Belem - Halifax Expedition Caribbean islands: paradise locations that only a few know about

The rocky island of Ile Royale welcomes you with a mix of Brazilian rainforest and Caribbean palm trees as a cinematic backdrop. It was used as a French penal colony until 1951 – made famous by the book “Papillon” by Henri Charrière and its 1973 film adaptation starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The island invites you to go on an exciting journey through time – from arriving by Zodiac at the old landing site, which was once built by the prisoners, to looking into the cell blocks overgrown by vegetation. Enjoy the freedom to explore this secluded island independently. No film can capture the experiences that you’ll gather on your expedition.

Scarborough, the capital of Tobago, is the gateway to exploring the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, which is known for its tropical landscapes and cultural diversity. While the larger island of Trinidad attracts visitors with white sandy beaches and fascinating animals such as leatherback turtles and scarlet ibises, Tobago offers a captivating array of lush rainforest and mountainous terrain. The Caribbean rhythm of calypso, whose roots go back several centuries, can be felt all over the island and makes the way of life in Trinidad and Tobago so special.

The small Caribbean island of Bequia has retained its friendly and laid-back atmosphere. Here, life seems to move at a slower pace: the island only gained electricity and telephone service in the 1970s. Port Elizabeth adds an international flair: take a relaxed stroll through the capital, with its popular marina, which is also the starting point for sailing trips to the island world of the Grenadines. Bequia is a mecca for sailing, even in miniature: every year at Easter, a regatta of miniature sailors takes place here, for which there are numerous workshops for model ships. The island has something for everyone – from the small vegetable market to Mount Pleasant with its sweeping views and a sea turtle sanctuary. Or you can simply enjoy a day at the beach on the white sands of a sheltered cove, with the turquoise sea as your backdrop.

Surrounded by white sandy beaches and green hills, Marigot Bay is one of the most idyllic bays in the Caribbean: it invites you to swim, snorkel and relax and is a popular place for sailors to drop anchor. Charming restaurants line the shore and offer a selection of local and international cuisine. Its peaceful atmosphere makes Marigot Bay the perfect retreat for enjoying the beauty of nature and the Caribbean way of life.

Dominica is considered an insider tip for nature lovers and adventurers: untamed, intense and spectacular in its diversity. Rainforests rustle and murmur on mountain slopes, hot springs steam from the ground and rare animals and plants thrive in one of the most extensive nature reserves in the Caribbean. Whether hiking through emerald-green gorges or marvelling at waterfalls plunging from cloud forests into crystal-clear pools, in Dominica you are surrounded by a natural landscape that is free to unfold. History and the present merge in the lively capital city of Roseau: on the walls of the former British fortress, a charming hotel now watches over the bay. The towers of the Catholic Cathedral of Notre-Dame rise up between tropical vegetation and colonial architecture, while government buildings with historical flair characterise the cityscape.

Saint-Barthelemy, also known as St Barts, is a living legend among the Caribbean islands. The small capital, Gustavia, attracts visitors with impressive yachts in the harbour and the cosmopolitan jet set that has settled here since the 1950s. The island, which covers 21 km² (8.1 m²), impresses with its palm-fringed beaches such as the quiet Plage de Saline, the Anse du Gouverneur with its crystal-clear water and the lively Plage de Colombier. Gustavia itself invites you to discover its luxury boutiques and world-class restaurants – a perfect blend of Caribbean beauty and exclusive luxury that makes St Barts one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world.

Today is all about enjoying an expedition. The destination: Prickly Pear Cays – two small, unspoilt islands north-west of Anguilla. The cay islands, named after the prickly fig cactus, lie peacefully in the turquoise Caribbean Sea, separated by a narrow channel and surrounded by a protected reef system. No roads, no houses – just sand, wind and waves. What looks like the far ends of the earth is actually a natural paradise teeming with life. While seabirds rest on the flat beach, explore the colourful corals while snorkelling and, with a little luck, observe a sea turtle as it swims through the clear water. On East Cay, enjoy the view of the open sea – a place of serenity where the horizon merges with the sky. The Prickly Pear Cays are a quiet gem of the region: unspoilt, pristine, impressive. A day here is like stepping back in time to when the Caribbean was still completely untouched by humans.

Bermuda appears like a distant promise in the deep blue of the North Atlantic – a British archipelago that has captured the imagination for centuries as the northernmost point of the mystical Bermuda Triangle. Around 360 coral islands belong to this archipelago, only around 20 of which are permanently inhabited. The largest island, Grand Bermuda, forms the vibrant heart of the group. This is where you will find the charming capital city of Hamilton, where British elegance and American casual flair combine to create a unique lifestyle. Bermuda is famous for its fantastic beaches, where the soft pink sand feels like powder under your feet. In the midst of this paradise, subtropical landscapes stretch out with dense mangrove forests, mysterious caves and lush greenery. Above and below the water’s surface, several national parks invite you to explore – whether on a walk along spectacular cliffs or snorkelling through colourful reefs teeming with life.