Best Caribbean Beaches

Beaches have always been prime ingredients in vacation travel, especially when it comes to the Caribbean. We have been to some great beaches in our many trips to the Caribbean.  We have highlighted a few that we have been to personally and some our colleagues recommend as well.


Grace Bay Beach  ~ Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Grace Bay may be the most gorgeous beach in the Caribbean. All the attributes you would expect the best beaches to have are found here: white sand with the texture of sugar, blue-green water, and a dash of local culture such as spotting local conch fishermen catching fish and cleaning shells. It doesn’t get any prettier here than it does around sunset, so we recommend taking a stroll (with a loved one, perhaps) at that time. Grace Bay Beach is also home to excellent snorkeling and is never overly crowded. Note, however, that this beach can get pretty windy at times.


Seven Mile Beach  ~  Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman is one of our favorite stops on a cruise itinerary.  This may be the best beach for those who want a little more action to go along with their beach experience. Besides swimming in the clear blue water, where spotting a friendly stingray is as common as finding a sea shell, this stretch of heaven comes with an array of beach bars, restaurants and shops. For the best snorkeling and diving on Seven Mile Beach, we recommend the Cemetery Reef. One Caveat: The beach can get rather crowded at any given time, since this is a popular spot for cruise passengers.


The Baths  ~  Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

The Baths are a fantastic experience and a favorite for us and the boys,  a very unique and fun day.  It’s not often that you hear “rocks” given as the main reason to why a beach is superb, but that’s exactly why the beach at the Baths is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Now, we aren’t talking about the rocks that stub your toes on a full-out sprint to the ocean. Rather, the Baths are perhaps one of the most mind-blowing rock configurations you will ever see.

At the Baths, the beach shows evidence of the island’s volcanic origins, as huge granite boulders lie in piles on the beach. Because of the rocks, the water can be a little choppy, but not enough to ruin some great snorkeling.

You should be at least moderately fit as the Baths do involve a bit of climbing and maneuvering. A scraped knee here and there isn’t uncommon (we had a few), but it’s a small price to pay for seeing something that is on so many people’s “bucket lists.”


Crane Beach  ~  Saint Philip Parish, Barbados

This beach offers a well-balanced mix of a tranquil sun-sand-and-sea experience and some challenging water sports. Sunbathers can stretch out and work on their tans, but swimmers should be aware that the water is rough. The surf here is usually pretty high and the tide is equally strong. While this may discourage some folks looking for a calm dip in the ocean, it is a major perk for water sports enthusiasts who love to body surf and boogie board. There is also the aesthetic factor to consider: Crane Beach is the only one on the island with pink sand.


Anse Marcel Beach  ~  Anse Marcel, St. Martin

This is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean for families with small children who may not be the best swimmers just yet. The water is very calm and shallow, making it an excellent place to get the little ones acquainted with the ocean. It is tucked into a beautiful, quiet, tropical bay, protected from the swell. There is also a lot to do here as the Marina Port de Lonvilliers is located at the northern side of Anse Marcel. The marina is home to an array of quick and affordable eateries as well as some impressive boutique shops.


Cinnamon Bay  ~  St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. John is the quiet sister to St. Thomas and is a quick ferry ride for cruisers.  The beach is gorgeous and last year became certified by Blue Flag for its environmental sustainability. There is a watersports center on the beach that rents kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, etc. Across the street from the beach entrance are extensive sugar mill ruins that visitors can check out (this was recently made wheelchair accessible) as well as a short hiking trail. The snorkeling is good too. Wildlife to be seen include donkeys, iguanas, white-tailed deer, and birds. Admission to Cinnamon Bay is free.


Horseshoe Bay Beach  ~  Southampton Parish, Bermuda

We love Bermuda.  The island has a completely different feel and atmosphere from the typical Caribbean. We can not wait to return to the pink sank beaches!  There may actually be better beaches in Bermuda, but we are giving Horseshoe Bay the nod simply because it is the most popular beach in the destination and perhaps one of the most well-known beaches in the world for the long stretch of pink sand, giving guests some bragging rights when they share tales of their Caribbean vacation with friends. This may also be the safest and calmest beach on our list.


Seven Mile Beach  ~  Negril, Jamaica

This is a favorite for our honeymooners and couple getaways.  Sandals Negril has a top rated luxury resort right on this exceptional beach.  Pirates once haunted this seven-mile stretch of golden-sand beach. From fun eateries that serve icy-cold drinks by day to sizzling hot reggae by night, Seven Mile Beach is a haven for fun-seekers and sun-worshippers alike. This beach just goes on and on.  Cosmo’s, a fresh, little lunch spot, just east of Beaches Negril Resort & Spa is a favorite.

Happy Cruising!