10 Caribbean Yacht Destinations Families Will Love

A family yacht vacation in the Caribbean can be the ultimate bonding experience, with many ways to spend quality time together, from playing on the beach and swimming in shallow, turquoise water to educational fun like learning about marine life while snorkeling and engaging with local cultures on land.

Whether you’re looking for lots of adventure or a serene escape, yachting is well-suited for kids and adults alike. The only question is, where to go among the long list of possible yacht destinations in the Caribbean? Family-friendly options should provide a mix of sandy beaches with calm water for swimming, diverse activities for all ages, and, of course, a safe environment with low crime. If you’re looking for more lively attractions, you might want to focus on islands with waterparks or opportunities for ziplining and other thrills. 

Among these top yacht destinations for families in the Caribbean, there’s sure to be an island or two that inspires your next trip!

The Grenadines

Some of my most memorable family sailing vacations have been in the Grenadines. There’s so much to explore, and the locals are some of the friendliest and most welcoming you’ll find anywhere. This is where the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie (“The Curse of the Black Pearl”) was filmed, and you can even visit the island where Jack Sparrow famously exclaimed, “Why is the rum always gone?” Uninhabited Petit Tabac in the Tobago Cays is just as stunning as it looks on-screen, perhaps even more so. 

The island of Bequia was the primary filming location, an unspoiled gem with limited development, with a few beach bars, seafood shacks, and shops lined along Belmont Way, the paved waterfront path that links Port Elizabeth’s harbor to Belmont Beach. The harbor itself is well-protected and considered one of the best in the Caribbean. Just south is Princess Margaret Beach. You can simply step into the water and enjoy great snorkeling right from shore—in fact, you can often see coral and sea turtles right from the beach. Union Island is also worth a visit as the southern gateway to the Grenadines. It has excellent moorings on the reef and offers lots of family fun, including the unique conch shell-built Happy Island. 

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is one of the most popular Caribbean Islands for families, offering lots of activities for kids and adults alike. The Cayman Islands Yacht Club and Barcadere Marina both offer world-class facilities, while George Town Harbor and Seven Mile Beach provide free moorings to the public. Seven Mile Beach is particularly renowned for water sports with its powdery white sands lapped by translucent turquoise waters. Everything from swimming and snorkeling among sea turtles and colorful fish to jet skiing and parasailing can be enjoyed here.

One of the most popular attractions is Stingray City. Here you can immerse yourselves among the gentle, graceful creatures while standing in clear, shallow water. They’ll swim right around you, and you can even feed them. Plus, the waterfront Camana Bay complex offers shops, a weekly farmers’ and artisans’ market, restaurants, and all sorts of activities like climbing an observation tower for views, splash pads, and interactive fountains.

Aruba

Aruba is known as “One Happy Island,” enchanting visitors of all ages with plenty of activities for the whole family. Renaissance Marina in Oranjestad is the top spot for yachts, with modern facilities, while being close to shopping, but you can also anchor in the shallows near Surfside Beach, or in the protected bays of Arashi or Pos Chiquito. If you want to plan a trip outside the winter months (the peak tourist season), the good news is that Aruba is one of the “ABC” islands, which means it’s outside of the hurricane belt, at a lesser risk for tropical storms and hurricanes. 

No matter when you visit, you’ll find many beautiful beaches like famous Eagle Beach, a long stretch of fine white sands lapped by water that reflects the color of the nearly always brilliant blue skies. It’s also a popular place to watch sea turtles as a turtle nesting site and home to the island’s often photographed Fofoti tree with its unique twisted trunk that grows toward the sea. Baby Beach has shallow waters that are ideal for tinier tots to splash around, and you’ll find family-friendly attractions further inland, like the Aruba Butterfly Farm and Philip’s Animal Garden with rescued animals that can be fed and cuddled with.

British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands, or BVI, is an archipelago made up of small islands, each of which has its own unique topography and vibe. One of the top attractions is The Baths on Virgin Gorda in The Baths National Park. Children can snorkel in the calm water of the rock pools that were formed by huge granite boulders. There are also caves to explore and a trail that leads to Devil’s Bay for some of the best snorkeling on the island, with crystal-clear water and relatively shallow depths for viewing everything from colorful corals and sponges to seahorses, blue tangs, puffers, squid, and trumpet fish. 

Some of the other highlights include Norman Island, where the idyllic sands along calm Pirates Bight are great for sandcastle-building and relaxing, complete with umbrellas and beach chairs. You can also explore the mangroves near Beef Island by kayak or paddleboard.

Barbados

Barbados is another fantastic family yachting destination with excellent and easily accessible marinas like Port Charles, along with plenty of kid-friendly activities. Enjoy everything from spotting dolphins and snorkeling with sea turtles to exploring rock pools and watching the monkeys in the Wildlife Reserve. 

There are clear, calm waters on the west coast, but it’s also worth visiting the east coast to visit Crane Beach, with its pink sands, where older kids can boogie board in the waves. It’s also possible to get a day pass to use the Cliff Pool Complex at The Crane Resort, which has a waterfall pool and a shallow wading pool for the little ones. Plus, there’s a kids’ club with sandcastle contests, talent shows, and arts and crafts.

The Bahamas

Ideal for families with younger children, the Bahamas offers shallow waters and pristine sandbars, providing plenty of places to safely play. You can swim with nurse sharks in Compass Bay and even feed the friendly swimming pigs at Big Major Cay. With over 700 islands, there are practically endless opportunities for discovery without having to embark on long journeys. 

Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas on New Providence Island, connected by bridge to the smaller, resort-focused Paradise Island, is a popular destination and a prime yachting hub. Paradise Island hosts top-notch marinas like Atlantis Marina and Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina. Plus, famous Atlantis Bahamas offers day passes for yachters and other non-guests, providing access to its beaches, marine habitats, pools, and Aquaventure waterpark. Just be sure to purchase your passes online well in advance of your trip.

The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the easiest Caribbean islands to visit as a family, offering a mix of beach time, adventure, and history all in one. You’ll have many marina choices, including Marina Cap Cana, which can accommodate large yachts, located within a gated resort that offers beaches, restaurants, and golf. Marina Casa de Campo is known for its luxury amenities with fine dining and championship golf.

The island’s beaches are known for their white sands and clear blue waters, with a ton of activity options, from some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean to kayaking and kiteboarding. Caberte is the place to go for lessons and rentals if you want to kiteboard, windsurf, or enjoy traditional surfing. One of the top things to do on land is to book a tour to see the Damajagua 27 waterfalls outside of Puerto Plata. Plus, excursions can often be combined with other activities like ziplining and ATV rides.

Antigua

Antique is known for its 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. It’s the perfect playground for families with outstanding anchorages at Carlisle Bay, Deep Bay, and Nonsuch Bay, providing calm water and gorgeous scenery. Or, for full-service marinas, head to Nelson’s Dockyard, Falmouth Harbour, or Jolly Harbour. Activities include swimming with stingrays at Stingray City, capturing photos of Devil’s Bridge, a limestone arch with blowholes, snorkeling at Cades Reef and off Galleon Beach, and feeding donkeys at the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary. 

If you’re interested in the island’s history, you can learn more at Betty’s Hope, Shirley Heights, and the historic Nelson’s Dockyard. There are also waterparks and rainforests where you can whiz across a zipline.

Puerto Rico

You can sail the Caribbean without the need for a passport by visiting Puerto Rico, which offers a lot on the main island and the gem-like islands offshore. It’s easily accessible from the U.S. mainland and offers many marinas with full services. You might start by exploring Old San Juan with historic forts and cobbled streets lined with Spanish Colonial-style, pastel-painted buildings with wrought-iron balconies. 

The most stunning beaches can be found in the Spanish Virgin Islands near the main island of Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra, which offer crystal-clear waters with abundant marine life and secluded anchorages. Be sure to visit El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S., with family-friendly trails and waterfalls. 

Belize

Belize packs a punch as a family-friendly yacht charter destination that’s mostly unspoiled by commercialization. Focus on the Placencia Peninsula and Ambergris Caye area, where you’ll find calm waters and easy access to the Belize Barrier Reef, where you can swim or snorkel with rays and all sorts of tropical fish. Some of the top spots include Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park, with protected areas that are ideal for family snorkeling with remarkable marine life and coral. 

The bustling town of San Pedro offers the widest range of shops, restaurants, and tour operators, as well as being home to Amigos Del Mar for marina services, but many prefer to anchor in the main bay at nearby Caye Caulker. It has a more laid-back vibe with casual beach bars and picturesque scenery that can be explored by golf cart or on foot. The charming main street is fun to explore, lined with street food stalls and artisan vendors, while the Lazy Lizard on the narrow channel known as “The Split” is a popular spot for soaking up the island’s atmosphere and enjoying tasty ceviche with rum punch. Plus, you can leap right into the channel’s crystal-clear water afterward.