The Caribbean is full of dazzling islands to visit, each with its own character and appeal. While there are hundreds of islands, it’s tough to find one that isn’t pretty. However, many people wonder, which Caribbean island is considered the most beautiful?
In this article we’ll talk about the most beautiful Caribbean islands to visit, with the best beaches and scenery in the region. Read on for our picks for the 25 most beautiful Caribbean islands.
Most Beautiful Caribbean Islands Quick Picks:
The three most beautiful Caribbean islands are generally considered to be St. Lucia, Grenada, and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.
St. Lucia
Often headlining the list of top 10 most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, St. Lucia is called “Little Hawaii” for its stunning scenery. It features the twin peaks of the Pitons, verdant jungle, and breathtaking white-sand beaches along turquoise water such as Reduit Beach and Marigot Bay. One of the best Caribbean islands for couples on a honeymoon, it offers luxurious resorts and plenty of activities that take advantage of the natural beauty.
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
One of the most beautiful Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda is a quiet and relaxing vacation spot with mountainous peaks, valleys, and lovely beaches. It offers amazing natural attractions like The Baths at Virgin Gorda, which are caves and grottoes surrounded by large rocks and featuring hidden pools and beaches.
Grenada
Often mentioned among the most picturesque Caribbean islands, Grenada is a lovely mix of white (and black!) sand beaches and lush green interior. This is another of the best Caribbean islands for couples on a honeymoon or romantic getaway, featuring plenty to do among that gorgeous scenery. It offers excellent diving and snorkeling, spice plantations, and historic sites, and is one of the safest Caribbean islands to visit.
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Tortola is another of the most beautiful Virgin Islands, known for superb scenery and white-sand beaches like the popular Cane Garden Beach. This area is a hotspot for sailors, snorkelers, and scuba divers, with plenty of watersports available as well as restaurants offering water views. Another top beach is Smuggler’s Cove.
Dominica
A truly pristine paradise, Dominica is often called “The Nature Island.” Mostly undeveloped, it has mountains, a rainforest, magnificent beaches, clear water, and the Morne Trois National Park which offers amazing sights like waterfalls, natural hot springs, sulfur vents, Boiling Lake, and Titou Gorge. The main town is colorful and charming.
Antigua
Another of the most popular Caribbean islands for honeymoons and couples’ trips, Antigua has been voted “Most Romantic Destination in the Caribbean.” This island features 365 spectacular beaches, one for each day of the year! It also offers lush green hills, historic sites, and plenty of sunny warm weather.
Turks & Caicos
Looking for some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean islands? Look no further than Turks & Caicos, which has some of the most famous ones including Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales. These deliver the stunning white sands and vivid turquoise water you’d expect. And since the world’s third-largest reef system is just offshore, this is a top choice for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Barbados
Barbados is one of the safest Caribbean islands in addition to being one of the prettiest. A unique aspect here is the pink sand you’ll find on Crane Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, which also has a coral reef with excellent snorkeling. You can also find striking white sand beaches along the famed Platinum Coast, as well as colorful historic architecture in town.
Exumas, Bahamas
Discover more of the most beautiful beaches on these Caribbean islands, an archipelago in The Bahamas known as the “Out Islands” that include Great Exuma and Staniel Cay (where you can swim with pigs!). Mostly undeveloped and featuring some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the area, the Exumas offer the chance for a relaxing retreat in pristine nature.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
One of the most popular Caribbean islands for American citizens, who don’t need a passport to visit here, St. Thomas is also the busiest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, such as Magen’s Bay, which looks just like you’d imagine: a stretch of white sand along calm turquoise water, backed by palm trees and gentle hills. You’ll also find historic sites and a green mountainous interior to explore.
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
An easy ferry ride from St. Thomas, St. John is a top pick among those who love unspoiled nature since most of it is a national park. This quiet island features famous beaches including Honeymoon Beach, a favorite with couples looking for a peaceful romantic spot. It is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands.
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Pristine St. Croix offers another quieter alternative, with spectacular secluded beaches, hiking in the hilly interior and rainforest, charming small towns, and historic sites. One of the best beaches on St. Croix, Rainbow Beach, offers excellent sunset views. This island is popular with snorkelers and scuba divers due to the clear water. There’s also a national wildlife refuge.
St. Barts
One of the most beautiful French Caribbean islands—as well as one of the most popular Caribbean islands for the rich and famous—St. Barts is a lovely mix of breathtaking beaches lined with palm trees, green hills, sparkling blue water, elegant towns, and historic sites. It also offers incredible gourmet cuisine in beautiful settings, as well as lots of snorkeling and scuba diving spots.
St. Kitts
This small but spectacular Caribbean island features historic architecture, a mountainous rainforest interior, and delightful beaches with white as well as black and gray volcanic sand. Head to the dazzling Cockleshell Bay on St. Kitts for wonderful views of the hills on neighboring island Nevis from a stretch of soft white sand, beautiful water, and laidback beach bars to relax in.
Jamaica
One of the most popular Caribbean islands for visitors, Jamaica is a top destination due to its natural beauty and wide variety of activities. In addition to watersports that take advantage of the calm, clear blue water, there are plenty of adrenaline-pumping options like ziplining in the jungle and ATV tours, as well as beautiful spots like waterfalls and the famous Seven Mile Beach in Negril. There’s something for everyone on this large island.
Puerto Rico
This U.S. territory is known for the historic architecture in its capital, San Juan; rich culture; and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean like Flamenco Beach. This stretch of powder soft sand on Culebra Island lies between the crystal clear water and lush green hills. Other top scenic locations in Puerto Rico include Vieques, which features an incredible bioluminescent bay and unspoiled nature.
Grand Cayman
Well-liked among scuba divers and snorkelers, Grand Cayman offers sparkling clear blue water and lovely white sand beaches. Two of the best are the famous Seven Mile Beach and Cemetery Beach and Reef, a quieter alternative to those closer to the capital of Georgetown. You can snorkel right off the beach here for a wide variety of tropical fish and marine life. With a low crime rate, this is another of the safest Caribbean islands.
Dominican Republic
One of the most popular Caribbean islands due to its beauty and plethora of resorts, the Dominican Republic is like a picture-perfect postcard. Some of the best beaches are El Corecito Beach, Uvero Alto Beach, and Juanillo Beach. Bright white sand lined with swaying palm trees along turquoise water make this one of the top places for relaxing in the sun with a tropical drink.
Isla Holbox
This tiny unspoiled island lies just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and offers some of the best beaches in Mexico. Isla Holbox also one of the safest Caribbean islands and a top pick for family vacations as well as peaceful couples’ getaways. If you’re looking for a laidback escape, this is a great choice.
Cozumel
Also an island off the coast of Mexico, Cozumel is just a short ferry ride from Playa del Carmen. A big dive spot as well as cruise ship port, this beautiful Caribbean island features pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear water. One of the best beaches is Playa El Cielo, where you can snorkel along a shallow sand bar and see colorful marine life.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
A scenic small island off the coast of Belize, Ambergris Caye features ancient Mayan ruins in addition to spectacular beaches like Tranquility Bay, excellent scuba diving and snorkeling, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and ziplining.
St. Maarten /St. Martin
This unique island is home to two distinct countries and cultures: French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten. Both sides feature charming architecture, fabulous food, and a laidback but lively atmosphere. Natural attractions include beautiful white sand beaches, nature preserves, canopy jungle tours, and a bird sanctuary. The beaches on the French side offer calmer water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Martinique
Another of the most beautiful French Caribbean islands, Martinique has a volcano, mountainous jungle, and lovely beaches in addition to quaint towns, historic sites, and picturesque marinas. This island features both Caribbean and Atlantic coasts, giving visitors a choice of atmosphere. The huge national park includes the volcano as well as hiking paths, botanic gardens, and other fascinating natural attractions. The impressive capital city is known as the “Paris of the Caribbean.”
Anguilla
This luxurious island offers jaw-dropping beaches like Shoal Bay, Meads Bay, and Rendezvous Bay that feature soft white sand, palm trees, and clear aqua and azure water, as well as upscale resorts, a cave with prehistoric markings, and a wildlife conservation site. Unlike many of the other islands on this list, it is mostly flat with no jungle, but the scenery is stunning just the same. Anguilla also features colonial-era buildings and a quaint fishing village.
Cuba
Featuring the incredible historic capital of Havana (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Cuba is a vibrant Caribbean island full of color, culture, and gorgeous scenery. Although it is currently difficult for U.S. citizens to visit, those who do find a warm welcome, delicious food, tons of historic sites, and plenty of natural beauty including serene beaches and lush forests.
Now that you’ve read our choices for the 25 most beautiful Caribbean islands, which do you want to visit? Did we leave your favorite off the list? Let us know in the comments!