From Grace Bay to Trunk Bay: The Caribbean’s Best White Sand Beaches

As long as I’ve been traveling to the Caribbean, one of the things I look forward to the most is visiting the beaches. While the region is blessed with a variety of stunning coastlines, there’s something special about an unspoiled white sand beach. From secluded coves accessible only by boat to wide shores dotted with chic resorts, the Caribbean’s white sand beaches promise an unforgettable encounter with paradise. If you’re looking to plan a beach-centric vacation, we’ve rounded up some of the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean.

Consistently ranked as one of the world’s best beaches, Grace Bay is one of the most visited beaches in Turks and Caicos. The beach is protected by an offshore barrier reef, which keeps the water exceptionally clear and a stunning shade of turquoise. Spanning over three miles, this pristine stretch is free of rocks and seaweed, making it the perfect setting for swimming, sunbathing, and leisurely walks. Grace Bay is lined with luxury resorts like Seven Stars Resort & Spa and The Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos, which offer direct walk-out beach access. Despite its acclaim, the beach’s sheer size means it rarely feels overcrowded.

Rendezvous Bay offers a crescent of soft white sand that stretches for over a mile. The beach is known for its incredibly calm, shallow waters, making it feel like a massive, natural swimming pool. It also provides an uninterrupted view of the neighboring island of St. Martin. Rendezvous Bay is relatively quiet and laid back, and Aurora Anguilla Resort & Gold Club offers a front row seat to the incredible beachfront. If you’re just here for the day, you can stop by for a rum punch and live music at the famous Dune Preserve, a legendary reggae bar made from shipwrecked boats and reclaimed driftwood. 

 This world-famous crescent of coral sand is one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated beaches. Its “white sand” is actually composed of fine, powdery coral, which keeps it cool to the touch even on the hottest days. The water is a glassy expanse of blue, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. Along the shore are luxury resorts like the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa and trendy beach bars like the Bonny Moon Beach Club. Seven Mile Beach’s impressive width and length ensure there is always ample space to find your own spot in paradise.

Eagle Beach is a gorgeous swath of soft, white sand and is home to Aruba’s unique fofoti (divi-divi) trees. The water is a vibrant turquoise, and the beach is relatively uncrowded compared to Palm Beach, Aruba’s other famous beachfront. From March through September, Eagle Beach becomes a crucial nesting ground for sea turtles, and the hatching season is from May to November. Eagle Beach offers a few low-key accommodations like the adults-only Bucati & Tara Beach Resort and the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa. If you’re making a day trip, there’s ample parking and shaded picnic areas for a relaxing day by the sea.

Located within the Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay is the poster child for Caribbean beauty. Its quarter-mile of velvety white sand is framed by lush, green hills, creating a picture-perfect cove. What truly sets it apart is the 400-foot-long underwater snorkeling trail, featuring submerged plaques that identify various coral and fish species. While there are no beachfront hotels, the beach does offer a Trunk Bay Snack Shack with burgers and frozen drinks on the menu. The tranquil water is exceptionally clear, making it a perfect spot for beginners to explore a vibrant marine world just steps from the shore.

Choosing the best white sand beach in The Bahamas is difficult, as there are so many of them across the region’s more than 700 islands and cays. Located on the northern shore of Paradise Island in The Bahamas, Cabbage Beach is a two-mile stretch of white sand and brilliant turquoise water. This beach is home to several luxury resorts, including the iconic Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, and The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort.  The western end near the public access offers chair rentals, water sports like parasailing, and beachside bars, and a short walk east reveals a quieter, more secluded paradise. 

This iconic, two-mile shelter of fine white sand is the pride of Grenada. The beach is set in a wide bay, protected from strong winds and high waves, making its turquoise water perfect for swimming. The sand slopes gently into the sea, and the view is dotted with swaying palms and sea grape trees that provide natural shade. For stays, the Spice Island Beach Resort and Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort, perched on a hillside, offer direct access to Grand Anse Beach. 

Frequently cited as one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, Playa Flamenco is a mile-long, horseshoe-shaped bay on the island of Culebra, 20 miles off the coast of Puerto Rico. Its sand is astonishingly white and soft, leading into shallow waters with gentle waves, ideal for swimming and families with young children. The beach is enclosed by lush, green hills, and if you’re looking for a low-key stay, Villa Flamenco Beach puts you steps from the gorgeous beachfront. 

The Baths of Virgin Gorda is far more than just a renowned white sand beach. While its white sands are pristine, the beach’s true icons are the massive granite boulders scattered across the shore. These enormous, smooth stones create a maze of grottos, hidden sea pools, and tunnels, and visitors flock here to wade through the warm, turquoise water to navigate the remarkable formations. The contrast of the bright sand, the dark boulders, and clear water makes The Baths an otherworldly destination in the British Virgin Islands. 

Known as the “Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean,” Orient Bay is a vibrant, mile-long white-sand beach on the French side of St. Martin. The bay is a major hub for watersports, especially kitesurfing, and is lined with bustling beach clubs like Coco Beach and Contiki Beach. Orient Bay is also known for its southern end, a well-known, designated clothing-optional beach. For an idyllic beach stay, check into the Orient Beach Hotel.