Go wild with mischievous monkeys and sublime sea turtles with a best Caribbean wildlife encounters.
Cruise to the Caribbean to sip salt-rimmed cocktails on sugar-sand beaches and delight at the turquoise waves and swaying palms — and while you're here, get up close and personal with some of the world's most unique and exotic wildlife. Whether you prefer dry-land experiences like frolicking with flamingos on the beaches of Oranjestad, Aruba, or want to get wet and wild with Bahamian dolphins, you can take a walk on the wild side all throughout the Caribbean. From a short getaway to the Dominican Republic to peek at playful monkeys to a longer expedition to witness wondrous wildlife off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Discover adventure with the best Caribbean wildlife vacation.
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FROLIC WITH FLAMINGOS
From graceful birds to playful primates, these land animals will keep you on your toes. Learn a thing or two about sunbathing from rock-basking reptiles, or try to keep pace with a flighty hummingbird. Either way, you'll experience your best Caribbean Wildlife Encounter.
TOUCAN DO IT
Tropical birds are abundant throughout the Caribbean, so you'll likely see colorful toucans or a flock of red parrots flying over the turquoise water and white sand of the area's many beaches. You can also tour locations like the Rocklands Bird Park in Montego Bay, Jamaica, or the Adastra Zoo in Nassau, Bahamas, to find these feathered beauties.
SUNBATHE WITH IGUANAS
Iguanas love to bask on the rocks off the coast of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and they'll let you get close enough to learn something about lounging in luxury — or simply to snap a photo. Enjoy the sun and the lapping waves while relaxing with these reptiles.
MATCH WITS WITH MONKEYS
Located only an hour by car from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the aptly named Monkeyland is a great place to get up close and personal with primates. Whether you make friends with monkeys in the wild or at a primate wonderland, mind your belongings: They are curious critters that will try to snatch up your goods!
A DOSE OF VITAMIN SEA
You don't necessarily have to jump in the water to enjoy a Caribbean wildlife encounter with sea creatures and marine life, but a flick of a dolphin's tail will definitely get you soaked. Whether you're viewing sea turtles or sharks from the deck of a boat or from an inland wildlife center, you will be thrilled with your Caribbean wildlife vacation.
DOLPHIN DIVE
Whether you snorkel, SCUBA dive or watch from a boat, you're destined to encounter dolphins at Dolphinaris in Cozumel, Mexico. Check out a charter tour adventure in Saint Maarten, where you can watch the graceful creatures through the bottom of a glass-bottom boat.
START THE STINGRAY SHUFFLE
Reach out and feel the velvety skin of a stingray at the aptly-named "Stingray Cities" of the Cayman Islands or Antigua. As your guide will tell you, all you need to do to befriend them is shuffle your feet around these wily underwater creatures.
TIME TO SHELL-EBRATE
If you swim with sea turtles, you might be amazed how fast these "slow" land creatures seem to move underwater. At Xcaret Water Park on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, where you can watch turtles hatch and slowly make their way to the sea, it's the beauty of the sea turtle life cycle that will amaze you.
Best Caribbean Wildlife Cruises
A cruise to Caribbean wildlife encounter is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Whether you choose Eastern, Southern or Western, you will discover incredible wildlife and nature onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.
JOIN A SHORT JUNGLE JOURNEY
On a quick 3-4 night island cruise from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, stay active and engaged with treks through the jungle in Falmouth or Yucatan, or satisfy your local shopping craving in George Town or Nassau. No matter where you go or how long you stay, you're bound to bump into some Caribbean critters.
EXPECT PARADISE ON EXTRAORDINARY EXPEDITION
Spending more days at sea also means more time to lounge on land. Longer 7-8 night cruises allow you to take in all the Caribbean has to offer, from exotic birds to playful primates — and the local rum cocktails in between. Explore Cozumel, Aruba, and San Juan and remember to stop and savor the moment.
WHAT TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU GO
Caribbean Cruises Insider
In the Caribbean, there are as many amazing animals as there are beautiful beaches, and keeping these simple tips in mind will help you live the wild life as you dip your toes in the turquoise waters of the sea.
It pays to research Caribbean wildlife encounters and the details of animal adventure groups. If you want to get down in the water with dolphins, you'll want to make sure you don't need a SCUBA certification before you jump onboard.
Informing yourself will also aid you in assuaging any fears you might have. Wild monkeys in Caribbean wildlife centers are vaccinated and tested regularly, so it helps to know where these centers are located. Stingrays, in spite of their name, don't usually sting humans, so there's little to fear when swimming with these underwater creatures.
Bring your camera, because there are sure to be some priceless moments during your animal encounter, but try to live in the moment as well. This is especially true for any primate encounters — mischievous monkeys have been known to steal easily accessible belongings from their human cousins.
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When in doubt, always follow the advice of trained wildlife experts — you don't want to hurt yourself or the animal.
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Feel free to take photos of wildlife in its natural habitat, but avoid touching animals or getting too close.
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Stay with children at all times while they're in close proximity to Caribbean wildlife.
RELATED PORTS
All Caribbean Cruise Ports have enough nature and wildlife to surprise you. Travel Southern and wander down the colorful streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or trek the Saint Lucia’s rainforests. Go to the western side and dive into the crystal-clear waters of Grand Cayman for a wildlife encounter. Eastern Caribbean cruises will bring you to St. Thomas, where you can take in stunning panoramic views of the island at Government Hill or to St. Maarten, where you can dine on some of the region's best cuisine.
