Biblical rain, yes – but mostly an exotic tonic

The Caribbean may not be perfect in summer, but as nine islands get the green light, now is the time to go, says James Henderson

It’s the unknown unknowns that have made our stuttering exit from the pandemic so frustrating. But at last we can disregard the impossibility of Pitcairn and Antarctica and savour instead some proper expectations of the Caribbean – the scarlet shock of flamboyant trees in bloom, the taste of fresh mango and a silhouette of palms on a warm night filled to bursting with the peeps of tree frogs.

Nine islands in the Caribbean have been added to the green list. Four are independent (albeit former British) islands: stalwart Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Dominica.

The other five (all British Overseas Territories) don’t usually top the average Caribbean holiday wish-list: Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands – but each is lovely in its own way.

The entry protocols vary, but as UK leisure travel regulations relax, so the islands have made simplifications: vaccination is the leading factor. There is a certain rigmarole in providing evidence of jabs and PCR tests, but for fully vaccinated travellers some islands have returned – almost to normal.

The easiest, and most reliable, sources of up-to-date advice are the specialist Caribbean tour operators. Rebecca Turner, head of product at Elegant Resorts, which has its roots in the Caribbean, has seen a surge in interest as people want to know what is possible. “In a survey of our travellers recently, the Caribbean was the number one place our clients wanted to know about,” she said. “To some it’s like a second home, so they are longing to go back.’’

Generally, summer isn’t considered the best time to visit the Caribbean; it’s when the weather is at its coldest and worst. Yet it’s not that cold. Surrounded by sea, the islands’ temperatures vary less than those of the United States – in the Caribbean, July and August days are hot and the evenings generally balmy. The sun is exceptionally strong, so any sun-deprived Britons should be sure to slather on the suncream.

It does rain during the summer months – often biblically – but it’s usually in the early afternoon and the sun can erase all remnants in just 30 minutes. September is truly difficult as the weather becomes more humid and the likelihood of hurricanes grows, forcing many hotels to close for a period.

But while the weather isn’t ideal, a shot of tropical sun makes all the difference, and with our current frustrations, a summer visit promises an amazing, exotic tonic. July and August has long been the realm of traditional family breaks in the Caribbean, with resorts raising their game to keep the kids entertained (think football and a variety of other sports camps). But this year, travelling with family is complicated.

In addition to the expense of tests, your whole party may have to obey the protocols of the least vaccinated person. As such, the emphasis on family holidays has reduced significantly and camps are less frequent, so you can