The Caribbean is known to us not just as a dream destination, but as a type of cuisine, a lifestyle, and a place packed full of water and land-based activities. It’s somewhere portrayed in the media and movies as full of laughter and music, crystal clear seas and a laid back vibe. In this article we will be sharing a collection of the best Caribbean Islands which span the 1 million square miles of Caribbean seas.
Best of all, we’ve broken our groups of islands down into different categories for different travel groups, enabling you to pick the island best suited to your travel group and your dream vacation.
PS. There are over 7,000 islands in the Caribbean, so this article really is just the tip of the iceberg…
For First Time Travellers
If you haven’t been to the Caribbean before, you will be looking for the kind of island which oozes everything at its finest – from food and drink to cultural experiences, activities, and high quality accommodation for the duration of your stay. First time travellers should also look for islands with predictable weather conditions and ease of travel to keep the journey as straightforward as possible.
1. Curacao
2. US Virgin Islands
3. Cayman Islands
4. Bonaire
5. Dominican Republic
6. Montserrat
7. Puerto Rico
8. Anguilla
9. Aruba
10. Cozumel
For Families
Ease of travel is a factor which is often at the top of the list for families as well as first time travellers, alongside the need for varied and unlimited activity options and accommodation that is large enough to comfortably house a family. The Caribbean has a lot to offer visitors and tourists of all ages, but it’s important that you land on one of the islands that is synonymous with activities and experiences for young and older children to engage in – or else you run the risk of your children getting bored.
1. Barbados
2. Bahamas
3. US Virgin Islands
4. Puerto Rica
5. Aruba
6. Trinidad and Tobago
7. Cayman Islands
8. St Kitts
9. Jamaica
10. Curacao
For Romantics
The Caribbean is often cited as a dream honeymoon destination, thanks to its picture perfect landscapes, its romantic sunsets, and the array of islands which offer a range of experiences and luxury levels based on budget and preference. Whether you want something that caters only to adults, somewhere a little more intimate, or somewhere where you can be adventurous and try new things together, these Caribbean islands offer the kind of trip that you won’t forget in a hurry.
1. Anguilla
2. St Kitts
3. Jamaica
4. St Lucia
5. St Barts
6. Turks and Caicos Islands
7. British Virgin Islands
8. Barbados
9. St Vincent and The Grenadines
10. Antigua and Barbuda
For Food Lovers
Food is a big thing in the Caribbean – so much so that it has gained a name as being a cuisine all of its own. Including the freshest fish from the seas, the finest and most exotic fruits, and the kinds of spice combinations that we can only dream of, Caribbean cooking varies as you move between islands – and so landing on the right one is key.
1. Grenada
2. Anguilla
3. St Barts
4. US Virgin Islands
5. Cayman Islands
6. St Maarten
7. Nevis
8. Barbados
9. Martinique
10. Jamaica
For Land-Based Adventure
From treks along the beach to hikes into and among the mountain ranges of the Caribbean islands, different destinations offer very different surroundings and landscapes. Some of the best islands in the Caribbean present varied hiking trails which move among volcanoes and rainforests, while others offer very well guided paths and routes towards some of the must-see sights of the island.
1. Guadeloupe
2. St Lucia
3. Roatan
4. Haiti
5. Dominica
6. Dominican Republic
7. Cuba
8. St Vincent
9. British Virgin Islands
10. Puerto Rico
For Water-Based Adventure
This is where your snorkel will come in handy, with each of the Caribbean islands offering its own array of marine life and experiences out and about around the oceans. While some of the islands are famous for their coral reefs, others are known for shipwrecks and all manner of unexpected and exciting experiences around the outskirts of the land.
1. Grand Cayman
2. Curacao
3. Bonaire
4. Aruba
5. Turks and Caicos
6. Belize
7. Barbados
8. Isle Mujeres, Mexico
9. British Virgin Islands
10. Grenada
For Work or Retirement
If you’re planning on retiring to the Caribbean, you will likely have your own list of stipulations and preferences to look out for – whether they be ease of proximity to amenities and facilities, cost, experiences, or medical support. For those seeking new job opportunities meanwhile, your must-haves might include plenty of support for the whole family, a chance to try new things, modern infrastructure, and plenty of options on where you can live. Whatever it is you’re looking for, these 10 islands are a good place to start.
1. Grand Cayman
2. Cozumel, Mexico
3. Ambergis Caye, Belize
4. Panama
5. Dominican Republic
6. Barbados
7. Aruba
8. Saba
9. Puerto Rico
10. Honduras
The Must-See’s (no matter what you’re looking for…)
No matter where you decide to go as part of your Caribbean adventure, the following 10 islands are must-see’s to add to your bucket list – famed for having the best beaches, the most memorable experiences, the finest foods, and the most immersive cultures. All of the below islands have been mentioned at least once or twice (if not more) in the previous categories – heralded for their infrastructure, experience, culture, and the fact that everything about them is #HolidayGoals.
1. St Lucia
2. Cuba
3. Puerto Rico
4. Dominican Republic
5. British Virgin Islands
6. Aruba
7. St Maarten
8. US Virgin Islands
9. Cayman Islands
10. Antigua and Barbuda
