The term'Caribbean' identifies all countries and islands washed by the Caribbean Sea, despite belonging to different nations. Three major island groups can be distinguished: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the Bahama Islands. The Lesser Antilles are in turn subdivided into North Windward, South Windward and Leeward. There are also a number of other islands and archipelagos not belonging to these groups, located off the coasts of North, Central and South America. In total, there are more than 1,300 islands in the Caribbean, belonging to as many as 34 different states.
But which are the most picturesque and fascinating? Let's find out together. Here are the 15 most beautiful Caribbean Islands!
1 - Barbados
Barbados is the optimal solution for an adrenalin and adventure holiday. Huge expanses of natural parks are ideal for exploration, lively waters perfect for surfing and then the capital, Bridgetown: the island's largest city and the centre of its culture. Bridgetown offers a vibrant atmosphere of street vendors, shopping complexes and all-night party venues...
If you love nightlife, there are few better places.
Cheap flights: from €726.00 - see deals
Where to stay: Hotels and b&b's from €55.00 per night - look at the offers
10-day flight+hotel package: from €1,600 per person - look at the offers
2 - Jamaica
Great food and great flavours, music, love of life and rhythm in its DNA, in a word: Jamaica. The perfect choice if you want to experience a holiday to the max, amidst colours, fun and strong emotions. From the beautiful beaches to the Blue Mountain National Park, where you will find waterfalls and trails that seem to come straight out of a tropical dream. Another highlight are the great golf courses, if you love this sport you will be delighted to play here.
Cheap flights: from €592.00 - look at the offers
Where to stay: from €21.00 per night - look at the offers
10-day flight+hotel package: from €1,300.00 - look at the offers
3 - St. Martin
If you'd rather relax with a beer in a beach hut than sip a cocktail in a cool bar full of neon lights, St Martin, with its laid-back atmosphere, is just right for you. Mention must be made of the food, which is really good, especially on the French side of the island.
There are also plenty of things to do: it is worth splitting your time between relaxing sessions lying on the sand and exciting mountain adventures in the north.
Cheap flights: from €589.00 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and b&b from €90.00 per night - see offers
10-day flight+hotel package: from €1,650.00 per person - look at the offers
4 - Tobago
A true tropical paradise, Tobago offers beautiful beaches on the west side, and dense rainforest to explore in the east. This means you can try your hand at trekking through kilometres of pristine greenery and at the same time dive into a real tropical waterfall.
Tobago is also particularly famous for its diving thanks to some beautiful coral reefs and submerged wrecks.
Cheap flights: from €598.29 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and b&b from €49.00 per room - look at the offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1,798.00 per person - look at the offers
5 - Puerto Rico
Among the most beautiful Caribbean islands you can't miss Puerto Rico. Old San Juan, with its lively atmosphere, is undoubtedly one of the region's great highlights. Great beach resorts, casinos and entertainment await you. In addition, various historical vestiges of the rich Hispanic culture are scattered throughout the territory. Ideal for exploration but also for days of pure relaxation by the sea.
Cheap flights: from €315.48 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €39.00 per room - see offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1,343.00 per person - look at the offer
6 - Cuba
Not just beaches! The Caribbean also hides wonderful cultural destinations, and among these the most famous is probably Cuba.
A trip to Cuba is unlike any other. It is a unique country with incredible scenery, friendly and welcoming people and vibrant cities, such as the capital Havana, that steal the heart like very few other destinations in the world.
Unfortunately, too many people go to Cuba and simply sit in a resort for most of the time.
The truth is that there is so much to experience, discover and explore!
Cheap flights: from €700.00
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €78.00 per room
10-day flight+hotel package: From €2,200.00 per person
7 - Cayman
Belonging to the British Overseas Territory, the Cayman Islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus. They occupy the ninth position on the list, and I can assure you that if you ever visit them you will agree that they are truly a breathtaking sight.
If you are a diving enthusiast, this is the place to be. Considered among the best destinations for diving activities in the entire Caribbean, the Cayman Islands offer fantastic opportunities to get up close to the marine fauna and flora of the region. You'll find numerous sites off Grand Cayman, including the famous Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef and Eden Rock & Devil's Grotto, but if you're willing to plan a trip to Little Cayman, visitors say the Bloody Bay Marine Park is worth a visit.
Cheap flights: from €587.31 - see deals
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €150.00 per room - see deals
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1,988.00 per person - see more
8 - St Lucia
The island of St Lucia is an independent state often visited by VIPs from all over the world because of its beauty. For example, it represented a kind of refuge away from the world for the late Amy Winehouse.
Crescent-shaped beaches, small fishing villages, rainforests, cliffs, waterfalls, geothermal attractions and lush mountains are just some of St. Lucia's many attractions.
Castries, the island's capital and the port for cruise ships, offers a glimpse into the colourful life on the island with its lively market and some fascinating historical monuments.
Cheap flights: from €682.00 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €53.00 per room - see deals
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1807.00 per person - See more
9 - St Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy, or Saint Barths, is part of the Overseas Collectivity of France.
It was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who named it after his brother Bartholomew. In the mid-1600s, the French arrived and built a small settlement.
Nowadays, Saint Barthélemy is a pearl of the Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, perhaps the chicest island in the Caribbean, characterised by boutique hotels, mega yachts, luxury shops and numerous private villas.
The soft white sandy beaches lend themselves to water sports, from windsurfing to scuba diving, snorkelling to jet-skiing, sailing and deep-sea fishing.
On this island it is impossible to identify one particularly beautiful beach more than the others; not because there are none, but because they are all incredibly fantastic in the same way!
Cheap flights: from €875.04 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €400.00 per room - see offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €3,583 per person - See more
10 - Anguilla
Anguilla is a little gem with a beautiful landscape. According to its inhabitants, Shoal Bay Beach is the most beautiful of the beaches here.
Why visit Anguilla? The island is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, a thriving local music scene and excellent food. Compared to St Barthélemy, it does not offer many high-end hotels, casinos or shopping centres.
11 - St Kitts and Nevis
In the island state of Saint Kitts and Nevis you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. In addition, the Pool Cabana inside the Four Seasons was listed as one of the coolest beach bars in the world by the well-known Forbes magazine.
Among the most beautiful beaches is Majors Bay: a long, narrow strip of golden sand free of bars or other facilities, blue water always warm and calm.
Cheap flights: from €841.75 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €77.00 per room - see offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1,936.00 per person - See more
12 - Bermuda
Belonging to the Overseas Territory of Great Britain, Bermuda offers truly unimaginable wonders.
It is known for its sophisticated charm, with boutiques and luxury restaurants offering international cuisine, golf courses and sailing traditions. But despite this, the island is rich in simple and inexpensive pleasures, as well as beautiful beaches. It is no coincidence that its Horseshoe Bay Beach has been listed among the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.
Cheap flights: from €611.74 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €153.00 per room - look at the offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1,645.00 per person - See more
13 - Isla Mujeres
On Isla Mujeres, as well as benefiting from the sea, you'll be able to indulge in all kinds of water sports. The best beach on this island in the Yucatan Channel is Playa Norte.
On this small and delightful Caribbean island there is a surprising variety of things to do. Its proximity to Cancun makes it easy to get to, whether just for a day or a couple of weeks. Its size makes it easy to get around and do anything. Like most Riviera Maya destinations, Isla Mujeres is practically sunny and warm all year round, offering a myriad of outdoor activities. It is ideal for a dream holiday between the beach and coral reefs.
Cheap flights: Flights to Cancun from €373.29 - see deals
Where to stay: Hotels and b&b from €36.00 per room - look at the offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1,042.00 per person - see more
14 - St John
Among the US Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the US, is the fantastic St John.
Most visitors arrive in St John via cruise ships, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to see on the island. St John is full of activities, many of which involve the outdoors. You can go hiking, cycling and even whale watching during the season. It is probably among the best Caribbean islands for hiking in the wilderness.
Cheap flights: from €734.13 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €253.00 per room - see offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €3,201.00 per person - See more
15 - Ambergris Caye, Belize
Ambergris Caye is considered ideal for a holiday because of all the amenities it offers to the lucky travellers who have the pleasure of visiting it. A short distance from the island is one of Belize's main tourist destinations: the well-known Blue Hole, one of the most fascinating diving spots in the world.
Cheap flights: from €713.75 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €23.00 per room - see offers
10-day flight+hotel package: From €1,625.00 per person - find out more
Where to find: map of the most beautiful islands
When to go to the Caribbean
The Caribbean islands share the same tropical climate, characterised by high temperatures all year round and fairly frequent rainfall. The best months for a visit are between November/December and April. Absolutely avoid the period between July and September, which corresponds with the hurricane season. For detailed information, please refer to the following in-depth articles.
SEE ALSO: When to go to the Caribbean
Which Caribbean island to choose?
The first consideration concerns connections to and from Europe. Islands such as Aruba, the Bahamas, Cayman, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica are easier to reach as they are directly connected to some capitals on the old continent (so you could avoid a stopover outside the EU, and thus also save a lot of time for border controls, etc.).
As far as costs are concerned, the most affordable accommodations are in Cuba, Martinique, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Islands such as Turks and Caicos, the Caymans, Anguilla, Antigua and Bermuda are known for extra-luxury accommodations and tend to have higher prices.
As for the type of holiday, know that only destinations such as Cuba, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico offer cultural, historical and archaeological tours. The other locations are only suitable for beach life, relaxation and sea excursions.
Finally, the destinations with the liveliest nightlife are Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Cruising the Caribbean: to enjoy several Caribbean beaches/islands in one trip, take a Royal Caribbean, Costa or MSC Cruises cruise. You can choose from several itineraries, prices generally start at €2,500 per person and the minimum itinerary duration is 8 days. Find out more
