The devastation of September 2017’s back-to-back Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria on some of the Caribbean’s most popular islands — the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and St. Martin/St. Maarten among them — is a reminder that vacationing in the region in late summer and early fall is not without its risks. Luckily, many of the islands hit last year are well on the road to recovery and open for business. In addition, forecasters recently lowered predictions for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began June 1 and ends November 30, to below average with expectations of four hurricanes, only one of them major.

That means there’s still a risk — there always is, especially during the peak period from late August to mid-October — but if you’re eager to relax on a beach without worrying that your vacation could be ruined by a tropical storm-turned-hurricane churning toward your Caribbean paradise of choice, here are seven islands that are historically hurricane-free or have a low risk of a direct hit.

HISTORICALLY HURRICANE-FREE

Aruba

Aruba lies on the southern fringes of the hurricane belt, and locals likes to boast that only six hurricanes have passed within 62 miles of this Dutch island over the past 140 years (the last two were Janet in 1955 and Ivan in 2004, while the tail of Matthew whipped the island’s beaches in 2016). That means with no direct hits the odds are in your favor that you can head worry-free to this welcoming island with its popular Palm Beach and Eagle Beach resort areas, casinos and watersports.

Bonaire

Like Aruba, this neighboring ABC Island lies on the outer edge of the hurricane belt and has a history of avoiding major storms. Yet, there have been a few close calls: 2008’s Omar got near enough to destroy many of the island’s shallow coral reefs and 2016’s Matthew skirted the island and storm surge caused some beach erosion. But if you’re a diver, love arid landscapes or want to see pink flamingos, Bonaire is a pretty safe bet for a late summer or fall visit.

Curacao

The “C” of the ABC Islands has not generally been in the path of major hurricanes. That said, 2010’s Tomas weakened to tropical storm status as it approached this Dutch island, stalled and caused heavy flooding. A few years before that, Felix (2007) passed to the north and drenched Curacao and Omar (2008) formed nearby and also dumped heavy rain. But since a direct hit is rare, this island remains a good option if you want to experience the historic ambience of Willemstad and the beauty of its cave-lined coasts, secluded beaches and vivid blue water.

AT LOW-RISK FOR DIRECT HITS

Barbados

This Southern Caribbean island has generally avoided a direct hit over the past 100 years (Category-3 Allen in 1980 being the exception), although more than a half dozen storms have passed close enough to cause wind, rain and storm surge damage (notably Janet in 1955, Ivan in 2004 and Tomas in 2010). Given those odds, this upscale island, located where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean, is as low-risk as they come.

Trinidad and Tobago

It has been 85 years since the last major hurricane (storms were unnamed back in 1933) hit Trinidad and 55 years since Flora made landfall on Tobago in 1963. Due to their location, these neighboring Southern Caribbean islands are at minimal risk of a direct hit relative to other islands — although 2017’s Tropical Storm Bret caused wind and flood damage on both. Sun-seekers love Tobago for its crowd-free white-sand beaches, while Trinidad offers a vibrant, multicultural vibe and takes pride in its steel-pan music.

Grenada

While Grenada lies in the Southern Caribbean and is generally at low-risk, 2004’s Ivan and 2005’s Emily, along with 1955’s Janet and 1963’s Flora, were the major exceptions. Category-4 Ivan stalled over this lush island for 15 long hours and devastated the agricultural and tourism businesses, and then Emily struck a year later. This tranquil island rebounded and has only had a few brushes with passing tropical storms in the years since. So if you love rum and nutmeg and want to mix beach relaxation with jungle adventure, head here.

Bocas del Toro, Panama

For a low-risk beach break during hurricane season, head farther south in the Caribbean to this up-and-coming Central American beach destination that has never suffered a direct hit (although Otto, which formed very late in the 2016 season, caused flooding and damage). I Bocas del Toro’s unspoiled beach-meets-jungle islands you can enjoy an eco-centric, off-the-grid escape.

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Antigua

April is all about sailing. First up is Classic Yacht Regatta, a chance to drool over traditional beauties. (“They don’t build ’em like they used to” takes on new meaning here.) Stay on for Antigua Sailing Week, when modern high-performance sailboats move in. Together, they deliver two weeks of serious racing — with great looks for spectators shoreside and on the water. Serious parties, too.

Florida Keys

You have to move fast for this one: Last year, the 1,500 slots for the 7-Mile Bridge Run, across the longest of the Florida Keys‘ 43 bridges, were snapped up in a mere 10 minutes. (If you’re skunked, you can bid for one of 10 additional slots on eBay.) Not up for a quarter-plus marathon? The Cow Key Channel Bridge Run, across one of the Keys’ shortest bridges, claims to be the world’s only Zero K run. A crazy costume is de rigueur, one of the heats features pets with humans, and there’s a bar at the finish line.

Tobago

Finish off Easter weekend by cheering on your favorites at the Buccoo Goat Races. Seriously: These goats have trainers and jockeys. (They run alongside.) And stay on for the Tobago Jazz Experience. Headliners have included Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Janelle Monae and D’Angelo, and events are held in picturesque spots around the island like Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

Thailand

No ball drops in Thailand to announce the New Year celebrations happening April 13 through 15; instead, it’s thousands of buckets of water. The Songkran festival happens amid the shoulder season with hotter, drier temperatures — perfect weather for the in-street water fights that happen to wash away the previous year’s sins. Phuket, the jumping-off point for many island locales, is a prime spot for the festivities.

Miami Beach, Florida

Did someone say rum cocktails? Yes, please! The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is the perfect excuse to plan your trip to Miami Beach. Sample rums from around the globe and learn more about the spirit through seminars, lectures and master classes. The event kicks off with the Rum Fest Tiki Night at The Mai-Kai Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, a retro kitschy tiki bar built in 1956.

Bali

Calling all foodies: sample the best that Indonesia has to offer at the Ubud Food Festival. During the three-day event, expect food and wine tastings and culinary markets, along with special events highlighting the best of Bali (think lunches overlooking the rice paddies). Southeast Asia’s most prominent chefs go head-to-head in cooking competitions, and lead master classes on topics like the power of coconut, Indonesia’s forgotten flavors and the secrets of Masala.

Puerto Rico

San Juan’s Escambron Beach becomes more than just a spot to park a beach towel and swim in crystal-clear water when it sprouts a “tasting village” and transforms into the foodie fest Saborea. Celeb chefs, cooking demos, and lots of tastings (food and drink), with a kick-off party called “Bubbles and Bites”: Champagne paired with Puerto Rican chefs’ creations. We’ll drink to that.

St. Croix, USVI

Raise a glass the second week of April to the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience. The weeklong festival includes a series of events including wine tastings, gourmet dinners and a sunset barbecue.

Vanuatu

Neither getting to Vanuatu’s remote Pentecost Island nor watching Naghol Land Diving is for the faint of heart. To appease the gods and ensure a successful yam harvest, men of the Sa tribe build a 98-foot-high tower in a jungle clearing and jump from it, tethered by vines tied to their ankles. Think bungee-jumping, with a much-higher risk factor.

Barbados

Celebrate all things reggae at the weeklong Barbados Reggae Festival. Djs and live performances from local and international artists (Shaggy and Wyclef Jean have headlined in the past) take place over four main events including a beach party, vintage reggae night, a party cruise and a concert at Farley Hill National Park.

South Walton, Florida

Florida’s Panhandle beaches are some of the prettiest in the state and the weather is a near-perfect 70 degrees in April. Plan your getaway the same weekend as the Sandestin Wine Festival to try hundreds of domestic and international wines, and sample local restaurants at the Savor South Walton food tents.

Grand Bahama Island

Compete in coconut bowling and coconut-tart-eating contests at the Pelican Point Coconut Festival. Or just chill with a Gully Wash (a killer combo of coconut water, gin, and condensed milk) while you feast on coconut fried shrimp.

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Hotness scale: 1 (mild) to 4 (scorching)

Video shot and edited by: Stevan Llewellyn

Adoboloco Hawaiian Pineapple Hot Sauce – Maui, Hawaii

Verdict: This light sauce from Maui was more of a sweet hot. It’s not too heavy on the tongue, with a mild heat.

Rating: 1

Buy it here: Adoboloco Hawaiian Pineapple Hot Sauce

Eaton’s West Indian Hot Mustard Sauce – Jamaica

Verdict: This hot sauce tastes like a spicier version of mustard. It would add a nice kick when added to a sandwich or a pretzel.

Rating: 1

Buy it here: Eaton’s West Indian Hot Mustard Sauce

Aunt May’s Bajan Hot Pepper Sauce – Barbados

Verdict: At first, you won’t taste the heat so much. But Aunt May sneaks up on you, and the heat creeps into your throat. Wait for the kick at the end.

Rating: 2.5

Buy it here: Aunt May’s Bajan Hot Pepper Sauce

Marie Sharp’s Habanero Pepper Sauce – Belize

Verdict: This one is hot. As you taste the hot sauce, you feel the heat building… lingering… with a bite at the end. A few of our panelists likened the flavor to a spicier buffalo sauce (someone even described it as “buffalo sauce on steroids”).

Rating: 3

Buy it here: Marie Sharp’s Habanero Pepper Sauce

Pickapeppa Hot Mango Sauce – Jamaica

Verdict: The heat for this milder sauce is on the sweet side, tasting more like mango than peppers. This was the general favorite flavor for all of our taste testers, but not the hottest hot sauce.

Rating: 2

Buy it here: Pickapeppa Hot Mango Sauce

Real Guyana Original Hot Crushed Pepper – Guyana

Verdict: Don’t let the label (a peaceful scene of a waterfall and a humming bird) fool you. This hot sauce is a straight-up scorcher. Fire-engine red that looks like liquid pepper. The heat starts in our throat and keeps burning. A panelist described the taste as “lighter fluid on my tongue.”

Rating: 4

Matouk’s Trinidad Scorpion Pepper Sauce – Trinidad

Verdict: This hot sauce was definitely the hottest. It mostly left our panel speechless and reaching for yogurt to quell the burn. It makes your “sweat glands start to churn” and even garnered a FIVE on a scale of four for heat level.

Rating: 5 (!)

Buy it here: Matouk’s Trinidad Scorpion Pepper Sauce

The post Which Island Hot Sauce is the Hottest? appeared first on Islands.

Trinidad

Caribbean Carnival’s big daddy kicks into high gear the moment Christmas is over, and the run-up is as much fun as Carnival proper. Hit the mas camps to check out outrageous costumes and steel-pan bands as they ramp up for their annual battle, Panorama. J’ouvert, or “dirty mas,” at daybreak on Carnival Monday, is a you-only-live-once chance to smear yourself head to toe with paint, mud — even chocolate. It’s the island’s dry season, so there’s no threat to body paint. But be forewarned: between hotels, flights and costumes, it takes six months to plan.

Martinique

At this multi-day festival, look for traditional characters like La Po Fig (dressed in dried banana leaves) and Neg Gwo Siwo (covered in dark molasses), plus glitzy cross-dressing men who are the brides at Monday’s Burlesque Weddings — and women dress as grooms. Some good news for partying types: Unlike other Caribbean islands, Martinique’s revelry keeps going till sunset on Ash Wednesday.

Carriacou

The costumes don’t quite have the wow of Trinidad‘s, but Carnival on Grenada’s tiny sister isle lets you experience a tradition you won’t find elsewhere: On Fat Tuesday, pairs of masqueraders square off to recite sections of Julius Caesar during”Shakespeare Mas.” Competitors are egged on by a crowd waiting for mistakes: Flubbing your lines earns a blow from your opponent’s stick. (Luckily, the costumes are heavily padded for protection.)

Dominican Republic

Trade calypso and soca and dance in the streets to merengue and bachata instead. Fantastical papiermâché caretas (masks) are the heart of this island’s Carnival, especially in Santiago and La Vega. But beware the diablos, whose masks have long horns (sometimes from cattle) and pointed teeth. Their traditional role is to “punish” the sinners with a smack on the rear — delivered with a balloon.

Aruba

Parades swarm the streets of Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital, the day before Ash Wednesday: In fact, Carnival events bring together most of the island’s residents in the four weeks leading up to Carnival, with the Lighting Parade, Children’s Parades and the Pajama Party. The island also burns an effigy of King Momo at midnight to mark the end of Carnival season.

Yucatan, Mexico

How could you not enjoy a celebration that starts with The Burning of the Bad Mood? In Merida, the region’s capital, parades are raucous but not raunchy: At these family affairs, candies and beads are tossed to the crowd; at the Parade of the Battle of the Flowers, fresh blooms are the missile of choice. The weeklong party ends when “Juan Carnival” is buried, bringing the city back to normal life.

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Running from the cold? The Caribbean is heating up with full-blown Carnival celebrations happening on several islands. Maybe you want to see snow. If so, head to where snow sculptures rival the marble works of Michelangelo in Japan. Or ring in Chinese New Year at one of the world’s largest extravaganzas in Hong Kong.

Wherever you decide to go for your winter vacation, here are our suggestions for the best places to travel in February.

Trinidad

For the Caribbean’s biggest Carnival, head to Trinidad just before Ash Wednesday for two days of in-the-streets debauchery fueled by steel-pan music. It’s the island’s dry season, so there’s no threat to body paint. But be forewarned: between hotels, flights and costumes, it takes six months to plan.

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago takes place Feb. 24, 2020, to Feb. 25, 2020.

Japan

Not everyone feels the need to escape winter. The Sapporo Snow Festival turns the city into a winter wonderland, with extraordinary snow and ice sculptures. These aren’t your everyday snowpeople — they build full-size temples from the white stuff here — but you can add your own mitten-made creation to the Snowman Labyrinth. Trust us: The football-field-long snow-tubing runs and ice slides are definitely more fun than the sledding hill back home. Hot chocolate, anyone?

There are three locations for the 71st iteration of the Sapporo Snow Festival: The Tsudome site goes from Jan. 31, 2020, to Feb. 11, 2020, and the Odori and Susukino sites run from Feb. 4, 2020, to Feb. 11, 2020.

Barbados

Just north of celeb hangout Sandy Lane Beach, small Holetown turns into boomtown during the Holetown Festival, celebrating the island’s settlement in 1625. Sure, there’s local food (like Bajan fish cakes and macaroni pie), crafts, and music. But most popular is the Police Tattoo. Not what you’re thinking: This tattoo is a tightly choreographed show by the Royal Barbados Police Force — featuring the police band, mounted police, and even the canine unit.

The 2020 Holetown Festival is tentatively scheduled from Feb. 9, 2020, to Feb. 16, 2020.

Martinique

Get the feel of summer in the south of France sans crowds and jetlag: fine French cooking, first-class croissants, and a joie de vivre fed by perfect weather, glorious white-sand beaches and local rhums.

New nonstop flights via Norwegian Air Shuttle from New York, Boston and Washington D.C. make it easier to get here than in seasons past. And Carnival, celebrated with French-Creole flair, is a reason to book tout de suite.

Carnival in Martinique lasts from Feb. 23, 2020, to Feb. 26, 2020.

Easter Island

Monumental stone heads and summer weather aren’t the only draws to Easter Island. Tapati Rapa Nui is a pull-out-all-the-stops celebration of Polynesian pride, with feasts and dances. But it’s no tourist luau. Islanders compete in traditional activities, such as spear-fishing, body decorating and tobogganing down the slope of an extinct volcano. On a two-man banana-tree trunk. Wearing nothing but a traditional loincloth. Spills can be, uh, painful.

2020 Tapati Rapa Nui takes place from Feb. 1, 2020, to Feb. 15, 2020.

Aruba

Parades swarm the streets of Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital, the day before Ash Wednesday: In fact, Carnival events bring together most of the island’s residents in the four weeks leading up to Carnival, with the Lighting Parade, Children’s Parades and the Pajama Party. The island also burns an effigy of King Momo at midnight to mark the end of Carnival season.

Carnival in Aruba starts Feb. 24, 2020.

Carriacou

Grenada’s small sister island to the north dishes up Carnival with a literary twist: Shakespeare Mas. Pairs of costumed Kayaks (as natives of Carriacou are called) recite sections of Julius Caesar to each other from memory. When one of them flubs his or her lines, the other one strikes him or her with a stick (the costumes are padded). Even school kids pair off for this fascinating tradition, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Carnival in Carriacou takes place from Feb. 24, 2020, to Feb. 25, 2020.

Kauai

A rodeo in Hawaii? See the paniolo (cowboy) traditions in action — bronco roping, bull riding and barrel racing — at the Waimea Roundup Rodeo. It’s part of the Waimea Town Celebration, the island’s oldest and largest annual festival. The cultural event also includes a film festival, a long-distance canoe race, hula celebrations and more.

The Waimea Town Celebration takes place from Feb. 15, 2020, to Feb. 23, 2020.

The post Best Places to Travel in February appeared first on Islands.

1. Rangiroa Island, Tahiti

Sadly, we can’t be in Tahiti as much as we’d like — but we’re often daydreaming about the overwater bungalows and thatched-roof, beachfront digs. This photo was taken at Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa on dreamy Rangiroa Island.

2. Aerial View of the U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are always gorgeous, but the islands are especially lovely from above. From here you can see all of the natural beauty that St. John has to offer.

3. Tobago Sunset

One thing we never get sick of: the perfect island sunset. (We’ve even offered our best sunset photo tips.) This lovely setting was snapped at Castara Beach in Tobago.

4. Floating in Oahu, Hawaii

Ahhhh, few places are as beautiful as the Hawaiian Islands. We wish we were there now, floating our cares away.

5. Hidden Waterfall

Sometimes hikes lead to caves, and sometimes those caves contain hidden waterfalls, just waiting to be discovered. This photo was captured in Queensland, Australia.

6. Swimming with Sharks

Have you ever had the chance to snorkel with sharks? Shark Ray Alley, a day trip from Ambergris Caye, Belize, gives the chance to do just that.

7. The Perfect Beach Spot

We love Caribbean beaches, especially those on lesser-known islands like Guadeloupe. This serene spot is Plage de la Grande Anse.

8. Boating Around Croatia

A scene from the stunning Adriatic Sea, off the coast Hvar Island in Croatia.

9. A Bar with a View

Beach bars in the Caribbean are one of the main draws, and the view from this one at Bohio Dive Resort on Grand Turk is pretty sweet.

10. Sunrise Surfing

It’s worth it to wake up before dawn to surf on Queenland’s Gold Coast, especially when you get the beach all to yourself!

Want to have your photo featured? Follow @Islands on Instagram and tag your pics with #SurroundMeWithWater.

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Dominica – Secret Bay

Each of Secret Bay’s eight villas and bungalows comes not only with breathtaking views, but also an envy-inducing kitchen — an espresso machine, a convection oven and that home-away-from-home rarity: sharp knives. So one of the cooks comes to your place for a private, personalized class. “Class here is a relaxed chill session,” says Secret Bay’s head chef, Eric Subin. “There’s nothing tutorial about it. It’s about getting to know the locals as much as it’s about local dishes.”

With no set lesson plan, go ahead and request your favorites from the Secret Bay kitchen. Popular choices? Beer-battered lionfish (made with Kubuli, the local brew), callaloo soup, shrimp with creole sauce, pumpkin rice, breadfruit salad and savory yam pie, all served with a big helping of local knowledge: Caribbean yams — white, starchy and not at all sweet — are nothing like the yams back home; the bay leaves used for seasoning grow wild right outside the villa door; and the delicious buttery lionfish is venomous — but not after it’s been cleaned and its spines removed. “People are amazed they’re eating something that was once poisonous,” Subin says.

For more culinary intel, guests hang out at the Souce Shack — where chef and team prepare all of Secret Bay’s food. “It’s the place to have drinks, talk while we’re cooking, ask questions and get more connected to the food,” Subin says. The place to taste too. “I always give samples.”

Grenada – True Blue Bay

Esther Benoit wears a chicken breast on one hand like an oven mitt. That’s what it should look like, she explains, when you’ve cut it properly. For today’s class at True Blue Bay, a boutique resort on Grenada’s south coast, she and fellow cook Omega Thomas are preparing their signature dish: callaloo-stuffed chicken with nutmeg sauce. We’ve lucked in. “Feel your way in with the knife to make a pouch for the stuffing,” Benoit instructs two volunteers from our group of a dozen. Sure enough, under her watchful eye, they’re soon showing off their own chicken mitts.

Meanwhile, Thomas waves a long-stalked, platter-size callaloo leaf, the raw ingredient that will be stewed with onion, garlic, sive (like chives), thyme and brown sugar to make the stuffing. “If you don’t have callaloo, you can do it with spinach,” says Benoit.

The two Grenadian cooks have been showing guests how to make creole fish, curry-chicken roti and other island dishes at True Blue Bay for more than six years. Their barbed repartee helps the class go down easy. “Come look at me,” Benoit says, urging us to get closer to the demo. “She loves to be looked at,” Thomas quips from the sidelines.

With the chicken sizzling in one pan, Benoit starts the sauce in another, pouring in coconut milk, cream, coconut cream and nutmeg, Grenada’s premier spice. Grated nutmeg, yes, but also local nutmeg syrup. “Bring it to a boil, but not a boil where it falls over,” she says. Thomas tastes Benoit’s work, island style. She dribbles bubbling sauce from the big stirring spoon into her palm (yow!) — “you gotta be a pro to do tasting like this” — and laps it up from there.

We’re all salivating for a taste. But first, Benoit has to show us how to present the dish. She slices the breast on the diagonal — “take your time, do it with love” — fans the slices on a plate so the stuffing shows, then spoons on the sauce.

Finally. “Seconds always available,” says Thomas as generous tasting plates are handed around. Most of us take her up on the offer.

Nevis – Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Executive sous chef Kai Autenrieth happily dishes kitchen secrets while showing how to make his charcoal-grilled lobster with mango salsa. But there’s a catch, literally: You have to snare the main ingredient.

Autenrieth and a Nevisian divemaster take you on a two-tank, lobster-hunting dive. Equipped with a local-style lasso — “It’s basically a stick with a sling on the end,” Autenrieth explains — you spot your lunch, get the loop around its tail, work it up toward the middle of the body, and pull it closed. Easy-peasy. Except you need to be quick. “The lobsters are very strong and can flip themselves out of the sling. One guy had his lobster escape at least six times.” Sounds tricky enough that I fear I’ll be stuck eating a burger. Autenrieth merely laughs; no one gets skunked. “On good days, we come back with so many lobsters I barely know what to do with them.”

Next, the hunt moves to those poison-spined lionfish, which are also overrunning Nevis’ reefs. “They’re a terrible invasive species, so we have to kill them anyway.” Good news: Spearing a lionfish is a lot easier than lassoing a lobster. “They don’t really move — they just hang out in one place and look pretty.”

Back on land, Autenrieth demos lunch, starting with lionfish ceviche and “something cold, fresh and light with lobster.” (Cross your fingers it’s the melon gazpacho with lobster salsa on top.) Two mains too: grilled lobster with three sauces (mango salsa, clarified butter and chimichurri made with herbs from the resort’s garden); and lionfish grilled in foil with garlic, onion, white wine, butter and olive oil. Class keeners go hands-on at the grill, flipping the lobster and fish, while Autenrieth works on the sides, including fried plantains glazed with rum, butter and brown sugar and topped with finely chopped bacon.

Spoiler alert: Autenrieth is also an avid underwater photographer, so you’re likely to find a framed photo of yourself and your catch delivered to your room.

Barbados – Turtle Beach

In the Oistins fish market, you can snap a selfie holding a giant lobster. The renowned market is just one of the stops on the morning culinary tour led by sous chef Mark Linton. Pro tips fly fast and furious. “The eyes tell us a lot,” says the native Bajan. “When a fish is fresh, the eyes are bright and bulging. If they’re discolored or sink into the head, the fish has been out of the water a while. Doesn’t mean it’s bad, but you want to use it soon.” And how do you choose a perfect pineapple? “Look for pinholes that might suggest insect damage,” he explains at the Bridgetown farmers market. Then it’s back to the resort for a cooking demo “that incorporates everything we learned,” featuring a market fish such as mahimahi, kingfish or flying fish, which — served with cou-cou (similar to polenta) — is the island’s national dish. “Guests usually see only the finished dish. I show them what happens behind the scenes.”

Linton has learned, however, that some things about island fish need to be explained before browsing the market. “One time a local customer called out, ‘Give me 8 pounds of dolphin.’ Guests were shocked. Now I tell them, no, we don’t eat Flipper. On Barbados, and in most of the Caribbean, we call mahimahi ‘dolphin.’”

Turtle Beach’s executive pastry chef Ezra Beckles starts his weekly class — another of the resort’s culinary offerings — with an apple tart. But when they’re in season, he uses tropical golden apples, a sweet-sour fruit that’s completely unrelated to the apples we know. And he makes oddball flours from scratch, with local root vegetables and uncommon fruit. If you’re lucky, he might also demo a short crust made with cassava and sweet-potato flours. Your job? To line the pans with dough. For extra brownie points, ask Beckles how he serves his crazy ice-cream flavors, which include curry and hot-pepper sauce, or about his “dog dumpling frozen parfait.” The main ingredient isn’t what it sounds like.

Bahamas – Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant

Executive chef Elijah Bowe sets the bar high: “I’ll show you how to take your cooking from level one to level 10,” he says. A Graycliff Culinary Academy class starts with practicing basic knife skills. Bowe’s thing is Bahamian home cooking with a gourmet twist and layers of flavor, “so you get a party in your palate and a party in your brain,” he explains. When he gets the class making conch chowder, “the most popular appetizer,” he turns to Graycliff’s 250,000-bottle wine cellar (a tour is included) to lift flavor. “Sherry pairs well with the local goat pepper in the chowder.” For those of us without access to conch at home, “use shrimp or calamari, but add it at the end since it needs less time to cook.”

The main course is hog snapper, which is traditionally steamed in Bahamian kitchens. But Bowe’s twist is to do it papillote style, wrapped in clear cooking foil. “Each person in the class makes their own, and then you’re served your dish for lunch afterward.” No hiding from one’s mistakes.

Side dishes might include Bahamian staples like mac and cheese (not even a distant relative to Kraft here) and “embellished” coleslaw. “I like to add tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple. I don’t use sugar — it comes from the fruit — or mayonnaise.” (He substitutes sour cream.)

When the cooking is done, take off your Culinary Academy apron (yes, you get to keep it) and head to the dining room for a taste. And, as with all these classes, the recipes are available to take home. “But don’t make a carbon copy,” Bowe advises. “Use what I do as a guideline, not a blueprint. Make the recipe your own.”

No room key required: You don’t need to be a hotel guest to hit these classes.

St. Kitts – Caribbean Cooks Cooking Class West Indian home cooking, Kittitian style: creole fish, rice and peas, and coconut bread-and-butter pudding with rum and brown-sugar glaze. All washed down with “bush” iced tea and stories that tell the origins of the recipes. Class is held on the grounds of 18th-century Fairview Great House and includes a full lunch.

Trinidad – Wendy Rahamut School of Cooking With four cookbooks, a TV show and an annual calendar, Wendy Rahamut headlines the Trini cooking scene. In the “party food” class, we made cassava puffs, fried cou-cou strips, and coconut shrimp with a spicy orange dipping sauce I’ve been wowing friends with ever since.

Antigua – Nicole’s Table Nicole Atherton’s intimate hands-on classes in her hilltop home (with a killer ocean view) range from curries to jerk to cooking with rum (Key-lime rum cake, barbecue steak with a rum glaze). Before she started us slicing and dicing, she poured glasses of rum punch to break the ice, then served up a heap of Caribbean kitchen tips while we worked. How to make your own vanilla extract? Just steep vanilla beans in good dark rum.

Read More About Caribbean Food:

Editors’ Picks: Best Caribbean Food | 4 Caribbean Resorts for Foodies | 10 Surprising Caribbean Rums

The post 8 Top Cooking Classes in the Caribbean appeared first on Islands.

1. West Indian Queen Cream

All cream sodas have vanilla flavoring, but some have more than others. Take this one, for example: Found on most Caribbean islands, it’s almost overpoweringly sweet – it was traditionally served atop vanilla ice cream as a sauce. With a thick and long-lasting head, we dare you to drink it from a pint glass without getting a moustache.

2. Red Solo, Trinidad and Tobago

This saccharine sorrel soda is as red as a cherry lollipop. Locals love pairing it with roti, a street food featuring savory filling wrapped in flatbread.

3. Cola Couronne, Haiti

The name of this gold-colored elixir is deceiving for English speakers – though it’s called “cola,” the soda is actually fruit-flavored, with hints of orange, pineapple and banana. It is, without question, the most popular soft drink in Haiti.

4. Tiger Malt, Barbados

This nonalcoholic carbonated beverage is everywhere in Barbados, from convenience stores to bars. Like most malts, it’s made from barely and hops. Bajans drink it with condensed or evaporated milk.

5. Ting, Jamaica

Simultaneously tart and sweet, this soda is made from grapefruit concentrate and often contains tiny pieces of pulp. Locals love mixing it with citrus vodka to make a boozy beverage know and Ving. A Ting and patty – a pastry with fillings and spices – is a popular snack.

6. West Indian Queen Pineapple

In addition to its popular cream soda, West Indian Queen makes a variety of flavors like lemonade, banana and pineapple. Each is sweet and sugary with real pieces of fruit, evidenced by the sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

7. Coco Rico, Puerto Rico

In Spanish, the name of this soda means “delicious coconut” – and that pretty much says it all. The beverage is made with natural coconut concentrate and is delicious over ice. It also works well as a mixer with white rum, gin or vodka.

8. Country Club, Dominican Republic

This amber beverage boasts subtle fruit notes and minimal fizz. In a nod to the Dominican style of dance, the original flavor of the soda is dubbed “Merengue.” Other flavors include orange, strawberry and raspberry.

The post Most Popular Soft Drinks of the Caribbean appeared first on Islands.

And we know you’re posting your meals to Instagram, and more than one-third of our readers are traveling just to eat (of course, we don’t blame ‘em). Dine on these local favorites from our list of the best Caribbean dishes when you’re on one of these islands next time.

“I eat fresh fish every single day,” said Tony Brannon, a Bermudan musician who has called Barbados his second home since 1981. “When your dinner was swimming in the sea the same day as you, there’s just nothing better.”

And he’s right. While Barbados might be known for its savory salt breads, curried goat roti and coucou –– a side dish similar to grits with the addition of okra –– the real star of Bajan cuisine is what’s splashing in its waters, including mahi-mahi, barracuda, spiny lobster and flying fish, a key ingredient in the national dish of Barbados.

For a taste of some of the best Caribbean food, head to Oistins, a fishing town on the island’s southern coast, which hosts a lively fish fry every Friday night.

“No one should leave Barbados without trying the flying fish,” Brannon said. “There’s a reason it’s on the $1 coin.”

And he’s right. While Barbados might be known for its savory salt breads, curried goat roti and coucou –– a side dish similar to grits with the addition of okra –– the real star of Bajan cuisine is what’s splashing in its waters, including mahi-mahi, barracuda, spiny lobster and flying fish, a key ingredient in the national dish of Barbados.

For a taste of some of the best Caribbean food, head to Oistins, a fishing town on the island’s southern coast, which hosts a lively fish fry every Friday night.

“No one should leave Barbados without trying the flying fish,” Brannon said. “There’s a reason it’s on the $1 coin.”

In Anguilla, locals routinely catch and grill trunkfish, a spotted red fish, for one of the best Caribbean dishes around.

Served with rice and peas, cracked conch and conch salad are two favorites at Twin Brothers in Nassau, Bahamas.

Here’s Executive Chef Lennox Cadogan of Lighthouse Bay Resort in Barbuda.

The lobster and chicken entree from Scilly Cay, an islet off the coast of Island Harbour, Anguilla.

This traditional sada roti is made with smoked herring and fried plantains near Port of Spain, Trinindad.

Succulent tequila-lime shrimp in New Providence, Bahamas, at the Indigo Cafe is a must-try.

Freshly caught red snapper is prepared at the Graycliff Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas.

Lobster and shrimp empanadillas from El Schamar in Boqueron, Puerto Rico (pro tip: Try them with “pique,” a popular island hot sauce, and a cold Medalla beer).

At El Resuelve, a family-owned restaurant in Vieques, Puerto Rico, order the crab empanadas, bone-sucking barbecue ribs and seafood soup.

Nosh on grilled whole fish with rice and peas from O.J.’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, an open-air rum shack in Southwest Antigua.

At Lechonera Restaurante El Pino in Trujillo Alto, just south of San Juan, Puerto Rico, a slab of “lechon” is weighed before hitting the oven.

A common street food in Trinidad, doubles are made by filling “bara,” fried bread, with curried chickpeas called “channa.

A breakfast arepa at El Carey Café in Isabela, Puerto Rico, made with ham and eggs has a familiar aesthetic akin to a breakfast sandwich found stateside, but it’s got its own unique Latin American touch.

The post Best Dishes in the Caribbean appeared first on Islands.

1. The Pitons, Saint Lucia

The island’s first inhabitants believed these twin volcanic spires brought them closer to heaven. You might feel the same atop the taller Gros Piton, rising 2,530 feet above sea level. Note that the trail, which ascends through rainforest and volcanic boulders, can be strenuous. And Petit Piton might be smaller, at 2,438 feet, but leave this nearly vertical ascent up a narrow path to pros.

2. Concord Falls, Grenada

One hike, three waterfalls: Easiest is the lowest, with a paved road taking you almost all the way to the water. To reach the second, Au Coin, cross an old nutmeg plantation and head deep into tropical forest. A more vigorous trip leads to the third, Fontainebleau, which thunders 65 feet down into a plunge pool.

3. Leinster Bay to Waterlemon Cay, St. John, USVI

Don’t forget your mask and fins on this island-edge trail: You’re hiking to St. John’s best snorkel spot. Explore the ruins of 19th-century Annaberg Sugar Plantation at the start of the hike, then trek to Waterlemon Beach. From there, it’s a short swim to reef-surrounded Waterlemon Cay — and a bonanza of turtles, rays and iridescent fish.

4. Shirley Heights, Antigua

Hummingbirds, crashing waves, humpback whales: It’s hard to know just where to look as you climb the trail from English Harbour’s Galleon Beach to the most famous view in Antigua. Look for Montserrat’s volcano smoldering in the distance.

5. Guanapo Gorge, Trinidad

Bring a swimsuit for this one. It starts with a walk in the rainforest, but much of the “hike” is through a fast-flowing river — the ideal antidote to the tropical heat. Floating past emperor butterflies is cool – but not nearly as cool as sliding down a rock chute into a foaming pool below. Trust us, you’ll want another go.

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