These Are the “Best-Kept Secret” Destinations in the Caribbean – Reachable Only by Boat
You won’t find any overcrowded, busy beaches here! We spoke to Dream Yacht Worldwide, a pioneer in sailing tourism in some of the world’s most desirable destinations, to find some of the best-kept secret spots in the Caribbean that are reachable only by boat. From hidden cays in far-flung locations to secret cove beaches just a stone’s throw from some of the most popular islands in the Caribbean, these are the destinations you won’t want to miss.
Shroud Cay, Exumas | Bahamas
Sail with Dream Yacht Worldwide from the capital of the Bahamas straight to the uninhabited white sand islet known as Shroud Cay. Visitors to this exclusive spot can unwind on some of the unspoiled beaches that have made the Bahamas such a popular destination.
Shroud Cay, Exumas | Bahamas
Shroud Cay marks the northern edge of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea National Park, one of the most “successful” and thriving marine preserves in the world. Lined with untouched beaches, the island hides gorgeous vistas and pristine ecosystems for visitors to explore.
St John | US Virgin Islands
One of the main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is largely protected and pristine, with nearly two-thirds of the island covered by the Virgin Islands National Park. While the island is popular, it has plenty of hidden spots for hikers and beaches that only the locals know about, making it a great option for travelers looking to get off the beaten path in the Caribbean – no passport required!
St John | US Virgin Islands
The island of St. John can be reached from neighboring St. Thomas and is accessible either by ferry or by boat charter. Dream Yacht Worldwide sails to the island from its base in St. Thomas, offering bareboat and skippered charter options for travelers.
Elbow Cay, Abacos | Bahamas
Famous for its candy-striped lighthouse, quaint Hope Town entirely devoid of motorized cars, and the beautiful Tahiti Beach, Elbow Cay is hidden away in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas. Accessible only by boat, this tiny island feels like a slice of paradise that visitors will feel like they have all to themselves.
Elbow Cay, Abacos | Bahamas
Charter a boat from Dream Yacht Worldwide in Marsh Harbour, on the island of Great Abaco, to sail to Elbow Cay for a quick visit or as part of a longer Bahamas sailing itinerary.
Anegada | British Virgin Islands
One of almost 50 islands that make up the stunning British Virgin Islands, the island of Anegada is a stunning white sand destination accessible only by boat. This low-lying coral islet sits among an archipelago of volcanic islands and is unique in the British Virgin Islands, beloved for its lobster, luxury resorts, and fun island tours by moped and jeep.
Anegada | British Virgin Islands
Laid back and off the beaten path, it’s a favorite destination for sailing in the British Virgin Islands thanks to its incredible snorkeling and diving destinations, calm waters, and unique ecosystems that offer experiences beyond the beachfront.
Jost Van Dyke | British Virgin Islands
Another favorite sailing spot in the British Virgin Islands is Jost Van Dyke. Among the most popular destinations on this beachy island is White Bay, a palm tree-studded beach lined with quaint local beach bars, where an arching bay is lined with sailboats, catamarans, and yachts awaiting passengers.
Jost Van Dyke | British Virgin Islands
For those considering a sailing vacation in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands are a great destination to consider, with tucked away spots like Jost Van Dyke and Anegada considered a sailor’s paradise with consistent trade winds, gentle waves, and sunny skies year-round.
Culebra | Puerto Rico
You’ve heard about the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, but what of the Spanish Virgin Islands? Nestled off of the coast of mainland Puerto Rico, this stunning yet little-known island chain offers great sailing conditions to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, including Playa Flamenco on the island of Culebra.
Culebra | Puerto Rico
Once used for U.S. Navy drills, the island of Culebra is now a sparsely populated but stunning beach paradise where visitors can spot unique relics of the island’s complex history. Culebra can be reached by boat from the Dream Yacht Worldwide base in St. Thomas in the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tintamarre | St Martin
Sail away from the popular island of St. Martin to reach less-crowded destinations where you can enjoy world-class beaches, like the tiny, uninhabited island of Tintamarre.
Tintamarre | St Martin
Tintamarre sits just off of the French side of the dual French-Dutch island St. Martin / Sint Maarten. It is known for the conservation of its island habitats and is a perfect destination for hiking, snorkeling, and stunning sunsets.
Tintamarre | St Martin
This uninhabited islet is rimmed with stunning white-sand beaches and is a perfect spot for swimming with rays, snorkeling, and exploring the rugged interior forgotten by time.
Tobago Cays | St Vincent and the Grenadines
Comprising five small islands and their surrounding reefs, the little-visited Tobago Cays is one of the best-kept secrets of the Caribbean island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These islands are known for their healthy populations of sea turtles and the stunning Horseshoe Reef, which is considered one of the largest and healthiest coral formations in the Caribbean.
Tobago Cays | St Vincent and the Grenadines
Located in the Southern Grenadines, this marine park archipelago can be reached only by boat. Dream Yacht Worldwide offers charters to Tobago Cays from the nearby islands of Grenada and Martinique.
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.