10 ways to rock the Caribbean

REMEMBER that so-called endless winter we were all whining about not long ago?

Safe to say it ended. Just be careful what you wish for.

Peace out, North Face gear. Hello humidity, deodorantly challenged mass transit and school kids reclaiming the streets for three months.

Of course, big-picture wise, these are all small prices to pay for killer weather.

The problem is, we don’t always make the most of it in this city. Summer isn’t just about barbecues and beer and sexy-people watching. That’s only a good 90 percent of it.

The other tenth presents an opportunity to get out there in the world. And there’s one place tailor-made for the season: your old friend, the Caribbean.

For the most part, there’s no smog. No traffic. No cities in any familiar sense.

No frills, really — and we mean that in a good way, because you are hard-pressed to find an excuse to stay indoors.

Here are 10 ways to get out to the islands (when it’s at its absolute cheapest, by the way) and do stuff — fun stuff — for a change.

1) WALK IT OFF IN GRENADA

On the few occasions it garnered any press in our neck of the woods, the Spice Isle was either hosting some Cold War-era military shenanigans or a roof-eating hurricane. Otherwise, nada. Totally off the grid. A tragedy, since Grenada’s one of the lusher, more nature-flush places in the entire hemisphere. From the gazillion waterfalls (Seven Sisters is a series of seven falls all along a single trail) to the exotic-bird-and-flora-filled Grand Etang Lake and Forest Reserve, it’s a hiker’s paradise to say the least. Lace up and hit it.

Info grenadagrenadines.com

2) DIVE THE BVI

The British Virgin Islands are best viewed through a diving mask, and there are plenty of rich and protected marine areas all around the five dozen islands and cays that comprise it. Off Ginger Island, Alice in Wonderland is a dive site so named for its mutant, ’shroom-looking coral, suspiciously a favorite among local lobster and eels. But if boat carnage is more your speed, check out the remains of the RMS Rhone off the coast of Salt Island. A British mail ship, she was eviscerated — and consequently exploded before sinking — at the hands of an unidentified hurricane back in the 1860s. Not certified to dive? Hit up Blue Waters Diving in Road Town, Tortola, for some much-needed summer school (bluewaterdiversbvi.com).

Info bvitourism.com

3) JAMAICA’S JERK STORE

Only 2 years old, Jamaica’s island-wide Jerk Trail now has 20 stops along the way where you can sample its native, slave-inspired cuisine. From Jo Jo’s Pork Pit in Kingston, to Border Jerk in Negril, you’ll have no shortage of spice in your life. Check out the map of the trail on Jamaica’s official tourism site, gas up and get going.

Info visitjamaica.com/jerk

4) HOOKED ON BARBADOS

You’ve done the golf thing. The surf thing. The tea thing. But at the end of the day, Barbados is for fishing; it’s as good here as anywhere else. If you’re raring to slap a fresh, new marlin to the living-room wall, look no farther than Fishing Charters Barbados, Inc., in Christchurch. You have your choice of boat: the Blue Jay, a 45-footer, or the Blue Marlin, a 36-footer. Chairs? Check. Beer? Better believe it. From $175 for four hours.

Info bluemarlinbarbados.com

5) HOLE LOT TO LOVE IN NEVIS

Don’t know who Robert Trent Jones Jr., is? You don’t need to. You just need to play on the golf course he designed back in ’91 at the re-opened Four Seasons Nevis, one of the best resorts in the Caribbean. It’s a no-joke par 72 whose drop-dead gorgeous surroundings make it awfully hard to keep your head in the game. Green fees for hotel guests are $195 for 18 holes; $205 for non-guests.

Info fourseasons.com/nevis

6) THE D.R. IS IN

Pretty Punta Cana has upped its cred with the recent debut of a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the all-inclusive paradise. Did you miss its hosting of the Fusion Music Festival this past weekend? No worries. We’re talking rooms with Jacuzzis, dual showers, full bars (your mileage may vary, depending on your price range). Vegas swagger has come south, for sure. And if you have 10 Gs burning a hole, nab the 7,744-square-foot, private-pooled Rock Star Suite for a night. Also look for MMG Nightlife’s extremely LED-screened Oro Nightclub, opening this summer.

Info hardrockhotelpuntacana.com

7) GRIN AND BARE IT IN ST. BARTS

The Man’s always trying to keep us down. But here, the laws just won’t take. Nothing will keep the tops from coming off on St. Barts’ beaches. T-O-P-L-E-S-S. (What part of the French Caribbean don’t lawmakers understand?) The best unofficially nude-friendly beach is Anse de Grande Saline, in the south of the island, just outside Morne Rouge. It’s isolated, and great for doing laps. But surfers, stick to Anse de Lorient, located exactly opposite Saline on the north side — way better waves.

Info st-barths.com

8) MONTSERRAT IS HOT, HOT, HOT

The Irish Caribbean — just about as oxymoronic as it gets, right? Or is it? Welcome to Montserrat, the sole St. Patrick’s Day-holidaying island in the Caribbean — for, by and (somewhat) of Irishmen. It’s little, and definitely a pain in the butt to get to. But in the pro column, it’s fun — in a scuba / guest-stay / slow-Internet-so-you-don’t-use-it kind of a way. Green and hilly, it very much resembles the Emerald Isle, with one notable exception: It has a volcano — a rather active one, in recent decades. But between spout-offs, the Soufriere Hills volcano is an awesome site to take it. Hit the Observatory for a closer look and live ’cano cams (mvo.ms).

Info visitmontserrat.com

9) THE OTHER MIAMI

Inventive New American-style small plates at Michael’s Genuine, drinks at sexy Ortanique, a browse through the stacks at super-smart Books & Books. Sounds like a great day in Miami, right? Except that you’re not in Miami at all. Say hello to Camana Bay, a new planned community on Grand Cayman, just steps off Seven Mile Beach, that has lured these South Florida faves and lots more shopping and dining into its growing retail development, located on the bayfront not far from the Ritz-Carlton and its dining scene (featuring Eric Ripert’s Blue, a local catch-focused seafood restaurant). Suddenly, the safe-choice Caymans seem appealing. Or maybe we’re just hungry.

Info camanabay.com; ritz-carlton.com

10) LUXE FOR LESS IN ANGUILLA

Everyone from Paris to De Niro has partied down on this island. Now’s your chance to join them. Over at ritzy Cap Juluca, fresh off a $28 million overhaul, summer rates start at $495 June 1 to Oct. 31. With breakfast. That’s $500 off what it is in high season. Not sold yet? If you book a three-night stay, they’ll throw in a complimentary one, through Aug. 31.

Info capjuluca.com