One of my favorite destinations in the world is the Caribbean with its warm waters, sandy shores, and great cocktails. With so much destruction during Hurricane's Irma and Maria over a year ago, I am thrilled to report most of the best beaches and waterfront hotels are back in action with quite a few of them better than before. The perfect retreat for millions of tourists worldwide, the Caribbean not only offers up an amazing escape from cold winter climates but also creates memories to last for a lifetime.
Some of my finest memories include floating in the bathtub-warm waters of Aruba, sailing in the British Virgin Islands, deep sea fishing in Nicaragua and countless others. I have included several destinations like Bermuda, Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas that are not in the Caribbean but are an important part of the area, and also feature stunning beaches. I have become a bit of a beach aficionado having personally visited most of these beaches and am excited to present my favorites for 2019.
Anguilla
Shoal Bay, Anguilla
This two-mile sandy beach with soft, powdery white sand also offers up several great bars, restaurants and some amazing resorts. Busier than other beaches in the area but on Anguilla nothing feels crowded. Runners-up include; Maundays Bay, Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay, Merrywing Bay, and Savannah Bay.
Antigua
Darkwood Beach, Antigua
What's great about Darkwood Beach is that there's not a single building on it. It feels like an escape from reality. It's undeveloped but still easily accessible. Runners-up include; Valley Church Beach, Dickenson Bay, Runaway Bay, Ffrye’s Bay, Crab Hill Bay, and Half Moon Bay.
Aruba
Eagle Beach, Aruba
I have visited this beach for over 15 years, and while it can often be crowded with a mix of East Coast beach lovers and Venezuelans, the sand and water keep me coming back for more. This is a special place that has become the ultimate getaway for so many people. Come as yourself and never be judged.
Bahamas
Kamalame Cay, Andros, Bahamas
While not in the Caribbean I had to include this stunning island, owned by a fabulous couple David Hew and his husband Michael King and features one of the most spectacular beaches in the Bahamas. Completely secluded for privacy, this is one of the best retreats in the world with a barrier reef for snorkeling. Runners-up include; Stocking Island, Exumas with the swimming pigs, Old Bight Beach, Cat Island, Old Fort Bay, Nassau, Treasure Cay Beach, Abaco, Sand Dollar Beach, Great Harbour Cay, and Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island.
Barbados
Crane Beach, Barbados
This is the most famous beach in Barbados and is surrounded by cliffs and lots of soft sand. Runners-up include Bathsheba Beach, Dover Beach, Mullins Beach, and St Peter.
Belize
Hopkins Bay Beach
Enjoy the feeling of seclusion on your own patch of perfect beach, while being close to all the happenings of the local village. Take a kayak out to see the sunset over Victoria's Peak, one of the highest mountains in Belize.
Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay Beach
Not in the Caribbean but a major destination for superyachts and wealthy Caribbean island hoppers, the calm water and hidden coves of this stunning beach can sometimes get crowded but you can venture further down the beach for a secluded experience.
British Virgin Islands
White Bay Beach, Jost Van Dyke
I have visited this beach as a cruise ship passenger on multiple occasions, and there is nothing better than drinking from the Soggy Dollar Bar and relaxing with friends on this charming island paradise. Runners-up include Sandy Spit, Loblolly Bay, Devil's Bay in Virgin Gorda, Prickly Pear, Cane Garden Bay, Smugglers Cove, and Apple Bay in Tortola
Cayman Islands
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
The beach measures only 5.5 miles, but its gorgeous clear waters and coral sands have made it one of the top picks by magazines every year.
Costa Rica
Punta Uva Beach, Puerto Viejo
Located four hours from the capital city, San Jose this is a great beach for more laid back travelers where sloths are a regular part of the scenery. The nearby town gets lively after dark.
Cuba
Guardalavaca Beach
This beach is about 2 miles of white sand with turquoise colored water. Guardalavaca is known for its sporting activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, tennis, windsurfing, volleyball, catamaran sailing, and kayaking.
Curacao
Cas Abao
With its clear turquoise water, waving palm trees and white sandy beach, Cas Abao is a true paradise. Located at the northwest coast of Curaçao, the beach is ideal for swimmers with great reefs for snorkeling. Runners-up include Playa Knip, Westpunt, Playa Porto Mari, Klein Curacao, and Groot Knip.
Dominica
Wavine Cyrique Beach
The reward at the end of this hike down a steep cliff to the beach below is a large waterfall crashing on the beach. One of the most memorable beach experiences ever. Runner-up is Batibou Beach.
Dominican Republic
Playa Rincon
This spectacular secluded beach is one of the most beautiful in the Dominican Republic and has won many travel awards. The white sand beach stretches about five miles and remains very secluded, far away from any resorts or hotels. Best way to arrive is by ATV to this paradise. Runners-up include Saona Island and Playa Bavaro.
Grenada
Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
This amazing sheltered beach offers up stunning waters and warm sand and will become one of your favorite island escapes offering hotels and activities for families. Runner-up is Anse La Roche.
Guadeloupe
Ilet du Gosier, Guadeloupe
This small islet is a short boat ride from the mainland. This is the type of location where you would imagine a castaway living on its tropical shores. Runner-up is Pain de Sucre, Terre de Haut.
Guatemala
Playa Blanca
A nice stretch of white sand beach lined with palm trees along the peaceful Caribbean Sea, make this one of the area's finest beaches.
Haiti
Abaka Bay Beach, Ile a Vache, Haiti
Spectacular sand on an island that has had so much tragedy. It is an amazing retreat of calm and peaceful repose on its stunning shore. Runner-up is Cocoyer Plage.
Honduras
Grahams Place, Guanaja Island
This 7-acre private island paradise is affectionately called Graham’s Place. It is situated a few miles off the northeast coast of Honduras in the Bay Islands.
Jamaica
Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica
This small white-sand beach is set by the jungle with a river that runs through it down to the surf. Runners-up include Seven Mile Beach, Negril, Laughing Waters, Ocho Rios, and Boston Bay, Port Antonio.
Martinique
Anse Ceron
One of the most popular beaches in all of Martinique. The slowly arching sand offers plenty of room for sunbathers to spread out while the gentle shoreline waters are perfect for swimming. Runners-up include Diamant Beach and Le Anses-d’Arlet.
Nevis
Pinneys Beach, Nevis
One of the most talked about beaches of the two islands. The smooth saffron-colored sands of the beach often grace the glossy pages of travel publications, and to most travelers, the beach lives up to its hype although rustic. Runner-up is Lovers Beach.
Nicaragua
Little Corn Island
One of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean, so much so that most Nicaraguans don’t know anything about it. Truly an oasis of tranquility, and a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the mainland.
Puerto Rico
Palomino Island, Puerto Rico
A private offshore isle that’s surrounded by powdered sands and palm trees. Runner-up is Playa Flamenco and Culebra.
Riviera Maya
Soliman Bay, Tulum
I have visited many times and always keep coming back for more. Beautiful people, the rich and famous and bohemian bliss along its sandy shore ringed by jungle. For a more remote and exclusive experience, you should also visit Sian Ka'an for this out of this world natural biosphere. Runner-up is Tulum Beach which is thankfully no longer covered in sea weed on its shoreline.
St. Barth
Gouverneur, St Barth
It's a drive to get there, but the reward is a feeling of remoteness and privacy. Celebrities and billionaires often dot this sandy beach to get away from it all. I have had many bottles of champagne reclining on its warm shore. Runner-up is Colombier, Rockefeller Beach and St. Jean.
Saint Kitts
Cockleshell Bay Beach
Cockleshell Bay is a secluded stretch of powder-white sand. Over two miles long, it offers a stunning view of neighboring Nevis island. Runner-up is Frigate Bay and Banana Bay.
St. John
Trunk Bay
One of the most popular beaches on the island, Trunk Bay is known for its amazing underwater snorkeling trail. The beach has also been awarded multiple times as the most photogenic beaches in the Caribbean. Runner-up is Maho Beach.
St. Lucia
Anse Chastenet
The beach is flanked by the stunning Jade Mountain Resort which makes public access here difficult. You can get a water taxi to drop you at this beach. If you want to experience the best of both worlds, a sense of seclusion, and the option for activity, you will love it. I even convinced Jade Mountain to start beachside massages, and they have become very popular. Runner-up is Sugar Beach.
St. Martin
Cupecoy Beach
One of the hardest hit after the hurricanes, all of the 37 beaches that ring the Dutch side of the dual-nation island are back in business.
One of Saint Martin’s quietest beaches, Cupecoy Beach is a clothing optional beach and is surrounded by sandstone cliffs. Runners-up are Long Bay Beach, Mullet Bay Beach, Simpson Bay Beach, Friars Bay Beach and Maho Beach with its famed airplane touchdowns.
Saint Vincent-and-the-Grenadines
Salt Whistle Bay Beach, Mayreau
This hourglass-shaped island beach overlooks the Tobago Keys for snorkeling and gives you a Robinson Crusoe experience at its best.
St. Croix
Sandy Point Beach
Sandy Point is located on the West End of St. Croix and is one of the most beautiful beaches to escape. Its crystal clear blue waters back up to a two-mile long stretch of white sand beach and is the longest beach in the Caribbean. Runners-up are Shoys Beach, Coakley Bay Beach, Turtle Beach on Buck Island and Carambola.
St. Thomas
Lindquist Beach
Lindquist is a stretch of bright, white sand and luminous blue water. Developers have been anxious to build on this prime site for years, but so far it has been left untouched, a secluded gem loved by locals.
Trinidad-and-Tobago
Maracas Beach, Trinidad
Grab a bake and shark (fish sandwich) from one of the many beachside restaurants, then savor it on the sands of this northern strand about an hour from Port of Spain.
Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales
While not in the Caribbean, I had to include one of my favorite islands in the world that is a popular destination for island hoppers. The area offers clear blue waters, white sand beaches and a wide variety of luxury hotel and villa rentals. Some of the best-rated hotels in the world are located on Grace Bay. Runner-up is Long Bay Beach and Pigeon Point.
Venezuela
Los Roques
1,500 miles of almost completely untouched coral reef that’s perfect for diving and sailing, and one of the most tranquil and beautiful beaches on Earth.
