier gains.

Community trust in the police has also eroded, making investigations harder and retaliations more likely. Opposition MPs and neighborhood leaders warn that without sustained focus, Bermuda risks sliding back into the violent cycles of the early 2010s.

Public Alarm and Political Pressure

Premier David Burt condemned Minors’ killing as “an escalation of community violence that cannot be tolerated,” promising stronger enforcement and deeper engagement with residents. The Bermuda Police Service has appealed for CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage from the area, urging residents that even the smallest detail could break the case.

Yet among the public, frustration is growing. People remember the calm of 2014 — when zero murders were recorded — and cannot understand how the island has returned to headlines dominated by gun violence. The contrast is stark: from celebrating the elimination of gun murders to confronting the targeted execution of a businesswoman in broad daylight.

A Test for Bermuda’s Future

The murder of Janae Minors has become more than a single case; it is now a symbol of Bermuda’s struggle to hold on to the progress it once made. The question facing the island is whether the successes of a decade ago can be replicated and sustained in today’s harsher climate of economic pressure and gang rivalries.

For Minors’ family, nothing can erase the tragedy of losing a mother and daughter so violently. But for Bermuda at large, her death is a wake-up call — that the island cannot afford complacency when it comes to crime.

As one community leader put it: “Nine years ago, we had beaten this. Now, we’re back to fearing what happens when the sun goes down. That is not the Bermuda we want to live in.”

Caribbean News

CARICOM-Africa Summit Yields Draft Pact on Trade, Travel and Reparations

Published

2 weeks ago

September 19, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Imagine an Atlantic Bridge connecting the Caribbean Region to the African Continent

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — When CARICOM leaders convened with African counterparts and Afreximbank officials in Ethiopia, the outcomes were savory and exactly what many Caribbean people want to see materialise as the islands become uniquely reconnected to the African continent.

At the Second CARICOM-Africa Summit, held at the African Union headquarters, leaders moved beyond symbolic language to agree on a draft communiqué that, if finalized, would anchor this partnership in practical action. While not yet officially published by the AU or CARICOM, the document points to an agenda that blends history with urgent twenty-first century priorities.

The draft outlines commitments to improve air and sea transport links, including the pursuit of a multilateral air services agreement to break down the barriers that still keep the Caribbean and Africa physically apart. It also calls for visa facilitation and simplified entry regimes, making it easier for citizens of both regions to travel, study, and work across the Atlantic.

Equally significant are pledges to advance double taxation treaties that could remove one of the most stubborn obstacles to investment. With Afreximbank’s Caribbean headquarters already established in Barbados and the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) gaining momentum, leaders now want to lock in the financial and legal frameworks that will drive new business.

Reparatory justice also featured prominently, with the draft communiqué sharpening a joint call for coordinated advocacy. CARICOM’s long-standing Reparations Commission is expected to work more closely with African institutions to demand global recognition and redress for the shared traumas of slavery and colonial exploitation.

CARICOM’s incoming chair, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis, captured the spirit of the gathering when he urged that the Atlantic Slave Trade be reimagined as an “Atlantic Bridge — a bridge of hope, a bridge of advancement, a bridge that will ensure our people take their rightful place in this world.”

For Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, the meeting was a “homecoming,” but also a reminder that concrete steps like the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) and improved transportation links are needed to transform rhetoric into results.

For citizens back home, wrestling with inflation and economic uncertainty, the Addis outcomes — transport, visas, investment, health, and reparations — are precisely the kinds of measures that can validate leaders’ journeys and rekindle faith in South-South cooperation. What was once only rhetoric now hints at the beams of an Atlantic Bridge, connecting the Caribbean and Africa in ways that could finally turn history’s tragedy into tomorrow’s advantage.