The best Caribbean islands to visit
The top 3 according to 1,989 votes from people: Turks and Caicos · Saint Lucia · Anguilla. (Updated Dec 18, 2025.)
A consensus of U.S. News, Condé Nast Traveler readers' choice, Lonely Planet and AFAR: beaches, diving, food and atmosphere.
Top 15
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1
Turks and Caicos
Home of Grace Bay on Providenciales, regularly voted one of the world's best beaches.
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2
Saint Lucia
Volcanic island with the twin Pitons, a World Heritage Site, and drive-in sulphur springs.
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3
Anguilla
Low-lying island with 33 white-sand beaches such as Shoal Bay and Meads Bay.
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4
British Virgin Islands
Sailing paradise of some 60 islands; Virgin Gorda's The Baths are giant granite boulders on the beach.
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5
Aruba
Outside the hurricane belt, with Eagle Beach and its divi-divi trees.
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6
Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach and Stingray City, where you can stand among southern stingrays.
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7
Barbados
Calm west-coast beaches, rum distilleries and Rihanna's home island.
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8
St. Barts
Chic French island with Shell Beach and Saint-Jean, beloved by yachts and celebrities.
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9
The Bahamas (Exuma)
Exuma's cays include Pig Beach, where swimming pigs greet boats.
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10
Puerto Rico
Old San Juan's colonial forts, El Yunque rainforest and bioluminescent bays; no passport needed for US citizens.
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11
Dominica
The 'Nature Island', with the Boiling Lake and Champagne Reef's volcanic bubbles.
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12
Grenada
The 'Spice Isle', known for nutmeg, Grand Anse Beach and an underwater sculpture park.
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13
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Chain of 32 islands including Bequia, Mustique and the Tobago Cays marine park.
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14
Jamaica
Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Dunn's River Falls and the Blue Mountains coffee region.
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15
Curaçao
Colourful Dutch Willemstad (World Heritage) and over 35 beaches and coves.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 15… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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16
Antigua
Said to have 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, plus Nelson's Dockyard.
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17
Bonaire
Shore-diving capital: the whole coastline is a protected marine park.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (28)
Booked Anguilla for February after reading this list. Can't wait!
Dominica is not a beach island, it's waterfalls and hikes. Loved it.
Went to Curaçao last month after reading this, the beaches on the west side are stunning.
Coming back to this list before our trip in December. Settled on Saint Lucia, wish us luck! 🌴
Saint Lucia for the Pitons! Snorkeling at Sugar Beach right below them was magical.
Saint Lucia's Pitons from the water are breathtaking.
Puerto Rico is so easy for Americans, no passport and El Yunque is incredible.
St. Barts is beautiful but insanely expensive, not for normal people
Swimming pigs in Exuma, the kids still talk about it 🐷
Dominica is the nature island, no big beaches but waterfalls and hiking everywhere. Boiling Lake hike is epic.
St. Barts is beautiful but the prices are insane.
BVI by sailboat is the only way to do it.
The Exumas with the swimming pigs, a must.
The pigs are a bit of a tourist trap, but Exuma's water is the bluest I've ever seen.
Grand Cayman, Seven Mile Beach and Stingray City, perfect family trip.
Barbados > Jamaica, fight me
No way, Jamaica's food and music are unmatched. Negril sunsets at Rick's Cafe!
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago Cays are paradise.
Barbados for the food, fish cutters at Cuz's on the beach.
When is the best time to go? Worried about hurricane season.
December to April is dry season. June to November is hurricane season, but if you get insurance you can find good deals.
Grenada and the spice plantations, the whole island smells of nutmeg. Loved it.
Bonaire is a diver's paradise, you can shore dive pretty much everywhere
Turks and Caicos at #1, Grace Bay is the best beach I've ever seen. Period.
Aruba is great if you want guaranteed sun, it's outside the hurricane belt.
Also very windy, which is nice with the heat.
Anguilla is so underrated, Shoal Bay and the food scene for such a tiny island
Curaçao for diving and Willemstad's colorful houses. Totally different vibe from the other islands.