When winter cold has fully set in, we often find ourselves dreaming of sandy beaches, tropical snorkeling, and mai tais. With these goals in mind, we have put together a top ten hits list of our absolute favorite spots in the Caribbean in no particular order for you to decide on your own personal favorite. Everybody has one!
Here are the 10 Best Caribbean Island Vacation Destinations to escape the winter cold and jump into tropical heat once again.
1. Anguilla
This tiny island north of St. Martin packs an impressive 33 distinct beaches onto its petite 35 square miles.
This means water activities are an absolute highlight here, and the small population of less than fifteen thousand locals makes Anguilla known as one of the friendliest Caribbean islands. Award-winning restaurants cater to every palette, and resorts and villas leave nothing to be desired.
Ask any visitor what the best part of Anguilla is, and they will all respond the same. The beaches. For those of you who dream of sipping a pina colada with your toes in the sand and cooling off with a dip in the sea, you cannot go wrong choosing Anguilla for your next Caribbean holiday.
2. Little Exuma
We have all seen the videos of bikini clad influencers frollicking in gorgeous turquoise waters with cute little pigs swimming right up to them and saying hello.
Welcome to the Exumas, home of the famous swimming pigs.
While both Grand Exuma and Little Exuma are connected by a small bridge, we prefer the tiny eleven square mile Little Exuma. There is just something special here. One of the most famous beaches here lies directly on the Tropic of Cancer making for a fun story.
Grab a bite at the local food shacks, explore the plantations, and just spend time on this tiny little spot in the middle of a big ocean.
3. St Lucia
Part of the Lesser Antilles, St. Lucia is located in the eastern Caribbean. Visitors can expect stunning views in every direction, taking in sights of palm-lined beaches, lush rainforest, and the breathtaking Piton Mountains. St. Lucia is revered by many as one of the most beautiful islands in the world and we certainly don’t disagree.
Any trip to St. Lucia is incomplete without a visit to the beautiful and relaxing Sulfur Springs to melt your troubles away among these natural hot springs. Who needs a spa when the island itself provides one for you!
You can’t go wrong choosing a resort in St. Lucia for your vacation.
4. Grand Turk
The largest of the Turks Islands, Grand Turk is the historical center and the capital of Turks and Caicos. Originally settled as a destination for sea salt production in 1681, there is no shortage of Caribbean history for you to discover here.
Today, diving is one of the main attractions with dive operators guiding all skill levels of divers. Whether you are a salty, seasoned veteran or looking to begin certification, Grand Turk is a perfect place for you.
In addition, the island is home to the Grand Turk Cruise Center, 14 acres of swimming, recreation, and shopping so you don’t need to worry about missing any of the luxuries of home here. You can easily see why Grand Turk is one of our 10 Best Caribbean Island Vacation Destinations.
5. St. Kitts
If your ideal Caribbean vacation would be to immerse yourself in wild and unspoiled nature, St. Kitts is the island for you. With more than a quarter of its land designated as a National Park, St. Kitts is filled with wildlife thriving in its native habitat both above and below the waterline.
Visitors can enjoy ziplining over the rainforest, bird watching, exploring a dormant volcano, or world-class diving. But of course, simply relaxing on the beach can’t be beat here either.
6. Grand Cayman
Our next recommendation is for the largest of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman. It is home to one of the most beautiful and sparsely populated beaches in the Caribbean. The gorgeous coral white sand Seven mile beach may actually only be about six miles long, but an uninterrupted six mile walk down an epic and picturesque beach is plenty for us!
Adventurous travelers should plan to visit Stingray City and make friends with beautiful stingrays that make their home here.
7. Antigua
Boasting a whopping 365 beaches, Antigua literally offers a different beach for every day of the year, and once you arrive, you might just be trying to make plans to stay all year too.
Antigua is also home to Nelson’s Dockyard, the only continually working Georgian Shipyard in the world. Snorkelers will delight in the many picturesque reefs lining the shore, while those craving solitude can relax on the mostly undeveloped Darkwood Beach.
While in Antigua make time to visit the Shirley Heights Lookout for the best views of the island, and if you happen to be here on a Sunday evening, you can catch a great party complete with local music, food, and plenty of fun people.
8. Punta Cana
The golden beaches of Punta Cana on the Easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic are perfect for visitors seeking an all-inclusive resort stay. This area has quickly become on of the go-to destinations for Caribbean travelers in the last few years, so you are very likely to have plenty of friends to ask for insider tips while traveling here.
All of the great resort amenities you could ask for are available here and more. Whether you dream of helicopter tours, a week full of spa days, or deep sea fishing charters, you will find plenty of offerings for your every desire.
9. Aruba
Because of its location outside of the hurricane belt, Aruba has some of the best weather in the Caribbean. This makes Aruba an easy addition to our list of great destinations, and perfect for those who want to plan a zero-stress trip during hurricane season.
This guaranteed weather also allows visitors to enjoy a wide variety of activities without concern for seasonality, including water sports, golf, and lounging on the beach.
Be sure to visit Aruba’s Butterfly Farm while you are here. This trip is great for all games, and perfect for getting to know all the local plantlife while surrounded by dozens of the most beautiful butterflies you have ever seen.
10. Tobago
The biodiverse island of Tobago is perfect for travelers looking for relaxation off the beaten path and is one of the main reasons it shows up on our list of the 10 Best Caribbean Island Vacation Destinations. Animal lovers will enjoy attending a traditional goat race. Beach lovers will have plenty of options to choose from, and the diving is awesome here as well.
Additionally, the Tobago Forest Reserve is a must-visit for bird watchers and plant lovers alike. There is no shortage of life here to explore. Just make sure your phone is fully charged while you are here. You will want to take tons of photos!
After retiring, I have been taking care of my parents for the last ten years. I am looking for a quiet, yet not isolated beach to spend a week to read, rest and relax. Thank you.
Hi, Laura! Thanks for your comment. What a loving sacrifice you made for your parents. I am sure they appreciated your love and time. A week away at the beach sounds like a wonderful plan. I will email you and see how I can help you find the paradise you desire.