18 Best Beaches in the Caribbean – That You’ve Never Heard Of
If you’ve been to some of most popular Caribbean destinations lately, you’ve certainly noticed it – the post-pandemic travel boom in the Caribbean is still very much in full swing, with nary a free beach chair to be seen along some of the region’s most popular shores. Looking for an alternative to some of the busiest beaches in the region? These are the 18 best beaches in the Caribbean that you’ve never even heard of.
Cayo Jutias, Cuba
Nestled along the northern shore of Cuba, the white sand islet of Cayo Jutias is just a speck on the map, but boasts some of the best beaches in Cuba. Take a day trip from the popular destination of Viñales to Cayo Jutias or nearby Cayo Levisa – both beaches are among some of the most impressive in the region.
Pearns Point, Antigua
One of the most picturesque spots on the island of Antigua, Pearns Point is a dramatic, verdant peninsula just 5 minutes north of Jolly Beach. The most easily accessible beaches at Pearns Point are Queen Beach and Critters Cove Beach, immediately adjacent to Pearns Point Beach; both have gorgeous golden sand and clear waters.
Shoal Bay East, Anguilla
Ask anyone who has any insider knowledge of the islands of the Caribbean, and they’ll all say the same thing: there are few destinations with more beautiful beaches to choose from than Anguilla. Among numerous pristine beaches on the island, Shoal Bay is considered the best – even one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Despite its relative fame as among the island’s most beautiful shores, it always feels like a hidden gem and is never too crowded.
Klein Curaçao, Curaçao
The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is known by well-heeled travelers not just for its gorgeous architecture and colorful historic town but for its stunning beaches. One of the island’s best beach destinations is Klein Curaçao, which means Little Curaçao. This offshore island makes for a popular day trip spot for travelers looking for a desert paradise-like escape.
Playa Cosón, Dominican Republic
There’s no lack of stunning beaches in the Dominican Republic, but if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path, Playa Cosón is among your best choices. The beach is located on the Samaná Peninsula in the northeast of the country near the laidback town of Las Terrenas.
Loblolly Beach, Anegada, British Virgin Islands
Hidden along the northern shore of the off-the-beaten-path island of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, Loblolly Bay Beach is somewhat remote but so worth traveling for! Just off the white sands of this beloved sandy bay, an impressive and colorful reef makes this one of the best spots for snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands.
Cockleshell Bay, St Kitts
Located on the paradise Caribbean island of St. Kitts, Cockleshell Bay is a must-visit beach, easily the nicest beach destination on this stunning and diverse island. Spectacular views across the channel to St. Kitts’ sister island, Nevis, make for an impressive backdrop against the white sand. The beach is home to favorite destinations with plenty of beach amenities, including the Reggae Beach Bar and Spice Mill Restaurant.
Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
Located on the southwestern coast of Grenada, the world-famous Grand Anse Beach is a jewel on this hidden gem Caribbean island. With fine white sand and stunning mountain views of the island’s capital in the distance, it’s just one of the treasures Grenada has to offer travelers, sure to make it a new favorite Caribbean destination. The most impressive spot on the beach is Mount Cinnamon Resort, a favorite eco-resort boasting 37 luxurious villas with stunning ocean views.
Playa Lagun, Curacao
The cove beach of Playa Lagun on the island of Curaçao may be little, but it’s one of the best beaches in the Caribbean that remains a secret to most visitors. The beach’s white sands are stunning, but even more impressive are the coral-coated cliffs that surround it, offering some of the best and most accessible snorkeling spots on the island.
Batibou Beach, Dominica
Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” Dominica isn’t well known as a beach-centric island. However, the golden sands at Batibou Beach are among the island’s most impressive beaches, boasting palm-fringed shores and local eateries that put some of the island’s best restaurants to shame. It offers a Caribbean beach day experience that is much more authentic than any of the built-up beaches on the neighboring islands.
Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic
Located just a stone’s throw from the Samaná Peninsula of the Dominican Republic, the island of Cayo Levantado is a dreamy beach getaway. It has long been a popular day trip destination, with travelers visiting from destinations like Santo Domingo or Punta Cana just to enjoy it. Last year’s redesign and reopening of Cayo Levantado Resort, the first wellness resort in the Dominican Republic, gives visitors a reason to stick around even longer.
Soufriere Beach, Saint Lucia
Soufriere Beach on the eastern Caribbean island of Saint Lucia may not be the most incredible beach in the Caribbean by the merits of its sands or seas, but its views are unbeatable. The lush Pitons in the distance make for an incredible backdrop for an unfussy, unhurried beach day.
Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica
Seven Mile Beach is a beautiful white sand beach located outside of Negril, Jamaica, on the island’s enchanting west coast. This long, expansive beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with crystal-clear water and stunning sunsets to match. Despite its beauty and renown, Seven Mile Beach has escaped that built-up, crowded feeling many other Caribbean beaches suffer from.
Cayo Largo del Sur, Cuba
The tiny island of Cayo Largo del Sur is located off the southern shore of Cuba’s main island and is known for having some of the very best beaches in the Caribbean. However, its remote location makes it less visited than many of the other most popular beach destinations in Cuba, though it has a number of impressive resorts with accommodation options ranging from standard rooms to private villas.
Cane Garden Bay Beach, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Located on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Cane Garden Bay Beach perfectly combines a laid-back atmosphere, pristine sands, and plenty to see and do. While this beach can get busy when cruise ships are in port – opt for a less popular beach to avoid the crowds on these days if you can! – Cane Garden Bay Beach is always among the greatest treasures of the British Virgin Islands.
Cayo Coco, Cuba
Cayo Coco has long been one of Cuba’s most beloved beach destinations, but this tiny islet off the island’s northern coast still feels empty compared to many of the built-up shores on other Caribbean islands. Stay at one of the many resorts on Cayo Coco after flying into the island’s own international airport, whether from abroad or by connecting through Havana.
Half Moon Bay, Antigua
Green hills, dramatic cliffs, and an expansive national park surround Half Moon Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Antigua. These untouched surroundings make it feel like much more of a natural treasure than a tourist attraction, distinct from some of the most well-known of the 365 Antigua beaches visitors have to choose from.
Cayo Guillermo, Cuba
Cuba’s offshore island Cayo Guillermo is home to one of the most famous and most beautiful beaches in the world: Playa Pilar. Though Playa Pilar is immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s work Islands in the Steam – and was even renamed after the writer’s boat – it’s still relatively little visited compared to so many other Caribbean beaches of the same caliber. While Americans can visit Cuba, they can’t stay at some of the island’s best resorts, like the newer Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski.
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.