The Caribbean has everything you need for the perfect luxury family windsurfing break. Great wind reliability, varied water conditions, stunning backdrops and a choice of luxury resorts. But which are the best destinations?

Cabarete

With weekly direct flights from a choice of airports in the UK, getting to and from Cabarete in the Dominican Republic is pretty straightforward. The wind blows here almost all year round, with a great variety of conditions for all levels of windsurfer. Kids and beginners can windsurf safely, with more experienced riders enjoying the wave sailing and flatwater freestyle. It’s also the Caribbean, so all of this takes place on long sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. The best wind conditions are between January and March, and then again between June and September.

This Latin flavoured island also has plenty of other fun activities to try, including excursions to cascading waterfalls and hardcore mountain biking. There’s also a wide choice of luxury resorts spread out along the windsurfing beaches. So, it’s a perfect place to treat
the family.

Bonaire

One of the three picture-perfect islands making up the Dutch Antilles, Bonaire is widely regarded as one of the best windsurfing destinations in the Caribbean. There’s a huge flat-water lagoon with excellent facilities at the windsurf centre. It’s a warm and family friendly place, with the kids starting windsurfing from as young as four years old.

The wind blows almost all year round in Bonaire and there is also a world class diving destination if you want to combine the two sports and make your holiday that little bit more special. And, although the flights from the UK are not direct and a little long, Bonaire is relatively cheap by Caribbean standards. So it won’t break the bank, even for a luxury experience.

St Martin

The beautiful green island of St Martin borders the Greater and Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It is split between Dutch and French parts – making it the smallest island on the planet to be shared by two different nations. The island is blessed with reliable trade winds blowing for most of the year, and thanks to an outer reef it’s also a great wave destination. The waves range between one to three metres in the peak season of June to July. But the bay inside the reef remains really flat, making it perfect for younger riders and beginners.

There’s also a huge choice of other activities to try, including trekking and hiking around the island’s beautiful interior, quad biking, golf, mountain biking and skydiving. The island is very safe for children, with hotels offering kids clubs and specialist tuition, making it a great spot to visit with the entire family.

Saint Lucia

Laid back Caribbean vibes, stunning white sandy beaches and very reliable winds – it’s all on offer at Vieux Fort in Saint Lucia. This beautiful island might be a honeymooner’s paradise but it’s also got plenty to keep the family entertained too. Most of the major resorts have facilities for windsurfing, making it easy to get out on the water. These hotels are also ideal for families, with pools and kids clubs to keep the little ones entertained. You can also go whale and turtle spotting, as well as exploring the ruins at Pigeon Island.