Jim’s Top Ten Caribbean Beaches

I haven’t been to every island in the Caribbean, so let me make it clear that this isn’t intended to be a list of the overall best beaches in the Caribbean. Rather, this is a list of the top ten Caribbean beaches that I have been to.

I’m sure many will still disagree, but please don’t write me a note and chastise me for leaving your fave beach in the Turks and Caicos or Aruba off my list. I WAS in Turks and Caicos in 2009, but it was just for a day and it was cool and windy, and I didn’t get to the beach.  I’ve never been to Aruba, so you won’t see any of their beaches on my list. Ditto for Barbuda (not yet, anyway), St. Kitts (same), Grenada (ditto) and Cuba, not to mention the British Virgin Islands.

But I have been to all the beaches I’m recommending here. Again, these are my personal faves. I tend to like quiet spaces more than big, busy beaches, which is why you won’t find Seven Mile Beach or  on Grand Cayman on my list. It’s very nice, but I prefer a more relaxed vibe. I’m also including beaches that have a nice beach bar or restaurant, because I can.

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE…….JIM’S TOP TEN CARIBBEAN BEACHES

CRANE BEACH, BARBADOS

This is a beautiful stretch of sand in the southeast corner of the island, just below the wonderful Crane Resort. You can get some good waves here, which I love, and you can walk east to a couple of smaller, pretty beaches with caves you can explore. Hungry? Take a short walk to Cutters, where they make a fabulous flying fish sandwich and perhaps the best rum punch in the Caribbean. Definitely one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

BATIBOU BEACH, DOMINICA

This is tough to reach without a four-wheel drive vehicle, but it’s well worth the trouble. You’ll find shady groves of trees and, most of the time, hardly any crowds. If you’re lucky, sisters  Irma and Jacqueline Douglas will be at their little hut, firing up fabulous, fresh food and cocktails. A beachfront meal here is about as good as life gets.

SALT WHISTLE BAY, MAYREAU, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

I was only there once, and it was for perhaps 15 minutes, but to me it’s the most beautiful beach I’ve seen in the Caribbean. You’ll find perfect sand in this pretty cove, with lovely water and palm trees placed in just the right places. When we were there on a day trip with Sea Dream Yacht Club, we stopped at a fun bar and restaurant decorated with sports photos of everything from cricket and soccer heroes to Canadian hockey players. The island was badly damaged by Hurricane Beryl, so I’m not sure if the restaurant is open. Maybe the best beach in the Caribbean in my mind.

BUCK ISLAND, ST. CROIX, USVI

This a tiny speck maybe 15 minutes by boat from Christiansted that features a perfect, white-sand beach surrounded by the most striking blue water you’ll find anywhere. The snorkeling is terrific. 

 

TRUNK BAY, ST. JOHN, USVI

This is another USVI wonder that’s often rated the most beautiful beach in the Caribbean. The water is nothing short of incredible, and there’s a snorkel trail you can follow. Relax on the beach with a cool drink and admire the views of tiny Trunk Cay and distant islands that part of the British Virgin Islands. The Westin St. John’s Resort Villas are an excellent resort not too far away.

 

SUGAR BEACH, SAINT LUCIA

This isn’t a big beach, but it’s tucked up against the base of one of the island’s famous Pitons; glorious spikes of land that rise sharply into the blue Caribbean sky. There’s a marine reserve just offshore, so there’s great snorkeling. And Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort is one of the top places to stay in the Caribbean. 

 

FRENCHMAN’S COVE, JAMAICA

This is a tiny cove near Port Antonio that’s flanked by rocky headlands, with a small creek that runs down from the Blue Mountains. There was a tire swing over the creek when I was there, and a nice restaurant/bar. Negril is great, but I like the relative solitude here. I didn’t stay there, but Frenchman’s Cove Resort is a nice-looking spot just steps from the sand. One of the best beaches in Jamaica, and one my fave beaches in the Caribbean.

 

PLAYA RINCON, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

This a drop dead gorgeous bit of sand in the Samana region, reached by boat or via a pretty bumpy (when I was there) road. There are a couple of casual beach bars where you can order up inexpensive meals of grilled chicken or fish. There’s also a freshwater creek that’s fun to splash around in. If you walk to the south end (the right side facing the water) and go a little past the point you’ll find another, small pretty beach. 

 

SHOAL BAY, ANGUILLA

I don’t know if this is the prettiest beach on Anguilla, but it’s right up there. I also chose it because it’s very nice and is home to a wonderful little place called Elodia’s. My wife and I were there seven or eight years ago and had a nice meal, then listened as a great local band played tunes that had people of all ages up on the dance floor. There was just something about this place; super local and just right.  Zemi Beach House is a posh space just down the road.

 

HERMITAGE BAY, ANTIGUA

They say there are 365 beaches on this island, one for every day of the year. I loved the beach at Valley Church Bay, but Hermitage Bay is home to Hermitage Bay Resort, a stunning property with gorgeous hillside villas (I understand they were recently renovated) and a bar that made me the best caipirinha I’ve ever had.

 

 

BONUS  ROUND

Grote Knip, Curacao is a beauty, and relatively untouched by development.

Princess Margaret Beach is a lovely spot on Bequia, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The beach at Cape Santa Maria Resort on Long Island in the Bahamas is terrific.