THE CARIBBEAN · SHORE EXCURSIONS

The 15 Best Caribbean Shore Excursions

52 tours  ·  from $35 a head

A port day is short and the ship does not wait, so the only thing that matters is getting back on time. The 15 below are priced and timed against a typical call, with a note on how far each one goes from the pier.

Damajagua The 7 waterfalls excursion - Amber Cove & Taino bay - The countryside stops before the falls
Blue Hole & Waterfall Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Dominican Republic, Waterfall Tours in the Dominican Republic

Damajagua The 7 waterfalls excursion – Amber Cove & Taino bay

1.Damajagua The 7 waterfalls excursion – Amber Cove & Taino bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 502 reviews · from $54Our pick

Hike through forest to Damajagua’s natural pools, then jump, swim, and slide through the falls with park guides. Mara, Elizabeth, Claudio, or another local host may lead the day. Round-trip port transport, safety gear, Dominican lunch, coffee, chocolate, and fruit stops are included.

“Would highly recommend this excursion. We are in our 60’s. We were on a cruise and they met us at the port (much smaller group than the cruise ship excursion). There is quite a bit of walking, most of it uphill, but you take several breaks along the way and they give you a bottle of water. The slides and jump were exhilarating. We loved it. Our guide, Na Na “Monkey,” was fantastic making sure we were safe and he took lots of pictures of us.”

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High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port - Captain Anthony sets the tone
Cruises & Boat Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in St Thomas, Tours in the US Virgin Islands

High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port

2.High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 497 reviews · from $60

Take a 40-minute ride around Charlotte Amalie Harbor aboard the 750-horsepower Screamin' Eagle. Captain Anthony adds local history before turning up the speed with fishtails, 180-degree spins, and plenty of spray. The boat holds up to 22 people, morning and afternoon trips are available, and the ride returns to Yacht Haven Grande.

“Highly recommend this well worth the money and time. While on St. Thomas the operator Anthony was fun knowledgeable, and enjoyed to have fun while being safe. The ride was a lot smoother than expected while still getting the thrilling ride.”

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St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient and Maho Beach Half-Day Tour - Orient Bay: two hours for swimming and beach time
Half-Day, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in St Maarten

St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient and Maho Beach Half-Day Tour

3.St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient and Maho Beach Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 486 reviews · from $55

Spend about two hours at Orient Bay, then visit Maho Beach to watch aircraft pass close overhead. Your guide, air-conditioned transport, port pickup, and drinks are included. Guides such as Captain K, Daniel, Wellington, and King David have been praised for lively island commentary, though you should confirm the exact meeting point before departure.

“Great time at the beaches. Very reasonable chair and umbrella rental at Orient Beach. The problem arose at how long it took back to get to the ship due to the traffic and draw bridge.”

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Barbados Shore Excursion Snorkel cruise and Beach Day - Savvy on The Bay gives you an easy beach base
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Barbados Shore Excursion Snorkel cruise and Beach Day

4.Barbados Shore Excursion Snorkel cruise and Beach Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 441 reviews · from $58

Take a shuttle from your Barbados cruise port to Carlisle Bay for a beach-club day with a lounger, umbrella, drink, and access to showers. A 90-minute Tranquility Cruises trip adds turtle spotting, a shipwreck snorkel, a glass-bottom viewing area, and a waterslide. The boat crew helps beginners and children.

“an amazing experience! first of all, it was so easy to find them as we got off the cruise ship. It’s been great we didn’t have to think about anything, they picked us up, took us to the beach, we enjoyed the sun and then the boat trip. The guys on the boat were incredibly kind, funny and experienced. Everything was great!”

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Shore Excursion Barbados Beach Day & Turtle Swim Experience - Four hours at Savvy on The Bay
Beach Days & Beach Clubs, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in Barbados, Tours in Bridgetown, Turtle Swims, Turtle Swims in Barbados

Shore Excursion Barbados Beach Day & Turtle Swim Experience

5.Shore Excursion Barbados Beach Day & Turtle Swim Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 421 reviews · 6 hours · from $50

Start at Bridgetown’s cruise terminal, then head to Savvy on The Bay at Carlisle Bay for a beach day with a chair, umbrella, and welcome drink. Tranquility Cruises takes you to a shipwreck and turtle-swimming area, with masks, snorkels, and vests supplied. Lunch is extra, and turtles are not guaranteed.

“Thoroughly enjoyed our time, wish it had been longer!”

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Damajagua Waterfalls Adrenalin Adventure Amber Cove-Taino Bay - The hike to Damajagua’s upper falls
Blue Hole & Waterfall Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Dominican Republic, Waterfall Tours in the Dominican Republic

Damajagua Waterfalls Adrenalin Adventure Amber Cove-Taino Bay

6.Damajagua Waterfalls Adrenalin Adventure Amber Cove-Taino Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 381 reviews · from $79

From Amber Cove or Taino Bay, you’ll ride into the Dominican countryside, hike through tropical forest, then slide, jump, and swim through Damajagua’s waterfalls with a safety coach such as Jordan, Winston, or Xander. The tour includes transport, park fees, water, snacks, rum punch, and a return party bus.

“My husband and I had an amazing time. Jordan was a wonderful guy who took pride in making sure that we felt safe and comfortable. We would definitely recommend this experience to anyone. We had the time of our lives. Thank you so much!”

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St Thomas Shore Excursion: Shopping, Sightseeing and Beach Tour - Meeting your guide near the cruise port
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St Thomas Shore Excursion: Shopping, Sightseeing and Beach Tour

7.St Thomas Shore Excursion: Shopping, Sightseeing and Beach Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 367 reviews · from $70

Spend about six hours touring St. Thomas by open-air safari taxi, with shopping in Charlotte Amalie, viewpoints at Mountain Top, Drake’s Seat, and Skyline Drive, plus up to two hours at Magens Bay Beach. Guides such as Air Force One, Tony, Elvis, Sunny, and Kash lead groups, though timing and pickup organization can vary.

“Driver nice and informative. Tour to the top of the island and then down to the beach for 2 hours. Enjoyed it with my daughter.”

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AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY 7 Damajagua Waterfalls + Locale Food - A Dominican lunch after the hike
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AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY 7 Damajagua Waterfalls + Locale Food

8.AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY 7 Damajagua Waterfalls + Locale Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 327 reviews · from $60

Hike through Puerto Plata’s tropical forest to seven Damajagua waterfalls, then jump, slide, and swim with guides such as Daniella, Albert, or Fernando. After a Dominican buffet lunch, visit Choc Lovers DR for cacao, coffee, rum, and mamajuana tastings. Round-trip port transfers, gear, drinks, and food are included.

“I booked this excursion as a cruise ship passenger, so note that times are local time which is likely one hour ahead of ship’s time! As a cruise ship passenger, you’ll need to navigate out of your cruise port area and kind of just meet the tour Read more”

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Puerto Plata City Tours from amber cove and Taino bay - San Felipe Fortress and the central city
City Tours, City Tours in Puerto Plata, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Puerto Plata, Tour Reviews, Tours in Puerto Plata, Tours in the Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata City Tours from amber cove and Taino bay

9.Puerto Plata City Tours from amber cove and Taino bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 327 reviews · from $55

See Puerto Plata by private air-conditioned vehicle with guides such as Rigo, Augustine, Jose, or Marleny. In about four hours, visit San Felipe Fortress, Central Park, colorful streets, a rum factory, cigar and chocolate shops, and an amber museum. Tastings, photos, and flexible stops are included, but many factory visits are mainly sales-oriented.

“Our tour guide listened to our needs and customized the tour to suit our needs. He was very helpful, professional and patient with two women. We would ask for Edward again when we return.”

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Nassau Shore Excursion: Bahamas Snorkel Adventure - Boarding the boat and preparing for the water
Shore Excursions, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Nassau, Tour Reviews, Tours in Nassau

Nassau Shore Excursion: Bahamas Snorkel Adventure

10.Nassau Shore Excursion: Bahamas Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 278 reviews · from $143

From Nassau’s cruise port, you’ll ride to Stuart Cove’s marina, board a boat, and spend about three hours snorkeling at several Bahamian sites. Expect tropical fish, coral, and an optional shark stop. Guides such as Kareem, Alexis, Nathan, and Valentino help with safety and water support. Gear, water, ice, and port transfers are included.

“This was an excellent trip. The staff on the boat was great and provided a safe and fun snorkeling trip.”

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AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY Super Buggy Tour - What the two-person buggy ride is really like
ATV & Buggy Tours, ATV Tours in the Dominican Republic, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Dominican Republic

AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY Super Buggy Tour

11.AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY Super Buggy Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 235 reviews

Drive a two-person buggy through Puerto Plata’s countryside, muddy trails, and Dominican villages before stopping at Teco’s Beach. DR Prime Tours provides transfers from Amber Cove and Taino Bay, helmets, goggles, water, a waterproof phone case, tastings, and English-speaking guides. Expect a small-group ride, plenty of mud, and a 15 to 20-minute walk from the cruise port meeting point.

“Amazing experience, this is the best tour of this kind in puerto plata. The group made us feel like family a took great care of us. If you are looking for a great experience this is it. Look no more”

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Taino Bay & amber cove 7 Damajagua Waterfall Lunch Excursion - A guide-led route with plenty of supervision
Blue Hole & Waterfall Tours, Lunch Experiences, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Dominican Republic, Waterfall Tours in the Dominican Republic

Taino Bay & amber cove 7 Damajagua Waterfall Lunch Excursion

12.Taino Bay & amber cove 7 Damajagua Waterfall Lunch Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 231 reviews · from $54

From Taino Bay or Amber Cove, ride with DSRR to Damajagua Waterfalls for an uphill jungle hike, slides, jumps, and swimming. Guides such as Rosario, Antony, Mara, and Lilo lead the adventure, with helmets, life jackets, water, lunch, chocolate, coffee, and a mamajuana taste included.

“This was our first shore excursion we did not book through the cruise. Every part of this excursion was top notch. The bus had Wi-Fi, which was helpful since we didn’t buy the Internet package. Lunch was good and so was the tour after lunch. They were very professional. It is our new favorite excursion. The waterfalls were absolutely amazing!! They even have someone take pictures and video of the whole waterfall experience. Rosario and his team did an outstanding job. We would definitely do this excursion again.”

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Half-Day Buggy Guided Adventure for Amber Cove and Taino Bay - Leaving Amber Cove or Taino Bay
ATV & Buggy Tours, ATV Tours in Puerto Plata, ATV Tours in the Dominican Republic, Guided, Half-Day, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Puerto Plata, Tour Reviews, Tours in Puerto Plata, Tours in the Dominican Republic

Half-Day Buggy Guided Adventure for Amber Cove and Taino Bay

13.Half-Day Buggy Guided Adventure for Amber Cove and Taino Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews

Leave Amber Cove or Taino Bay for a three-hour guided buggy ride through Maimon’s countryside. Expect dust, mud, water crossings, a local stop for coffee, organic cocoa, cigars, and Mamajuana, plus time at a beach. Helmets, goggles, water, transport, showers, and changing space are provided.

“It’s was a BLAST! Bring a Walmart Poncho & a waterproof bag for phone, wallet & anything you don’t want to get wet! Also wear old clothes you don’t care about!!”

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Eat Drink & Be Merry Puerto Plata City Tour -Amber Cove/Taino Bay - Macorix House of Rum and eight samples
City Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Dominican Republic

Eat Drink & Be Merry Puerto Plata City Tour -Amber Cove/Taino Bay

14.Eat Drink & Be Merry Puerto Plata City Tour -Amber Cove/Taino Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $112

Spend about five hours exploring Puerto Plata with a small group, guide, and driver. Ride the Teleferico when open, sample eight rums at Macorix House, tour Fortaleza San Felipe, eat lunch in a restored Victorian home, and learn to roll a cigar. Guides such as Carlos, Alexander, and Misael are known for making the day personal and flexible.

“Our tour guides 'Alexander the Great' and Alfredo were excellent. We were the only couple on the tour which made it more personal. The weather was terrible which cancelled our trip to the top of the mountain. Cancelled by management for safety reasons. Just wondering if true. Other tourists on other tours did go up the mountain. The rum house and walk around the town square was nice. The chicken lunch at Kaffe was delicious. Would highly recommend it.”

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Shore Excursion: North and South Sides of Bonaire - Rincon, Karpata, and Bonaire’s older way of life
Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours in Bonaire

Shore Excursion: North and South Sides of Bonaire

15.Shore Excursion: North and South Sides of Bonaire

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · from $45

See Bonaire from north to south in about three hours, with port pickup, an air-conditioned or open-air vehicle, and a local guide such as Vanessa, Peter, Martin, or Chela. Stops include 1,000 Steps, Goto Lake, Rincon, salt flats, slave huts, and Sorobon Beach. The distillery or museum visit may vary.

“I really enjoyed the tour of Bonaire but I was disappointed that we didn’t spend the 50 minutes at the 1000 steps like the listing promised. We also didn’t get to stop at the Distillery and my mother who was on the tour with us said it sounded like the reason was because they don’t allow large groups. I would suggest the listing is updated to actually reflect what will be offered. We also didn’t appreciate the smoke smell from our driver. Even with those issues, I honestly have to say for the price we paid we got a really good tour of the island and learned a lot from…”

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