The 15 Most Beautiful Caribbean Islands

 

The term “Caribbean” identifies all the countries and islands bathed by the Caribbean Sea beside the fact that they belong to different nations. The Caribbean region is divided into three macro-areas: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahama Islands, which include almost 1,300 islands of 34 different states.

The Caribbean is synonymous with palm trees, beaches of very fine ivory sand, and crystal clear water; a popular tourist destination for any person who loves traveling and the sea, anyone who dreams of visiting such a paradise, including you.

But which are the most beautiful of them?

Here are the 15 most beautiful Caribbean islands based on their beaches and seabeds.

Island / Archipelago	When to go	Flight + hotel package (10 days)
Barbados	February / April	from € 1,552 per person
Jamaica	January / April	from € 1,384 per person
St. Martin	February and March	from € 1,552 per person
Tobago	February and March	from € 1,798 per person
Puerto Rico	December / March	from € 1,343 per person
Culebra	December / March	from € 1,412 per person
Cayman	November / Mid April	from € 1.988 per person
St. Lucia	February / April	from € 1807 per person
St. Barthélemy	January / April	from € 3.583 per person
Anguilla	February and March	from € 1,675 per person
Saint Kitts and Nevis	December / April	from € 1,936 per person
Bermuda	March, April, and May	from € 1,645 per person
Isla Mujeres	March may	from € 1,042 per person
St. John	December / April	from € 3.201 per person
Ambergris Caye, Belize	February / April	from € 1,625 per person

15. Barbados

Barbados is the perfect solution for an adrenaline and adventure holiday. The huge expanses of natural parks are ideal for exploration and the lively waters are perfect for surfing. And, then there’s the capital, Bridgetown, the largest city on the island, as well as the center of its culture. Bridgetown offers a vibrant atmosphere, including street vendors, shopping complexes, and clubs where you can party all night long.

Strengths: Shopping, nightlife, sports
Ideal period for a visit: February / April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €626,88
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €53 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,552 per person

14. Jamaica

Great food and great flavors, music, love for life, and rhythm in the DNA… in one word: Jamaica. It’s the perfect choice if you want to experience a holiday to the fullest, between colors, fun, and strong emotions. From beautiful beaches to the Blue Mountain National Park, where you can find waterfalls and trails that look came out of a tropical dream. There are also great golf camps that will delight you if you love this sport.

Strengths: Cuisine, nightlife, culture
Ideal period for a visit: January / April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €592,64
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €21 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,384 per person

13. St. Martin

If you’d rather relax with a beer in a beach hut rather than sip a cocktail in a cool bar filled with neon lights, St. Martin (or Sint Marteen), with its laid-back vibe, is the right destination for you. One of the most impressive things on this island is the food, which is really excellent, especially in the French part of the island.

There are also plenty of things to do, which is why it’s wise to divide your time between relaxing sessions on the sand and thrilling mountain adventures in the north.

Strengths: Cuisine, excursion, nature, and culture
Ideal period for a visit: February and March
Low-cost flights: Starting from €589,13
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €90 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,552 per person

12. Tobago

A true tropical paradise, Tobago offers beautiful beaches on the western side and dense rainforest to explore in the eastern areas. Hence, you can try trekking through kilometers of pristine green and, at the same time, dive into a real tropical waterfall. Tobago is also particularly famous for its diving due to some beautiful coral reefs and submerged wrecks.

Strengths: Nature and exploration, diving, and boat tours
Ideal period for a visit: February and March
Low-cost flights: Starting from €598,29
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €49 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,798 per person

11. Puerto Rico

In the 11th position, we find Puerto Rico. Old San Juan, with its lively atmosphere, is undoubtedly one of the great highlights of the region. Great seaside resorts, casinos, and entertainment await you. There are also various historical testimonies of the rich Hispanic culture scattered throughout the territory. All of this makes this island ideal for explorations but also for days of pure relaxation by the sea.

Strengths: Culture and night entertainment
Ideal period for a visit: December / March
Low-cost flights: Starting from €315,48
Accommodation: Hotels and  b&b from €39 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,343 per person

10. Culebra

 

This small islet is actually part of the territory of Puerto Rico. It offers tourists impressive beaches, which are considered to be among the most beautiful in the world. One of them is the wonderful Flamenco Beach, a beach so beautiful it almost looks like a desktop image, about 2.4 km of beautiful sand and water perfect for snorkeling. There are picnic tables under the shady trees, restroom, and showers, whereas beach chairs and snorkel gear can be rented. A true paradise on Earth…

Strengths: Atmosphere and relaxation
Ideal period for a visit: December / March
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,412 per person

9. Cayman

Belonging to the Overseas Territory of Great Britain, the three Cayman Islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus. They are the perfect holiday destination for diving enthusiasts in the Caribbean offering fantastic opportunities to see the region’s marina fauna and flora up close. You will find numerous sites off the coast of Grand Cayman, including the famous Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef and Eden Rock & Devil’s Cave. And, if you’re willing to plan a trip to Little Cayman, visitors say Bloody Bay Marine Park is worth a visit.

Strengths: Crystal clear waters and great atmosphere
Ideal period for a visit: November / Mid April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €587,31
Accommodation: Hotel and b&b from €150 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,988 per person

8. St. Lucia

St. Lucia is an independent state island, often chosen as the holiday destination of VIPs from all over the world due to its beauty. For example, it was a sort of refuge away from the world of the late internationally famous musician Any Winehouse.

Crescent-shaped beaches, small fishing villages, rainforests, cliffs, waterfalls, geothermal attractions, and lush mountains are just some of St. Lucia’s numerous attractions.

Castries, the island’s capital and cruise ship port, offers an insight into the colorful life on the island due to the bustling market and some fascinating historical monuments.

Strengths: Romantic atmosphere, spa, and wellness
Ideal period for a visit: February / April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €682
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €53 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,807 per person

7. St. Barthélemy

St. Barthélemy, or Saint Barths, is part of the Overseas Collective of France. It was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who named it in honor of his brother Bartholomeo. In the mid-1600s, the French arrived and built a small settlement.

Nowadays, St. Barthélemy is a pearl of the Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It’s probably the chicest island in the Caribbean, characterized by boutique hotels, mega yachts, luxury shops, and numerous private villas. The soft white sand beaches lend themselves to water sports, from windsurfing to scuba diving, from snorkeling to jet-skiing, sailing, and deep-sea fishing.

On this island, it’s impossible to identify a particular beach that is more beautiful than the others; not because there aren’t any but because they are all incredibly fantastic in the same way.

Strengths: Glamorous and super luxurious atmosphere and cuisine
Ideal period for a visit: January / April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €875,04
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €400 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €3,583 per person

6. Anguilla

In the 6th position, we find the island of Anguilla, a colony of Great Britain. This small pearl has a wonderful view and, according to its inhabitants, Shoal Bay Beach is the most beautiful of all beaches on the island.

Why visit Anguilla? This island is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, a thriving local music scene, and great food. Compared to St. Barthélemy it doesn’t offer many high-end hotels, casinos, or shopping centers.

Strengths: Good food, romantic atmosphere, snorkeling
Ideal period for a visit: February and March
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,675 per person

5. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Reaching the top 5 of this ranking, we find the island state of Saint Kitts and Nevis. There, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress National Parl. There is also the Pool Cabana inside the Four Seasons, which has been included in the ranking of the coolest beach bars in the world by the famous Forbes magazine.

Among the most beautiful beaches, there is Majors Bay: a long and narrow strip of golden sand free from bars or other services, with always warm and calm blue water.

Strengths: Luxurious atmosphere, cool clubs, and natural heritage
Ideal period for a visit: December / April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €841,75
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €77,00 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,936 per person

4. Bermuda

Belonging to the Overseas Territory of Great Britain, Bermuda remains cut off from the podium but its wonders are truly unimaginable.

It’s known for its sophisticated charm due to luxury boutiques and restaurants offering international cuisine, golf courses, and sailing tradition. Yet, despite this, the island is full of simple and inexpensive pleasures as well as beautiful beaches. It’s no coincidence that its Horseshoe Bay Beach is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.

Strengths: Dream beaches and breathtaking views
Ideal period for a visit: March, April, and May
Low-cost flights: Starting from €611,74
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €153 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,645 per person

3. Isla Mujeres

On the lowest step of the podium, we find Isla Mujeres, one of the most beautiful islands in the world. On this island, apart from benefiting from the sea, you’ll be able to dedicate yourself to any water sport activity. The best beach on it in the Yucatan channel is Playa Norte.

There is a surprising variety of things to do on this delightful little Caribbean island. Its proximity to Cancun makes it easy to get to, whether just for a day or a couple of weeks. Its size makes it easy to move around and do anything. Like most Riviera Maya destinations, Isla Mujeres is also sunny and warm all year round, offering a myriad of outdoor activities. It’s ideal for a dream vacation between the beach and coral reefs.

Strengths: Wild atmosphere, sport, and fun
Ideal period for a visit: March / May
Low-cost flights: Flights to Cancun from €373.29
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €36 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,042 per person

2. St. John

Among the US Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the USA, we find the fantastic St. John. Most visitors arrive in Saint John via cruise ships, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to see on the Island. On the contrary, this island is full of activities, many of which involve the outdoors. You can go hiking, biking, and even whale watching during the season. It is probably one of the most suitable Caribbean islands to go on excursions in the midst of unspoiled nature.

Strengths: Landscapes and excursions in the midst of nature
Ideal period for a visit: December / April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €734.13
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €253 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €3,201 per person

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize

 

Of course, the most beautiful island in the world could not but be the winner among those bathed by the Caribbean Sea. Ambergris Caye is considered ideal for a holiday not only for its beauty but also for all the services it offers to the lucky travelers who visit it. A short distance from the island is one of the main tourist destinations in Belize: the well-known Blue Hole, one of the most fascinating diving spots in the world.

Strengths: Excellent tourist services, sports, and diving
Ideal period for a visit: February / April
Low-cost flights: Starting from €713,75
Accommodation: Hotels and b&b from €23 per room
10 days flight + hotel package: Starting from €1,625 per person

Map of the Most Beautiful Islands

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Useful Travel Information

Inhabitants: about 40 million
Number of Islands: just under 1,300
Number of States: 34 in total (14 independent, 20 employed by the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, or France)
Languages: vary from country to country. The most common are Spanish, English, French, and Dutch – they have given rise to other local languages known as Creole languages.
Currency: varies from country to country
Climate: tropical
Vaccinations: no compulsory vaccinations
Entry requirements: a passport with residual validity of at least 6 months is required. Generally, for short-term tourist stays (less than 30 days) a visa is not required, but there may be exceptions (as in the case of Cuba).
Travel/health insurance: recommended.

When to Go to the Caribbean?

Despite covering an extremely vast territory, many of the Caribbean islands share the same tropical climate, characterized by high temperatures all year round and fairly frequent rains. From a strictly climatic point of view, the most suitable months for a visit are those between November / December and April whereas the period between July and September is a must-avoid as it’s the hurricane season.

How to Choose the Perfect Island?

It all depends on your needs and budget. As far as costs are concerned, the cheapest accommodation is usually found in Cuba, Martinique, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Conversely, islands such as Turks and Caicos, Cayman, Anguilla, Antigua, and Bermuda are famous for their extra-luxury accommodation and the tendency to higher prices.

Another thing to consider is the connection to and from Europe. Namely, islands such as Aruba, Bahamas, Cayman, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica are easier to reach as they are directly connected to some capitals in the old continent (so you could avoid a stopover outside the EU, and therefore also save a lot of time for border checks, etc. .).

As for the type of vacation, know that only destinations such as Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico offer cultural, historical, and archaeological tours. The other locations are only suitable for beach life, relaxation, and marine excursions.

Finally, the destinations with the most vivid nightlife are Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.

Caribbean Cruise: Useful Info and Prices

To appreciate the largest number of Caribbean beaches/islands in one trip, many recommend cruises. As this is a fairly extensive area, there are many itineraries that can be traveled as well as carrier companies. Among the best known are Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, but also Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises.

Prices generally start at €2,500 per person and include flights, a full board cabin, and any excursions. However, sometimes, they can reach €7,000 per person for luxury solutions. The minimum duration of the itinerary is 8 days, the recommended one is at least 15/20 days.