10 Best Caribbean Shore Excursions to Try During Your Cruise

As exciting as your time aboard a cruise to the Caribbean promises to be, an entire world of tropical wonders awaits you through the countless Caribbean shore excursions available. From the old-world charm of San Juan, the many thrills of Mahogany Bay, or the secluded paradise of Amber Cove, every port in the Caribbean offers you an incredible variety of experiences to make your cruise a truly memorable experience.

Whether you’re on a family cruise, a couple on a romantic getaway, or seeking a unique adventure on your own, the many Caribbean tours and excursions offered through Carnival have something for every set of interests and tastes. To whet your appetite and help unleash those tropical daydreams, here is a short list of Caribbean excursions to lead the way.

1. Secluded Adventure in Amber Cove

The VIP Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure with Lunch excursion in the Dominican Republic is like experiencing the most memorable scenes of your favorite adventure movie, but all within a single thrilling excursion. With some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable as the backdrop, you’ll hike through lush rainforest, race down water-hewn slides, and swim beneath a hidden waterfall. It’s not often you get to feel like your very own adventure hero, especially in a secluded and beautiful landscape like Amber Cove.

2. Race Down a Mountain in Montego Bay

The Bobsled Jamaica & Dunn’s River Falls with Lunch excursion is an excellent example of pure Jamaican fun, just a short drive from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, but with excitement that will last forever. Combining three of the region’s most memorable experiences, you’ll hike to the top of the famous Dunn’s River Falls, get whisked up a mountainside on a chairlift, and then bobsled back down. Now that’s a thrilling afternoon!

3. Soar Over St. Thomas

In fact, you don’t have to look any further than the Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline Tour in St. Thomas to find an excursion that can quickly transform your cruise from great to extraordinary. Assuming you don’t zipline your way to work every morning, this excursion is a unique opportunity to soar over the rainforest as you cross eight different platforms while ziplining down St. Peter Mountain. Led by a certified guide, you’ll fly over St. Thomas with the stunning Caribbean in the background.

4. Action and Intrigue in Grand Turk

There aren’t many better ways to experience Grand Turk than the Ultimate Land & Sea Adventure excursion, a non-stop surge of adrenaline that includes everything from ziplines and an obstacle course to shoreline horseback riding and world-class snorkeling. Grand Turk might not be the biggest island in the Caribbean, but it’s tough to find a more memorable one.

5. World-Class Snorkeling in Aruba

Out of the many southern Caribbean excursions available to you on your cruise, the Sailaway Snorkel & Beach Cruise in Aruba is an exclusive entrance to the most vivid sea life you can imagine. From a luxury catamaran, you’ll dive one of Aruba’s secluded reefs, getting a front row seat for coral and marine life so colorful, they’d put a box of crayons to shame. It’s a fantastic opportunity that you can only experience through one of our many excursions while on your cruise vacation.

6. A River Into the Past in Belize

The Lamanai Mayan Ruins & River Boat Safari is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in history and beauty so plentiful in Belize, exploring its lush and rugged landscapes as you go. This excursion allows you to walk amongst the ancient ruins while guided by a local expert, see the amazing wildlife throughout the New River Lagoon, and witness the scope and variety of the natural landscape while driving through the Belize River Valley.

7. Experience Grand Cayman’s Underwater Paradise

The Coral Garden & Stingray Sandbar is the ideal excursion for both those that have a passion for the colorful and diverse world beneath the sea as well as people that simply appreciate Mother Nature at its most imaginative. A few minutes spent swimming amongst the gentle stingrays and striking coral will make you a lifetime devotee of Grand Cayman’s underwater paradise and help you quickly understand why divers and snorkelers from all over the world flock to its warm waters.

8. Exclusive Exploration in Mahogany Bay

One of the best ways to discover the wilder side of the Caribbean is through the Maya Key Private Island, Snorkeling & Lunch excursion in exclusive Mahogany Bay. With an entire Honduran island at your disposal, you’ll visit an animal rehabilitation facility for an up-close look at much of the local wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys, reptiles, and countless species of exotic birds. You’ll also get to walk through untouched rainforest, snorkel pristine coral reefs, and dine on a gourmet picnic lunch, all with Mayan ruins sitting just over your shoulder.

9. Whitewater Thrills in Limon

Very few things conjure images of excitement and thrills like white water rafting. Luckily for you, that’s precisely what awaits you in Limon. With the White Water Rafting Class III excursion, a certified guide will lead you down the Reventazón River’s clean, crisp, and powerful waters, going back and forth between surging rapids and tranquil, calm pools. Surrounded by Costa Rica’s abundant wildlife and thick, green rainforest, the White Water Rafting excursion isn’t an experience you’re likely to forget.

10. Discover San Juan from Horseback

The Rainforest Horseback Riding Adventure is an excursion that delights in a slower pace, taking you from San Juan through the Central Mountain Range of the historic and beautiful island by horseback. As your guide points out the flora and fauna along the way — much of it only found on Puerto Rico — you’ll develop a greater appreciation for everything the Island of Enchantment has to offer. As a bonus, your excursion ends with a refreshing dip in the Mameyes River.

Your time aboard the ship is only half of the cruise experience. Take the time to discover the countless excursions available during your cruise to the Caribbean and unlock the true magic waiting for you at every port.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by ship and destination.