Putting Around: Family-Friendly Mini Golf Courses to Try in the Caribbean

Insider Info, Tours & Activities

Article written by Wendy Helfenbaum.

After hours of swimming, sunbathing or touring your island of choice, a round of mini golf is a great way to get the whole family involved in a fun activity for a few hours. Set against a backdrop of tropical foliage, ocean views or sandy shores, these mini golf courses offer affordable fun and memorable moments for kids of all ages.

Anguilla

Ready for some fun in the sun? Play a round at Anchor Mini Golf in Island Harbour — 18 holes of tropical charm for the whole family! Photo courtesy of Anchor Miniature Golf.

This slender island in northern Caribbean is surrounded by more than 30 gorgeous, uncrowded beaches with secluded coves, dramatic cliffs and great snorkelling. And while you won’t see any large cruise ships, fast food outlets or casinos here, Anguilla does have two mini golf courses to choose from.

Located in the quaint fishing village of Island Harbour on the east side of Anguilla, Anchor Miniature Golf features a challenging 18-hole course with a lush garden and water features along the way. After your friendly competition is done, cool off and grab some ice cream at the snack shop. Be sure to make advanced bookings here.

Another 9-hole mini golf course is located at the Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, a luxury 300-acre property on Rendezvous Bay and Merrywing Bay. As part of the Aurora Entertainment Park, families can also play pickleball or tennis here or enjoy the climbing wall and lazy river at the onsite water park.

Nicaragua

Mini golf makes for the perfect family outing — a few hours of friendly competition and laughter for all ages. Photo courtesy of El Clubhouse Catarina.

The largest country in Central America, Nicaragua is known as the land of lakes and volcanoes. In the charming mountain town of Catarina, nature lovers will be wowed by the spectacular views over Apoyo Lagoon and can then head to the El Clubhouse Catarina. Here, families can play nine or 18 holes of mini golf surrounded by tropical trees and birds.

Visitors can also go horseback or pony riding, play games like cornhole, dominoes Jenga or go on a tour of the White Towns. The onsite restaurant serves classic Nicaraguan food after you’ve worked up an appetite from all the fun activities. The site is closed on Wednesdays. Check out the nearby artisan town of San Juan de Oriente on the way out – where they offer pottery workshops.

Sint Eustatius (Statia)

A family enjoys a round of mini golf with the ocean as their backdrop — just one of the scenic moments waiting at Golden Rock Resort, nestled on the slopes of The Quill in Statia. Photo courtesy of Golden Rock Resort.

This Dutch Caribbean island – known by locals as Statia – is a lovely, unspoiled destination with pristine nature, black sand beaches, colourful flowers and diverse cultural offerings.

At the Golden Rock Resort, a sprawling property located on the southeastern coast at the foot of the island’s dormant volcano, the Quill, families will find a challenging, fun 17-hole mini golf course. Open to hotel guests or visitors purchasing a day pass, the property also has tennis and pickleball courts, a children’s playground with swings and hammocks, and an ocean-fed saltwater lagoon. There’s also a train ride around the property, and trails through the gardens.

Choose from two restaurants – Bobbie’s Beach Club for casual fare or Breeze, which offers views over the neighbouring islands of St. Barts and Sint Maarten.

Bonaire

A fitting nod to Bonaire’s Dutch heritage — hole 7 at Flamingo Adventure Golf; photo courtesy of Flamingo Adventure Golf.

Renowned as the shore diving capital of the world, this tranquil Dutch Caribbean island has designated all its surrounding waters as a protected National Marine Park. Bonaire’s vibrant pink salt flats are home thousands of wild flamingos, which roam freely. It’s also the site of one of the only flamingo sanctuaries in the world, the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary.

So, it’s no wonder that the island’s mini golf course is called Flamingo Adventure Golf. Located on Kaminda Sorobon in Kralendijk, the 18-hole themed course is open through 10 pm and features animal and global themed holes. It’s free for kids under age three. There’s also a playground, two trampolines and an elevated lounge and bar area overlooking the greens where you can replenish your energy after the game.

Barbados

18 holes, zero stress — mini golf, Barbados style! Photo courtesy of Ball Park Events & Entertainment Centre.

On the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados – the birthplace of rum – there are gorgeous coral-sand beaches, calm turquoise waters on the west coast and huge waves on the east coast. Here, where West African and British heritage blend seamlessly, visitors can explore subterranean caves and enjoy 18 holes of miniature golf. Part of the Ball Park Events & Entertainment Centre in Christ Church, the challenging course provides fun for the whole family. After working up an appetite, guests can fuel up at the onsite café, bar and grill and then check out the other activities including sports events and concerts.

In St. Lawrence Gap, visitors can play the 9-hole mini golf course at the Southern Palms Beach Club & Resort Hotel surrounded by lush gardens and swaying palm trees overlooking Dover Beach, one of the area’s best beaches. Here, you may even spot endangered sea turtles because this is a known active nesting spot.

Article by Wendy Helfenbaum.

Wendy Helfenbaum is a Montreal-based freelance journalist who writes about travel and lifestyle for dozens of publications.

Throughout her career as a journalist, freelance writer and television producer, she’s written and produced print or television features on a wide variety of topics, including news, business, health and fitness, parenting, celebrity profiles, art, home decor, entertainment, sports, consumer affairs, philanthropy and corporate incentive travel.

Wendy is President of Take Two Productions Inc., a freelance writing, television production and translation solutions company in Montreal, Quebec. She works with clients in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

New Caribbean Adventures & Visitor Experiences

Insider Info, Tours & Activities

Article written by Theresa Storm.

What’s new on the Caribbean islands this year for you to do? Here’s what four destinations have to offer.

Sky bound in Dominica – an Aerial Adventure

Soaring above the rainforest to Dominica’s iconic Boiling Lake — a journey that once took six hours by foot now takes just 20 minutes by cable car. Photo courtesy of the Dominica Tourism Authority.

Later this year or early next year, Dominica will open the world’s longest detachable mono cable gondola. Running 6.6 kilometres above the Roseau Valley’s primordial rainforest, the Dominica Cable Car is one of the Caribbean’s most ambitious tourism infrastructure projects.

In just 22 minutes, the cable car will whisk visitors to the isle’s legendary Boiling Lake — the world’s second-largest — replacing, for most, a strenuous six-to eight-hour round-trip hike.

It will reach a peak elevation of 930 metres, passing over a river gorge, the Suspension Bridge, the twin Trafalgar Falls and the Valley of Desolation in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This otherworldly volcanic geothermal zone is pocked with bubbling fumaroles and mud pools, steaming sulphur vents and hot water streams.

The Top Station will afford panoramic views of Dominica’s mountainous interior, while viewing platforms will safely get visitors close to the Boiling Lake and surrounding geothermal landscapes.

The cable car is expected to open towards year end, following the completion of construction, testing and commissioning.

Outdoor Playground + City Culture – Curaçao

Mud, motors, and island exploration — UTV buggy touring at its best. Photo courtesy of the Curaçao Tourism Board.

Blue Finn Charters has unveiled three land tours to show you the top sights of Curaçao.

1. All West Beach Hopping Jeep Trip

In an open safari Jeep, enjoy the breeze as your driver/guide whisks you on a six-hour tour of Banda Abou, the natural, rural and less-developed western region. Stops are made at three stunning beaches where your driver/guide will share highlights, snorkeling tips, and fun details about the spot. Then you’ll have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax (about 75 minutes is spent at each):

Grote Knip – Curaçao’s most photographed beach, famous for its viewpoint. The snorkeling is especially beautiful along the rocks, where sea creatures like to hide.

Daaibooi – Snorkel along the right side of the bay in a quest for sea turtles. There’s a cozy beach bar where, if you listen closely, you’ll hear the cheerful chirping of bananaquit birds (known locally as Barika Hèl, meaning yellow belly) enjoying the feeders.

Kokomo Beach – Crystal-clear water, soft sand, a floating dock and a picture- perfect swing into the sea is the perfect way to end the day.

2. Eastern or Western UTV Buggy Tour

Jump behind the driver’s wheel for an adrenaline-fuelled off-road journey through spectacular landscapes. The Eastern UTV Route reveals the untamed east coast’s towering cliffs, crashing waves and hidden natural wonders, while the Western UTV Route highlights wild plains, scenic coastal views and refreshing swimming stops.

3. Punda Vibes City Tour

Blue Finn’s new four-hour guided night walking tour of the capital dives deep into the architecture and local pulse of Willemstad’s historic Otrobanda and Punda districts, capped by fireworks.

Pink Trolley Tours

Another guided city tour option is the Trolley Train City Centre by Curaçao Tours. They operate two Pink Trolley Trains: a brand-new, modern trolley and a classic trolley. The pink trolleys wind leisurely through downtown Willemstad, tailored to travellers looking to capture the capital’s most Instagrammable heritage sites.

Getting Around Grenada in Style

A front-row seat to the underwater world — clear boat touring with HotFoot Tours in Grenada.

Grenada has some fun new ways, on land and sea, for you to experience the Spice Isle.

Grenada Party Bus:  Executive Taxi and Tours offers immersive curated tours that showcase the island’s culture, music and natural beauty. The newly introduced private Party Bus group experience (minimum six) is customized for the occasion and group interests. The van with a fully-stocked bar, fog machines and party lights is an energetic, mobile celebration that blends sightseeing, entertainment and hospitality into one unforgettable journey.

If you’re travelling solo or with less than six people, join the scheduled Sip & Share Grenada Tour. It’s typically scheduled the last Sunday of the month. To book, complete the Signature Tour inquiry form on the website.

Go Your Way Tour:  Go Your Way is a private boating experience offered by Sun Hunters to explore Grenada’s coastline without crowds, schedules or fixed routes. At the Grenada Yacht Club, you’ll board your own mini-speedboat with a guide and cruise along the island’s scenic west coast for three hours. From Mango Bay to Magazine Beach, discover hidden coves and secluded beaches that most visitors never see.

The experience is completely flexible. Swim or snorkel in crystal-clear Caribbean waters, relax on idyllic beaches or enjoy the view as you cruise the coastline. With no rush and no itinerary, the pace is up to you.

Hot Foot Tours:  From Grand Anse Beach, Hot Foot Tours operates Grenada’s first-ever completely clear boat, offering a 360-degree view of the sea under the craft and to both sides, above and below the waterline. That means you get the experience of snorkelling from your comfortable dry seat on the boat.

Two tours to see Grenada’s wonders of the deep are offered. They include the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park and the M/V Veronica L shipwreck and artificial reef site. If you are a swimmer or snorkeler, select a tour with a scheduled stop to experience the vibrant reefs and sculptures up close.

Cocoa Indulgence in Martinique

Martinique’s chocolate story starts here — cacao fresh from Valcaco. Photo courtesy of La Maison Du Cacao de Martinique.

On March 28, La Maison du Cacao de Martinique (the Cocoa House of Martinique) by VALCACO — the Association of Cocoa Producers of Martinique — opened in Lorraine to highlight Martinique’s cocoa sector of excellence.

In the 17th century, the island grew 5.44 tonnes of cocoa annually for the international market, but was gradually unable to compete with newer producing countries. In 2010, Martinique relaunched the cocoa sector and today is once again a cocoa-producing country.

Open daily, visitors on guided or self-guided tours of the museum will learn about growing cocoa and the island’s micro-terroirs, as well as cocoa processing steps, from the pod to the chocolate bar. You will also discover what other products are made from cocoa (think beauty products and beer).

At times, educational workshops and tastings are offered. There is also a shop. Guided tours (in French) are 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m.

Article by Theresa Storm.

A four-month-long solo island-hopping adventure through the Caribbean 28 years ago ignited Theresa’s passion for the tropics, culture, nature and trying new adventures.

Back home in Calgary, her increasingly restless, itchy feet soon led to a career writing about travel worldwide.  She loves escaping winter for warmer climes, especially to the Caribbean, which has long felt like her real home.

As an award-winning travel writer and photographer, she’s penned scores of articles for magazines, newspapers and e-zines, and contributed to books including Caribbean Escapes and the first edition of DK Eyewitness Caribbean.

Her articles and photographs have been published in magazines including Bon Vivant, Extraordinary Experiences and Vacations (Ensemble Travel Group), Wanderlust (U.K.), Avenue Calgary, WestJet (WestJet Airline’s in-flight), Morning Calm (Korean Air’s in-flight), LUXE Magazine Canada, AAA publications, Cruise & Travel Lifestyles, Dreamscapes and Today’s Parent.

She is a two-time winner of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Canadian Travel Writer of the Year award and twice won CTO’s best photograph with a feature article and best online feature.  She also was honoured with the Travel Media Association of Canada’s excellence in Caribbean travel writing award.