Think You Know the Caribbean? These 12 Fun Facts Will Prove You Wrong

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The Caribbean is a world-famous tourist destination, best known for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant communities, and luxury resorts. However, there’s much more to this tropical region other than 5-star hotels and beautiful landscapes.

Stretching from South America up towards North America and Mexico, you should know many unique, interesting, and entertaining things about the Caribbean before you visit. To learn more, we’ve compiled a list of 12 fun facts about the Caribbean you might not know. The facts we’ve chosen will captivate your imagination, get you thinking, and put a smile on your face.

The Caribbean Has Over 7,000 Islands

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Let’s start with an outrageous fact that sounds utterly unbelievable. Believe it or not, the Caribbean consists of more than 7,000 individual islands. Of course, not all of those islands are inhabited. In fact, less than 100 islands are called home by locals. The vast expanse of islands spans 13 different countries and is a melting pot of cultures, making each island unique.

Furthermore, most islands in the Caribbean are strongly influenced by other countries worldwide. During a Caribbean vacation, you might encounter American, African, British, Spanish, French, and Dutch influences in architecture, cuisine, arts, and music.

The Caribbean Only Experiences Two Seasons

Most places experience four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter). However, the Caribbean only has two: a dry season and a wet season. The dry season typically occurs between December and May, while the rainy season usually occurs between June and November.

Unsurprisingly, the dry season experiences the most pleasant weather, with warm temperatures, long sunny days, and clear blue skies—meanwhile, the wet season experiences frequent rain. However, despite the often unfavorable weather conditions, the wet season is generally hotter than the dry season, with June being the hottest month in the Caribbean. In June, you can expect average highs of 86°F (30°C) and higher.

The Shortest Runway in the World Is in the Caribbean

According to the Guinness World Book of Records, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba in the Lesser Antilles chain is home to the shortest commercially serviceable runway in the world. The runway on the Dutch Caribbean island is only 1,300 feet (400 meters) in length.

The runway is even more interesting and potentially scary because it sits on the island’s edge, surrounded on three sides by the ocean. We don’t know about you, but landing at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport doesn’t sound fun. Luckily, as expected, jet aircraft cannot land at the airport. Instead, only small propeller aircraft and helicopters can land on Saba.

Saint Lucia Is the Only Country in the World Named After a Woman

This fact blew our minds because it seems ridiculous that there can only be one. Nevertheless, World Atlas reports that Saint Lucia, also known as St. Lucie, is the only country in the world named after a woman. Although other territories are named after a woman or women, Saint Lucia is the only sovereign state that is.

Most famous for its impressive mountain peaks, beautiful beaches, and luxury resorts, this picturesque island was said to have been named by French seamen. In 1502, they called the island “Sainte Alouise” in honor of St. Lucy. Spanish explorers changed the island’s name to Santa Lucia in 1511.

Pirates Once Tormented the Caribbean

During the “Golden Age of Piracy,” which lasted from the late 17th to the early 18th centuries, pirates overran large parts of the Caribbean. Those scenes of Tortuga and Port Royal in the famous Pirates of the Caribbean franchise aren’t far from the truth. Tortuga in Haiti and Port Royal in Jamaica were once thriving pirate strongholds.

These two notorious pirate havens were popular ports of call for smugglers, pirates, and privateers, who would visit the islands to plan their attacks, divide their spoils, and escape the law. Today, tourists can still see what remains of pirate history across the Caribbean. In Tortuga, you can still observe pirate graves. Meanwhile, Port Royal’s underwater port is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving spot.

You Can Swim With Wild Pigs in The Bahamas

Surreal Places in the Caribbean Pig Beach, Exuma — © Nejron Photo / Adobe Stock

One of the most unique activities travelers can experience in the Caribbean is swimming with wild pigs. This quirky activity occurs in Big Major Cay on an uninhabited island called Exuma. The island offers inviting turquoise water, pristine white sand, and diverse wildlife, but most tourists head to the island to visit Pig Beach.

Making the beach their own, Pig Beach is home to Exuma’s wild pigs. If you visit the beach, expect to see the large pigs swimming in the sea, asking locals for food, and sunbathing in the sun. It’s believed the pigs arrived in Exuma when sailors dropped them off to cook them later. Others think they came when a ship crashed, causing the pigs to take refuge on the island.

The National Dish of Montserrat Is Goat Water

Caribbean Islands To Explore in Your Lifetime Grenada — © A.Jedynak / Adobe Stock

The following fun Caribbean fact on this list is perfect for any foodies out there who are looking forward to trying some of the region’s most unique culinary dishes. One of, if not the most, unique and absurd-sounding national dishes in the Caribbean is Monterrat’s goat water.

Though it’s called goat water, this dish isn’t what it sounds like. It’s a hearty and flavorful goat stew, typically made from the male goat (ram). To make the dish, the goat is cooked in a pot of meaty broth with a mixture of vegetables, herbs, and seasonings. It’s often served with bread and rice and takes center stage at special events like weddings and birthday parties.

James Bond (007) Was Written in Jamaica

James Bond is a world-famous fictional character created by British author Ian Fleming. If you’ve watched many James Bond movies, you’ll quickly realize a Caribbean theme throughout, with many iconic scenes being filmed in the region. A big reason behind this is that James Bond was written in the Caribbean.

Ian Fleming started writing the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, in early 1952 at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. Goldeneye was used as Flemings’s winter home, so he would regularly start his Bond novels at the estate in January and February. All 13 James Bond novels were written in Jamaica, and three were filmed there.

You Can Visit a New Beach in Antigua Everyday

Most Peaceful Places to Retire in the Caribbean Cayman Brac — © Jenny Sturm / Adobe Stock

Antigua is a beautiful island nation known for its breathtaking landscapes, historic architecture, and luxury resorts. However, the island is most famous for its gorgeous white sand beaches with crystal-clear turquoise water. Quite brilliantly, there are 365 white sand beaches in Antigua, so you could visit a new beach every day for one year.

This already impressive fact is made even more spectacular when you consider it only encompasses approximately 108 square miles (280 square kilometers). Almost every beach on the island has soft sand, verdant surroundings, clear waters, and impressive coastal views. What’s not to like?

The Caribbean Is Home to the Second Largest Coral Reef in the World

Colorful Coral Reefs for an Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience Red Sea Coral Reefs, Egypt_ — © Ivan Kmit /Adobe Stock

If we told you to think about coral reefs, you’d likely conjure images of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. After all, it’s the largest coral reef in the world. However, it would be foolish to disregard the coral reefs in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is home to some of the world’s most outstanding and vast coral reefs.

However, the Mesoamerican Reef System, also known as the Great Mexican Reef, is the most impressive. This mind-blowing coral reef stretches for almost 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) through the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. According to the World Wildlife Fund, 60 types of hard coral, over 500 fish species, and five marine turtles live in the reef.

There’s a Place in the Caribbean Called “Hell”

If you’re looking for somewhere unique during your Caribbean vacation, consider going to “Hell.” Yes, there’s a place in the Caribbean called Hell, and despite what most people would think, it’s lovely. You can find Hell in the district of West Bay on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

Hell is a jagged patch of pointy limestone rocks formed by lime and salt over millions of years. It’s reported that the area received its name because of the rock formations’ eerie and sinister appearance. However, many people also argue that the name was chosen because if you throw a pebble into the rocks, the noise it makes sounds like it’s going to “Hell.” Either way, the sight is magnificent.

You Can Buy a Private Island in the Caribbean

Reasons Why Caribbean Is Sailor's Paradise Numerous Exploration Opportunities — © Stefan / Adobe Stock

The final fact on our list is aimed at those big dreamers who dream of one day living the billionaire lifestyle. While it might seem outrageous, owning a private island in the Caribbean is doable. Admittedly, you’ll need a lot of money, and we mean a lot, but you could own a private slice of paradise.

The most affordable islands in the Caribbean cost approximately $800,000 to $1,000,000. However, these islands usually don’t feature any property, etc. If you want to purchase a fully functioning private island, be prepared to fork out up to $45,000,000+. Suppose you want to save a few million; maybe renting an island is a better option.