Top Caribbean Shore Excursions for Families

If you want to take your family on a memorable vacation that you'll truly enjoy, family cruises give you the chance to explore multiple destinations together without having to constantly repack your suitcases. There's no need to stress about logistics — just wake up somewhere new each morning and choose which sights you want to see. Not sure where to begin? Norwegian Cruise Line offers plenty of exciting shore excursions to choose from.

Discover some of our favorite shore excursions in The Caribbean below.

If your family loves a good story, The Caribbean is full of them — you just need to know where to look. Norwegian's shore excursions offer fun, hands-on ways for families to learn about the history and lore of The Caribbean. Watch your kids light up as they pretend to be explorers while you wander through the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum. Or challenge each other to see who can make it to the top of St. Kitts' Brimstone Hill Fortress before snapping a family photo overlooking the sea.

Adding a few guided tours into the mix is a great way to learn about local Caribbean culture and history. If you need ideas, discover a few of our favorite shore excursions.

If you want to pack a little bit of everything into a shore excursion, book the Roatán Sightseeing, Caribbean Park, and Beach Adventure. Start your journey with a scenic island drive along the north and south coasts. Before you get too far away, stop for a quick photo op at Panorama Hill so you can snap a group photo in front of your ship in the harbor below. Everyone will be in awe when they see the stunning views of Coxen Hole and The Caribbean Sea, but we have something extra special in store for the kids next.

Spend the afternoon at the Eco Caribbean Culture Park, where you'll meet colorful macaws and playful monkeys. Enjoy a tropical drink while one of our guides shares riveting stories about the island's Paya Indian roots. You'll even get to hear a few pirate legends. Did you know Captain Henry Morgan himself claimed to have hidden treasure nearby? Maybe you'll find it at Las Palmas Beach Resort while you unwind after an exciting day of sightseeing.

All aboard one of The Caribbean's most unique shore excursions: the St. Kitts Scenic Rail. While the railway was built nearly a century ago to carry sugar cane to the mills, today it takes visitors on a leisurely journey through the countryside. Your kids will love waving from the open-air upper deck as the train winds past coastal cliffs, colorful villages, and sugarcane fields. During your ride, your guide will share fascinating stories about St. Kitts' history and the Brimstone Hill Fortress, often called the "Gibraltar of The Caribbean."

If you need to cool off, head to the lower level to enjoy a complimentary island drink with the other adults as you tap along to local tunes. The train ride ends with a scenic drive along the southern coast to give you a beautiful glimpse of Nevis and The Caribbean Sea.

Families who garden or cook together will love this adventure. Enjoy a lovely drive from Harvest Caye through the countryside to get to the Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens. There's a good chance you'll smell the warm scent of cinnamon and nutmeg long before this little slice of paradise comes into view. Once you arrive, you'll hop aboard an open-air tram to take a closer look at some of the world's most beloved spices. Glide past rows of vanilla orchids, cinnamon and nutmeg trees, and pepper vines.

Along the way, your guide will explain how each spice is carefully cultivated and harvested. It really is an adventure for all the senses. After exploring the grounds, unwind at the guest center with a refreshing fruit juice. While you're there, peruse the locally made crafts and shop for your favorite spice blends to take home.

The Caribbean is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and many of them are kid-friendly. The best family beaches throughout the area are known for having gentle waves, plenty of shade, and amenities that make the day more convenient for everyone. In Grand Cayman, Seven Mile Beach provides plenty of easy dining options along its calm shoreline, while St. Martin's Pinel Island is perfect for little swimmers after a short ferry ride. For something unique, make sure Barbados is on your itinerary so you can snorkel with the sea turtles at Turtle Beach.

Norwegian's shore excursions also offer plenty of ways to elevate your beach days. Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly coastal adventures.

Signing up for this Cozumel shore excursion gets your family access to one of the island's most prestigious private beaches. The expansive waterfront welcomes guests with calm, crystal-clear waters and shady palm trees, so the kiddos always have somewhere to cool off. Spend your day lounging on the soft white sand while your children splash in the gentle waves.

If you'd rather get up and move with the whole family, join a game of beach volleyball, or explore the eco-park's tropical trails. While you're at Kuzá Beach Park, enjoy the live music and cultural demonstrations. When hunger strikes, dine à la carte to indulge in as much authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh seafood as you please. End the day sipping a cocktail with your toes in the sand while the kids build castles or play in the shallows.

Experience the best of the Virgin Islands with your family on our St. John Luxury Sail and Beach Snorkel Expedition. Round up the kids to hop on a catamaran in St. Thomas before setting sail to the neighboring island of St. John, where two-thirds of the land is protected by national parks. See how many boats or sea turtles your little ones can spot as you bob up and down over the waves.

Once anchored, you can spend your afternoon however you'd like. Snorkel among the colorful coral reefs, float in the calm waters, or lounge beneath the swaying palm trees while the kids splash around on a secluded private beach. The best part is that our crew does all the cooking. We'll prepare a catered three-course lunch so you can refuel before your return voyage. It's the kind of effortless excursion parents dream of.

If you want to earn extra brownie points with your kids, take them on Bailey's Key Dolphin Encounter, where they'll get to meet a playful pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. An experienced trainer will provide a brief orientation with fascinating insights about dolphin behavior, communication, and care. Then, you'll get to step into the clear, waist-deep waters to interact with dolphins in their natural habitat. Unlike traditional shows, this program emphasizes education and conversation, so your whole family will leave with a deeper respect for marine life.

While you're in the water, your kids can touch, play, and even share a kiss with a dolphin while learning more about these incredible creatures. Capture the memory with a professional photo op so your kiddos can show all their friends back home how much fun you had in The Caribbean.

Embark on a guided tropical hike through St. Lucia or glide through Jamaica's scenic rivers on a tubing adventure perfect for teens. With so many exciting excursions to choose from, it's easy to mix as much adventure as you please into your cruise itinerary. Worried the little ones will have a tough time keeping up? Norwegian offers half-day tours so families can enjoy a little adventure and a little downtime. Discover some of our most popular Caribbean shore excursions for families below.

Travel deep into the mountains of Puerto Plata to uncover one of The Caribbean's most incredible natural playgrounds. The Damajagua Waterfall Full Experience starts with a guided hike through the Dominican Republic, where you'll jump, slide, and swim your way through a series of turquoise pools. If that isn't magical enough, there's more. The river's limestone canyons glow emerald and blue as the sunlight filters through the jungle canopy. Throughout your journey, you'll get to swim beneath 27 cascading waterfalls to immerse yourself in The Caribbean's wild beauty.

While this excursion is best suited for adults and teens, your local guide will keep you on the right path. Wooden walkways and safety gear offer parents peace of mind, so you can focus on creating lifelong memories your entire family will cherish.

If there's one shore excursion your family will be talking about long after your cruise, it's the Howler Monkey River Expedition. Enjoy a peaceful river cruise through the rainforests of Belize as a local naturalist shares stories about the region's rich history. Keep your eyes peeled because this waterway is teeming with life. You might spot turtles, iguanas, or even crocodiles basking along the banks. Overhead, you'll see a rainbow of feathers as toucans, herons, and other tropical birds fill the skies.

Immerse yourself in nature as the rhythmic roar of black howler monkeys echoes through the jungle canopy. We promise it's an unforgettable sound. After your riverboat adventure, continue on foot for a guided nature hike to learn how locals use native plants for food and healing.

Swap gentle sea breezes for sky-high thrills with our Island Zipline Adventure. Experience Great Stirrup Cay from an entirely new perspective as you fly over the island's breathtaking beaches and brilliant blue waters. The fun begins with a quick elevator ride to the top of the Flight House, where sweeping 360-degree views of the Bahamian islands set the stage. Six high-speed ziplines run 120 feet above ground, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour.

Between zips, traverse V-net bridges, chimney climbs, and cargo nets to test your physical endurance (and bravery). Don't worry, we'll make sure everyone is fully harnessed and safe on this guided adventure. Whether you're flying alongside your kids or cheering them on from the ground, our Island Zipline Adventure is a pure rush of adrenaline. Afterward, unwind on the beach to swap stories about who screamed the loudest midflight.

Of course, the options for family fun are seemingly endless on a Caribbean cruise. Have you tried one of the shore excursions mentioned in this article? What are some of your favorite things to do on a family cruise?