A new way to party on Sandy Island

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

The hand-painted sign on Anguilla’s Sandy Island famously states that music is provided by the “Seagulls, Wind and Waves Band.” But Mother Nature’s aural trio will have some stiff competition come November, when the idyllic offshore oasis hosts the first annual Livin’ In The Sun music festival.

Scheduled for November 11 to 13, the event will highlight “global music with EDM [electronic dance music] at its core,” says Simone Connor, who manages the sun-drenched .6-acre spit that lies just five minutes from the village of Sandy Ground and who conceived the idea for the festival. Headliners Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and Italian electro house duo Supernova will be joined by 11 other deejays from as far afield as Australia, France, and South Africa, who’ll perform alongside Anguilla’s top turntable talent DJ Sugar and Sandy Island’s house mixmaster, Yooshe.

The five-event schedule combines daytime concerts on Sandy Island with nighttime parties at the Dune Preserve, Anguilla Great House and Nat’s Place.

“Although this started as an initiative for Sandy Island, we’re working to make this a collaborative annual national event that will kick-start Anguilla’s tourist season a full month early, and therefore benefit everybody,” said Connor.

Tickets for nighttime events are $50, and the Sandy Island all-day concerts are $200, inclusive of food and drink.

Hotel partners include Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa, CeBlue Villas, LA Vue, Paradise Cove Resort and The Pavilion Inn.

For more information go to livininthesun.com.

The post A New Music Festival on Anguilla’s Sandy Island appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s the only one of its kind in the world: a full-fledged drive-in volcano.

The Soufriere Volcano in St. Lucia is one of the island’s must-see attractions, a bubbling crater of sulphuric steam and rocky wonder that you can actually take your car into.

The crater itself collapsed almost half a million years ago, leading to its current state.

But its boiling evidence remains in sulphur springs that boil to 340 degrees — but if you want to take a dip, nearby springs are a little cooler and people-friendly.

And the latest CJ Video takes our drone right into the heart of the volcano.

The post VIDEO: A Caribbean Drive-in Volcano appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s just you and the sand, a cool breeze and a cold rum cocktail. This is Eagle Beach, Aruba’s marvelous strand of sand, steps in front of the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort.

This is your moment.

The post VIDEO: Under the Palms in Aruba appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There’s a new way to get to Bimini — quickly, thanks to a new Miami Bimini Ferry service.

Resorts World Bimini and FRS Group have announced a new ferry that launches Friday between Miami and Bimini, the closest Bahamian island to the United States (just about 50 miles away).

The ferry effectively places the Miami-Bimini cruise ship Resorts World had been operating for several years but had been stalled for some time.

The new Miami Bimini Ferry will operate from the Port of Miami to the new pier at Resorts World Bimini, sailing on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The ship, MY San Gwann, can reach speeds of up to 38 knots and make the trip from port to port in two hours, according to the company.

“This new ferry service will allow South Floridians and visitors to Miami a quick, cost-effective way to visit the island of Bimini and experience the hospitality, stunning new accommodations and high-end entertainment that is offered at Resorts World Bimini,” said Edward Farrell, President of Resorts World Bimini. “Coupled with expanded air service to Bimini from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, visitors to Resorts World Bimini now have two seamless ways to reach the island as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Paradise Beach at Resorts World Bimini

Resorts World recently debuted the new 305-room Hilton at Resorts World Bimini hotel on the island.

“We are thrilled to expand our North American operations to include service from Miami to Bimini,” said Götz Becker, CEO of FRS. “This beautiful island is considered one of the best Caribbean escapes for discerning travelers, and we look forward to providing a relaxing and convenient way to visit.”

Radio Beach in Bimini.

Are you heading on a getaway to Bimini? Check out some of CJ’s latest features, from a new rooftop bar to a top beach spot to the island’s must-visit excursion: going bone fishing in the mangroves.

The post A New Miami Bimini Ferry appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Puerto Rico is getting set to host one of the Caribbean’s leading hotel summits: CHIEF.

CHIEF, or the Caribbean Hotel Industry Exchange Forum, will be held at the El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico next week from Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

“There is a tremendous amount of expertise, ingenuity and talent within our industry and we are tapping into that at CHIEF,” said Frank Comito, CEO of the CHTA.

The slate of presenters is set to include Marriott Hotels’ Diana Plazas, Vice President Brand, Marketing & Digital for Latin America & the Caribbean, as well as Veronica Stoddart, the former Travel Editor of USA Today who serves as Executive Editor in Residence at Percepture Travel, among others.

Other in hand will include top executives from Airbnb, Google, STR, JetBlue Getaways, MMGY Global and a number of hotel executives from across the wider Caribbean region.

“We have an incredible line-up of presenters to take us through three days of educational discussions aimed at making businesses better,” said Vanessa Ledesma, Chief Operations Officer of CHTA. “Throughout the sessions at CHIEF, we will provide all the tools that you can take back to your property, to your business, to your destination, and activate them immediately.”

Sessions this year will see topics including environmental sustainability, operations, sales and marketing and technology, among others.

For more information, including how to register, see www.chtachief.com.

The post Puerto Rico Readies for CHIEF Caribbean Hotel Conference appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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