Lucadea.com - Tag: Caribbean cruise

22 October 2026

Dream Beaches: Coconut Bay in Tobago

Dream Beaches: Coconut Bay in Tobago.
A few months ago, while travelling through the Caribbean on a cruise ship, I discovered a beautiful beach on the island of Tobago, part of the twin-island country of Trinidad and Tobago. We had originally planned to spend some time at the better-known Store Bay Beach, but the conditions that day were not quite what we had hoped for. The sea was a little rough, and there was not much beach space available, so we decided to walk a few hundred metres and see what else we could find.
That short walk led us to the private beach at the Coco Reef resort, in the area we knew as Coconut Bay. Access was certainly not cheap—in fact, we paid quite a lot for the privilege—but once we arrived, we felt that the change of plan had been worthwhile. It was the kind of Caribbean setting that makes you want to put everything else aside for a while and simply enjoy the moment.
The beach offered the perfect opportunity to slow down. After the journey from the ship and the initial disappointment at Store Bay, we could finally settle in, enjoy the tropical surroundings and spend some time by the water. When travelling on a cruise, every stop has a time limit, so there is always a balance between exploring a destination and making the most of a few relaxing hours.
I sometimes find that unexpected changes make a holiday more memorable. We had set out for one beach, but the conditions encouraged us to look elsewhere. Although paying for access to a private beach was an expensive alternative, it gave us the chance to enjoy a peaceful half-day in a beautiful setting. We could relax, take in the scenery and appreciate being in Tobago without having to rush between different attractions.
Tobago is a wonderful destination for anyone dreaming of a Caribbean escape, with its tropical vegetation, coastal scenery and inviting beaches. Even a short visit can leave a lasting impression, especially when you discover somewhere that was not part of the original plan. For me, these little surprises are one of the pleasures of travelling: sometimes the best moments happen when you decide to try something different.
I wanted to share this photograph as a reminder of that lovely day at Coconut Bay. Despite the cost of admission, we enjoyed a memorable break from our cruise itinerary and had the chance to experience a beautiful corner of the Caribbean.

When you visit a Caribbean island, would you pay extra to spend a few hours at a private beach resort, or would you rather look for a public beach to enjoy the sea? Add an comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photos taken with Gopro Hero 10 black.

Here’s where this little beach is:

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Adv

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21 October 2026

A Windmill-Shaped Shop in St Maarten

Un negozio a forma di mulino sulla passeggiata di St Maarten ai Caraibi

A Windmill-Shaped Shop in St Maarten.
St Maarten is one of my favourite Caribbean stops, especially when I have a little time to enjoy the sea and explore the local shops. It is an island well known for its beautiful beaches, clear turquoise water and shopping opportunities, particularly for jewellery and watches. When I come ashore, I enjoy combining a swim with a relaxed walk along the waterfront, stopping whenever something interesting catches my eye.
During one of these walks, I came across this unusual shop with a façade designed to look like a traditional Dutch windmill. It is an unexpected sight in a tropical setting, where palm trees, sunshine and Caribbean colours are usually the dominant features. The building immediately stood out to me because it brought a touch of northern European architecture into the middle of an island known for its warm climate and seaside atmosphere.
The design also makes sense when you consider the island’s history and political geography. Saint Martin is divided into two parts: the southern part, Sint Maarten, is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while the northern part belongs to France. This unusual arrangement gives the island a distinctive character, blending Dutch and French influences with Caribbean culture and everyday life.
The windmill-style façade is a playful reminder of the Dutch connection. Rather than finding a traditional windmill in a European landscape, here you see its familiar shape adapted to a commercial building beside the Caribbean waterfront. I like discovering details like this when travelling, because they make a place memorable in a different way from its famous landmarks or postcard views.
St Maarten attracts visitors for many reasons. Its beaches are a major draw, but shopping is also part of the experience, with stores selling jewellery, watches and other goods. Depending on where you spend your time, you can enjoy a swim, wander along the promenade and browse the shop windows before heading back to the beach or your ship. For me, that combination makes the island an enjoyable place to explore without needing a complicated plan.
This photograph captures one of those small discoveries that can make a walk worthwhile. I was not necessarily looking for a particular building or attraction; I simply noticed an unusual façade and wanted to remember it. Travel photography is often about these spontaneous moments, when an ordinary stroll produces an image that says something about the place.
The shop’s Dutch-inspired design is a little reminder that St Maarten is more than beaches and sunshine. It is a Caribbean destination with a distinctive mix of cultures, architecture and local experiences.

When you visit St Maarten, do you prefer spending your time swimming and relaxing on the beach, or exploring the shops and unusual sights along the waterfront? Add an comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Honor 20.

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18 October 2026

Accra Beach, a Dream Beach in Barbados

Spiagge da sogno: Accra Beach a Bridgetown a Barbados

Accra Beach, a Dream Beach in Barbados.
Whenever I get the chance to leave the ship during a Caribbean stop, I try to spend at least part of my time by the sea. My schedule on board does not always allow me to explore as much as I would like, so a few hours on a beautiful beach can become one of the highlights of a visit. A few months ago, during a stop in Bridgetown, Barbados, I managed to visit Accra Beach, also known as Rockley Beach, on the island’s southern coast.
Sometimes the best way to discover a destination is simply to head for the shoreline and enjoy the landscape. Barbados offers plenty of opportunities for that, with its tropical vegetation, bright sand and wonderfully varied shades of blue. Accra Beach is located in the Rockley area, around 4.4 kilometres from Bridgetown according to the official Visit Barbados guide to Accra Beach, making it a convenient choice for visitors who have limited time ashore.
The beach is also known by both names, Accra Beach and Rockley Beach. Its broad stretch of sand, coastal greenery and open views make it an inviting place to relax, take a walk or simply sit and watch the waves. The sea changes colour with the light, shifting between shades of turquoise and deeper blue. For anyone who enjoys travel photography, these natural contrasts provide plenty of inspiration without the need for elaborate planning.
What I particularly like about visiting beaches during a cruise is the change of pace. Life on board follows its own schedule, while a few hours beside the sea offer the freedom to slow down and enjoy the moment. At Accra Beach, the shoreline itself becomes the main attraction: the movement of the water, the texture of the sand and the tropical surroundings are enough to make the visit memorable.
The photographs accompanying this article capture my own experience of this corner of Barbados. I took them to preserve the memory of a pleasant break during the journey and to share a glimpse of the island with readers of Lucadea.com. I often find that a photograph can communicate the feeling of a place more directly than a long description. Sometimes the colours and the view really do speak for themselves.
Accra Beach is also a lively part of the island’s south coast, with nearby places to eat, local shops and access to the coastal boardwalk. The Visit Barbados beach guide provides further information about the area’s facilities and activities. Sea conditions can vary, however, so it is always worth paying attention to local advice before swimming.
I may not always have enough time to explore every corner of a Caribbean island, but finding a beach like this makes a short visit feel special. Accra Beach gave me exactly the kind of break I look forward to when travelling through the Caribbean: sunshine, sea air and a beautiful coastal landscape to remember long after returning to the ship.

If you had just a few hours in Barbados, would you choose a beach escape like Accra Beach or spend your time exploring Bridgetown? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Gopro Hero 10 black.

And here are some videos recorded on the beach:

Videos recorded with Gopro Hero 10 Black.

Here’s where the beach is: