Escape the Crowds: 9 Lesser-Known Caribbean Islands

Over the years, my travels have taken me to nearly two dozen Caribbean islands. And while I love a well-trod destination (certain islands are popular for good reason), some of my best trips have been to places few have heard of. Islands like Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Barbados are usually first in mind when readers think about the Caribbean. But if you’re looking for something a little less traveled, there’s a slew of lesser-known Caribbean islands to choose from. If you’re ready to beat the crowds, these are some of my favorite low-key isles—and the best beaches to hang out on when you get there.

Bonaire is part of the ABC islands (which include Aruba and Curaçao), but it’s the least visited of the three. Though it’s tiny (just 24 miles long), it does have an international airport with direct flights from several North American cities. Start your Bonaire beach hopping at Sorobon Beach on the island’s east end. The shallow beach has warm water, plenty of beach shacks like Jibe City for windsurfing lessons and restaurants like Sebastian’s for grabbing a cold pina colada. Te Amo beach is a white sand-filled beach popular with locals (but it’s rocky, so bring water shoes). Adjacent to the beach is a food truck, Kite City food truck, which has some of the best burgers on the island. Take a day trip to Washington-Slagbaai National Park to take a dip in Boka Slagbaai, a calm, shallow beach set against historic Dutch buildings. And one of the best beaches in Bonaire is via a 25-minute water taxi to Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited island. Bring snorkel gear and a few snacks for a breezy beach day. 

The sister island to St. Kitts, Nevis is a low-key destination with plenty to do. Get here by flying into St Kitts and taking a 10-minute ferry to the island. Once you arrive, drop your bags and head to Pinney’s Beach. Nevis’ most popular beach is the longest on the island, home to the Four Seasons Nevis and vendors with umbrellas and beach chair rentals. It’s also the setting for Sunshine’s Beach Bar & Grill, which serves a legendary rum punch, the Killer Bee. For something quieter, head to the west coast to Qualie Beach, which boasts soft sand and calm, shallow waters that attract snorkelers. If you’re hungry, Oulie Beach Restaurant has conch chowder and crab cakes on the lunch menu. And for an afternoon of solitude, Lover’s Beach is an untamed, mile-long beach on the north coast. There are no facilities, beach chairs, or umbrellas, but it offers a quiet place for couples and solo wanderers.  

Barbuda isn’t on most travelers’ radars yet, which is a big advantage for travelers wanting a low-profile escape. This is another island that’s accessible from its “bigger sister island”; from Antigua, Barbuda is a 90 ferry ride or a 25-minute plane ride. Barbuda doesn’t have a traditional downtown area, so most people come here just to enjoy the beaches. The island’s most famous stretch of sand is Princess Diana Beach, named after the late Royal who used to vacation here. There are only a few structures that dot the beach. One is Shack a Kai, a one-man lobster shack where daily specials (sans prices) are posted on a chalkboard. Just steps down the beach is the Robert De Niro-backed Nobu, an ultra-luxe beach club and sushi restaurant. If you can, get a boat ride out to Barbuda’s Pink Sand Beach, which gets its color from the crushed coral. 

Guadeloupe is made up of six islands and from an aerial view, the two main islands, Grand-Terre and Basse-Terre, resemble a butterfly. Getting here is easy with the island’s international airport, with direct service from New York and Miami. Guadeloupe boasts over 200 beaches and if you’re on Basse-Terre, the larger of the two main islands, Grande Anse Beach is a great choice. Its golden sand and shallow waves make it family-friendly and there’s a local ice cream shop to cool down, Fabienne Youyoutte. On Grand-Terre’s southern edge, La Caravelle has brilliant turquoise water and pristine white sand. The beach is also home to a Club Med La Caravelle, which offers day passes for guests.

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is a lush, mountainous island north of St. Lucia, with direct flights from several East Coast cities. The island’s geography is mountainous and volcanic, full of gorgeous black sand beaches. One is Douglas Bay Beach, on the west coast, a charcoal shade beach with lots of palm trees and dramatic views. The beach is adjacent to Cabrits National Park, which adds to its secluded nature. Another great beach in Dominica is Champagne Beach, which gets its name from the bubbles on the volcanic sea floor, which you can get up close to with a reef snorkeling tour. Mero Beach, 30 minutes from the island’s capital, Roseau, is also a great option for beachgoers. Opt for a weekday trip: the black sand beach is a favorite among locals and can get a little crowded on Sundays. 

Trinidad’s little sister, Tobago, is a beachgoer’s dream. While Trinidad’s claim to fame is its boisterous Carnival celebration, Tobago’s draw is its near-empty beaches. Get here by flying into Trinidad, then booking a 25-minute flight or a three-hour ferry to Tobago. Pigeon Point Beach is one of the island’s best beaches (it’s only 10 minutes from the airport) and the $3 entry fee grants you access to the white sands and stunning blue waters. The beach also has bathrooms, showers and scuba and snorkeling rentals. Castara Beach, in the small fishing village of Castara on the island’s north coast, also shouldn’t be missed. It’s great for swimming and snorkeling, and if you can, stay for a sunset. Nearby Englishman’s Bay is also relatively remote. The off-grid, golden sand beach is shaped like a crescent and ringed by lush jungle foliage. Though it feels undeveloped, there’s a small restaurant and bathroom for visitors. If you want to ride some waves (or watch the pros), head to Mt. Irvine Beach, a surfing hotspot. Novices can take lessons from High Tide Surf.

St. Vincent’s friendly locals and forested terrain will make you fall in love with the tiny island and you can get here via direct flights from Miami, New York and Atlanta. Like other volcanic islands, St. Vincent has a plethora of black sand beaches, including Mt. Wynne Beach, about 10 miles from Kingstown, the capital. The rugged beach is ringed with palm trees and thick vegetation and the soft black sand leads to crystal clear water, ideal for snorkeling. There are no restaurants or cafes, but there are picnic tables.  Another unique spot in Vincent is Wallilabou Bay, on the island’s west coast, where parts of Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed. The picturesque bay has a long pier and a rustic restaurant, Walllibou Anchorage, with seafood fresh off the boat. 

If you’ve never heard of Eleuthera, you’re not alone. The long, skinny island is part of the Bahamian archipelago and a favorite for travelers who want a departure from the usual. If you’re traveling from the U.S., there are direct flights from Miami, Atlanta and Charlotte. The 110-mile island is much more rural than New Providence, where you’ll find Nassau and many well-known mega resorts. In Eleuthera, you’ll find a few luxe hotels like The Cove scattered between idyllic beaches like Gaulding Cay Beach. On Gaulding Cay Beach, the white sand seems to stretch endlessly and the water is incredibly shallow. If you get hungry, you can walk across the street to Daddy’s Joe’s Hotel, which has a restaurant that serves conch fritters and fish tacos. Another showstopping beach is Lighthouse Beach, at the island’s southernmost point. The secluded pink sand beach has a few caves and an old lighthouse for exploring. 

If you want tropical French flair without the bumping shoulders with fellow travelers, check out Martinique, which has direct flights from Miami. Martinique’s beaches are postcard-perfect and you should start your island beach crawl at Anse De Saline on the island’s south end. The beach is a typical white sand beach with lots of coconut trees for shade and beach loungers and umbrellas available to rent. To lie out on one of the only black sand beaches on the island, set your sights on Anse Noir. The wild beach is known for its sealife and if you’re a snorkeler, the beach feels like a real-life aquarium. While it may feel like you’re all alone here, there’s a beloved beach restaurant nearby, Ti Payot.