10 Best Caribbean Island Vacation Destinations – Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I get a small commission, which I will no doubt spend on more flights (it’s a vicious circle).
Inside: From family-friendly Caribbean powerhouses to tiny undiscovered tropical islands, here are 10 incredible islands to add to your Caribbean bucket list.
10 Best Caribbean Island Vacation Destinations
Whether you’re looking to escape the winter chill or just need a sunny resort any time of year, the Caribbean is a fantastic destination.
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But with so many gorgeous islands to choose from, the hardest part of planning a Caribbean vacation can be choosing the right island for you. Don’t worry, I’m here to help you!
With more than 30 visits to Caribbean islands in 10 trips around the world, I’ve developed a few breezy tropical favorites. And, as usual, I will share.
” in a beach bungalow and experience the Caribbean as it was decades ago? Yes, you will find it here too.
There are cheap hotels and cheap things to do on most Caribbean islands. However, two of the most affordable Caribbean islands to visit are the Dominican Republic and Cozumel, especially if you’re looking for all-inclusive resorts.
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For an affordable getaway that avoids the mega-resorts, try the Bay Island of Roatan or Belize’s laid-back Ambergris Caye (more on both in a moment).
The US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Aruba are considered some of the best family destinations in the Caribbean. But there are oodles of family-friendly resorts located throughout the Caribbean. For example, popular Beaches Resorts, such as Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, offer beautiful white sand beaches and plenty of activities for kids of all ages.
Some of the best family resorts in the Caribbean are St. Croix’s Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort (I have friends with kids who swear by this one!), Atlantis, Paradise Island, The Bahamas, and Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club.
As one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world, the Caribbean is famous for its luxurious and romantic resorts. Jamaica and St. Lucia top the charts for the number of couples-only resorts, but many other islands also boast romantic hideaways that are perfect for two.
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Some of the best resorts for couples in the Caribbean are the exclusive Jade Mountain Resort in Saint Lucia, Caves Resort in Jamaica, and the private island resort of Palm Island in the Grenadines.
From family-friendly Caribbean powerhouses to tiny, undiscovered (and no-frills!) tropical islands, here are 10 incredible islands to add to your Caribbean bucket list right now.
While Aruba is the smallest island of the three ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), it is easily the most popular with visitors. It is also the only island known for the most pristine beaches on all three islands. Aruba’s picture-perfect beaches, sunny climate, and friendly locals have earned it the appropriate nickname, “
Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, Aruba is renowned for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and year-round warm climate.
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Aruba is one of the sunniest islands in the Caribbean, it is also located south of the hurricane belt, making it an ideal Caribbean destination during hurricane season.
Of all the dream islands on this list, Aruba is probably the easiest to get to. With direct daily flights from many US cities to Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), you can easily go from city life to beach life in hours.
If you want to visit Flamingo Beach (pictured above), there’s only one choice, the Aruba Renaissance Wind Creek Resort. Guests of this resort have exclusive access to the resort’s private island, Renaissance Island, home to Flamingo Beach.
Aside from a certain electric blue liquor, the island of Curacao is probably best known for its colorful Dutch-inspired capital of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gabled buildings lining the sea could easily be placed in Amsterdam were it not for their rainbow of colours.
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Yes, Curacao has lovely beaches and resorts, but the glamorous island capital is the real draw.
From the Queen Emma Bridge to the historic Punda District, Willemstad’s colorful architecture and quaint shops make it one of the best Caribbean capitals to explore.
American Airlines offers daily direct flights to Curacao’s Hato International Airport (CUR) from Miami and weekly service from Charlotte. Jet Blue and United also have weekly service from the New York area.
Steps from Willemstad’s main avenue, Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao is located next to the 19th-century Rif Fort and surrounded by a multitude of shops and restaurants. This modern city hotel is famous locally for its spectacular infinity pool.
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Located between St. Lucia and Grenada in the southern Caribbean Sea, the multi-island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is made up of 32 islands and cays that stretch 45 miles. Of these 32 islands, only 8 are populated.
The largest of the islands is St. Vincent. Home to the majority of SVG’s population of 110,000, it is also the home base for the island’s burgeoning yacht charter industry.
Many vacationers flock to the United States and British Virgin Islands for their turquoise waters and abundance of picture-perfect islands. But the Grenadines all offer the same beauty at a more affordable price (and with fewer tourists!).
Fly directly into St. Vincent’s gleaming new Argyle International Airport (SVD) from New York or Miami. Or book one of the regular connections to Saint Vincent from Saint Lucia and Barbados.
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The Grenadines are also famous for a handful of exclusive private island resorts in Mustique, Petit St. Vincent and the luxurious Palm Island Resort. In Kingstown, try the lovely Blue Lagoon Resort.
As part of the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Both the UK and the US lay claim to these picture-perfect Caribbean islands.
Northeast of the island group; Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke are the main islands that make up the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
White Bay’s sparkling beaches are home to the infamous Soggy Dollar Bar. There’s no pier on this pristine stretch of white sand, so be prepared to dive into the turquoise sea and swim ashore before handing in your soggy bills for a signature’
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The Painkiller is a top-secret tropical blend of premium dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice topped with freshly grated Grenadian nutmeg. Conveniently, this delicious adult beverage pairs perfectly with a hammock and the gentle sway of palm trees.
Fingers in the sand. Painkiller in hand. If this island doesn’t make you feel like you’re living in a Jimmy Buffet song, no island will.
There is no airport on the island, so the only way to get to Jost Van Dyke is by ferry, water taxi, or your own boat. New Horizon Ferry Service offers a daily ferry service from Road Town, Tortola. You can also take a ferry a few times a week from St. Thomas or St. John with Inter Island Ferry Service.
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The ultimate lodging option on the island is The Hideout, an upscale boutique resort with spacious suites and stunning views of White Bay.
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In the southwestern portion of the Virgin Islands, the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix anchor the United States Territory (USVI).
At 9 miles long and 3 miles wide St. John is the smallest of the three US Virgin Islands.
A visit to St. John’s Island reveals the Caribbean as nature intended. Two-thirds of St. John is made up of Virgin Islands National Park, home to pristine forests and spectacular pristine beaches like Trunk Bay.
You won’t find an airport or cruise ship dock on St. John, which helps add to the island’s tranquil atmosphere. But luckily the island is easily accessible from larger St. Thomas via an hourly ferry.
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Most of this pristine land is protected as a National Park and limited development keeps accommodation at a premium. For resort amenities, the Westin St. John Resort Villas is your best bet.
Located 35 miles east of Belize City, Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and most popular tourist destination.
The island is only 25 miles long and a mile wide at its widest point. San Pedro, at the south end, is the main town and hosts the airstrip and main concentration of shops and restaurants.
Ambergris Caye is known as one of the best diving spots in the world. There are numerous fishing, diving and snorkelling trips departing daily for many of the outer islands.
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At the sprawling north end of the island, you’ll find a string of beach houses and a large concentration of expats. In fact, Ambergris Caye is home to the largest concentration of Belizean expats, many of them from the United States.
The relaxed atmosphere and easy-going lifestyle of the island is its biggest attraction. It’s not uncommon for someone to visit and never want to leave (which explains the large number of US expats!). No one here has an agenda. And the only traffic jams involve the islands’ many golf carts.
To get to Ambergris Caye, you must first take a flight to Belize City. From there, it’s a quick puddle flight on domestic carriers Tropic Air or Maya Island Air.
For romance, it’s hard to beat the luxe cabanas at the adults-only PUR Boutique Cabanas.
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