Category Archives: Caribbean

Melanie Reffes, Special for USA TODAY Published 8:01 a.m. ET March 30, 2017 | Updated 23 hours ago

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British Virgin Islands: Sunsets are spellbinding at Smugglers Cove.(Photo: British Virgin Islands Tourism Board)

Even if youve been there and done that, chilling on a Caribbean beach never gets old. Whether you like snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing, people-watching on party beaches or the sand less traveled where you draw your own private line in the sand, our island-by-island guide can help you find the best sandy swaths under the sun.

Anguilla

On a typical sunny day, which is virtually every day, Merrywing Bay is the capital of calm. Unless Sports Illustrated is there photographing the 2017 swimsuit issue at The Reef resort,the only resort on the out-of-the-way beach. When you're shooting body paint you need to be, well, secluded, said MJ Day, Sports Illustrated swimsuit editor. Apart from those 10 days in January, the beach at the far western end of Rendezvous Bay is delightfully uncrowded.

Sports Illustrated swimsuit editor shares her favorite beaches

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Shoal Bay East, not to be confused with Upper Shoal Bay or Shoal Bay West, is the busiest beach on the island. Day-trippers from next-door St. Maarten park their towels on the 2-mile strip. Surfers prefer Meads Bay on the northwest coast, where youll also find the Four Seasons Anguilla and a sprinkling of restaurants and small hotels. On first glance, Meads Bay looks like a calm beach, says Nori Evoy, surfer and founder of anguilla-beaches.com, but the waves can get wild with swells up to 8 feet high which makes it the best beach on the island for surfers."

Photo tour: Caribbean luxury at the Four Seasons Anguilla

Rendezvous Bay is one of the breeziest beaches on the south coast. With views of St. Martin in the distance, youll find some of the best dunes on the island, plus Dune Preserve, presided over by local reggae legend Bankie Banx, and CuisinArtGolfResortwhere non-guests are welcome to stop by for lunch, cocktails and dinner.

Caribbean luxury: CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla

For your own secluded swath, head to Savannah Bay where youll find Junk's Hole on the calmer, eastern side of the bay. Powdery sand and barely a soul in sight makes the east end beach a must-go for privacy-seekers craving solitude in the sun.

ivisitanguilla.com

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Nevis

The best beaches on the sister island across the channel from St. Kitts are on the northern and western shores. Three miles long and covering the distance between the capital city of Charlestown and the Sea Bridge Ferry Dock, Pinneys is the one photographed for the travel brochures. The beguiling blue water beach on the Caribbean side of the island is carpeted in sand the color of saffron and a sandy stroll from the islands luxe resorts like the Four Seasons Nevis and Paradise Beach Villas.For a quieter day on a beach chair, Lovers Beach is hidden from the road on the northern shore. "This is a lesser known beach known for its seclusion and tranquility, said Greg Phillip, CEO of the Nevis Tourism Board, but a popular beach to watch the sea turtles nesting. For tranquil tides, Herberts Beach is where the Atlantic Ocean starts on the windward side and where marine life is spectacular in the many undisturbed reefs.

nevisisland.com

Antigua

Dickenson Bay on the north coast is the islands most popular beach, where a slew of hotels, water sports kiosks and watering holes keep the beach busy even on a cloudy day.To the south, Runaway Bay is a much quieter wide strip of powdery sand and just as nice for an afternoon siesta or a day with the kids. Busy on the weekends and when a cruise ship is in port, Pigeon Point at Falmouth Harbour is the main attraction on the south coast. Weekdays are peaceful with just a sprinkling of swimmers from the nearby hotels. With calm shallow water, the beach is the go-to for local families who stop by on the weekends with picnic baskets and snorkel gear.

On the southwest corner, a trio of sandy stretches Ffryes Bay,Darkwood BeachandCrab Hill Bay come with white sand, small hotels and groovy beach bars where liming with the locals is the real deal. Privacy-seekers will have the beach to themselves on weekday afternoons when the cruise shippers are back on the ship, while weekends are lively with locals. Often deserted, Half Moon Bay east of English Harbour is a palm-tree lined spit of smooth sand. Protected from the Atlantic winds by a reef, the 1-mile stretch is popular with windsurfers who head out beyond the reef.

On the sister island of Barbuda (a 15-minute flight to the north), beaches breathe privacy as only a handful of tourists make the trip and the population of locals is small. Long and wide with nary more than seagrape trees and 3 miles of sand, Princess Diana Beach at the southern tip was one of the few places on the planet where she vacationed with the two young princes and wasnt followed. At the other end of the island near the Barbuda Belle Resort, the 15-mile strand between Cedar Tree Point and Billy Point has no official name and may be the best off-the-beaten-track beach in the Caribbean.

visitantiguabarbuda.com

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Turks and Caicos Islands

Grace Bay Beach lives up to the hype. Twelve miles of beach perfection on the eastern crook of Providenciales, or Provo as it is known, Grace Bay is the Louboutin of beaches and one of the top beaches in the world, according to TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards for 2017. Spectacular from end to end with soft ashen sand and wide-open Tiffany blue box waves,the busiest beach on the island is also the backyard of a slew of resorts. Part of the Princess Alexandra National Park, nature-friendly water sports like sailing and snorkeling are popular, while water skis and jet skis are strictly off-limits. To see the most dramatic underwater life, snorkeling is best at Smiths Reef and Bight Reef.

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Popular with kite-boarders and blissfully devoid of everyone else, Long Bay Beach on Provos southeast coast is 3 miles of delicious solitude. Four-foot water depths going out thousands of feet are ideal for languid swims and the beach is so wide open, you may not see another soul. What you will see is the blue sea meeting the blue sky. Stop at the stunning Shore Club, which so far is the only resort even close to the beach (the easiest access is the north entrance next to the resort where a boardwalk leads to the sand). On the northwest shoreline, wild and windswept Malcolms is the quietest beach on the island, accessible only with a four-wheel-drive but well worth the trip for the superb snorkeling.

turksandcaicostourism.com

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Jamaica

On the south coast away from the big resorts in Montego Bay, Treasure Beach is a collection of smaller spots with names like Jack Sprat and Calabash Bay that are more popular with the local artsy community than they are with tourists. Stretching for 6 miles, the beaches host colorful ragtag fishing boats and dive bars stocked with coolers of Red Stripe. For a party vibe and plenty of Red Stripe, head to Negril where youll find Seven Mile Beach; the islands longest strip. Coming in closer to 6 miles, the boho beach is a true original that gets crowded with sun-seekers, aloe masseuses, hair-braiders and vendors hawking everything from icy beer and jerk chicken to reggae CDs and snorkel gear. Another good-time beach is Doctors Cave in Montego Bay, where youll find plenty of family-friendly conveniences like beach umbrellas, boat tours, showers and a seaside food court. A favorite of locals on a Sunday afternoon, the beach is a seashell away from the shops on the Hip Strip and favorite haunts like the Groovy Grouper Grill.

On the beach bucket list, Laughing Waters in Ocho Rios is the beach made famous in the first James Bond thriller Dr. No and the hands-down go-to for shallow water, rock pools and bowing palms.More movie history in Port Antonio and Frenchmans Cove Beach that was the set for the movie Cocktail and also the beach of choice for Hollywood glitterati like Grace Kelly, Liz Taylor andErrol Flynn. Also in Port Antonio, fans of unflustered beaches like Boston Bay where a sunny afternoon means surfer-ready waves, smooth sand and chefs grilling the islands spiciest jerk chicken, fish and pork.

visitjamaica.com

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British Virgin Islands

Named for the sugar mills that used to be there, CaneGarden Bay is where surfers rule the waves, paddle-boarders work the smooth water and everyone else claims their spot in the sun. On the northwest shore of Tortola, the largest of the BVIs, the busiest and biggest beach on the island is a long curved bay that rates high with swimmers, windsurfers, paddle-boarders and everyone else who covets the local vibe.Much quieter on the western tip, Smugglers Cove, once frequented by pirates, is still without too many tourists but with plenty of white sand and palm trees that keep a beat with the trade winds.Sunsets are spellbinding.On the north side of Tortola, Apple Bay has some of the best surf in the BVIs and famous full-moon parties at Bombas Shack.

For a sip of cocktail history, take the ferry from West End Tortola to Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the BVIs. On the southern coast, White Bay Beach is a perfect stretch of sand with sailboats docked in the bay, snorkelers in the water and regulars chilling at the Soggy Dollar Bar where sailors pay in soggy dollars for the Painkiller shaken with Pussers rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream and orange juice.

bvitourism.com

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U.S. Virgin Islands

Chances are your hotel in St. Thomas will be on or close enough to one of the 40 public beaches that circle the island. Three miles north of the capital city of Charlotte Amalie, Magens Bay on the north coast is the buzziest, smack between two mountains. Ideal for families who come for the calm waves and shallow water, the beach gets overcrowded when the cruise ships are in port. The only beach on the island with an entry fee $1 per person and $1 per car youll find amenities like lounge chairs, a restaurant, paddle boats, kayaks and snorkeling gear. Sundays are when youll find the locals setting up picnics on the sand and couples saying their "I dos" along the heart-shaped coastline. Less crowded on the east end, Sapphire Beach is aptly named for the color of the water. Also in the east end, Secret Harbour Beach is a never-crowded spot for swimming and snorkeling in a protected bay.

In St. Croix, the beaches are the star attractions with Turtle Beach on the northeast side aces with snorkelers, Chenay Bay popular with families and at the southwest tip; Sandy Point is a 3-mile beach and the nesting area for Leatherback turtles. In St. John, Trunk Bay on the northwestern corner of the Virgin IslandsNational Park is one of the most photographed in the Caribbean.The tranquil surf and Underwater Snorkel Trail keep the beach busy with swimmers, divers and sailors who pay a $4 admission fee to hang out all day. Less crowded, seven beaches at Caneel Bay are worth a visit. The most crowded of the pack is Hawksnest Beach close to Cruz Bay where the ferries dock.

visitusvi.com

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Curacao

On the northwest coast, Cas Abao is what beach connoisseurs like to call full-service. The sand is soft, the water is shallow, rafts invite sunbathers, bartenders at the Daiquiri Bar excel at the fine art of blending a strawberry cocktail and a masseuse sets up shop under a shady gazebo. Perfect for families, youll find a water trampoline, beach chairs, kayaks and banana boats. Entrance fees range from $5-$7, depending on the size of your car. On the west side, Playa Knip is the most popular of the Westpuntbeaches, with a shallow reef just a short swim from shore. Other Westpunt beaches worthy of a sunny afternoon include Playa Porto Mari with a double-reef that is eye candy for divers and snorkelers and Playa Lagun framed by rugged cliffs where the adventurous entertain onlookers as they plunge into the water below.

Northwest of the capital city of Willemstad, Blue Bay is a wide beach with lots of add-ons like a childrens playground and Sunday afternoon barbecues on the sand. Way off the grid, it doesnt get more secluded than Klein Curacao 8miles from the southeast coast.Hop a small boat to the big volcanic rock to dive, take a dip in the cool water and dig into a picnic on the beach. Asked to name his favorite beach, Andre Rojer, Curacaos marketing manager, called out Playa Porto Mari on the west side of the island. Its a quintessential Curaaoan beach, uncrowded, with stunning views and a great spot for snorkeling."

curacao.com/en

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St. Maarten/St. Martin

With 37 beaches that ring the island, youre bound to find one that floats your boat. Start on the west coast for your place in the sun at Mullet Bay Beach. Wide and flat with a palm fringe, the beach is close to the shops and restaurants in Maho Villageand next to the islands only golf course. The beach is never crowded apart from weekends, when the locals set up barbecues on the beach and nets for volleyball.

A few minutes away yet a world apart, Maho Beach fronting the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort is the go-to to watch the jets come in for a landing or take off at the adjacent Princess Juliana International Airport and popular for early morning strolls.Frequented by only a few, Simpson Bay Beach is a mile long facing south sheltering it from the winds blowing from the northeast. Unlike other beaches, there are no high-rise buildings along the shoreline and not much of anything going on, making the beach the top pick for those looking for no-frills peace and quiet.

On the French side of the dual-nation island, Orient Beach is the quintessential party beach with plenty of bars, clubs and an au natural section at the southern end of the stretch.Also on the French side, Petite Plage on the edge of the Grand Case Beach Club fronts water so clear you can always see your toes.

vacationstmaarten.com

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The Bahamas

If you're looking for a great beach, you're in business in the Bahamas. Although the Out Islands like Exuma and Abaco are circled by some of the most magnificent sandy swaths in the Caribbean, Nassau and Paradise Island also invite with endless stretches.Astronaut Chris Hadfield said it best when asked about the views from the International Space Station: "The most beautiful to me are the Bahamas, the vast glowing reefs of every shade of blue that exists.

A few minutes from downtown Nassau, Paradise Beach on Paradise Island, aka Cabbage Beach, lives up to its name with manicured white sand and unflustered water that hosts the impressive Lost Blue Hole dive site. Fronting a few big hotels like Atlantis and Riu Palace, the 2-mile long marquee beach on prime real estate gets crowded at the western end while at the other end is often empty.

Caribbean resort photo tour: Atlantis Paradise Island

When Baha Mar Beach Resort opens next year with more than 2,000 rooms, Cable Beach on the resort strip will get buzzier than it is now. The spunky beach is 3 miles west of downtown Nassau and where tourists in search of fine white sand and gem-toned blue water arrive early to snag a spot. West of Cable, the scene is less crowded at Sandyport Beach and also at the east end Goodman's Bay beach. Known as Spring Break Beach, Junkanoo Beach gets rowdy and, as its close to the cruise ship pier, is easy to find.

nassauparadiseisland.com

St. Barts

Of the 14 beacheson the French island, Gouverneur Beach is the most exclusive and where yachts lay anchor while their passengers top off their tan on the white sand.Never crowded, the beach on the southern coast is serene enough for kids who like to snorkel and quiet enough for their parents who aim to finish the novel they brought from home. Be aware: The beach gets its fair share of sunbathers who prefer their birthday suit to a bathing suit. St. Jean Beach is really two beaches split by the high-end Eden Rock hotel.Fronting a shallow lagoon, the beach gets busy with hotel guests and diners checking out the restaurants that also line the stretch of sand. The most popular beach on the island, the airport is close by, theres plenty of watersports and shops and boutiques are within walking distance.

Stretching along the southern coast, Anse de Grande Saline is one of those beaches hard to get to but well worth the effort for the shallow smooth ocean floor.Popular with sunbathers who pack little more than sunscreen, sunglasses and a smile, the discreet beach is also big with surfers. A short walk from harbor in the capital city of Gustavia, Shell Beachis a sight to behold with thousands of seashells or pieces of shells blanketing the sand. Rarely crowded, the water is unruffled, the bay perfectly frames the sunset and leaping from the cliffs is a rite of passage for school kids who happily pose for snaps with awestruck tourists.

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Best Caribbean beaches: Hot spots and hidden gems - USA Today - USA TODAY

Students take part in a protest against Venezuelan President Nicola Maduro on the main highway in Caracas on March 30, 2017. Venezuelas Supreme Court took over legislative powers Wednesday from the opposition-majority National Assembly, whose speaker accused leftist President Nicolas Maduro of staging a coup. (Photo credit: JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Mar. 31, 2017: Here are some of the major stories in photos making headlines in the Caribbean and Latin America this week.

Members of the collective 500 freres stand in front of a crowd gathered outside the prefecture in Cayenne on March 30, 2017, in support of the collective ahead of negotiations with the French overseas and interior ministers. Life in French Guiana has been disrupted for over ten days, the conflict starting with a general strike that closed schools and shops and stoked fears of further instability in one of Frances overseas territories. Negotiations between the ministers and the collective were stopped less than a half hour after they began. (Photo credit: JODY AMIET/AFP/Getty Images)

Teachers march toward the Plaza de Mayo square during a demonstration called by the Argentine Central Workers (CTA) union against President Mauricio Macri and his governments economic measures, in Buenos Aires on March 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / EITAN ABRAMOVICH (Photo credit: EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet attends the inauguration of the Republic of Chile School in Port-au-Prince, on March 27, 2017. The old school was destroyed by the earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010. Michelle Bachelet is making a state visit to Haiti. (Photo credit: HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)

The Ecuadorean presidential candidate for the Creating Opportunities party, Guillermo Lasso, speaks during the closing rally of his campaign in Guayaquil on March 30, 2017, ahead of the April 2 runoff election. (Photo credit: RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Nicaraguan player Fernando Copete (C) celebrates with fans after his team qualified for the 2017 Gold Cup at the National Stadium, in Managua, on March 28, 2017. The Gold Cup will take place in July in the United States. (Photo credit: INTI OCON/AFP/Getty Images)

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Caribbean & Latin America Week In Photos - News Americas Now Caribbean And Latin America Daily News

New York Times

A Larger-Than-Life Caribbean Stew New York Times In 1981, when he published a recipe for what he called Caribbean stew in the literary magazine Smoke Signals, she was only a child. But when I came across that recipe in Harrison's new posthumous collection of food writing, A Really Big Lunch ...

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A Larger-Than-Life Caribbean Stew - New York Times

The Caribbean islands are known for their great beauty. The waters of the Caribbean Sea host diverse marine life and coral formations. Warm, moist trade winds fuel lush rainforests. Much of the region enjoys year-round sunshine. Yet despite the areas seemingly idyllic trappings, its residents face many hardships, noted Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Andersen and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, traveled to the tropical paradises of Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic on March 11-19. In the short week that he was there, Elder Andersen participated in missionary, stake and priesthood leadership conferences, held a mission presidents seminar, spoke at special devotionals for youth and young adults and conducted an area review.

Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy, who accompanied Elder Andersen to the Caribbean, said one of the key messages they shared with the members was that the Lord needs people of faith in every corner of the earth. In the last days the Lord is establishing His Church throughout the world and He needs good, faithful, dedicated, covenant-keeping people in every country to help move His work forward, he said.

Thats what the Saints in the Caribbean are doing, Elder Andersen added. Even with the challenges faced by the people and the Church in the area, the Church in the Caribbean is growing.

The Lord is blessing these people, he told the Church News in an interview following his return. And Hes giving them His peace and His Spirit.

Elder Hugo E. Martinez, a General Authority Seventy and member of the Caribbean Area presidency, explained some of the challenges faced by members in the region. Haitians, for example, are confronted with a high poverty rate, high unemployment and the high cost of education that yields weak results leading to gainful employment.

In his messages to members, missionaries and priesthood leaders, Elder Andersen addressed topics of self-reliance, education and preparing to receive the blessings of the temple. The Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple was announced during general conference on April 5, 2015. During his recent trip, Elder Andersen visited the future temple site which will be an outstanding location, he said.

Bishop Bernard Zouti of the Martissant Ward, Port-au-Prince Haiti Stake, said as he listened to Elder Andersen teach, I felt comfort for myself and my family just by knowing that the Lord decided to put His holy house in the country of Haiti.

When he thinks about the gift of a temple in his country, Bishop Zouti said he can feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for the people of Haiti. I feel They know [the] hard and difficult situations in which we live. I also know that They will always support us to carry on as we keep Their commandments, he said.

Berthony Theodor of the Petion-Ville 1st Ward, Port-au-Prince Haiti Stake, said that the apostles visit blessed him so that, like Enos, his fear was swept away.

This experience provided me the motivation I needed to become a better husband and father and better serve the members, Brother Theodor said.

Puerto Rico, an unincorporated U.S. territory, also struggles with high unemployment. Many members especially young adults with families have considered moving to the U.S. mainland for better employment opportunities, Elder Martinez said.

Elder Andersen had a message of hope in the future of Puerto Rico that resonated with many members, he said.

Instead of telling individuals whether they should stay in Puerto Rico or go to the mainland, Elder Andersen counseled them to ponder and pray about the decision and to ask, Where is it that the Lord would want me to help build the Kingdom of God? Where will my talents be of most value?

President John Hernandez, president of the Cagaus Puerto Rico Stake, said he felt personally uplifted by the Spirit during the meetings and knows many other members did as well. [Elder Andersen] gave us hope, letting us know that things in Puerto Rico will get better as a whole, for the people and the Church overall.

Elder Walter F. Gonzalez, General Authority Seventy and president of the Caribbean Area, said as members throughout the area learn and apply the principles taught we will continue to see miracles take place.

The LDS Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The publication's content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church.

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Elder Andersen shares hope in the future to members in Caribbean - Deseret News

It turns out the new star of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise actually has a long history in the movies.

Disney just confirmed one of the most predominant fan theories about newcomer Brenton Thwaites character in the upcoming fifth movie.

As soon as the first trailers for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales were released, fans began theorizing that the new pirate on the block might not actually be so new after all.

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Pretty much immediately after Brenton Thwaites (best known for helming 2014s The Giver) popped up, everyone started guessing he might just be the son of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann.

And the fans were right! Although Keira Knightley might not be appearing in the new Pirates flick (that we know of yet), a piece of Elizabeth Swann will live on in the movie in her son Henry.

A new Disney featurette just confirmed Brentons character will be named

YEP Henry Turner! So hes pretty clearly the sone of Orlando Blooms Will Turner and his wife Elizabeth Turner. It sounds like fans are finally going to get the connection to the original films theyve been waiting for.

After starring in the first three movies in the Pirates franchise, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley both dropped out before the fourth movie, which was centered exclusively on Johnny Depps character of Jack Sparrow.

Now, Bloom has signed on again to appear in Dead Men Tell No Tales, and there are rumors Knightley may pop up in a brief cameo.

We first saw Will and Elizabeths son in the post-credits scene of the third movie, At Worlds End, in which Elizabeth and her adolescent son watch Will return from sea.

Apparently, in the new movie, Henry Turner is going to be hitting the seas to try to reconnect with his father, which will betricky now that Will has transformed into the barnacle-covered captain of the Flying Dutchman.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales will be released onMay 26.

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Dylan is an entertainment writer based in New York City. He's previously worked for Entertainment Weekly and Cinemablend. He'll defend season 6 of "Buffy" until his dying breath.

Dylan is an entertainment writer based in New York City. He's previously worked for Entertainment Weekly and Cinemablend. He'll defend season 6 of "Buffy" until his dying breath.

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A Major 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Theory About Will And Elizabeth Was Confirmed - Elite Daily

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A 22-year-old man is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with a triple shooting that left two men dead Wednesday afternoon in West Palm Beach.

The shooting occurred around 1 p.m. inside an apartment at Caribbean Villas off Haverhill Road.

Two of the victims in Wednesday's shooting were identified as Isaiah Hyndman, 21, of West Palm Beach, who died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital and Cortney Lowery Jr., 21, of Riviera Beach, who also died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said probable cause was established for Kenneth Gessesse Hawthorne, 22, who is a resident of the complex.

Hawthorne was taken into custody without incident, charged and booked into Palm Beach County Jail on one count of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm.

Abiade Granger was identified by his father Walter Granger as the third victim. The elder Granger is a pastor and said he knew everyone involved. This was not drug-related case, not a gang-related case. Im just convinced it was a young man that had an untreated mental issue."

Granger said his son was shot 11 times and is in stable condition following surgery. He said he is praying for all involved.

Hawthorne appeared in court Thursday morning and was denied bond. Hawthornes family appeared distraught and offered no comments.

3 Dead This Week In West Palm Beach Shootings

West Palm Beach police are assuring people they should not feel in danger after recent fatal shootings in the city.

For the third day in a row, shots were fired in West Palm Beach and victims were rushed to the hospital.

"I feel very bad for the other neighbors that have to face this," said Caleb Gayle, who lives in West Palm Beach.

Gayle is just as fed up as others sounding off on social media over local shootings in the last 72 hours.

"It's too easy to kill a man. It's very scary," added Gayle.

On Monday, a man was shot at13thStreet and Tamarind Avenue and taken to the hospital.

On Tuesday, two men were shot. AndreUpperman, 29 was killed at Tamarind Avenue and Grant Street.

Police said the recent shootings are not random and detectives are using information during investigations to determine where to beef up patrols to prevent crime.

"It's too easy for young people to get a gun. It's too easy for them to resolve their issues using a gun," said Mayor Jeri Muoio, city of West Palm Beach.

Mayor Muoio says car burglaries and thefts are increasing, not homicides. But so far in March, reports show 5 people were murdered in West Palm Beach compared to two in January and two in February.

Gayle says for the sake of safety, people have to work together and speak up when they believe someone is going to pull the trigger.

"The children go out and you pray and hope they are back home safe," added Gayle.

Police have not released a motive for the shooting. They say someone within the apartment where the shooting happened at Caribbean Villas called 911.

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Suspect charged after 2 shot dead at Caribbean Villas in West Palm ... - WPTV.com

Miami Herald

Caribbean leaders gather at Americas Conference in Miami | Miami ... Miami Herald More than 100 people attended The Caribbean Dilemma, part of the Americas Conference Series organized by the Miami Herald Media Co. and presented by ... and more »

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Caribbean leaders gather at Americas Conference in Miami | Miami ... - Miami Herald

The Walt Disney Studios unveiled the fifth installment in their "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise "Dead Men Tell No Tales" Tuesday night at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Initial reactions from those in attendance, including press, theater owners and exhibitors, were largely positive, celebrating a return to form for the franchise and the well-done VFX. Official reviews are under embargo until May 22.

The swashbuckling film sees the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa and introduces a new young cast including Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario. Javier Bardem plays a ghostly villain with a vengeance as they all search for the trident of Poseidon on the high seas. Orlando Bloom also returns as Will Sparrow, who hasn't been in a "Pirates" film since 2007's "At World's End."

"Dead Men Tell No Tales" is the first "Pirates" film since 2011's "On Stranger Tides" and the first to be directed by Joachim R?nning and Espen Sandberg. To date, the franchise has grossed over $3.73 billion worldwide for the studio, and there is some pressure on this fifth film to continue the enormous successes of the previous films while also redeeming its lagging reputation.

Gizmodo writer Germain Lussier wrote that "Dead Men Tell No Tales" was the best since the first, adding that, "while that isn't saying much, it does occasionally capture that magic."

Collider.com editor in chief Steven Weintraub praised the action set pieces and said it was better than the fourth.

Slashfilm.com editor Peter Sciretta called it a "pleasant surprise."

"Continues the legacy, focuses on the characters and the world," Sciretta wrote.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" hits theaters on May 26.

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First reactions to 'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' at CinemaCon - ABC News

If you travel somewhere spectacular, partake in a thrilling experience, oreat insanely good food without posting it on Instagram, then did it ever actually happen? If that's your philosophy, then 1) maybe calm down a little and 2) now you can finally score something way better than just triple-digit likes for your next stunning adventure photo:a free cruise with three of your friends.For real.

Royal Caribbean announcedthat it's launching a weeks-long social media contest seeking the "World's Most Adventurous Squad." On March 29, the company will stage the first of five adventure-themed Instagram challenges in which you'll have just 72 hours to post your most impressive travel photo based on each challenge's unique theme. One winner from each challenge will receive a free cruise with their squad (three friends) and will go on to compete against the four other winning squads for the grand prize of three seven-night cruises anywhere that Royal Caribbean sails and$14,175 cash, according to contest's official rules.

As a teaser video for the contest (shown above) explains, competing in the Instagram challenges is pretty simple. All you have to do ispost a photo, video, or Boomerang to Instagram, tag up to three friends that will be on your squad, and include the hashtags #AdventureSquad and #Contest as well as @RoyalCaribbean in the caption. You can even participate in all five of the themed challenges to increase your chances of winning. After a challenge closes, Royal Caribbean will select a winning squad based on "their creativity and spirit of adventure in line with the theme," according to a press release. The winners will be announced in early May.

The five winning squads will then set sail on a seven-night Caribbean cruise in late May/early June onboard the world's largest cruise ship, the Harmony of the Seas. Throughout the trip, the squads will take over the company's social media challenges and compete to post the best content highlighting their experiences on the ship and at destinations likeLabadee,Haiti; Falmouth,Jamaica; andCozumel, Mexico. Finally, one group of friends will be named the "World's Most Adventurous Squad" and will be awarded the aforementioned grand prize.

Of course, the official rules contain plenty of fine print. For example, you have to be at least 21 years-old to be a "Squad Leader" (the person who posts the Instagram photo), you have to have a valid passport, and you have to be a resident of the United States, Canada,(excluding the Province of Quebec), Australia (except Tasmania), Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, or Iceland. So you might want to read the rules before you enter, but by all means start clearing your schedule for the cruises you're about to take first. You know, just in case.

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Tony Merevick is Cities News Editor at Thrillist and hopes you like your friends enough to be trapped on a ship with them for days at a time. Send news tips to news@thrillist.com and follow him on Twitter @tonymerevick.

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Royal Caribbean Will Give You a Free Cruise Just for Taking Instagram Photos - Thrillist

By: Cielo Figuerola

The temperature was close to 90 F as we hiked through spiny shrubs and cacti on a sunny, beautifulday. We were trying to reach one of the most important nesting sites for endemic iguanas on Mona Island, deep in the woods of Mujeres Beach. I had my backpack, field gear, and hiking bootsnothing different from what I would normally take with me when going to the field, except for one detail: a film production crew right behind me! Cameras, lights, microphones(all in the middle of the forest) made me feel a bit overwhelmed yet excited for was about to happen that day.

Film crew at work. Credit: Marina Films, Inc.

Last year, I had the privilege of participating in an initiative that would feature and share the wonders of Mona Island with the world: a documentary film titled Mona: Treasure of the Caribbean. Mona Island is under the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico, and is one of the largest uninhabited islands in the tropical regions.

Designated a Natural Reserve in 1986 to protect its extremely high natural and ecological values, MonaIsland is home to more than 400 vascular plants, 8 endemic reptile species, including the Endangered Mona Ground Iguana, more than 117 bird species, including the Endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, at least 24 species of endemic invertebrates, and the largest Hawksbill Turtle breeding colony under U.S. jurisdiction and in the Caribbean region. Additionally, the cave system on the island, one of the largest and most extensive in the region, presents the most Tano Indians rock art in all of the Caribbean. The island supports a sub-tropical dry forest ecosystem, one of the most threatened ecosystem types in the world and one of only two dry-forest protected areas in Puerto Rico.

These are only some of the characteristics that make Mona a unique place, often referred to as the Galpagos of the Caribbean. Unfortunately, this incredible place is unknown to many people due to the difficulty and cost of accessing the island; this is precisely what this film initiative hopes to change. This documentary film aims at gathering, in an audiovisual format, the beauty and importance of Monas biological and historical resources so that it can be available to people from all backgrounds throughout generations.

Editing the film. Credit: Marina Films, Inc.

Participating inthis film was exciting and differentit is not every day one gets to be surrounded by cameras, lights, and sound equipment while in the middle of the forest trying to dig up an iguana nest! For the project, I was invited to talk about the Mona Island Iguana, and specifically about conservation projects that have been conducted to protect this endangered and endemic species. I was joined by fellow biologists, as well as archaeologists, who discussed turtles, caves, and historical events that took place onthis sometimes enigmatic island.

The production team is made up of one of the most prolific film directors in Puerto Rico,Sonia Fritz,and the recently Emmy awarded Director of Photography,Carlos Zayas. The film production team traveled several times to Mona Island to film unique species and scenery using the best technology available, including drone footage of the impressive cliffs as well as remote access locations the island offers. This documentary film has been recently completed and will be premiering in several movie theaters in Puerto Rico by the end of March 2017. Eventually it will be available online as well.

Documentary films are one of the most important mediums able to change perspectives, and hopefully this one will reveal Mona Islands true colors to the world. In the words of director Fritz: We truly believe that if we know our past, we will also be able to understand our present, and plan our future with an interdisciplinary vision to preserve this natural treasure (Mona Island).

Credit: Marina Films, Inc.

Several trailers are now available and you can watch them here:

Triler Mona, tesoro del CaribebyMarina Films on Vimeo.

Short trailer: https://vimeo.com/174283691

Complete trailer: https://vimeo.com/205691428

Featured photo: Mona Island. Credit: Tommy Hall/Island Conservation

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Mona Island Documentary Our Treasure in the Caribbean - Island Conservation News