What to do and where to go this Easter seems to be the SO question of the week. Fact is, we too were a tad nonplussed until, that is, we pinged Dominique Peterkin, managing director of Island Routes, and got her to reveal a few of her favourite Caribbean routes…

The Island Routes concept originated out of the realisation that there was a comprehensive need in the market to bring the best destination experiences to visitors to the Caribbean. Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), was inspired on a trip to Africa where he had a remarkable tour experience and it made him realise that the SRI organisation had the ability to offer an amazing and seamless experience in the Caribbean — and Island Routes was born in June 2009.

Stewart tapped fellow Jamaican marketing guru Dominique Peterkin as general manager and Tony Ebanks as director of operations to execute his vision of a luxury, adventure tour company.

Using their many years of experience and knowledge of the Caribbean, the Island Routes team does all the homework and delivers a comprehensive, one-stop excursion booking option for clients that sets it apart from other tour companies.

Potential tour partners must meet consumer safety criteria and receive high marks in customer satisfaction to be considered by Island Routes.

A Certified Partner Programme and comprehensive selection process has been developed by Island Routes to ensure these standards. Once a partner is certified, the Island Routes team participates in each excursion and hand-picks the tours that will be offered for sale by Island Routes.

Clients booking tours through Island Routes can be confident that their excursions are absolutely the best of the best tours in a destination. To ensure that Certified Partners continue to meet Island Routes standards a team of inspectors conduct regular safety audits. Finally, Island Routes considers the guest experience by listening to its guests and taking clients’ opinions seriously.

JAMAICA

Deep-Sea Sport Fishing – The very best in Deep-Sea Sport Fishing beckons off the coast of Jamaica. And who knew that sport fishing could be so fun and so posh! Imagine heading out onto the open waters off Ocho Rios in Jamaica, recognised as one of the most populated fishing grounds in the entire Caribbean region; or Montego Bay, dubbed “Marlin Alley” by the International Gamefish Fishing Association (IGFA).

Make it a reality and hop aboard Island Routes’ custom-fitted, 31’ Bertram, or their 46’ Hatteras, Cheryl Anne, and get ready for a truly awesome deep-sea fishing experience. The experienced captain and crew will introduce you to the very best spots, where you can try your hand at catching Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), Tuna and Sailfish, to name a few. This all-day experience is truly a luxury for the rich and famous, but incredible sport fishing really does await you off of Jamaica’s Riviera!

Swim with the Dolphins – Treat yourself to the “Experience of a Lifetime”, as you frolic with beautiful bottlenose dolphins in the deep waters of a gorgeous natural lagoon in Ocho Rios. As part of the Swim with the Dolphins experience, you’ll feel the thrill as these majestic mammals pull you along by their dorsal fins or give you a foot-push through the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. After this invigorating encounter, spend the day here and enjoy all that Dolphin Cove has to offer.

Watch the dolphins at play. View the exciting Shark Show. Marvel at the colourful birds, exotic snakes and iguanas. Enjoy unlimited mini boat rides and glass-bottom kayaking. Interact with safe, gentle stingrays. Go shopping in “Little Port Royal”, a colourful pirate’s village, where buccaneers roam. And top it all off by relaxing on a chaise lounge set directly on the pearly white-sand beach.

Back Road 4×4 Jeep Safari – This is the real Jamaica amidst completely uncharted terrain! Climb into a safari-themed 4×4 Land Rover and get ready for an awe-inspiring trip into Jamaica’s rugged, and rarely seen, interior. Feast your eyes on the breathtaking natural beauty of our island and get to know first-hand the island’s rich history and unique culture with many a pit stop in local landmarks, such as a former slave hospital, which was converted into a church in 1846. Walk on the wild side through lush, tropical foliage. Discover hidden waterfalls. Jump into crystal-clear, natural spring water pools. Go off the beaten track and experience the very heart of paradise.

Lover’s Rock Sunset Cruise – Sail off into the sunset — literally — on this romantic cruise that features stunning views of the golden sun sinking into the sea and lighting up the horizon in a whole spectrum of red, pink and orange shades. Munch on delectable appetisers and sip exotic cocktails as you stand on deck and watch the sea become set ablaze with fiery colour.

Laugh out loud with newfound friends as the undulating shoreline of Jamaica slips by the side of your boat. Sway to the rhythms of pulsating reggae music. Or simply steal away, find a quiet spot where you can be alone together and remember why you fell in love in the first place. There’s nothing quite like a Caribbean sunset at sea to reawaken the fires of love or to kindle feelings that will last a lifetime.

Horseback Riding off-thebeaten path – Riding into the turquoise Caribbean Sea on horseback, what an amazing rush! Imagine exploring the incredibly gorgeous countryside of Jamaica on horseback! This is most likely the side of our country that you’ve never seen before.

Amble through a tropical rainforest atop a sleek, gentle mare or serene stallion. Ride along a cliff and feast your eyes on panoramic vistas of the Jamaican coastline with the aquamarine ocean sparkling in the island sunshine. Then prepare yourself for a totally unique experience, as you and your mount cross the white sand of a pristine beach and enter the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Trot through the crystal seas together and enjoy the ride of your life!

ANTIGUA

Circumnavigation – Circle the island of Antigua in a day on this exhilarating adventure that takes you right around Antigua’s rugged 365-beach coastline in a 45’ offshore racing boat especially designed for this excursion.

There is a high-speed run through the islands of the North Sound and a swim with the southern rays at Stingray City Marine Park. A buffet lunch at Green Island is followed by a cruise around Nelson’s Dockyard. Finally, a snorkel at the Pillars of Hercules with its volcanic boulders below and the secluded beach at Rendezvous Bay.

EXUMA

007 Thunderball Tour – Unlock your inner adventurer on this thrill-filled excursion! Imagine a place so spectacular that it formed the centrepiece for one of the famed James Bond movies. Now picture yourself visiting this spot and enjoying all of the same sights, sounds and thrills that dazzled the debonair fictional spy.

That’s exactly what this excursion promises — and so much more! Get to know the Exuma Cays intimately as you cruise in and out amongst 150 little islands and cays. Snorkel the breathtaking Thunderball Grotto. Feed wild iguanas, if you dare! Swim with sharks. Walk along an impossibly pristine stretch of sand where the only footprints belong to you. Feast on delectable food, as you lunch at the exclusive Royal Plantation Island at Fowl Cay.

Give in to the adventure of a lifetime and create unforgettable memories that even James Bond would envy. And don’t forget the swimming pigs.

Shark Diving – Thrillseekers* will delight in this pulse-pounding adventure that brings you up close and personal with some of nature’s fiercest predators. Descend with your expertly trained dive guide to the sandy bottom of the clear sea and watch from a safe distance as magnificent grey reef shark swim past you.

Snap dramatic underwater photos of these aweinspiring creatures — proof of your unbelievable adventure. Then head over to the nearby coral reef that forms part of the sharks’ natural habitat. Examine the gorgeous hard corals and graceful sea fans and marvel at the abundance of vividly hued reef fish that call this unique ecosystem home. *This tour is open to certified divers only.

ST. LUCIA

Waterfall Cycling Adventure – A pulse-pounding, pedal-pumping thrill ride through the very heart of paradise… Picture yourself cycling through the lush greenery and abundant foliage of a tropical rainforest on your way to see a breathtaking waterfall. Claim your very own mountain bike and pedal across the hilly countryside of St Lucia until you reach the glorious Errard Waterfall. Take a dip in the cool, clear waters of the cascade and then head out into the forest again, where you’ll learn about some of the many crops and flora grown on the island. Finally, end your action-packed excursion with a leisurely ride through the authentic fishing village of Dennery.

Get ready to discover your routes

If you truly want to experience all the thrills, natural beauty and vibrant culture that make the Caribbean such a sought-after destination, then you have to check out everything that Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours has to offer. For additional details, call the local toll-free number at 1-888-429-5478 or visit www.islandroutes.com