One of my favorite areas to travel is the Caribbean. Nowhere in the world can you enjoy more beautiful island hopping through the azure blue water. Visit centuries-old pirate forts; climb mountains for a view of the sea; driving around in classic cars; watching the setting sun with a glass of rum in hand. But which islands are the most special? I have now been to almost all the islands, so I thought it was time for: the ultimate top 10 Caribbean islands!
10. Puerto Rico
An island that should not be missing from the list, if only because of its unique status under the flag of the United States: Puerto Rico. The colorful streets in San Juan especially invite you for a wonderful walk through history. In addition, Havana’s little brother also has a turbulent history and the most beautiful pirate forts of all the islands in the Caribbean.
A trip to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the US, is a must! Rent a car and see the countless waterfalls. For an even more seclude corner of the country, take the boat to Culebra, one of the Spanish Virgin Islands and the most beautiful little islands I have ever seen! By the way, view here the video of Puerto Rico!
9. Barbados
Barbados makes the list because of its bizarre white sandy beaches. In few places in my life have I been able to see more beautiful contrasts between snow-white sand and clear blue water.
Especially in the south you can find the most beautiful bays, such as Miami Beach, Brownes Beach and Crane Beach. For the more rugged rocky beaches you can go to Bottom Bay Beach or Bathsheba. The latter of these two is reminiscent of the rocky coast of Australia, with huge rocks in the most diverse shapes.
The Animal Flower Cave is located at the very northern tip of Barbados. A must-do for the adventurer, because you can swim underwater to a hidden cave overlooking the sea.
8. Aruba
At number 8 we find a fairly well-known attraction among the Dutch, although I must say that it is mainly Americans who find this paradise island. I personally think that Aruba is a bit of Curaçao and Bonaire in one. You can have a great meal there, visit trendy bars, but also enjoy nature. Arikok National Park is a must-do. Rent a car and drive through an endless desert landscape full of cacti, wild donkeys and goats.
As for the beaches; You simply can’t go around Eagle Beach. The unique Divi Divi trees on the beach are an iconic sight of the island. In the far north, the extensive Arashi Beach is a winner and in the far south I also recommend Baby Beach.
In my Aruba by Drone video you can see why this is one of the most beautiful islands!
7. St Martin
St. Martin cannot be skipped in the Top 10 Caribbean Islands. Anyone who lumps the ABC Islands and St Martin together will be surprised upon arrival on St Martin! Belonging to the Windward Islands, the location of the island is significantly different from the extensive ‘flat’ islands of the Leeward Islands.
St Martin is a huge rock, with countless small mountain roads. A new amazing view awaits around every corner, so driving around St Martin will never be boring!
Because St Martin is small, you can see the entire Dutch and French parts in a few days. In the south are the most beautiful beaches, including the world-famous Maho Beach with the low-flying Boeings. On the French side you will find small fishing villages and the high Pic Paradis, the top of the island with a view of surrounding islands. Watch here our video about St Martin!
6. Antigua
In Antigua they take the slogan ‘Life is a beach’ too literally. With 365 beaches you can visit exactly one beach per day for an entire year! Due to the extremely winding coastline, there are indeed a bizarre number of different bays, each with its own character.
Extensive dining by the sea, drinking cocktails while the sun sets and dreaming away in a hammock with reggae music in the background: that is Antigua.
As a former British Colony, the island has a lot of history. A visit to the sugar cane plantations and old stone mills is particularly recommended. The mill of Betty’s Hope is very beautiful. The best sea views will be found at Fort James in the capital St. Johns, Darkwood Beach in the west or Half Moon Bay in the east. The ideal combination of culture and nature is Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining natural harbor from British colonial times.
5. Guadeloupe
France is still somewhat underrepresented in this list. Particularly because as Dutch people we may be more likely to choose Bonaire or Curaçao. However, you can also fly to the French Antilles quite easily and cheaply. You could then choose Martinique, but I prefer Guadeloupe, because the island has a little bit of everything! This island certainly belongs in the Top 10 Caribbean Islands.
For the most beautiful beaches, the area around Sainte-Anne is good, while the eastern point (Pointe de Châteaux) consists of rugged volcanic rock. The west of the island again has a dense jungle with fantastic high waterfalls. In short, do you want a little bit of everything? Then you have to go to Guadeloupe!
4. Dominican Republic
We move higher on the list and as an island you simply need to have more to offer than just those beautiful Caribbean beaches. The Dominican Republic is always underestimated in that regard, in my opinion. While most tourists visit an all-inclusive resort with a few side trips, it’s absolutely worth it to rent a car and drive across the country.
Compared to the smaller islands, the Dominican Republic seems like an entire continent: with tropical beaches and swaying palm trees in the east, colonial history in the north, remote fishing villages in the west and a dry desert with salt lakes in the south.
An undeniable highlight of the Dominican Republic is the Samaná Peninsula, where you can visit bounty islands and go on whaling expeditions. Puerto Plata is the oldest city in all of America, discovered by Christopher Columbus. In the southeast lies the most beautiful bay in the country: Bahia de las Aguilas.
Watch the video about Punta Cana and Samaná and the video about Puerto Plata and Monte Cristi!
3. Cuba
Of course, to be in the Top 10 Caribbean Islands, you also have to be a bit unique. That’s Cuba. Unique because of its history, but also unique because of the current street scene, which almost resembles a journey back in time. Cuba has been at a standstill since the revolution because the US demands its allies not to trade with Cuba. It has only been possible to visit Cuba as a traveler for a number of years now. Tourism has clearly increased enormously, but Cuba still retains a nostalgic charm.
The highlight is by far old Havana with its cigars, rum, small cafes and restaurants. Music is being made on the street, people are dancing everywhere and street theater is being performed. Cuba is the product of unstable politics, enormous passion for life and the desire for ultimate freedom.
You will certainly find everything you are looking for as a tourist in Cuba. Rent a car to drive to Viñales, dive into the jungle at Topes de Collantes, visit the swamp area and old Indian villages in Ciénaga de Zapata, the cultural old town of Trinidad and the beaches of Cayo Largo. Watch the video with all the highlights of Cuba!
2. Anguilla
As a traveler you have seen many beaches at some point. To be honest, you’re probably going to lump it all together. Every island has a white beach with clear blue water. Anguilla is the place that will make you forget all those other beaches. You could even say that a visit to Anguilla will ruin your view of beautiful beaches forever!
It really doesn’t get more beautiful than this. This is heaven, this is paradise when it comes to beaches. The Maldives, Hawaii, the Seychelles, Whitsundays in Australia… we visited them all, but Anguilla exceeds every expectation.
From Sint Maarten you can take a day trip or a ferry crossing to Anguilla, the elongated sand island that bears the name of an eel. You know, that slippery fish. The crossing only takes an hour and a trip to the smaller islands that belong to Anguilla are also worthwhile. Prickley Pear has to be one of the most heavenly places I have ever seen. For proof, I invite you to watch the video of Anguilla . And now we move on to number 1 on the list!
1. Dominica
Dominica tops the Top 10 Caribbean Islands, mainly because the island is so incredibly unique among all the others. I always call it ‘Costa Rica on an island’. This small rocky island does not really have the white bounty beaches, but high mountains and an amazing impassable jungle. Practically undiscovered by tourists and hotels miraculously erected on stilts in the jungle, that is Dominica.
An activity you certainly don’t want to miss is the Titou Gorge, a jungle river in a narrow canyon that was used in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. You can also snorkel and dive at Champagne Beach, where the water is full of bubbles.
The Emerald Pool is a blue lake with a waterfall deep in the jungle and finally, a boat trip on the Indian River is highly recommended! I recommend my Dutch friends for a unique overnight stay at Hotel The Champs in Portsmouth.
This was it! The ultimate Top 10 Caribbean Islands. Would you like to look up some additional information about all the islands or watch the videos? Click here to discover the rest of the Caribbean!
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