If you’re looking to soak up some winter sun by a pool lounger and nothing more, then any island in the Caribbean will do – the hotels in St Barth’s are amongst some of the best in the world. But dig a little deeper and venture beyond the resort gates, and you will find the best islands in the Caribbean.
28 islands to choose from
Brian Major has been fortunate enough to travel widely across the Caribbean over the last 30 years. He’s also a descendant of Caribbean people, so many folks assume he’s visited every island. Not likely – the Caribbean consists of 28 islands encompassing just over one million square miles. So while he’s visited most, there are still a handful he’s yet to encounter. These are his favourites.
Many know the Caribbean of picture postcard views – all lush green hillsides, soft beaches, sunny skies, sun loungers and poolside cocktails. But that’s really just the white-sandy surface of this region, where each island has something distinct to offer. On Dominica, hiking is unmatched, notably its Boiling Lake, a flooded fumarole located in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, where you can traverse across the rim of an active volcano. The best island hopping is in the British Virgin Islands, while Barbados is the action island, where the historic Garrison horse racing takes place year-round.
Barbados
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Best island for: action
Barbados might just be one of the best all-rounder islands in the Caribbean. Some of the top hotels in the region are found here, as are some of the best beaches, all accessible to the public – there are no private beaches in Barbados. Poolside beverages are spiked with rum, distilled on the island and best learnt about at St Nicholas Abbey, a plantation house, museum and rum distillery. Those looking for more diverse action can find it at the heritage railway, the racing car circuit and the Garrison Savannah, a popular horse race that takes place throughout the year. And then there are the surrounding reefs, where you can swim with turtles, snorkel with seahorses and spy the whales in winter months.
Saint Lucia
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Best island for: romance
The Caribbean is synonymous with honeymoons but it’s Saint Lucia that tops them all when it comes to serving up romance. You can thank the island’s mountainous landscape for that – it’s all about a room with a view of the 2,000-foot high Piton mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the island’s calling card.
There’s adventure to be found too, like exhilarating ziplines high above the island’s rainforest canopy or mud baths in Sulphur Springs, a geothermically active basin of hot springs and fumaroles within the the dormant Qualibou volcano in Soufrière
Anguilla
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Best island for: beaches
In a region characterised by beautiful beaches, Anguilla has the best in the region. Partly for their mesmerising ribbon of blue water but also because their powdery white sands invariably host only a handful of other beach-goers. There are 33 beaches in total and while each one is memorable, the standouts to see include Cove Bay, Maundays Bay, Rendezvous Bay and Shoal Bay.
Anguilla is also a worthy choice for its culinary scene. Refreshingly there are no chain restaurants on the island. Instead, restaurants and eateries tend to be small businesses that are family-run. If you visit just one, make it Tasty’s, which serves up a stellar coconut crusted fish and marinated conch salad by Anguillan chef Dale Carty.
British Virgin Islands
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Best island for: island hopping
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) territory has few chain restaurants and no large hotels or mass tourism attractions. Instead, you’ll encounter turquoise waters, lush green hillsides and distinctive cuisine and culture across the four main islands: Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
Hopping from island to island – whether via public ferry or private catamaran – is the characteristic way to explore the BVI. Sail to Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay, home to casual beachfront eateries serving dangerously delicious rum cocktails and locally caught fish. Another fantastic spot is Willy T’s Floating Bar and Restaurant near Norman Island. Moored offshore, the cargo ship has been converted into an ultra-relaxed eatery.
Find the best beaches in the Virgin Islands here.
Dominica
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Best island for: diving
The calm waters surrounding Dominica make it one of the best diving spots in the world. The rainbow-coloured seascape is best viewed at Champagne Reef. It’s named for its bubbling waters generated by volcanic thermal springs rising from the ocean floor. The reef also comprises plummeting cliffs, towering volcanic formations and the remains of a 17th-century Spanish shipwreck.
Another highlight is L’Abym, a dive site located on the island’s southern tip and suited to all skill levels due to Soufriere Bay’s gentle current. Underwater wonders are visible from 20 feet below the surface right down to a 1,500-foot maximum depth. An underwater wall extending its entire length gives the site its name.
Grenada
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Best island for: natural beauty
Grenada’s 133 archipelagic square miles are laced with waterfalls, hot springs and tropical rainforests across three main islands: Grenada, Petit Martinique and Carriacou. Ringed by 45 white, and nine black-sand beaches, the hilly isles are dotted with acres of fruit and spice trees.
One-ninth of Grenada’s land mass is dedicated to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, best seen on a guided hike of Grand Etang Forest Reserve. Sister island Carriacou is a worthy day trip too, especially for the top-shelf diving and snorkeling.
Puerto Rico
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Best island for: history and culture
There’s a distinct energy to Puerto Rico, one that draws upon a fascinating blend of Hispanic, African, USA and Caribbean culture and history. Start in colonial San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas. Head to the old town where cobblestone streets are lined with colourful Spanish buildings housing trendy bars, boutique shopping and all-night entertainment.
Hundreds of thousands of Africans arrived in Puerto Rico via forced migration in the colonial era. Their contributions to the island’s culture, art, music and cuisine live on today in Loiza, home to Puerto Rico’s largest Black population. See the artwork on display at Samuel Lind Studio, or at the Don Rafael Cepeda School of Bomba and Plena which puts on traditional music and dance workshops.
St. Kitts and Nevis
Best island for: visiting two islands in one trip
Lush natural beauty and historic attractions are the hallmarks of this twin-island nation. Most travellers visit both islands, as smaller Nevis is a breezy 20-minute ferry ride from larger St. Kitts. Sightseeing on St. Kitts is best done via the scenic train, which is the only working railway in the Caribbean. It circumnavigates the island on routes that once transported plantation sugar cane. Another highlight is the Brimstone Hill fortress, which was built of hand-chiseled stones by enslaved Kittitians. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stand among the fort’s ramparts and cannon while taking in panoramic views of neighbouring Saba, Statia, St. Maarten and St. Barths.
Tiny Nevis’ resplendent landscape is overlooked by 3,232-foot high Nevis Peak, which is located at its centre, and is visible from virtually every point on the island. Mountainside hiking and ATV tours uncover haunting ruins of colonial-era plantations and sugar mills.
