It feels impossible to pick the best beaches in the Caribbean, so this list really took some research because I want to bring you the ones that really stand out! White sand, turquoise water, and beautiful sunrises, are all staples in the Caribbean!
As a lifelong Floridian, I have had a lot of time research because the best Caribbean beaches are so close! Some of my favorites are Bottom Bay in Barbados because it feels so secluded and Doctor’s Cave Beach in Jamaica because of all the amenities!
Grab your sunscreen and your snorkel so we can dive into the best Caribbean beaches!
15 Best Beaches In The Caribbean You Must Visit
Cayo Icacos, Puerto Rico
I have to start off with Cayo Icacos, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean! Only accessible by boat, this island is located a mile and half off Puerto Rico’s incredible east coast. The beaches are perfect white sand, the water is the prettiest turquoise and you are the happiest beach goer!
People come to Cayo Icacos for the swimming and snorkeling because of the relatively calm water and the abundant underwater life. This is a popular weekend spot so my favorite time to go is during the week! You can spread out enough. that you will have a large section of beach to yourself!
If you want to feel like the only group on the island then Cayo Icacos is one of the Caribbean’s top beaches for you! Cayo Icacos made my list for top beaches in the US too!
The Baths, British Virgin Islands
The Baths in the British Virgin Islands is hands down one of the Caribbean’s best beaches! Huge granite boulders, sometimes 40 feet in diameter are scattered along the coastline creating little pools of crystalline water to relax in.
There is a trail of steps and rope handrails to lead travelers through the boulders of the beach to the sandy shores of Devil’s Bay. This is the perfect place to go for swimming and snorkeling! The protection of the boulders make The Baths one of the clearest water beaches in the Caribbean and a must see!
Pig Beach, Exumas Bahamas
Pig Beach is one of the more famous Caribbean beaches because of.. well the pigs of course! No one knows how the pigs got there because Big Major Cay is uninhabited and the pigs are not native to the island. Some think they swam from a shipwreck and others think they were left by sailors who planned to come back and eat them!
Either way, these adorable pigs are now living their best life on the beach. They spend their days swimming, sunbathing, and taking pictures with their many visitors! I have to say, they are even cuter in person! There is so much to do in the Bahamas, but this has to be on the top of your list! For animal lovers, this is one of the Caribbean’s top beaches!
Shoal Bay, Anguilla
Shoal Bay is one of the best Caribbean beach vacations! The two mile sandy beach is walkable from one end to the other. Perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, diving, and long distance swimming with the long coastline.
The water is an electric blue that stretches as far as the eye can see! Lining the shore are hotels, beachy bars, and restaurants making this one of the best beach holidays in the Caribbean!
Magens Bay, US Virgin Islands
Magens Bay in the US Virgin Islands is one of the best Caribbean beach vacation destinations if you like to do things on vacation! Personally, I love to relax in the warm water and walk along the beach during a beautiful sunset!
If you are a more active vacationer, this beach has so many swimmers, kayakers, and paddle boarders! There are also great places to hike through native mangrove trees and birdwatch among exotic flowers. I always recommend Magens Bay if you are traveling with a group because there is something for everyone. Check out Magens Bay in the US Virgin Islands for one of the best beach vacations in the Caribbean!
Grace Bay, Turks And Caicos
Grace Bay is one of my favorite beach destinations in the Caribbean! I am having a hard time describing this beach in any way other than pristine! The clear turquoise water, clean white sand, and blue skies are unobstructed by rocks, seaweed, or pollution. I love it here. Grace Bay also made my list for best beaches in the world!
The large barrier reef a mile offshore protects Grace Bay from the swells of the ocean making this a great beach for families! There are so many luxury resorts here making this one of the more popular beach getaways in the Caribbean!
Bottom Bay, Barbados
When I think of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean, Bottom Bay is one of the first that comes to mind. The semi enclosed beach is surrounded by high coral cliffs and the tropical tall palm trees lining the beach feels very insular and secluded.
The atmosphere at Bottom Bay is peaceful and relaxing making this one of my favorite beaches to bring a picnic and read a book. If you sit on the shore and watch the water, you can sometimes see whales in the distance! From the cliffs, you can spot sea turtles in the water! Bottoms Bay is the place for one of the more relaxing beach destinations in the Caribbean!
Tres Trapi Steps Beach, Aruba
Tres Trapi Steps Beach is one of the Caribbean’s best beaches for snorkeling! This is not a sandy beach, so if you will be sitting, definitely bring a chair or thick towel!
Once you descend the stairs, you will see water in three directions! Pop on your fins and head straight out to see sea turtles, starfish, and schools of fish! The water can get deep fast, so I would only recommend this beach if you are strong swimmer! If you want to see some underwater life, Tres Trapi Steps Beach is one of the clearest water beaches in the Caribbean!
Trunk Bay, St John US Virgin Islands
Chances are you have seen a photo of Trunk Bay because it is one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean and most photographed in USVI! I love this beach because there is an underwater self guided snorkeling tour. Along the tour, I enjoy reading about the coral formations and sea life.
Trunk Bay is a great option for a classic beach day! There are bathrooms and showers, gear rentals, beach showers, a snack bar, and most importantly, life guards! When it comes to beaches with the clearest water, Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean!
Half Moon Bay Antigua
Half Moon Bay in Antigua is one of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean because it is hard to get to! The road to get there is windy, with not much signage and it is about a forty minute taxi ride is you are coming from the cruise port. But I promise it’s worth it!
The difficulty getting there means it is less busy so fewer people distract from its charm! Half Moon Bay also gets sizable swells so it is very popular with windsurfers. Along the edges of the bay are calmer waters where snorkelers see tropical schools of fish. If you need a vacation from your vacation, Half Moon Bay is one of my favorite beach getaways in the Caribbean for a break!
Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
Grand Anse Beach in Grenada is one of the best Caribbean beach vacations in my opinion! Sheltered between green hills, the two mile stretch of powdery white sand is breathtaking. The water is calm and azure in color. I love to snorkel here and have not tried the parasailing yet, but it is on the list!
Lining the beach ae fun bars and overlooks making this a great spot for a bachelor or bachelorette party! Everywhere you look is picture perfect! Grand Anse provides one of the best beach holidays in the Caribbean.
Doctor’s Cave Beach, Jamaica
When recommending the best Caribbean beach vacation destinations, I always think of Doctor’s Cave Beach for families. The water is really calm here and it is only a ten minute drive form the airport! There are changing rooms, showers, and bathrooms as well as a place to rent chairs and umbrellas.
I love to get a coconut water or other beverages from the on-site vendors and find myself swimming for way longer than I intend to! The water is tranquil and so inviting. I always bring at least goggles because the underwater is just as beautiful as on land! Honestly my favorite thing about this beach is there is wifi. Whether I’m working, scrolling, or FaceTiming my mom to share the experience with her, Wi-Fi on the beach is such a flex! Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean!
Paynes Bay Beach, Barbados
Paynes Bay Beach is one of the best beach vacations in the Caribbean! Located on Barbados’ Platinum Coast, this is where you can find some of the fanciest hotels and resorts!
I love this beach because the water is warm and the sand is golden and soft. The beach is surrounded by shallow coral reef which protects from waves and allows for really great snorkeling. I have been lucky enough to see a handful of sea turtles at Paynes Bay Beach! They are not always around, so you have a better chance if you hang out for a bit!
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
For one of the best beach vacations in the Caribbean, Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is an easy pick for me. Every picture I take of the water looks a different color. From light blue to turquoise to azure to bright blue and every one is breathtaking.
The beach is actually only give and half miles (but who is counting!). There is plenty of room to walk and enjoy various watersports such as jet skiing, snorkeling, and swimming of course! This is my favorite place to go stand up paddle boarding thanks to the calm water. Because of the shallow reefs, I have seen lots of marine life from the board! Seven Mile Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean!
Maho Beach, St. Maarten
Chances are you have seen a picture like the one below of an airplane landing right over a beach. Those pictures are taken at Maho Beach in St. Maarten, one of the famous Caribbean beaches! This beach is located right next to Princess Juliana International Airport so if you plan your shot right, you can get a picture of a jumbo jet coming in to land behind you!
Needless to say, this is not the beach you go to for quiet! With the airport so close, it can get very loud! I come to this beach for the experience and to watch kids and adults alike watching the jets come in with pure amazement on their faces! Amazingly, Maho Beach still has great sand and beautiful water so if you can swing it, this is an experience I highly recommend!
10 Big Mistakes To Avoid In Venice, Italy