t The unbelievably gorgeous sunset over Malecón
Every Caribbean island is fringed with sensational beaches, where black volcanic sands and dazzling white shores dissolve into dreamy warm seas. From intimate hidden coves to mile-long swathes of sand, there’s something for every mood and taste.
t The unbelievably gorgeous sunset over Malecón
Those photos of spectacular Caribbean sunsets are real. Head to Havana’s Malecón to snap the 1950s skyline against a flame-red sky. In Jamaica, Negril’s West End is hard to top for sundowner cocktails.
With so many mesmerizing beaches, you’ll struggle to leave your sun lounger. Grace Bay, with its seemingly endless stretches of pearl-white sand, has earned a global reputation for being one of the best beaches in the world. Meanwhile, the blush pink sands of Eleuthera, which is made up of tiny pieces of coral, cleverly stay cool enough for you to luxuriate on.
The Caribbean’s beach party scene is as cool as an iced Goombay Smash. Packed with fun bars, there is no better place to salsa with the locals than on the sands of Sosúa in the Dominican Republic. If you’re looking for a more festive atmosphere, head to Jost Van Dyke in the Virgin Islands to set your pulse racing with limbo, or join the spring-breakers on Jamaica’s Negril to listen and to move to the best live reggae.
It’s easy to discover unsullied sands without the crowds. The uninhabited, blink-and-you-miss-it Prickly Pear Cays, near Anguilla, hits the sweet spot with sugar-like sands and a relaxed beach bar. Anguilla’s Little Bay Beach is bookended by cliffs, and worth seeking out for utter seclusion. At Vieques’ serenely idyllic Sun Bay, it’s just you and wild horses cantering along the sands.
The Caribbean overflows with watersports, whether you prefer calm or crazy. Kitexcite (kitexcite.com) will teach you to scud above the waves at the wind-whipped Cabarete, or you can kayak through placid lagoons at Trinidad’s Nariva Swamp.
DISCOVER The Caribbean Your Way
Playas del Este, Havana
A sunny spot at which to relax and play.
Condado Beach, San Juan
Pristine sands.
Cabbage Beach, Nassau
Brilliant for a range of watersports.
Hellshire Beach, Kingston
The place to party.
Boca Chica, Santo Domingo
Great for snorkeling and diving.