While you may already have in mind a few of the activities you plan to undertake during your vacation, such as snorkeling, fishing, swimming, hiking, and kayaking, one of the most important decisions you can make regards your accommodations. The right accommodations can make all the difference between a calming, relaxing vacation and one where you feel anxious since you never want to return to your lodging. For a soothing vacation surrounded by everything you love about the island, consider a Big Island vacation rental for your next trip.

You can find vacation rentals throughout the island and numerous options are available in popular areas such as Kailua Kona and the Hilo area. One of the best things about a vacation rental is that you have more space than you ever imagined during your vacation. Forget about vacations where you feel cramped and cluttered, causing you to hurry out the door as quickly as possible to escape the anxiety of your room. When you stay in a condo, house, or cottage rental, you will have enough space for everyone to spread out and enjoy their time together whenever you are taking a break from the Hawaii sun and the outdoor activities.

Your accommodations can actually be more than just a place to spend your mornings and evenings, they can actually facilitate all the excitement of your Hawaiian adventure. When you stay in a condo rental that sits along the beach, the pull of the sand will be ever constant and every morning will begin with a look at the amazing water that lies just a few feet away. It will be nearly impossible to resist the urge to spend at least a few hours lying in the sand or strolling along the shore, meaning every day will allow you to soak in the amazing beauty that surrounds you on the Big Island.

Although staying near the water makes it easy to enjoy the ocean and the beach, you can also use your breathtaking view as a conduit for relaxation. While there are bound to be times when you want to sit in the shade and drink an ice cold beverage, you also don’t want to spend your vacation in paradise cooped up away from the beauty. In a vacation rental, you can kick back on your private lanai and watch the water beat against the rocks, splashing its way near you. A balcony or a lanai is also a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset, so take advantage of all the stunning views your rental affords throughout the duration of your trip.

If your vacation to the island is about escaping to another world, look into the numerous Big Island vacation rentals that are situated on large expanses of land and have tropical flowers and trees around every corner. While the water is still within walking distance, you can get away from the people and commotion in your private oasis that whisks you back to a place that is reminiscent of an undeveloped island. Enjoy towering palms, lush greens, and vibrant flowers on the grounds of your rental and take a calming swim in the pool to the sounds of the birds chirping above.

You really can retreat to a whole other world when you set out for the stunning Big Island of Hawaii. Choose a vacation rental that provides all the comforts of home in a setting that is other-worldly and you may just have the most relaxing, enjoyable vacation you could have ever imagined.

There is something special about a waterfall that seems to draw us. Maybe it is the sight of the water flowing over the edge or maybe it is the raw power that the water represents. The ancient Amerindians believed that with so much power the waterfalls were gods. Or maybe it is just that we are drawn to waterfalls because of the refreshing coolness that fills the air around the waterfall. Whatever it is, there is an attraction to waterfalls and the Caribbean has its fair share of waterfalls, from the awe inspiring power of Kaieteur Falls in Guyana to small cascades where you simply slip under the flow and feel the water pummel your shoulders and back.

Grenada´s mountainous nature and pristine environment gives rise to several waterfalls. Wherever you stay in Grenada, there is a waterfall close by. Concorde Falls is a waterfall that is reasonably close to Grenada´s capital, St Georges, being approximately 45 minutes driving time. The road to that part of the island is good and goes through areas with luxuriant green foliage clothing the hills. The Falls are easy to find as there is a large sign on the main road pointing to the waterfall. From the Main Road to the waterfall is approximately 3 kilometers and takes about 5 minutes to drive. This waterfall is in the mountains and as you stand on the road above looking down at the falls, there are mountain peaks towering above you. Around the waterfall tropical growth springs from the soil in abundance, with towering stands of bamboo, nutmeg trees climb the hills and in between mangoes, pomerac, grapefruit, avocado and banana dot the hillsides. For the truly adventurous there is a larger waterfall that is approximately 45 minutes hiking beyond the first waterfall. Known as Au Coin, this waterfall is bigger and taller with a pool for swimming. A third waterfall in the Concorde valley is Fontainbleu which cascades down a 65 foot cliff into a crystal clear pool and is approximately 2 hours hiking up the mountain.

Dominica is a true Caribbean nature island with an unspoilt natural landscape and a variety of waterfalls. One of popular waterfalls in Dominica is called the Three Rivers Waterfall and it is reached after a half-hour walk from 3 Rivers. The trail is both beautiful and extremely easy, and involves a well made track and a little river walking. You can bathe under this 100-foot high cold shower and hear the sound of your screams echoing all around. The water drops close to a massive tree which forms a junction between three rivers. Advanced hikers will enjoy the seven (7) hour hike to Boli Falls. The trail begins in the beautiful village of Casgory, near La Plaine and passes through unspoilt rainforest to arrive at 3 stunning waterfalls and some gorgeous natural pools. There is even a local legend that a mermaid exists in the pools.

St Lucia seems to have waterfalls everywhere you go. Not only does St Lucia have waterfalls but it has variety in its waterfalls from cold water to warm water to even hot water waterfalls. The most visited waterfall in St Lucia is Diamond Waterfall in the town of Soufriere. Here in the midst of a lush well maintained tropical garden bursting with brilliant flowers, the water falls from a height of 45 feet laden with minerals from underground sulphur springs. While bathing under the falls is not allowed, adjacent to the falls are mineral baths where it is said that bathing removes the aches and pains of age and makes you young again. For those who want to combine their waterfall viewing with more rugged hiking then EnBas Saut Waterfall will fill your passion. Getting to these waterfalls requires a two hour hike along a 4 kilometer trail through Rainforest and Cloud Forest. At the base of the falls you are greeted by the sight of two cascading falls and pools.

Trinidad is another Caribbean island that has numerous waterfalls. One of the waterfalls that people often enquire about is Maracas Waterfall. Part of the curiosity about these falls is the mistaken belief that the waterfall is at Maracas Beach. The Maracas Waterfall, which is a little over 91.5m. in height, is situated in cool, beautiful surroundings in the Maracas St Joseph valley. From the car park on Waterfall Road it is 2.4km. to the waterfall. The hike to the waterfall is an uphill walk along a very wide track lined on both sides by Balata trees. After approximately 15 minutes, there is a fork in the track and the track on the right leads to a cascade consisting of three tiers of mini waterfalls with two large pools that are suitable for swimming. A further 20 minutes of walking leads to the main waterfall. There is no pool for bathing at the base of this waterfall. A very popular waterfall in Trinidad for weekend hikers is known as Rio Seco. This trail winds through pathways lined by stately Mora trees along the North Eastern coast of the island to a waterfall and deep, emerald green pool. Upriver of the pool, on the banks of a tributary are the Rio Seco sulphur springs.

You can learn more about the waterfalls in the Caribbean by visiting the Island Adventures Page, on the Caribbean Outdoor Life web site and by visiting the Trinidad Waterfalls Page on the Outdoors Trinidad web site.

Brian Ramsey operates the web sites Outdoors Trinidad and Caribbean Outdoor Life. He is also the author of Discovering the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.