Here at SOCA ISLANDS, we’re all travelers and ‘feters’ at heart. This is reflected in the exciting and immersive destinations and events we have selected.
SOCA ISLANDS (socaislands.com) has 84 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Also known as
socaislands.com
Website
socaislands.com
Category
Activities & Tours
Location
Brooklyn, New York
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
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The company replied to 1% of reviews.
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Most recent review: August 2026.
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1100% recommend booking with Soca Islands if you've ever wanted to do a Caribbean carnival, but don't know where to start or just don't want to deal with the logistics!
I did Trinidad Carnival with the team and Roger made the whole process very seamless. The only thing you really have to concern yourself with is how you're getting to your Island of choice and what you plan on wearing to all the fetes! There was an issue with my costume collection, but it barely registered with me as Roger made sure everything was handled so I was able to fully enjoy my carnival experience without having to deal with any vendor stress. The handling of everything allowed my Trinidad trip to be one of my best trips to date - thank you Soca Islands!
CS
Christopher S.
Great experience!
This was our first TnT carnival and it was one for the books. We didn’t know where to start planning or how to book accommodations. We came across Soca Islands on social media and saw that it was a very organized itinerary. We met some amazing people and had the best time. We understand it takes a lot to plan and Roger did a great job with executing. We did have some ups and downs but Roger reached out to us and addressed them with us and clarified concerns we had. We appreciate the follow up call to discuss everything.
NW
Nicole W.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not if I Will Return but, Where Im Going Next
This is indeed a REAL REVIEW. My experience with Soca Islands was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I booked my trip to Saint Kitts, I had tons of questions and the host got back to me so quickly. Everything was organized with such care, clarity, and professionalism that I never had to worry about a single detail.
The itinerary was thorough, easy to follow, and incredibly helpful. Every link, Google doc, and resource they provided made packing, planning, and preparing effortless. I knew exactly what to bring, what to expect, and how to show up — and that level of transparency made the entire experience stress‑free.
One of the biggest highlights was that my costume was picked up for me by the host, so I didn’t have to deal with any logistics or lines. Every event on the itinerary was already paid for, which meant I could fully enjoy myself without constantly reaching for my wallet. The events themselves were amazing — great vibes, great people, unlimited food, unlimited drinks, and unforgettable energy.
Soca Islands also surprised us with thoughtful extras:
• A book bag filled with towels, water bottles, and useful knickknacks
• Reliable transportation for the entire trip
• A dedicated driver, so we never had to figure out how to get anywhere
• Built‑in downtime, which was a blessing after nights of partying and enjoying the island
I barely spent any additional money because everything essential was already included. Anything I purchased was by choice — like groceries or small snacks — not because the trip required it. Oh and the payment plan options for the trip were very helpful.
What truly set this experience apart was how seamless and organized everything felt. We always knew what time to meet, where we were going, and what to expect. The host communicated clearly, consistently, and with genuine care for our comfort and enjoyment.
I traveled solo and everyone was scared for me but this was, without question, one of the best, most well‑coordinated travel experiences I’ve ever had. If you’re thinking about traveling with Soca Islands, do it. They make you feel taken care of from start to finish, and they deliver an experience that’s worth every penny and more.
Highly, highly recommended.
I’m already looking for my next Soca Islands carnival experience, because this trip reminded me how powerful and joyful carnival culture truly is. One thing to know: you will meet people, and you will make friends and family for life. The connections are real, the vibes are unmatched, and the sense of community is something you can’t manufacture.
If you’re not someone who enjoys Caribbean carnival culture, these trips might not be the right fit. But if you love the music, the energy, the freedom, and the celebration of life that carnival brings, then you will fall in love with everything Soca Islands offers.
LM
Lariena M.
If you're dreaming of Trinidad…
If you're dreaming of Trinidad Carnival, look no further than Soca Islands. As a first-time solo traveler who has been dreaming of this trip for over 30 years, I can confidently say they are the best in the business.
From my 2 am airport pickup to the moment I left, Roger and his team had every single detail covered. My housing was great, fete tickets and transportation were all handled, and my costume was delivered right to my door. The itinerary was what truly set this experience apart. It was a perfect blend of parties and incredible cultural activities.
I learned how to play the steel pan drums, walk on stilts, and even had the chance to learn how to blow fire from my mouth! This wasn't just a trip; it was an authentic and immersive experience. Soca Islands and Roger are professional, organized, and truly passionate about what they do. They made my dream a reality and I can't recommend them enough!
JA
Jasmine
A half-hearted experience…
Definetly go to Spicemas, but definitely choose another travel group. Constant itinerary adjustments means there’s a chance you wont end up doing what you signed up for. For example, our island tour day did not include a rum distillery tour or visit to Fort Frederick like our original itinerary included. It also seems when you originally pay for your fetes the money doesn’t immediately go towards buying the ticket as we were informed two days before Soca Monarch we might not be able this to attend and should get our own tickets (this was rectified the day prior to Soca Monarch but it makes you think)….
There is a lack of communication and harsh attitude from the owner- Roger in the recent weeks leading up to Spicemas and during the actual trip was disappointing. You send a large sum of money to the man, yet he is not responsive to questions or feedback, argues with attendees when given feedback and even restricts groupchat communications. Evidently there needs to be a bigger team as all the focus & work on carnivals that come before Spicemas result in the Spicemas attendees being somewhat neglected.
Positives would be the people I met, the hotel I stayed at and Grenada itself, which are all things I could still be noting as positives had I planned this trip independently or with a different travel group. I did not feel welcomed to Soca Islands. My advice, take inspiration from the online itinerary and book things yourself if you are wondering where to begin & there is loads of great travel information online & on social media.
I will be at Spicemas 2026 but not with Soca Islands.
*EDIT / ADDITION IN RESPONSE TO REPLY FROM COMPANY*
When it comes to communication, a proactive approach would be kore appropriate than everyone having to ask a question in hopes that one of us would get a response. In the first couple of days especially other attendees would ask me to ask you some questions as they felt they were being ignored. Groupchat restrictions also resulted in being unable to contact different people e.g delaying our buses when we were unaware of who we were waiting for and their contact information.
Regarding the disagreement alongside two other attendees, you had informed us that one of us would be left behind at the hotel and the car would come back for one person who would then have to find us on the road. Therefore, we were reluctant to leave one woman behind. As 3 of us heard this it is hard to believe everyone in the situation heard wrong. It was not handled professionally, at the end of the day we are paying a large amount of money in exchange for a service. Being defensive instead of trying to understand the perspective and experience of women solo travellers and why we would feel so strongly about no woman left behind was not the way to go and again if communication and professionalism was clear throughout the trip, this is a misunderstanding that you would’ve ensured was cleared up almost a month later. Though attempts were made to limit interactions in groupchats, I am aware this disappointment is not limited to just my experience.
I too hope things are better for the next group of Spicemas attendees joining Soca Islands as there is sufficient time to consider feedback.
Response from SOCA ISLANDSSep 1, 2025
Hi Jasmine,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I am truly sorry to hear that parts of your experience did not meet your expectations, as we always aim to provide seamless and enjoyable trips.
You communicated with us solely via WhatsApp, and upon review, none of your messages went unanswered. I am sure you can confirm the same. Because of this, I am surprised to read that you felt there was a lack of communication or a harsh attitude. If some of my replies did not answer your questions adequately, I sincerely apologise.
Regarding the island tour, we worked with the same provider as in previous years and expected the itinerary to remain consistent. I was unaware that certain stops such as the distillery and Fort Frederick were omitted, and we will be following up with the company accordingly.
For the Soca Monarch tickets, I apologise for the uncertainty caused when it seemed there might be an issue. Although this was resolved before the event, I understand how unsettling that must have felt and we are reviewing our processes so this does not happen again.
Finally, regarding the concern about arguing with attendees, I can only assume you mean the interaction among myself, you and one other person. After explaining to you and one other guest that there were two vehicles waiting to take the final three of you to the street parade (with space for two persons in one and one in the other) you and one other person insisted that the three of you be placed in the same vehicle, even though both vehicles were going to the same destination. The request for us to drop off and then return was not practical in the circumstances, and was an unusual expectation. However, if my explanation came across as argumentative in any way, please accept my sincere apology. That was never my intention.
I am glad you enjoyed the hotel, Grenada, and the wonderful people you met. While I am disappointed that you will not be joining us again, I truly appreciate your feedback. It helps us to grow and do better for future guests.
I wish you the best in your future Carnival adventures.
Cheers,
Roger
SS
Shan S.
Save your money and do not book your carnival experience with Soca Islands
Spicemas 2025 was an amazing experience! However we won't be booking a carnival experience with Soca Islands EVER again. Save your money and book with another company instead! Communication from the owner of Soca Islands had been very good up until about 1 month before the trip. From July 2025 communication started to dwindle and while we were on the actual trip communication from the owner became extremely poor. Roger says that during your trip we can message or email him with any questions. When some of us messaged him during Spicemas he did not respond. He responded to some travellers but this was not on a frequent basis.
We were told that there would be a Soca Islands Meet & Greet event on the first day of the trip; this Meet & Greet never happened. This was a huge shame as we had to find a way to all connect with each other ourselves. The Meet & Greet should be taken off the itinerary as it’s very misleading.
The owner (his name is Roger) had made a group chat for all members of the group but it was only admins that could sent messages in the group! So we weren't able to talk to each other and connect before the trip! We were promised that we'd be able to connect with our roommate before Spicemas but this did not happen either. One of the apartments Roger chose for some of us to stay at was still under construction. This was a huge shock as the apartment looked so rundown and was not a nice experience to stay at. Make sure you research the apartments Roger has listed.
During Spicemas were told that the Soca Monarch Finals might be taken off the itinerary but we were not given a reason why. The travellers who wanted to go were going to have to purchase their own tickets. This was ridiculous as the Soca Monarch finals tickets were a part of the package that we’d paid for! So why would Roger not refund us? The day before Soca Monarch Finals we were told that Soca Monarch Finals was staying on the itinerary.
The Island Tour was very underwhelming. It was promised that we'd visit a rum distillery but instead a random local gave us 2 spirits to taste. A lot of the things that we should have done on the island tour never actually happened. The tour was supposed to finish at 5pm but our island tour finished at 2:30pm. The owner of Soca Islands (Roger) is usually very present during the entire trip but for Spicemas 2025 he was barely seen. The few times we did see him, he was always on the phone and his energy was very uninviting as if he didn't want to hold a conversation with us.
Roger got into a few arguments with some of the travellers. He was very rude and was not interested in hearing about our requests or complaints. He was essentially wrong and strong. We did not see Roger at all on the parade days. He claimed that he was on the side-lines waving a flag but this doesn't sound believable. Whenever we messaged Roger during Spicemas we never got a response. When we confronted him about his poor communication he said everything we need to know is already in the main group chat. This was a poor excuse because we should be able to message him to clarify things.
After the trip, we never received a message or email from Roger to ask how our experience was or to say thank you for coming or wish us safe flights back home. We were supposed to take a group picture at the professional photoshoot on the parade days but this never happened.
The amount of money we all paid to experience Spicemas through Soca Islands did match up to the costumer service. We were significantly overcharged and were not treated with care or respect. We hope other people who book soca islands do not have this underwhelming, shambolic and disheartening experience.
LK
Laura K.
Soca islands took care of all the…
Soca Islands took care of all the planning and practicalities so that we can focus on enjoying the T&T carnival experience, fetes and all the great vibes.
Roger happily tailored some of the experience to our specific needs and even personally drove us around. We were really happy with our costumes, band, professional fotos and make up. After the carnival my tabanca was real! We can’t wait another trip with Soca Islands!
TN
Typhanie N.
Très bonne expérience avec Soca Island…
Très bonne expérience avec Soca Island pour une première venue en Jamaïque !
L'organisation était au top, les costumes conformes à nos demandes initiales, le carnaval et les soirées inoubliables et ce en toute sécurité. A très vite pour un prochain Carnaval. Typhanie et Maeva :)