The Rest Of The World Is Still Finding Out
The Caribbean is one of the top travel destinations in the world, with millions flocking there every winter. While the bigger destinations offer more accommodations and dining options, they are also very busy and crowded. We'll look at some lesser-known Caribbean islands that offer a haven from the tourist crowds.
Saba
This lush rugged island in the Dutch Antilles is ideal for those looking for a more adventurous holiday. There are no beaches on the island, nor are there any of the usual trappings of the big tourist centers. The island is known for its breathtaking mountain airstrip, diverse marine life, and steep forest trails.
Dominica
Despite its name, this island in the Lesser Antilles has nothing to do with the Dominican Republic. Maybe the similar name is responsible for why the island is so little-known to most tourists. A wonder for nature lovers, the lush rainforest of Dominica is criss-crossed by 365 rivers, and has numerous hot springs. There is also a black sand beach along with abundant diving locales.
Isla Mujeres
This island is a mere eight miles from Cancún but it is almost a world apart. The island was once a fishing village that is now becoming known as a getaway from the crowds that flock the Mayan Riviera. The island offers very similar amenities to what you will see on the mainland, including archaeological treasures, snorkeling, local watering holes, but with a lot fewer people around.
Nevis
The smaller partner of the island nation of St Kitts and Nevis, Nevis is also by far the less populated of the pair. The laid-back atmosphere is free of busy traffic intersections, casinos, and strip malls. You’re as likely to encounter a monkey as a person on your excursion! The hotels are mostly refurbished mansions from the plantation days, giving the island an old-school charm. With hot springs, beaches, and forest trails, Nevis is a Caribbean gem.
Mustique, St Vincent And Grenadines
This destination is known for its upscale accommodations that attract very wealthy visitors; staying won’t be within everyone’s budget. Only 1,400 acres in area, the privately-owned and -operated island is known for the variety of its birds, the windswept rocky cliffs, and visits by celebrities.
San Andrés, Colombia
Did you know that Colombia governs an island off the coast of Nicaragua? Most other North Americans don’t either. The island is a natural wonder offering white sand beaches, a coral reef, and amazing snorkeling. The island is near several parks and protected nature areas, including the Cueva de Morgan hidden cave. San Andres is popular with Colombians and is not as secluded as some of the others on this list—the island has a population of around 70,000.
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Another treasure of nature, the island of Vieques, just east of Puerto Rico, is unique for the bioluminescent waters of Mosquito Bay, the brightest of its kind in the world. The nocturnal glimmering of the water is caused by a rare breed of plankton. Aside from this, the island is known for its horses that run free, and great boating and scuba diving tours are available for those who want to leave the comfort of the beach.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Just north of Vieques lies the island of Culebra. Also part of Puerto Rico, the impossibly blue waters offer the whole range of watersports. The island is surrounded by numerous tiny secluded cays that provide a habitat for diverse marine life. Accessible by ferry from mainland Puerto Rico, the sand of Flamenco Beach is also home to some graffiti-covered army tanks, remnants of the island’s time as a US military base long ago.
Grenada
This island paradise south of Saint Vincent and Grenadines rarely comes up in conversations about best Caribbean destinations, but its natural beauty is matched only by its long and interesting history. The island hosts the relic Fort George left over from the colonial days when the island was a source of sugar cane, indigo, and today, nutmeg. The island’s airport has direct flights to and from Miami, New York, and Atlanta.
Martinique
This idyllic spot in the Lesser Antilles is a study in contrasts. With stretches of white sand beaches, the interior of the island rises across forest-shrouded slopes to the volcanic pinnacle of Mount Pelee. The island has been ravaged by the volcano’s wrath four times in recorded history, most recently in 1902 when there were two eruptions.
St Croix, US Virgin Islands
This island is well connected to the mainland US by air, but though it’s on regular travel routes, the island is large enough that there are many spots to find privacy. There is a prize-winning rum distillery open for tours, while at the other end of the spectrum, Buck Island Reef National Monument offers outstanding snorkeling and diving.
Anegada, British Virgin Islands
This coral island is a true marine paradise, with great beaches, diving, and fishing. Along with a diverse range of wildlife, there are numerous shipwrecks in the area to tempt more experienced divers. The island is connected by flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico and St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.
Canouan, Grenadines
Like its Grenadine sibling Mustique (above), Canouan is another island that isn’t overrun with tourists, but you’ll be paying a lot more for that exclusivity. The wealthy island enclave is home to upscale amenities like a four-star beach hotel, spas, and an 18-hole golf course. Natural wonders include the beaches and one of the Caribbean’s largest coral reefs.
Bequia, St Vincent And Grenadines
The second-biggest island in the Grenadines, Bequia (pronounced beck-WAY) is a boater’s delight for its tranquil bays. Though the island does receive cruise ships, it's still recognized as one of the quietest islands in the chain. Home to a turtle sanctuary, all of the usual aquatic pursuits are here—or you can hike to the top of Mount Pleasant and enjoy the view of the islands.
Cat Island, Bahamas
Offering all the natural splendors of the popular tropical island chain, but without the hordes of tourists, Cat Island is beautiful and also historic. The remnants of the original Arawak inhabitants are visible in cave systems here, along with ruins of slave homes from the old cotton plantation days. Eerie! The island’s Mount Alvernia is the highest point in the Bahamas.
Montserrat
This volcanic island saw major destruction as recently as 1995 when the capital city of Plymouth was ravaged by the fury of the Soufriere Hills volcano. Plymouth has been deserted ever since. With only one beach of any note, it’s understandable why fewer people visit the island. Tours of the volcano and numerous hiking trails are Montserrat’s main activities.
Pasop Photography, Adobe Stock
Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
The beauty of this Caribbean jewel off the south coast of Cuba is tough to surpass. It offers great diving in addition to hiking and cave exploring along the prominent limestone bluffs. Cayman Brac is habitat to more than 200 tropical bird species—but though the birds have flocked here, tourists still have not.
Sint Eustatius
This island in the Netherlands Antilles receives fewer than 6,000 tourists per year. In fact, it makes the nearby Netherlands island of Saba (above) look like a major tourist hub! Sponges and corals are the underwater highlight while an ascent of the 600-meter volcanic peak called The Quill will let you take in the island’s splendor.
Walter Hellebrand, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Iles Des Saintes, Guadeloupe
These gems of the French Caribbean are picturesque but quiet. Like all of the best Caribbean destinations, the Iles offer a great balance of activities on land and sea, with an array of plant and animal life including a sanctuary for seven different species of sea turtles.
Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s Corn Islands are not exactly a household name, so it’s no wonder Little Corn Island is one of the least visited on our list. Accessible only by boat from nearby Big Corn Island, Little Corn has no motor vehicles so it's incredibly peaceful. If you don’t mind getting everywhere using only your own two feet, this island’s beach and snorkeling hideaway is the place for you.
Salt Cay, Turks And Caicos
If something is small enough to call a cay, you know it’s small; Salt Cay is the smallest island in the lovely Turks and Caicos chain. Its inland pond was once a center for salt production, but the island has since become a haven for those looking for a relaxing Caribbean experience. Salt Cay is great for whale-watching, with its location on humpback whale migration routes.
Gabriele Maltinti, Adobe Stock
Barbuda
The only two accommodations on this island north of Antigua are two luxury resorts. Accessible only by plane or three-hour boat ride, the island is sparsely settled, and its distance from Antigua means not as many people get here. Offering miles of beaches, reefs, shipwrecks, and an exotic bird sanctuary, Barbuda is the perfect mix of beauty, amenities, and seclusion from the crowds.
