This Is the No. 1 Boating Destination in the Caribbean—and It Has Turquoise Waters and World-famous Cays

• A new analysis looked at the top boating destination in the Caribbean and named Nassau in The Bahamas the top destination.

• Other top-ranking spots include destinations in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.

Few places around the world rival the Caribbean when it comes to stunning ocean views. The water here just hits different. It's a hue of blue that's almost too beautiful to imagine, offering clear views right to the white sandy bottom, with only the colorful fish and coral blocking the view. And while you can always swim in the waters in front of any number of the fantastic hotels lining the beaches around the region, perhaps the best way to experience it is with a boat trip.

To help you find the best places to hop aboard, Getmyboat, the world's largest boat rental marketplace, examined its top boating destinations in the Caribbean. It then ranked the cities around the region based on the frequency of demand and the number of completed rentals. It also included data on the most popular style of watercraft, the number of boats available, and first-hand information about the local boating culture.

After looking at all this information, it named Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, the No. 1 spot.

"With its turquoise waters and proximity to the famous Exuma Cays, Nassau offers fantastic boating experiences and stands out as the busiest boat rental destination in the Caribbean," the findings stated, noting that the most popular vessel choice is a powerboat. "Popular boat trips include visiting Pig Beach, snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto, and exploring private islands."

It added that fishing charters are also a top choice for visitors, including half and full-day excursions, noting the "warm climate and thriving marine life make it exceptionally popular for winter escapes and Spring Break vacations for families and groups of friends of all ages."

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Following closely behind Nassau is Fajardo in Puerto Rico, a destination "known for its bioluminescent bays and the nearby Cordillera Nature Reserve." The team added that the most popular vessel choice here is a yacht.

"Boat trips to Icacos Island and Vieques offer opportunities for pristine snorkeling, diving, and the unique experience of visiting a bioluminescent bay," it added. "It’s seasonally dependent, but if you come at the right time, you could be greeted by glow-in-the-dark organisms, illuminating the waters around you during a tour by boat at night."

Joining these two spots is Cartagena in Colombia in third, followed by Bavaro in the Dominican Republic, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic rounding out the top five.

See the entire list of top spots and book your boat day at getmyboat.com. 

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure