These seven Caribbean islands haven’t seen a hurricane in 170 years

If you want a summer vacation in the Caribbean, visit the ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Travel a little further south and visit Trinidad and neighboring country Tobago. If you want real adventure, head to San Andrés and Providencia off the coast of Nicaragua. These islands are all outside the hurricane belt.

The islands are located at or south of 12 degrees north latitude, the general limit for tropical storms and hurricanes that form off the equatorial coast of Africa. Winds and warm water currents usually steer the forming tropical depression that becomes a hurricane northwestward toward the eastern Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the southern U.S.

San Andres and Providencia

The beautiful islands off the coast of Nicaragua in the western Caribbean belong to Columbia, although they were once British processions. These volcanic islands are favorite stopover locations for sailboats cruising the western Caribbean between Mexico and Panama. The islands have a rainy season in the summer, but fall outside the hurricane belt.

San Andrés, only 22 square miles, is considered a world-class diving destination. Diving and snorkeling trips are available through local hotels. The smaller Providencia is only 13 square kilometers and is located north of San Andrés. It is also known for scuba diving and the Sea Flower Biosphere Reserve.

San Andrés can be reached by plane from Panama, Nicaragua and Columbia. There is no direct service from the US. Providencia can be reached by plane or catamaran from San Andrés.

Curacao

This island is located at 12 degrees north latitude, about 65 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela, in the southern part of the Caribbean. Curacao It is actually arid, because there is not much precipitation. The island receives trade winds that keep it comfortable year-round, with temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the largest of the ABC Islands and very proud of its Dutch heritage, even though it is multi-ethnic. About 50 different nationalities live peacefully on this beautiful island with pristine beaches.

Bonaire

This is a paradise for divers. Located just east of Curacao, this island is also dry, with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees most of the year. Bonaire has a coral reef that is actually part of a national underwater park. This former Dutch island is committed to preserving the environment with solar and wind energy. The island has resorts that offer land tours and diving excursions.

Aruba

The third Dutch island is located approximately 24 kilometers north of the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean. It is also dry, with mild temperatures and little rainfall. Aruba iIt is a popular island for visitors, with numerous resorts and casinos. The beaches are clean and the water is warm! Visitors to the island are encouraged to learn Papiamentothe language that includes many native languages ​​and dialects spoken in the Caribbean.

Dutch is the official language on the ABC Islands, as they are part of the Netherlands. However, English is spoken everywhere.

Trinidad and Tobago

The two islands from which the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are located in the far south of the Caribbean, off the northeast coast of Venezuela. They are located at about 10 degrees north latitude, well below the hurricane belt. These are hilly islands, with smaller Tobago just northeast of Trinidad. Both islands have an Atlantic coast. English is the official language, although the country is multi-ethnic.

Both islands receive more rain than the ABC group. They have a rainforest and beautiful beaches and resorts. Trinidad has the largest natural asphalt reservoir and a nearby sulfur hot spring for visitors. Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad, hosts a lively Carnival celebration every year that attracts visitors from North and South America.

The ABC Islands and Trinidad are easily accessible from Miami and other US airports. These islands are occasionally visited by cruise ships and all have marinas for private yachts and sailboats.