It is time to get a update if the past year’s hurricanes are making you rethink journey this year. Though countries suffered serious harm, a whopping 70 percent of this area–over a million square miles and 30 nations–stays untouched. And of those islands, many have already rebounded enough to resume receiving visitors.
“We shall recover,” states Hugh Riley, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “Guests planning their trips to people [affected] islands this season and beyond should expect to find a product that is rebuilt stronger, better and even more attractive than before.”
Caribbean Update: 2018 Islands Report
Do not put off Caribbean journey. As Riley says, “The very best way to assist the Caribbean recover is to visit the Caribbean.” Continue reading for Caribbean updates on islands that are affected, and reasons to see six of the most popular destinations of the Caribbean untouched by the storms.
Ways to Help: The best way to help the Caribbean would be to visit, of course. But if a trip is not in the cards, you can still donate to the official regional aid funds set up by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association along with also the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Caribbean Update: Unaffected Islands with New Reasons to Visit
Aruba
Famous for its beaches, casinos, and its particular population (90 nationalities and counting), the “Happy Island” lies outside the Caribbean islands’ hurricane belt, so it’s a fantastic bet year-round. But Aruba’s Soul Beach Music Festival on Memorial Day weekend (past headliners have included Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys) just may motivate you to book that escape right now.
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Barbados
A second Sandals resort (complete with a rooftop infinity pool and a bowling alley) and a fresh outpost of this scenester staple Nikki Beach are just two reasons to go to Barbados, the birthplace of rum, right now. But whenever you go, do not miss Harrison’s Cave, a mile-long network of limestone caverns you can explore via electric tram.
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Grand Cayman
The newest arrival on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach is Margaritaville Beach Resort, an oasis that debuted last year that’s motivated by the laidback lifestyle and lyrics of singer Jimmy Buffett. But beyond Seven Mile’s sands are classic attractions (think Stingray City and more than 300 dive sites) that are also worth your time.
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Grenada
Later this spring, the newest luxury resort Silversands is going to be the first in 25 years to start on Grenada’s Grand Anse, the most famous beach with this island-on-the-rise. Further evidence of this Spice Island’s upward trajectory: Kimpton Kawana Bay follows following year. My advice: Move.
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Jamaica
The perennially popular Caribbean Coast is popularly well known for rum, reggae, and comprehensive hotels (Excellence Oyster Bay and Spanish Court Montego Bay debut this summer). But Jamaica’s ruggedly beautiful landscape additionally bring runners to the Kingston City Run in March, and December’s Reggae Marathon, which ends to the sands of Negril’s seven-mile shore.
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St. Kitts
Using its first luxury hotel–the Park Hyatt St. Kitts, open on the island’s Southeast Peninsula–and also raised nonstop flights in Charlotte, New York, Newark, Atlanta, and Miami, St. Kitts is clearly having a moment. If you’re not basking on the beach, consider a hike 3,000 feet up to the peak of the island’s dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga.
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Caribbean Update: Recovering Islands
Anguilla
Regardless of the pounding delivered by hurricane Irma, Anguilla’s 35-square-mile island has recovered remarkably well. Power was restored; restaurants are rebuilt; greater than 600 rooms can be found in small hotels and villas; and its six major hotels (including Malliouhana, Four Seasons Anguilla and CuisinArt Resort & Spa) will reopen between mid-February along with the end of this year. Even better news: the beaches–all 33 of these–are uncrowded and pristine as ever.
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St. Barts
All utilities have been restored on the posh French Caribbean island, but almost all of St. Barts’ 16 resorts (including the very first, Eden Rock) won’t reopen until summer or fall. The great news: Villa management company WIMCO reports that 182 of its 360 rental houses (545 rooms in total) are available. The airport and Gustavia’s cruise interface are equally open, with ferry service from St. Martin now resumed. And many restaurants, most stores, and all the collectivity’s beaches are back in biz.
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St. Croix
With its airport open and electricity and water restored, the largest of the United States Virgin Islands is also bouncing back the quickest of the three. St. Croix resorts (including two of its best known, The Buccaneer and Hotel Caravelle), restaurants, and stores are back in business. Cruise ships resumed calls at Frederiksted in November, and The Fred, the island’s first new hotel in more than 30 years, had a soft opening in February and should be complete by April.
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St. Maarten
Fair warning: You will arrive and depart St. Maarten from stalls adjacent to the terminal building at Princess Juliana International Airport, whose waterlogged structure won’t reopen before the end of 2018. And some of the biggest hotels here–including all three Sonestas and the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa–are closed until further notice. But 1,200 rooms in smallish hotels and guest houses on the side of the twin-nation island are available; all of 37 beaches and most of the stores on Front Street are all available; and restaurants and nightlife at Simpson Bay are up and running. Rockland Estate, a new zipline appeal, opened in November, and the cruise port in Philipsburg welcomed its first ships in December.
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Puerto Rico
“All our airports are more operational and more than 200,000 passengers have cruised to and from San Juan within the previous three months,” says Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s acting executive director, Carla Campos. Although roughly 20% of the island is still without electricity and 20 percent with no water, Campos notes that “there are currently more than 100 resorts, 4,000 restaurants and 107 major tourism attractions open. San Juan has been getting leisure travelers since November 30, and other areas, including Culebra, Ponce, La Parguera, Mayaguez, Cabo Rojo, Rincón, and Vieques, will also be back in business”
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Caribbean Update: Severely Affected Islands
Dominica
Despite feeling the category five force of Hurricane Maria in September, over 20 small hotels have reopened on the nature island. Amenities on Dominica, however, are restricted and utilities still irregular. Consider visiting a cruise (boats returned in January), as organic attractions popular with passengers, like Trafalgar Falls and Emerald Pool, have reopened and are as amazing as ever.
St. John
The smallest U.S. Virgin Island took a big hit, dropping 70 percent of its hotel rooms into the storm, including those at marquee resorts Caneel Bay and the Westin St. John Resort & Villas, which will stay closed for the remainder of the year. But nearly all of St. John is back to the grid, and several small resorts, such as Gallows Point Resort and Estate Lindholm, are welcoming guests. Most restaurants and stores in Cruz Bay are open, as are of the Caribbean island’s shores, including Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay. Consider a day trip from Red Hook in St. Thomas, through the hourly ferry service.
St. Thomas
Though St. Thomas’ airport remains available, several large resorts–such as the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas and Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort–are shut through the rest of the year. Cruise passengers will discover many stores and restaurants at Charlotte Amalie open; attractions like the Paradise Point Skyride are working; along with also the island’s most famous beach, Magens Bay, is restored.
St. Martin
The side of this twin-nation island is in rebuilding mode, so for today, facilities for people on St. Martin are restricted. Officials say there are about 400 rooms offered in villas and small hotels; all of the beaches are dressed; and attractions such as Loterie Farm have reopened.
British Virgin Islands
All these comprise one of the sailing capitals of the Caribbean. And post-hurricanes, together with major hotels such as Peter Island, Bitter End Yacht Club, along with Rosewood Little Dix Bay closed for many or all of 2018, sailing remains one of the best methods to explore the archipelago–in actuality, there are more than a hundred boats available for charter from yacht businesses The Moorings and Sunsail. Requirements vary by island in the British Virgin Islands, however Tortola’s airport, cruise dock, and approximately 50 restaurants and bars are available; and interisland ferries are operating.
Caribbean Update: Away from the Table (for the Time Being) Islands
Barbuda
Just 2,000 people lived on this 62-square-mile island, also after visiting sister island Antigua, very few have returned. Electricity and water on Barbuda is limited and there is no lodging available for visitors. But actor Robert De Niro is still forging ahead with his Paradise Found hotel project, scheduled to break ground later this season, so keep your eyes peeled.
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon is a Caribbean travel expert, award-winning traveling journalist, and self-described “Carivangelist,” who belongs to the beach and beyond to share the world’s favorite warm-weather destination with brands such as Travel + Leisure and The Telegraph. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and on JetSetSarah.com.