The Caribbean is world famous for its beautiful beaches, year round sunshine and friendly locals but there is so much more to the islands.

Offering nature in abundance, a rich history, colourful local festivals and unique cuisine, not to mention the fantastic diving and sporting opportunities, the Caribbean truly has something to offer everyone.

We kick start our new series of travel guides to this perennially popular tropical holiday destination with a run down of the top spots in the Caribbean for nature lovers.

Whether it’s pristine rainforests, rare bird life, nesting turtles or fascinating marine life, nature lovers are spoilt for choice in this region, described by Conservation International as a true biodiversity hotspot.

1. When on holiday in Grenada, why not visit Levera Beach, a beautiful stretch of coastline just north of Bathway Beach and overlooking the fantastic Sugar Loaf Island. Levera Beach and the surrounding nature reserve offers the opportunity to see the critically endangered leatherback turtle – the largest of all living turtles - a truly magnificent experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
2. The rainforests of Grenada are also teeming with wildlife, containing numerous endangered species like hook-billed kites and the Grenada dove. Spot mona monkeys swinging from branch to branch and look out for armadillos, mongoose and osprey hawks.
3. Tobago is a dream destination for bird lovers, and the island provides nature lovers with the opportunity to spot more than 220 recorded species. Bird-watching is one of the most popular activities on the island, and you could glimpse the rare red-crowned woodpecker or the chachalaca among many others.
4. Venture to Grand Cayman Island and visit Sting Ray City, a shallow sand bar where you can feed and touch the magnificent sting rays that congregate there, even more exciting fun if you take a snorkel to view these mysterious creatures close up.
5. A holiday to Jamaica presents so many opportunities for nature lovers, such as a chance to visit the Blue Mountains, named after the mist that masks the peaks giving them their bluish colour. The mountains are located to the east of the islands, with the highest peaks rising up over 7,000 feet. See how the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated on the lower slopes of the mountains and sample the mild aroma of one of the most sought after coffees in the world!
6. If heights aren’t your thing, nature lovers in Jamaica can experience the beautiful Dunn’s River Falls. One of Jamaica’s national treasures, close to the resort of Ocho Rios, this magnificent cascading waterfall is one of very few in the world that fall directly into the sea. The gentle slope provides a fantastic opportunity to relax and enjoy the scenery while the more adventurous can join a human chain led by experienced guides and climb to the very top of the falls.
7. Barbuda, Antigua’s sister island, is home to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, offering visitors the chance to view over 170 species of birds, with the largest nesting colony of frigate birds in the Caribbean.
8. The Bahamas are to the north of the main group of Caribbean islands and home to a fantastic range of wildlife, with the chance to spot manatees, dolphins, frogfish and many more wonderful species.
9. St Lucia is a great destination for fans of nature. This beautiful volcanic island is the most mountainous of the Caribbean and its most famous landmark is the spectacular twin Piton peaks. These sharply pointed volcanic peaks are densely forested and situated within a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the southwest of St Lucia. They can be scaled by the most daring climbers or admired from afar from Mt Gimie or offshore on a charter boat.
10. While enjoying a holiday in Barbados, take a break from the beach and watersports and head for the wildlife reserve located in natural mahogany woodland in the parish of St Peter. Spot wildlife in their natural habitat, with the chance to view the Barbados green monkey, a colourful assortment of birds, including magnificent parrots and flamingos, as well as brocket deer, caiman and armadillo.

On top of all this, virtually every island has its own unique flora and fauna, something that makes a visit to the Caribbean so special. Next month, look out for our top ten guide to festivals and events throughout the Caribbean and discover some of the most colourful and exciting spectacles in these fun loving islands.