Phosphorescence in Puerto Rico

There's something kinda creepy and sad about swimming with dolphins.

I always feel really badly for these beautiful animals -- it's something akin to watching a circus.

But swimming with phosphorescent plankton -- now that's something I can get into!

You can find out all about it in this great article from The Telegraph.

Yacht Haven Grande

St. Thomas's newest mega-yacht marina, Yacht Haven Grande opened with a private party for 1,800 including 50 mega yachts last week.

According to this article, "worldwide, there are between 4,500 and 5,000 yachts that are 100 feet or longer. But infrastructure lags behind those numbers, without enough docking slips large enough to accommodate yachts that stretch 100, 200 or even 450 feet in length."

The $160 million marina and retail project includes an esplanade with three restaurants and 80,000 square feet of retail space.

The property also features 12 waterside condominiums each with three bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, and 2 terraces and plunge pool, all with views of the harbor. The Residences at Yacht Haven Grande (sounds like the name of a burrito to me) are currently on sale starting at $2 million.

Not just for weddings anymore

When you think about St. Thomas what comes to mind? Cruises, shopping, beaches, azure water and bar mitzvahs.

That's right according to this article, St. Thomas is becoming popular with "destination" bar and bat mitzvahs.

Apparently the St. Thomas Synagogue has recorded a tenfold increase in celebrants in the last four years.

I can only imagine how prohibitive the cost must be for not only holding the bar mitzvah but also flying in family and putting them up in this Caribbean hotspot.

But apparently the St. Thomas synagogue is a very spiritual place. The congregation was formed in 1796 by immigrants from Curacao and St. Eustatius when the now-U.S. Virgin Islands were under Danish control.

Kate takes on St. Barth's

Supermodel Kate Moss has been spotted frolicking in St. Barth's recently by Hello! magazine.

According to Hello! the waif-like-model is there shooting an ad campaign.

St. Barth's is the island of choice for many a celebrity including Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban who apparently were there earlier in the month and Penelope Cruz who rang in New Year's on this tiny island which lies approximately 150 miles east of Puerto Rico.

As for Kate, she's been spotted on holiday at Necker Island and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

To dock or not to dock

If you've ever been to St. Thomas or Roadtown you've inevitably hit cruise ship crowds making their way through the streets, dodging traffic and throwing their hard-earned cash around.

I have stood at the dock in Charlotte Amalie doing the mental math to try to ballpark how long it would take to get off and on one of the these monoliths with all the rest of the herd. And when you look at the massive QE2, which can't even dock and needs to anchor a distance in the harbour, the travel time must be formidable.

Well enter Frommers to the rescue. This handy article lists Caribbean ports of call and details whether ships generally anchor or dock there.

According to the article, "the difference can add on an hour or more to the time it takes you to start exploring the port of call and the time it takes to get back to the ship at the end of the day."

Getting natural in Dominica

Recently at a dinner party I spoke at length with a couple of brothers from Dominica. They spoke fondly of its beauty and unspoiled beaches and forests.

So it's no surprise that the island, which is about 375 miles south of San Juan between Guadeloupe and Martinique, bills itself as "The Nature Island".

If hiking, pristine scenery, uncrowded beaches and moderately priced accommodations are your thing then Dominica may be the island for you.

Check out this great article which also includes a slideshow for more information. Also the Dominica tourism board runs an excellent website which will answer all your questions.

Caribbean choices

There's something for every type of traveler in the Caribbean. OK - maybe not for skiiers, but work with me here.

If you've never been or even if you're looking to take on a new island destination then check out the Washington Post's Island Finder guide.

For newbies there's a list of reader recommendations, and a useful chart which compares activities across all the islands.

If you're making your way back then the What's New article is a must-read.