Best Beaches: Top 10 Beaches in the Caribbean

Think Caribbean.   And what comes to mind?  Turquoise waters.  White sandy beaches.  Salty air.  Soft sand that melts at your feet.  Cool ocean breeze.  And coral reefs full of rainbow fishes waiting to be explored.

Its hard to go to the Caribbean and not find a lot of great beaches.  So, as you can imagine, it was tough to pick the best ones.  Nearly every island has amazing beaches except for Saba, which has rocky shores and Dominica, where most beaches are black sand beaches, absorbing the hot sun.  But even if the white sands are absent in Dominica and Saba, these islands are tropical paradises not to be missed as well.

So, here goes the list.

#10 The Beaches of St. Maarten/St. Martin:

Grand Case Beach, St. Martin; photocredit: blueseahorse

With its 39 white sandy beaches, this island is like mini-Europe, divided about equally between France and the Netherlands.  Orient Beach is perfect for wind surfing, kite surfing, and swimming in the ocean on horses.  On the other side of Orient Beach, nudists frolick in their clothing optional beach area.  Maho Bay Beach offers up beautiful white sand, casinos and the best nightlife on the island.  Our top pick:  Grand Case.  Not only do you get great views of gorgeous turquoise waters with a view of Anguilla on the horizon, but you can indulge in gastronomical excess of fine French cooking.  Want to know a little secret?  The French say the food in St. Martin is better than in France.  Mmmm.  I’m getting hungry now.  Wanna go?  Find St. Martin vacation rentals.

#9  The Beaches of the Dominican Republic:

Playa Bavaro, Dominican Republic; photocredit: spaceritual

This island is rich in diversity with the highest mountain in the Caribbean and some of the region’s most gorgeous white sand beaches. Whether you prefer all inclusive resorts of the Eastern side of the island in Punta Cana and Bavaro or the raw beauty of the North Shore, there is something for everyone.  Our favorite picks:  Bavaro Beach and Cabarete.  Bavaro Beach offers and eclectic, young vibe energy and the softist sand that melts around your feet.  Cabarete’s horseshoe white sand beach is perfect for year round kite surfing, wind surfing, and surfing,  The beach is divided into three areas to accommodate each sport and hosts world class events each year entertaining top athletes who compete in these sports.  Experience these beaches via a Dominican Republic vacation rental.

#8  The Beaches of Aruba:

Kayaking along Palm Beach, Aruba; photocredit: Kristian Kristof

The superb sugary white sand beaches put Aruba on the tourist map, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations for Americans to visit outside of the United States after Mexico. Condé Nast Traveler has consistently hailed Aruba on its top 12 beaches list in the world.  Dotted with resorts and condos, Palm Beach is the best known beach.  Like to snorkel?  A local favorite is Baby Beach at the southern tip, which is sure to delight with more natural surroundings.  Gawk at the death defying, aerial stunts of the kite surfers just north of Palm Beach.  Or try out kite surfing yourself where the trade winds and harbor-like qualities create the perfect setting for kite surfing and wind surfing.  It’s likely to be crowded in Aruba during winter, but for swimming, sailing, or fishing, it’s idyllic.  Want more exposure for your Aruba vacation rental?  List for free on Viscape.

#7 Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands:

Seven mile beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; photocredit: salvatore88

It’s really about 5 1/2 miles (9 km) long, but who’s counting?  Lined with posh resorts and condos, seven mile beach is known for its waterports and translucent waters.  Nearby you can visit the turtle sanctuary and sting ray city, where you can feed and observe these magnificent creatures up close. The average winter temperature of the water is a perfect 80°F (27°C).  Want more exposure for your Grand Cayman vacation rental?  List for free on Viscape.

#6   St. Jean Beach, St. Barthélemy/ St. Barths:

Eden Rock, St. Jean Beach, St. Barths; photocredit: guyshurley

Of the 17 gorgeous white sand beaches, St. Jean Beach is the gem of the island, reminiscent of the French Riviera.  Reefs protect the beach, making it ideal for swimming.  With the famous Eden Rock set in the center of the beach, many a celebrity has vacationed at this ultra luxury hotel.  Start the day right with breakfast with a view at the top of the Eden Rock restaurant, where you get the best view of the shimmering turquoise waters that surround you.  Look left, then look right, you may see a star or two, or for a real treat for the guys, you may see a few Europeans tanning with their bikini tops off.  Tempted to go?  Find St. Barths vacation rentals.

#5  Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands:

Cane Garden Bay Beach, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

With 1 1/4 miles (2km) of white sand, Cane Garden Bay has one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular stretches.  The lush mountainous hillsides offer breathtaking views of gorgeous turquoise waters everywhere you look.  The island is sort of like the “Hawaii of the Caribbean,” with tropical, multi-colored flowers of pink, yellow and purple dotting the white sand, rimmed seascape.  With beaches to love, its no wonder Columbus fell in love with this “Land of the Turtle Dove.”  Can’t resist?  Find Tortola vacation rentals.

#4  The Beaches of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands:

Honeymoon Beach, St. John, US Virgin Islands

Protected by the U.S. National Park Service, this island is a nature lover’s dream, combining lush jungle and gardens set against powdery sugar, clearwater beaches.  Check out Trunk Bay, a favorite with cruise ship passengers, which is known for its underwater snorkeling trail, where markers guide your way.  For a more local favorite,  check with the breathtaking views of Honeymoon Beach.   Honeymooning yourself?  Splurge with a St John vacation rental.

#3  The Beaches of Turks and Caicos (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands):

Turks and Caicos beaches so doggone clear!

With the clearest of waters, so transparent that you can see your feet, the fishes, the coral, your dog’s feet, need I say more?  The white sandy beaches stretch for 12 miles (20 kilometers) are the pride of Provo; Condé Nast Traveler has called this one of the world’s best beaches. It’s such a spectacular setting that Dick Clark and Bruce Willis own vacation homes here.  Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck celebrated their honeymoon in Turks and Caicos.  The island features fabulous snorkeling with miles of coral reefs on the northern shore.  Our favorite beach:  Grace Bay Beach.  Would you like more exposure for your Providenciales vacation rental?  List for free on Viscape.

#2 The Beaches of Anguilla:

Snorkling in Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla

With 33 beaches to choose from, Anguilla is a beach lover’s paradise.  This Caribbean island defines the perfect beach.  The island features consistent with white powder sugar-like, sandy beaches and see through water.  Its no wonder Robert de Niro and Janet Jackson owns vacation homes here.  Jay-Z and Beyonce celebrated their wedding nuptials on the island.  One of our favorite picks:  Shoal Bay Beach.  Vacation like a movie star in an Anguilla vacation rental.

#1 Sandy Point, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands:

Sandy Point, St Croix, US Virgin Islands; photo credit: jenojenny

A state park, Sandy Point doubles as a turtle sanctuary and nesting ground during the week and beach goers playground on the weekend.  This beach alone makes the trip to St. Croix worthwhile.  The beach is like a giant swimming pool of soft sand and waste high warm water that extends over a hundred yards from shore.  It was made famous as the final scene in the movie Shawshank Redemption.  Get the best of both worlds:  best beach and best value.  Experience the Caribbeans’s best kept secret via a St. Croix vacation rental.