Having to select the Caribbean’s best beaches is like choosing a favorite offspring. You adore each and every one unconditionally. The same applies to the sandy shorelines of Anguilla, Aruba, Grenada, and many more Caribbean destinations where you discover that no two beaches are alike, which makes them all the more lovable.
GRENADA
Aerial view of Grand Anse Beach
In Grenada, if you decide to spend your lazy days at the lovely Spice Island Beach Resort, the Grand Anse Beach is just out of your room. Here on this two miles long pristine beach there is little disturbance but still plenty of action. Do as little or as much as you like, from sun worshipping to kayaking. If you are a truly experienced SCUBA diver, you can even explore the wreck of a luxury liner ship.
JAMAICA
Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay Jamaica on a sunny day.
Jamaica has two fabulous beaches worthy of a visit. Doctor’s Cave Beach, which enjoys a sheltered location in Montego Bay not far from Round Hill Hotel and Villas, is known for its azure waters and platinum sands as well as its calm surf. Near the Jamaica Inn, a wondrous retreat with a collection of accommodations that sit literally on the water along the island’s north coast, is Ocho Rios. This narrow strip of sand is protected by a coral reef that is ideal for swimming or diving.
TURK and CAICOS
The pristine sand pf Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay in the celebrity favorite Turks and Caicos is home to the dazzling Villa Renaissance, a beachfront property overlooking Grace Bay Beach. While some may argue that this little paradise is among the island’s more popular places to play, its natural setting and generous length make it a snap to find a secluded spot.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The tropical exotic caribbean beach in Punta Cana
The Dominican Republic has its share of shoreline too, but it is Playa Punta Cana that seems to garner the most attention. This pristine beach is blanketed with soft sand and punctuated with plenty of trees. Nearby is Tortuga Bay, a luxury compound with a beachfront grill for grazing.
BAHAMAS
The beauty of Surfers Beach
Nothing says tropical like the balmy Bahamas, and The Cove Eleuthera, one of the island’s most magical resorts, sits right on this private beach. Not only is this north coast sanctuary scenic, it is also secluded but not too far removed from civilization. Snorkeling conditions are by far some of the best, but favorite pastimes, such as swimming or sunning, are also ideal. Eleuthera has more then 100 beaches, so it should not be difficult to find the one that is made just for you. If surfing is in your blood and “living my life on the beach” is your motto, you have to go to Surfers Beach. As the name says, it is a surfer’s paradise, constantly maintained and cleaned for surfers that came here from all over the world.
ANTIGUA
The beautiful beach of Hermitage Bay
Tucked away on the southwest coast of Antigua are the exceptional Coco Beach and Mamora Bay. Both boast silvery sands, but that is where the similarities end. Coco Beach, with its colorful and abundant sea life, is an aquarium for snorkelers, while the serene waters of Mamora Bay are more suited for swimming. Both are equally breathtaking and located close enough to one another that it’s easy to divide your time between the two. Close to both is the uber-luxurious Hermitage Bay.
St. LUCIA
Jade Mountain rooms are famous for their infinity pools
Saint Lucia is probably the best Caribbean island for couples, period. Every beach on the island, including those that are part of resorts, are open to the public. The champagne-colored sands are ideal for lounging, however, being the architect of your own sand castle isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Jade Mountain sits on top of a hill overlooking the Anse Chastanet Beach. As for those leafy palms, they are ideal for shading your seaside picnic.
PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico
Playa Sardinera, located on the north coast of Puerto Rico just west of San Juan, is a solitary and lovely long strip of sand where rows of trees provide some shade. Luckily, here there is only one property, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and here you will be able to sip fruity drinks under colorful umbrellas, or take a break from the sun to prowl the nearby conveniences, including a handful of casual restaurants and a few flashy casinos in Old San Juan.
No matter how you choose to spend your time along the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean, be it snorkeling, diving, swimming or just enjoying a morning jog, there is a sandy playground awaiting your discovery. From the shores of Grenada and Grace Bay to the turquoise waters of Saint Lucia, the Caribbean is proof that life really is a beach.
