The Caribbean has some of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world. Famous for the soft white sands, sparkling blue waters, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s a great destination for anyone looking to relax and unwind whilst they soak up the sun.
Of course, if a gorgeous beach is at the top of your list for the most important factors in choosing your next perfect holiday destination, it’s great to know which are some of the best.
To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the top 15 Best Caribbean Beaches, so you can pick out your favorite, and begin planning your dream vacation.
If you already have your heart set on a destination, be sure to check out our other articles on the best beaches in Jamaica, and the best beaches in Guadeloupe.
Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
Dan’s personal favorite beach in the Caribbean is Flamenco Beach, located on Culebra Island in Puerto Rico.
Flamenco Beach is renowned for its postcard-perfect scenery. It features a long stretch of soft, white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The beach is set against a backdrop of lush green hills, creating a picturesque tropical paradise.
The calm, sheltered waters of Flamenco Beach make it ideal for swimming. The clarity of the water also provides excellent conditions for snorkeling, with an abundance of marine life to observe near the shore.
Unlike some of the more commercialized beaches in the Caribbean, Flamenco Beach offers a more relaxed and peaceful experience. It’s less crowded and commercial, making it a perfect spot for those looking to unwind. There are limited accommodations on the island with most people coming for the day on the ferry, which naturally limits the amount of visitors.
Flamenco Beach is a must-visit for anyone touring the Caribbean, especially for those who appreciate natural beauty, serene beaches, and the opportunity to engage with local culture in a less commercialized setting.
Reduit Beach, St. Lucia
Located on a horseshoe-shaped bay, Reduit Beach is not only one of the most popular beaches in St. Lucia but also one of the best in the Caribbean.
At just short of five miles long, Reduit Beach boasts sparkling waters, and pristine white sands, which make it the perfect spot to relax on the shore, take a dip in the waters, and enjoy the picturesque views.
Cane Garden Beach, Tortola
If you’re looking for an active beach, then Cane Garden Beach in Tortola may be the perfect spot for you.
At this spot, you can enjoy a great range of activities such as jet skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or kayaking, or take a break at one of the nearby beach bars or restaurants, where you can sip on a delicious cocktail whilst enjoying the sounds of live music and the views of the beautiful waves.
Playa El Cielo, Cozumel
Want to find a picture-perfect snorkel spot in Cozumel? Head on down to Playa El Cielo in Cozumel, where you’ll find a truly beautiful beach with gorgeous clear waters.
Here, you can see many amazing varieties of sea animals under the waves. So jump into the water and explore El Cielo’s shallow sand bar, where you can find a whole range of marine life, including stingrays, starfish, and plenty of colorful fish.
Cemetery Beach and Reef, Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is an excellent destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, so if you’re visiting the island, and are looking for the perfect spot to explore fascinating underwater life, head down to Cemetery Beach and Reef.
Wade into the water from the gorgeous sands, and discover a great variety of sea creatures and beautiful tropical fish.
You’ll find that this beach is less crowded than those closer to George Town, making it a stunning spot in which to relax and soak up the sun after your swim!
Magens Bay, St. Thomas
Magens Bay Beach, located in St. Thomas is considered to be one of the best beaches in the whole of the Caribbean, and for good reason too. With powdery white sands, gorgeous palm trees, and gorgeous peaceful waters, Magens Bay Beach boasts a calm and relaxing atmosphere typical of the Caribbean lifestyle.
It’s a great spot to lie back and relax, or even take a bike ride up the surrounding hills to Drake’s Seat, where you can look down at the spectacular views of the beach below.
Mambo Beach, Curacao
Also known as Seaquarium Beach, Mambo Beach is one of the top places to visit in Curacao. Boasting a long stretch of gorgeous sands, clear crystal waters, and plenty of shade, Mambo Beach is truly a little slice of Caribbean paradise.
It’s a great spot if you enjoy a lively atmosphere too, as it is located nearby a boulevard, lined with various restaurants, shops, and bars, making it a great place to hang out on weekend evenings.
Honeymoon Beach, St. John
If you’re heading to the Caribbean for that special trip with your loved one, it’s a great idea to take a trip to the ever-romantic Honeymoon Beach, located in St. John.
It can be quite difficult to get there, which is one of the reasons this secluded beach is so exclusive, and such a great hit amongst honeymooners, to get there, you can either take a water taxi or hike along a short, steep trail.
On arrival, you can enjoy a spot of snorkeling, paddle across the waters in a kayak, and enjoy the sunset over the sparkling waters.
Sorobon Beach, Bonaire
If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy the gorgeous views of the Caribbean, head down to Sorobon Beach in Bonaire.
Located in a secluded area, nearby Bonaire’s Lac Bay, this beach is a picture-perfect spot, famous for its excellent windsurfing conditions.
So if you’re a fan of windsurfing, this is the place to be! Sorobon Beach has previously hosted a number of great windsurfing competitions in the past and is a great spot for taking a leisurely swim too.
Great Bay Beach, St. Maarten
Looking for a great beach on a great bay where you can spend a great day? Head over to Great Bay Beach on the Dutch side of St. Maarten!
Spanning over two miles, this gorgeous beach boasts crystal clear waters and powdery white sands, making for a relaxing stroll. Its convenient location near the promenade makes it a great place to spend the day, hopping back and forth between the gorgeous beach and all the great shops and restaurants St. Maarten has to offer.
Maho Beach, St. Maarten
Arguably one of the most famous beaches in the whole of the Caribbean, if not the world, Maho Beach is a truly exciting spot that all thrill-seekers should strive to visit at once in their life.
This lovely stretch of sand is located directly in the flight path of aircraft incoming to St. Maarten, directly beside Princess Juliana International Airport. Simply standing on this beach, you can experience planes flying directly above your head as they come in to land.
Cockleshell Bay, St. Kitts
Boasting just over two miles of powdery, gorgeous sands, Cockleshell Bay is one of the most popular beach destinations on the island of St. Kitts.
This stunning destination provides both stunning views of the hills over on the island of Nevis across the horizon, and great lively beach bars for you to retreat into come sunset.
Crane Beach, Barbados
As one of the more unique beaches in the Caribbean, you may be surprised to learn that Crane Beach, located in Barbados, actually boasts pink sands!
This stunning beach looks like it’s been taken from the pages of a travel magazine, and boasts not only stunning sands, but great clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling on the nearby coral reef, where you can see some of the most gorgeous marine life, and the occasional sea turtle too!
Blue Bay Beach, Curacao
On the northwestern shores of Curacao lies the gorgeous Blue Bay Beach, an idyllic spot with calm, cool waters and stunning views.
This beach is the perfect spot to sit in the shade of palm trees for hours at a time or swim in the seas under the warm Caribbean sun.
No matter how you choose to spend your day at this beach, there are plenty of nearby facilities and restaurants to enjoy, as well as a watersports activity center, where you can sign up for scuba diving, kayaking, and much more.
The Baths of Virgin Gorda, Tortola
An incredibly unique spot, The Baths of Virgin Gorda boasts one of the most spectacular natural attractions in the British Virgin Islands. Head past the large granite boulders and into the caves and grottoes of The Baths, where you can find crystal-like sea pools and the hidden beach of Devil’s Bay.
On arrival, you can sim amongst the rocky formations, dive into the clear shallow waters, or simply relax on the sands.
Now that you’ve discovered some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, you may be one step closer to booking your dream Caribbean getaway. Head on over to our Contact Us page, to get in touch with one of our trusted travel advisors, who can help point you in the right direction when it comes to booking your next Caribbean vacation!