12 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2023

When choosing your next vacation, I’m sure a few things sound as appealing as a wonderful Caribbean holiday. Imagine cocktails, adventure, soft, white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and palm-fringed beaches.

But choosing can be difficult. The whole Caribbean area has more than 7,000 islands, keys, and islets, so I don’t know about you, but choosing what the best Caribbean islands are sounds like a feat too great for man.

Narrowing down your options isn’t easy, and that’s where I come in. This is a comprehensive guide to the best islands in the Caribbean, and I promise, there’s an island for everyone here.

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My Bottom Line Up Front: The Best Island in the Caribbean

Calling the best Caribbean island winner is no easy feat, with thousands of islands to choose from. After much consideration, there can only be one: St. Lucia.

St. Lucia’s beauty is epic. There are loads of activities for everyone – whether you visit while on your honeymoon or with your family. You won’t be bored.

My Selection Criteria for the Best Caribbean Islands

When I decided to look into the best islands in the Caribbean region, I figured a checklist or selection criteria had always worked well for me, so why not trust this process again?

To choose the best islands in this part of the world, I considered:

You, my dear reader. Every person is different – some want a chilled vacation where they laze and tan about on the beach, while others are into shopping, adventure, or cultural experience. My selection of the best Caribbean islands caters to all kinds of people.
How to get there. There are multiple flights from various U.S. cities to these islands, and where there are layovers and needing to take a ferry or boat, it’s more than worth it.
Where to sleep. Not everyone has the budget to stay in exclusive all-inclusive resorts, so I wanted to ensure there’s an accommodation option for every traveler – wealthy or on a budget.
What to do. The islands I chose offer a variety of activities to keep you and your family engaged – all vacation long.
The X factor. I also considered some of the lesser-known and smaller Caribbean islands for my guide. These islands offer something extra special in the uniqueness factor, ensuring they are a must-visit.

12 Best Caribbean Islands

Looking for the best island(s) to enjoy your vacation or trip? Here are the 12 best Caribbean islands for you!

St. Lucia

Best for: Those who love the outdoors

When it comes to first impressions, St. Lucia easily wins. With the duo Piton Mountains rising out of the sea, the beautiful beaches, and tropical rainforests, it’s a sight to behold.

St. Lucia is ideal for honeymooners, couples, or those traveling with kids. It has something for everyone to enjoy. You can just chill at the beach, book a tour, partake in numerous water sports, hike through lush rainforests, or sample the local culture and cuisine.

Where to Go in St. Lucia

Soufrière
Anse Chastanet beach
Reduit Beach
Pigeon Island National Park
Marigot Bay
Rodney Bay

What to Do in St. Lucia

Hike up Gros Piton or Petit Piton (or #both)
Walk the Tet Paul Nature Trail
Join the Gros Islet Beach Party every Friday night
Drive into a volcano
Take a mud bath in the sulfur spring pools
Stroll through the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
Book an ATV tour, a rum tour, or a tour of a sugar mill plantation
Splash for fun at the Splash Island Water Park

Consider These St. Lucian Accommodation Options

Sandals Regency La Toc
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Sandals Halcyon Beach
Calabash Cove
Stonefield Villas Resort
Sugar Beach
Royalton St. Lucia Resort and Spa

The Cayman Islands

Best for: A chilled or adventure-filled experience

The Cayman Islands is home to 66,000 friendly locals. They live on any of the three islands that form the Caymans:

Grand Cayman – an elegant island
Little Cayman – a tranquil island
Cayman Brac – an island ideal for the adventurous spirits

There’s something for everyone in the Cayman Islands.

It may feel like you never left the U.S. when you vacay on these 102 square miles of islands; you get a South Florida vibe in the Cayman Islands. But it’s more chilled with less traffic.

Where to Go in the Cayman Islands

Georgetown, the capital
Starfish Point Beach
Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park
Locked Inn Cayman
Cayman Craft Market
Oasis Aqua park

What to Do in the Cayman Islands

Visit the colonial forts like St James Castle
Explore the museums that chronicle Carib piracy and British maritime history
Be amazed at the stingrays, multi-colored iguanas, starfish, and endangered sea turtles
Get your tan on at sun-kissed beaches like Seven Mile
Attend al fresco parties at the Sunset House or cocktail parties at Billy Bones
Go scuba diving, deep diving in Cayman Trench, or snorkeling

Consider These Cayman Islands Accommodation Options

The Residences at the Ritz Carlton
Treasure Cove Guest House
Holiday Inn Resort, Grand Cayman

The Dominican Republic

Best for: Souls that love nature

If you know a little about the Dominican Republic (not to be confused with Dominica, which is also located in the Caribbean), you’ll know it’s an international golfers hub. However, this Caribbean island offers much more than getting your “tee” on.

The Dominican Republic shares its island with Haiti, so you may want to visit both if you have the time and resources. Choose to get your share of vitamin sea by visiting the beautiful beaches, or check out the colonial towns, mountains, rainforests, mangrove lagoons, and waterfalls.

Where to Go in the Dominican Republic

La Romana for the best beaches and Bayahibe, an off-the-grid fishing village
Santo Domingo, the capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Punta Cana
Juan Dolio
Bavaro Beach and Macao Beach
The 3 Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos)
27 Charcos (or waterfalls)

What to Do in the Dominican Republic

Golf (#ofcourse)
Try out some water activities – snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, or scuba diving
Horseback riding
Enjoy the vibrant nightlife in the capital
Immerse yourself in the medieval era at Altos de Chavon
See the stunning waterfalls (#ElLimon)

Consider These Dominican Republic Accommodation Options

Boca Chica All-Inclusive Beach Resort
El Malecon
Calle El Conde (Old Quarter)
Hotel Riazor

Jamaica

Best for: Reggae fans

Jamaica is one of the most famous Caribbean islands, and it’s for a good reason too. It’s #home to jerk chicken, reggae, and Bob Morley. Jamaica also offers soft, sandy beaches with pristine waters, delicious food at the local markets (soursop, ackee, and fried breadfruit), all-inclusive resorts, and action-packed activities.

Did you know? Rap music was initially created in Jamaica and became popular in the USA.

Where to Go in Jamaica

Kingston, the capital
James Bond Beach
Seven Mile Beach
Frenchman’s Cove
Bob Marley Museum
Blue Hole

What to Do in Jamaica

Hike through the Blue Mountains (where some of the best coffee in the world is sourced)
Be in awe of the Negril Cliffs
Explore the Ocho Rios jungle
See the birthplace of the legendary Bob Marley at Nine Mile
Soak up the rum in the Kingston bars while you enjoy the Rasta off-beat tunes
Climb Dunn’s River Falls
Enjoy an ATV ride along the beach

Consider These Jamaican Accommodation Options

Turks and Caicos

Best for: Those who are into water sports and stunning beaches

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting of 40-low-lying coral islands on an archipelago. Only eight of these islands and islets are inhabited.

The Provinciales, the third largest island, is busy with restaurants and cocktail bars, so if peace and quiet is more your scene, escape to the other islands in the archipelago.

Where to Go in Turks and Caicos

Cockburn Town, the capital
Grace Bay Beach – is considered to be the best in the world for its exceptional white sand and turquoise waters
Grand Turk for diving
Chalk Sound National Park

What to Do in Turks and Caicos

Try deep-fried conch clams
Go on a glass-bottom boat tour
Take a boat cruise to Little Water Cay (an iguana sanctuary), Water Cay (secluded beach), or Fort George Cay (sandbars and sunken cannons)
Hike through the thick mangrove forests (Bird Rock Trail is a must)
Enjoy water sport activities like stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving with more than 200 dive sites to choose from
Horse riding at Long Bay
Free-dive at the Wall (an underwater plateau)

Consider These Turks and Caicos Accommodation Options

Beaches Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay Club
The Palms Turks and Caicos
Blue Haven Resort
Villa del Mar

Anguilla

Best for: The ultimate chic vacation vibe

Anguilla is a small Caribbean island with more than 30 picturesque beaches you can enjoy. Plus, the water is warm all year. (#coulditgetanybetter?)

You’ll get all the local Caribbean authenticity you need on Anguilla; there are no high-rise hotels, casinos, or cruise ships (#embargo). So you have access to all the low-key beachfront villas, coral-filled waters, and pretty sandy beaches.

Where to Go in Anguilla

Heritage Museum
Prickly Pear Cays
Shoal Bay East Beach
Meads Bay
Rendezvous Bay
Scilly Cay

What to Do in Anguilla

Get a drink and enjoy the music at Dune Preserve, a funky-mellow bar owned by local celebrity and artist Bankie Banx
Enjoy a meal at Veya, a treehouse-style restaurant
Snorkel at Little Bay
Try various water sports like wakeboarding, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding
Sample the local BBQ in the Valley
Have a spa day at Aurora Anguilla, Malliouhana, or Zemi Beach House

Consider These Anguillan Accommodation Options

Belmond Cap Juluca
Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels and Resorts
Frangipani Beach Resort

Saba

Best for: Those looking to experience the old-world charm

Saba (pronounced “say-bah”) is a tiny island only five square miles away. The island is a special Netherland municipality. With four main villages (called The Bottom, Windwardshide, Zion’s Hill or Hell’s Gate, and St. Johns, you’ll immerse yourself in old Caribbean charm.

Saba is “The Unspoiled Queen:” it has fewer than 2,000 residents and no traffic lights, cruise ships, casinos, fast-food joints, or high-rise hotels.

You can reach the quaint Caribbean island via a 12-minute flight from St. Martin or a 90-minute ferry ride.

Where to Go in Saba

Sea Saba’s Dive Shop
Five Square Gallery (for Saba lace)
Jobean’s Glass Art Studio
Mount Scenery
Tide pools at Flat Point
Saba National Marine Park

What to Do in Saba

Climb the steps of the Ladder at Well’s Bay
Explore Mt. Scenery Trail and make your way to the highest point on Saba
See the neighboring islands of Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Eustatius from St. John’s
Feel like you’ve time traveled and visit Crispeen Track
Visit a sulfur mine
Check out Sandy Cruise Trail and take in the views of the Saban coastline and Diamond Rock

Consider These Saban Accommodation Options

Queen’s Garden Resort & Spa
Juliana’s Hotel
The Cottage Club

Grenada

Best for: Spices, chocolate, and waterfalls

Grenada is also called Spice Island. I can imagine the salty ocean air mixed with the wafts of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices.

If you haven’t heard about this Caribbean island, that’s okay. It is closer to Venezuela and not a tourist hotspot, which makes this island so utterly charming. You wouldn’t have to worry about overcrowded dive spots, beaches, or nutmeg plantations.

Grenada has one main island and six smaller ones. Besides being known for its spices, Grenada is famous for its beaches, waterfalls, rainforests, chocolate, and colonial cities.

Where to Go in Grenada

Sandals Grenada
St. George
Grand Anse Beach
Morne Rouge Beach
Levera Beach
Seven Sisters Waterfall

What to Do in Grenada

Take a tour of one of the spice plantations (and buy some spices for home use)
Explore the Underwater Sculpture Park
Get to the tallest point in Grenada by climbing Mt. Saint Catherine
Hike through the Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve
Tube down Balthazar River
Shop at Market Square
Laze around on black and white sandy beaches

Consider These Grenada Accommodation Options

Sandals Grenada
Mount Cinnamon Resort
Spice Island Beach Resort
Royalton Grenada Resort and Spa

Montserrat

Best for: Ecotourists and nature lovers

Montserrat, called the Emerald Isle, may sound like a French Caribbean island, but it’s British. It’s one of the least visited Caribbean islands, with around 8,000 visitors annually. In 1995, a volcanic eruption destroyed a lot of the island, which is still recovering. The severely affected areas aren’t open to tourists and form part of an exclusion zone.

But that isn’t to say 10-mile-long Montserrat shouldn’t be one of the best Caribbean islands. The island sees mostly day visitors, but you can stay for longer too.

Get to Montserrat via ferry or plane from Antigua.

Where to Go in Montserrat

Rendezvous Bay
Montserrat Soufrière Hills Volcano Observatory
Plymouth, the former capital (the Caribbean’s Pompeii)
Lime Kiln Bay
Marguerita Bay
Foxes Bay
Bunkum Bay

What to Do in Montserrat

Indulge in a frothy Guinness at one of the pubs
Marvel at the volcano from Jack Boy Hill, or check out Garibaldi and views of Plymouth, Old Towne, and Salem
Enjoy a drink at the Runaway Ghaut
Hike any one (or all!) of the nine marked trails, like Dry Waterfall Trial (check out the Montserrat Petroglyphs), Oriole Walkway Trail, and Blackwood Allen Trail, and immerse yourself in the fauna, flora, and animal-life
Beachcomb at Woodlands Bay and spot the washed-out driftwood

Consider These Montserrat Accommodation Options

Tropical Mansion Suites
Gingerbread Hill
Grand View Bed & Breakfast

Dominica

Best for: A quiet getaway

Dominica is like the Garden of Eden for the Caribbean because it’s so lush with rainforests, peaks and valleys, rivers (more than one for every day of the year), volcanic beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls. The undeveloped landscape will appeal to you if you love nature and are into green tourism.

Where to Go in Dominica

Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Mero Beach
Scotts Head
Batibou Beach
Soufrière Bay Beach

What to Do in Dominica

Take in the Boiling Lake and go for a dip in one of the nearby waterfall pools
Go birdwatching at Caroni Bird Sanctuary or the Syndicate Parrot Reserve
Relax on the black sandy beaches
Swim in the Emerald Pool
Check out Victoria Falls
Enjoy the sea turtles as they nest or hatch

Consider These Dominican Accommodation Options

Jungle Bay
Fort Young Hotel
Beau Rive

Guadeloupe

Best for: Tourists and adventurers

Like some other islands on this list, you may not have known about Guadeloupe’s existence. But you will surely now remember it.

The Guadeloupe island is shaped like a butterfly, with wings spread over the two main islands (the largest ones) – Grande Terre and Basse Terre. Between the islands, you’ll find a few man-made bridges.

Grande Terre is the more touristy of the two islands, while Basse Terre is the wilder one.

Where to Go in Guadeloupe

Pointe-à-Pitre, the largest city
Grand Anse Beach
Anse des Cayes
Plage de la Caravelle
Pointe des Châteaux (Castle Point)
Damoiseau (rum) Distillery

What to Do in Guadeloupe

Explore the nightlife of Gosier
Be brave and check out Morne à l’eau’s haunting graveyards
Relax and get some vitamin sea at the Caravelle beaches
Hike to the tallest point in the Lesser Antilles – La Grande Soufrière (the Tall Lady; an active volcano)
Find your inner Indiana Jones by sightseeing the ancient Arawak archaeological sites
Dive at one of the many spots on Basse Terre

Consider These Guadeloupe Accommodation Options

Marco Polo Resort
Hotel Bakoua Les Trois Ilets
Le Jardin Malanga
La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa

Curaçao

Best for: Sampling Curaçao

I’d never have guessed that Curaçao is part of the Netherlands; it’s such a Spanish-sounding name! The Caribbean island is famous for Curaçao since it’s the birthplace of this delicious orange-flavored liqueur. The Lahara orange peels are used to make the liqueur, and it’s indigenous to the island.

Curaçao is blessed with great weather all year round: perfect temperatures, sunny days, and cool trade winds.

Where to Go in Curaçao

Chobolobo Distillery (where Curaçao is made)
Willemstad, the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Shete Boka National Park
Fort Amsterdam
Jan Thiel
Christoffel National Park
Playa Lagun

What to Do in Curaçao

Explore the Hato Caves
Take in the multi-colored Dutch mansions in the capital
Fawn over the diverse fauna, flora, and more at the national park – the Lady of the Night orchid, cottontail rabbits, deer, hummingbirds, divi-divi trees, and the massive stone peak
Cross the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge that links Otrobanda and Punda, the two halves of the capital
Go on a SCUBA excursion

Consider These Curaçao Accommodation Options

Sandals Curacao
Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort
LionsDive Beach Resort Curaçao
Curaçao Avila Beach Hotel

Caribbean Island FAQs

Question: What is the nicest of the Caribbean islands?

Answer: There are many nice Caribbean islands, but the nicest are St. Lucia, Anguilla, Aruba, Antigua, the Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Grenada, Jamaica, Saba, and Turks and Caicos.

Question: What are the top 5 safest islands to visit in the Caribbean?

Answer: Unfortunately, some Caribbean islands have gotten a rep for being unsafe, but it’s always up to you to stay safe when visiting another country. Nonetheless, the safest islands to visit in the Caribbean are:

Anguilla
St. Martin
St. Barts
The Cayman Islands
Montserrat

Question: What is the least touristy Caribbean island?

Answer: A few islands in the Caribbean offer an authentic, non-touristy vibe. These are Montserrat, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Saba, Curaçao, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

My Final Thoughts on the Best Caribbean Islands

You can visit thousands of Caribbean islands, and if that’s your #bucketlist, you won’t ever get bored. There’s plenty to do, see, and experience in the Caribbean.

I love St. Lucia because it’s a versatile island – whether you want to be in awe of the mountains and the green forests, do something adventurous, or just chill and sip a cocktail (or three).

Plus, the other guides on EpicCaribbean.com will further help you and give you the necessary information. Check out: