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The Beaches of the Caribbean

World-renowned Caribbean beaches won't disappoint travelers

Photo credit: © Idreamphotos | Dreamstime.com
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Most Caribbean destinations boast stunning beaches with pure white sand and warm, clear water. Some are dotted with coconut palms while others have a backdrop of craggy cliffs. You can sunbathe, photograph the panoramic landscape, collect shells, or enjoy the crystal waters.

Caribbean island beaches are a truly distinct pleasure, particularly if you keep in mind the following:

  • Swimming is usually safe, but be aware of strong rip currents which are also referred to with the misnomer undertow.

  • Since only a few beaches have lifeguards, avoid swimming alone.

  • Sunscreen is a must in the sun-soaked Caribbean.

  • Be sure to drink plenty of fluids when sunning.

  • Most islands have at least one truly public beach with public access and facilities, but beaches with access points associated with individual resorts are for resort guests only.

  • Brochure pictures may not always be accurate. As the price of the accommodation drops at a resort, so may the quality of the beach associated with the resort.

  • There are some Caribbean beaches where nudity is welcome, and other places where topless bathing is not permitted.

 

Caribbean Beaches by Country
Anguilla  All of Anguilla's 30 beaches, known as some of the best in the world, are open to the public.  The west side of the island is where the most popular beaches are, while the north side has treacherous waters that should be avoided by novice swimmers.
Antigua The locals here say there is a beach for every day of the year. Two of the best known are Half Moon Bay and Dickenson Bay. Half Moon Bay gets its name from its crescent moon shape.  It is part of a national park so there are plenty of outdoor activities for families including snorkeling and wind surfing. Dickenson Bay is also kid-friendly. Equipment for water sports is available for rental at both places.
Aruba Aruba's Palm Beach is one that travel publications consistently name one of the 12 best beaches in the world for superior swimming and sailing conditions.  Because of this, Palm Beach is the epicenter of Aruba's tourist industry.  Crowds are to be expected, especially in the winter months.
Bahamas People have flocked to this hot spot for years, largely because of its exciting beaches. Paradise Island (Nassau), once called Hog Island, has been developed into a major tourist area. You'll find a wide variety of shops, restaurants, water sport equipment rental facilities, and even a casino on the island. Arawak Cay and Adelaide Village are Nassau's more secluded alternatives. They're dotted with quaint, pastel-colored shacks and huts where the local artisans sell all manner of wares.
Barbados The government of Barbados has mandated that all beaches provide public access, so you can sample the island's entire coastline if you wish. On the west coast of the island, also called the Gold Coast, you'll find spectacular white-sand beaches with calm, turquoise waters, top-notch snorkeling, and rental shops offering water skis and motor boats.
Belize  Placencia and Ambergis are the best towns for beach goers in Belize.  While the rest of the coastline is enshrouded in swamps and forestry, these towns feature sparkling waters that are not overshadowed by the barrier reef. 
Bermuda  Bermuda is known for it's pink-sand beaches, but sugar-colored sand exists here as well.  Most of the island's beaches are private hotel properties, but all of those located in Pembroke Parish are open to the public.  Bermuda has a no-nudity policy, so all of the beaches are family-friendly.
Bonaire  With the exception of the beach front property of Harbour Village Resort, all of the beaches in Bonaire are open to the public.  Many of the beaches on the island are not suiteable for swimming due to the rough nature of the surf, but those who want to dive in will find calmer waters at Playa Frans, Lac Bay, and Pink Beach.
British Virgin Islands  All of the beaches in the British Virgin Islands are free of charge and remain largely uncrowded.  The beaches on these islands are often described as undeveloped and rugged, making them great locales for surfers.
Cancun This never-ending Caribbean coastline is mostly occupied by major resorts and hotels, but there are several public access points to the beach because it is technically government-owned. Most major hotels employ lifeguards for their corners of the beach. The shore facing the Bahia Mujeres on the windward side of the island is considered best for swimming because of calmer waters.
Cayman Islands The most well known, and most visited beach in the Cayman Islands is Seven Mile Beach.  Consistently ranked on travel lists as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, Seven Mile Beach is known for its convenient location and fine sand.
Curacao  The beaches in Curacao that fit the description of a typical Caribbean beach (soft white sands, crystal clear waters, calm surf) are located on the south coast.  Blauwbaai is the island's largest beach, fitted with showers and changing stations.  Cas Abou Beach on the northwest coast has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Dominica  Most of Dominica's beaches are comprised of  black sand, though there are a few golden spots along the northeastern coast.  Portsmouth and Pointe Baptiste is where the island's best beaches are located.
Dominican Republic  With 800 miles of coastline, there are more than a few great beaches in the Dominican Republic.  Many consider Puerto Plata, Sosa, and Punta Cana to be the best places to sunbathe and swim.
Grenada  Grand Anse Beach is the most popular in Grenada.  The beach features two miles of soft, white sand, and calm surf.  For a more secluded getaway, try visiting Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Guadeloupe The beaches here are covered with white sand punctuated by rich colors like ocher and honey. You'll occasionally see black volcanic sand as well. Topless sunbathing is considered acceptable at most beaches on the island; with Pointe Tarare being the region's most well-known nude beach. Most public beaches in Guadeloupe have limited facilities.
Jamaica The beaches of Jamaica are beautiful, but less conducive to family outings; at the Seven Mile Beach of Negril, you may even encounter nude sunbathers. The area offers numerous restaurants, water sports rental facilities, and other vendors.
Puerto Rico Inviting Luquillo Beach is very popular with the locals (expect more crowds on the weekends) and public facilities are excellent here: you'll find campsites, lifeguards, parking lots and rest rooms. Rustic beach shacks are perfect for a picnic lunch. You can lounge beneath a shady coconut palm tree or try your hand at one of numerous water sports offerings.
Saba  Saba's rocky coastline is hardly conducive to sunbathing and swimming.  The only two sites on the island that can be  considered beaches are Well's Bay and Cove Bay.
St. Barts  There are 14, uncrowded, white sand beaches in St.. Barts.  All of the beaches are public, but not all are easy to get to.  Colobier is the hardest of the beaches to get to, only reachable by a boat ride and a half-an-hour hike.  Note that while nudism is prohibited, topless sunbathing is not uncommon.
St. Eustatius  Beaches are not the main draw to St. Eustatius, but those who yearn for a dip in the ocean should head to the island's only city, Oranjestad, where the best beaches can be found.
St. Kitts  The beaches in St. Kitts come in three colors: black, gray, and golden.  Stick to the beaches on the Caribbean Sea side for calm waters, but try the Atlantic Ocean side for water sports.
St. Lucia  All of the beaches in St. Lucia are public, and there are both black and white sand beaches on the island.  Marigot Bay beaches are great locales for those looking to get away from the crowds, as they can only be reached by boat.
St. Martin/Maarten  There are 36 beaches in St. Martin/St. Maarten, one of which is shared by both the French and formerly-Dutch sides of the island: Oyster Pond.  Note that some beaches on the French side permit topless sunbathing.
St. Vincent  Most of the beaches in St. Vincent are black sand beaches.  If you prefer white sand beaches, visit Bequia, Canouan, Mustique, and Union Islands. 
Trinidad and Tobago  Maracas Bay on Trinidad is the most popular destination for locals and tourists alike.  The calm waters and changing rooms are a draw.  On Tobago, check out Pigeon Point, which is located near an old plantation site.  All of the beaches on both islands are public, though some amenities are restricted to guests of nearby hotels. 
Turks and Caicos  There are 230 miles of beaches in Turks and Caicos, though the most popular can be found in Providenciales.  For something a little more off the radar, head to Big Ambergis Cay on South Caicos.
U.S. Virgin Islands Heart-shaped Magens Bay on St. Thomas is consistently rated one of the world's top ten beaches. The public facilities are extensive at this family-friendly beach where you can bask in the calm waters or enjoy a scenic hike along the beach. Expect an admission fee of $4(USD) per person.  St. John's Trunk Bay has ample facilities including telephones, picnic spots, lockers for valuables storage, rest rooms, parking areas, and souvenir and snack shops. This gorgeous beach is an ideal place to snap postcard-quality photographs, and lifeguards are on duty, so swimming is safe. There is an admission fee of $4(USD) per person.

Part of the fun of visiting the Caribbean is exploring the region and stumbling upon a hidden gem or discovering your own special places that you'll want to visit again and again. To that end, you may want to find a beach that's off the beaten path or less well-known. The list of beaches in the Caribbean is seemingly endless, and each has its own merits. 

 

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