Let's say you asked the common person to picture what heaven might look like. In that instance, they'll likely see a sandy tropical island encircled by palm palms and a never-ending horizon of the azure ocean. They would respond, "Somewhere in the Caribbean", when asked where their idealized paradise might be.
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| Top 10 Most Beautiful Caribbean Islands to visit now |
Despite the Caribbean's complex geographic makeup, many people consider it to be a single location. Today, the Caribbean archipelago, which consists of more than 700 islands, reefs, and cays over an area of nearly one million square miles, has 13 sovereign island governments and 12 dependent territories. Political relations between the region and both Europe and the United States of America are very strong.
It's challenging to decide which island to visit when there are so many possibilities. To assist you in narrowing down your search, we've put up a list of the most amazing Caribbean islands, from Aruba to Barbados.
10. Bermuda
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| Bermuda |
Although there are other Caribbean islands with pink sand beaches, Bermuda may have the greatest in the area. The most well-known of them is Horseshoe Bay, where sergeant majors and angelfish flourish and there are plenty of photo opportunities, while Elbow Beach is also worthwhile a visit. In the Crystal and Fantasy Caves, you can escape the sun's heat and take in the dazzling reflections of stalactites in their transparent pools.
Goslings Rum is a local product of St. George's parish, so while you're there, try a Dark & Stormy cocktail and go on a sunset cruise. And for an extravagant experience, if money is no object, think about reserving a room at the renowned Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.
9. St. Vincent
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| St. Vincent |
St. Vincent, the biggest island in the Grenadines, is every bit as deserving of a vacation spot as Mystique. A lava dome on the active volcano La Soufrière can be seen up close if you climb it and descend into the caldera, which is 4,000 feet above sea level.
Travel along the 2-mile Vermont Nature Trail through a portion of the 10,870-acre St. Vincent Parrot Reserve for a less demanding hike to spot the rare bird. A 20-acre botanical garden on the island, the lush Dark View Falls or Falls of Blaine, or the vistas from Fort Charlotte should all be visited before departing.
8. Grenada
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| Grenada |
Grenada, which is part of the Windward Islands, has plenty of cultural and natural attractions to keep you occupied for days. Grenada, also known as the "Spice Island," is a great location for all of your baking and cooking needs due to its history of producing nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon.
Visit the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station to buy the spice directly from the manufacturer, or browse the Spice Market in St. George's Market Square. Take a dive at the first-ever underwater sculpture park created by Jason deCaires Taylor, or gaze at one of the island's many waterfalls, such as Annandale and Au Coin Falls.
You'd do well to sail on a classic wooden schooner, after all, you are in the heart of the Caribbean's boat-building industry.
7. Curaçao
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| Curaçao |
The capital of Willemstad, where brightly colored Dutch houses line the St. Anna Bay coastline on Handelskade pier, is Curaço, the "C" in "ABC islands," and it can make you think of Amsterdam.
A swinging pedestrian bridge between the Punda and Otrobanda areas of the port city, Queen Emma Bridge is a great place to take in the architecture while sipping refreshments outside. The beaches of Curaçao are also unmatched.
There are 35 beaches in total, so there is one for every mood and situation, whether you want to party in Jan Thiel, swim with sea turtles at Playa Piskado, or simply relax and enjoy the sun at Playa Kenepa Grandi.
6. St. Kitts
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| St. Kitts |
This island in the Eastern Caribbean has everything, including historical landmarks, recreational activities, and beach bars. For unrivaled vistas of St. Maarten and Saba, climb Mt. Liamuiga, a dormant volcano 3,800 feet above sea level.
Explore shipwrecks like the 144-foot River Taw and snorkel the Coconut Tree Reef. Visit the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, which dates back to the 18th century, and ride the St. Kitts Scenic Railway through the former sugar cane farms and quaint towns of the island. Shop vibrant batik fabrics at the Caribele Batik boutique in Basseterre's capital before exploring Frigate Bay's beach bars.
Take the 45-minute ferry ride to Nevis, St. Kitts' sister island for a delightful day trip. You may hike the Source Trail through a cloud forest while keeping a watch out for vervet monkeys, climb the 3,232-foot Nevis Peak, or unwind on Oualie Beach here.
5. Anguilla
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| Anguilla |
On Anguilla, relaxation is the name of the game. This island in the Lesser Antilles is only 16 miles long, yet it features 33 magnificent beaches, all of which are open to the public for free. The pinkish-white sand, turquoise water, and superb snorkeling at Shoal Bay East have led to it being frequently ranked as one of the top beaches in the Caribbean.
While Little Bay Beach is challenging to reach yet impresses with its craggy cliffs and aquatic life that provides for equally excellent snorkeling, the less-traveled Meads Bay is equally magnificent and boasts good restaurants and upscale resorts to boot. Tee off at the recently refurbished Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, then proceed to Dune Preserve for rum punch and live music to shake things up (Look at the timeline to find out what times the iconic reggae artist panicky banks perform his great songs).
4. St. Bart's
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| St. Bart's |
The Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy, a favorite of celebrities like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, the Kardashians, and John Legend, is the pinnacle of opulence. If you want to splash out, think about renting a yacht or staying in a private house like Le Toiny or Cheval Blanc.
Spend the day kayaking or kiteboarding in Anse de Grand Cul de Sac, perusing upscale stores and galleries in Gustavia, or lying on one of the island's many beaches. For sandwiches cooked with incredibly fresh ingredients—some of which are even flown in from France—make a reservation at Eddy's, one of the island's oldest eateries, or stop by Maya's to Go.
3. Cuba
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| Cuba |
In the capital of Cuba, Havana, you may find a wealth of museums, art galleries, jazz clubs, and fantastic restaurants. Drink mojitos at the Art Deco-style Hotel Nacional or daiquiris at El Floridita, a favorite of author Ernest Hemingway, then peep inside the hotel's Cold War-era bunker.
At the National Museum of Fine Arts, take in two centuries' worth of Cuban art, enjoy live jazz at La Zorra y el Cuervo, and salsa dance the night away in one of the city's many clubs.
While you might easily spend all of your time in Havana, you shouldn't skip a trip to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with structures that date back to the 17th century.
2. Saint Maarten
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| Saint Martin |
The Caribbean island, which is divided between St. Martin (the French side) and St. Marteen, is jointly ruled by the French and the Dutch (the Dutch side). You can stroll through an 8,800-acre natural reserve in St. Maarten, ride the steepest zip line in the world, and stand at Maho Beach and watch jets land and take off from Princess Juliana International Airport.
Make sure to set aside some time to explore Phillipsburg, the nation's capital, and stop by Guavaberry Emporium for rum distilled from native guava berries.
Visit Grand Case in St. Martin to enjoy French Caribbean cuisine, continue your hike and zip-lining at the 135-acre Loterie Farm, and unwind in Orient Bay, the Caribbean equivalent of St. Tropez.
1. Providenciales
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| Providenciales |
Providenciales is the most visited island in the archipelago out of the eight major islands that make up Turks and Caicos, and with good reason. Spend an afternoon at Grace Bay, which is three miles long and frequently named one of the top beaches in the world.
Alexandra Resort and Wymara Resort and Villas are two luxurious resorts that line Princess Alexandra National Park's immaculate coastline. By traveling just offshore to Smith's Reef or Bight Reef, where you can see sea turtles, parrotfish, spiny lobsters, and the occasional nurse shark, you can discover why the archipelago is famed for its snorkeling.
Want to learn more about Turks & Caicos?
Take a 25-minute ferry voyage to Middle Caicos to go hiking and explore the largest network of dry caves in the Lucayan Archipelago, the Conch Bar Caves.
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