The Caribbean established a reputation as a first-rate vacation destination long ago. The region is without a doubt, the ideal place for island getaways, what with warm, predictable weather, lush beaches and of course, the sea.
But some Caribbean vacations may not live up to the hype. In parts, the region has become inundated with tourists. Sketchy resorts that cater to frugal sun-worshippers crowd beaches on the most popular destinations. Sure, there’s no shame in a last-minute all-inclusive jaunt to Cuba or the Dominican Republic, but for a quiet island escape, a cruise or all-you-can-eat buffet probably won’t cut it.
Here then are 5 hidden gem Caribbean islands that break the mold and offer the kind of blissful tranquility we fantasize about in our vacation dreams.
5. Dominica
Unspoiled beauty is the foundation of Dominca’s allure. The island, while wild in parts and subject to much less tourist development than nearby neighbours, offers many rewards to weary travelers in search of paradise. Rainforest covers most of the island and waterfalls, springs and rivers - 365 to be exact - abound.
Dominica also boasts a lake that boils and bubbles, the result of volcanic activity in the area. Morne Trois Pitons National park is a World Heritage Site that fuses the tropical landscape with gorgeous volcano scenery. No surprise that the Pirates of the Caribbean films were shot here.
4. Saba
Untouched by the grimy hand of mass tourism, Saba is a veritable diamond in the rough. The tiny island receives under 25,000 visitors a year, paltry in contrast to busy St. Maarten and St. Barts, both a stone’s throw away. What Saba lacks in posh resorts and designer retail outlets however, it more than makes up for in eco-tourism.
The island represents the sheer beauty of the Caribbean, devoid of crass commercialism and harmful human intervention. As a result, passionate scuba divers come to Saba for what many consider to be the best underwater exploration spots in the world. Given the size of the island, the diversity of acquatic life boggles the mind. Those who come to Saba to climb and hike Mount Scenery are equally in for a treat - the island ecology is as unique as any in the Antilles.
3. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
With a name like a 1950’s do-wop group, St. Vincent and the Grenadines sway to a sweet rhythm. Known collectively as SVG, the islands are in the vicinity of Grenada and St. Lucia. With main island St. Vincent as a quasi-Key Largo to the lower Keys of the Grenadines, there is a littany of idyllic spots to explore for sublime vacation relaxation. Union Island and the Tobago Keys in particular, offer pristine beauty and little else but sand and sun.
The tiny resort island of Young Island is close to St. Vincent capital Kingstown and has superb restaurants and prime beaches. The island of Bequia is also a great escape from the rat race. The beaches are legendary and windsurfers in the know come here to ply their sport. But the hidden gem within the hidden gem that is SVG may just be Mustique. Rent a quiet villa on this island - for a tidy price of course - and you may never return home. The scenery is spectacular.
2. Los Roques
Under the jurisdiction of Venezuela, the Los Roques archipelago is a national park of exceptional beauty. The park protects a marine ecosystem that is without peer in terms of size and diversity within the greater Caribbean. Just a short hop from the capital city of Caracas, Los Roques has become a tourist destination that caters to nature lovers. Coral reefs house a remarkable array of underwater fauna and flora, the likes of which are rarely seen by human eyes.
Beaches of shiny white sand surround the islands and crystal clear water supports a host of marine pursuits. Over the past decade tourism has become indispensable to the local economy and as a result, the archipelago marine park is open to people who want to vacation on these gorgeous islands. Gran Roque in particular has a number of hospitable inns and posadas - or former homes of fishermen that have undergone renovation for the purposes of tourism. The result is an experience unlike any other in the Caribbean.
1. Anguilla
To many, Anguilla is the gem of the Caribbean. The island is a veritable jewel, with beaches that rank among the very best in the world. The best part about a vacation here? Peace and quiet. While the word is out on Anguilla, it still rates as among the most tranquil destinations in the area. More expensive than other islands mind you, but well worth it if you crave the ultimate getaway. Anguilla is all about quality over quantity. The few resorts that do dot the island are classy without being pretentious, posh without being grandiose.
And then there’s the food. For some reason and certainly to the benefit of vacationers here, the cuisine at Anguilla restaurants is perhaps the very best in the Caribbean. While there are luxurious establishments that can stretch the budget thin, there is also incredible down-home island food. A foolproof plan is to rent a cozy villa, a peppy little Jeep and peel around the island, exploring every achingly stunning beach along the way.
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