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Calling all water babies! Here, a guide to the best snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and kayaking in the Caribbean.

With water, water everywhere, you have every opportunity in the world to make a splash in the Caribbean. If you love to sail, surf or scuba, we’ve got the best places for you. Beginner bonus: Even if you’ve never worn a pair of goggles before, the novice-friendly activities listed here will have you more than ready to get your feet wet.

Create your own itinerary with The Moorings company.

Come Sail Away

The Caribbean’s calm waters, easily accessible islands and secluded bays for private anchorages have given it a global reputation as a first-rate sailing destination. For pure romance, consider a cruise through the Grenadines, a necklace of islands and tiny cays stretching between St. Vincent and Grenada. Sailors love this 75-mile expanse for its ideal conditions: unspoiled reefs for snorkeling and scuba and miles of pristine beaches. Among the sights are the celeb isle, Mustique, and the privately owned PSV (Petit St. Vincent), where you can drop in for lunch. Snorkelers score at Tobago Cays marine park, where the protected waters boast a variety of colorful fish and a reef in hues of gold, brown, blue, turquoise and green.

With locations across the Caribbean, The Moorings, the region’s oldest yacht-charter company, can set you up with anything from a bareboat, for experienced sailors who want to rely on their own skills, to a skippered and crewed yacht for those who just want to chill while experts do the sailing and the cooking (moorings.com).

Where To Stay

When you’ve had enough sailing, jump ship at Canouan Island and head straight for the five-star Raffles Resort Canouan, where you’ll luxuriate in a lavishly appointed suite with drop-dead gorgeous sea views from an oversize terrace. For world-class pampering, try the resort’s Balinese-style Amrita Spa, with two suites set on stilts out over the sea. There’s also a Trump International Golf Club and course, with an enormous casino, four restaurants, three bars and a string of beaches. They include the famous Godahl Beach, voted by the Travel Channel as one of “The World’s Sexiest Beaches,” thanks to its serene location and private coves (rafflescanouan.com).

Raffles Resort Canouan is the sleepy Grenadine Islands.

And While You Are There

Although star-studded and security-heavy Mustique discourages drop-by visitors, Basil’s Bar, the island’s famous pub, warmly welcomes vacationing sailors. Located on the island’s west coast, this funky spot is famous for great West Indian food, free-flowing tropical drinks and hot island music. Stay on the lookout for Prince William and Kate or maybe Mick Jagger and any of the other celebs who own villas on this ultrachic hideaway(basilsmustique.com).

Sailing Tips

• Chart your ideal course. Before setting sail, ask local experts and the charter company to help

A romantic sunset sail in the Caribbean

you develop an itinerary that includes room for impromptu anchoring for swimming and snorkeling.

• Know your limits. Bareboating (hiring a boat without a crew) may sound romantic—nobody else around, complete privacy and so on—but think it through carefully. Even if you’re an expert, do you really want to have to do all the navigating on your honeymoon?

• Pack like a pro. Onboard space is limited and, besides, you won’t need many clothes. Do remember to include essentials like any prescription meds, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wide-brimmed hats and hooded sweatshirts for cool nights on deck.

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