Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI
While Trunk Bay may get all the glory on St. John, Cinnamon Bay offers a much quieter and pristine slice of beach on this enchanting island in the United States Virgin Islands. The setting at Cinnamon begs for a day or longer, as this stretch of white sand which is the longest beach on the island has plenty of space to linger. Watersports concessions are on hand offering paddleboarding, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Snorkelers find a small cay with surrounding reefs just 100 yards offshore. Here coral and sea grasses provide an ideal habitat for turtles and stingrays. Back on land, the Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds have the ultimate beachside setup for a few nights in eco tents or oceanside cottages.
Southeast Peninsula, St. Kitts
Take in the view of the two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis from the vantage point of Timothy Hill where you’ll see the Atlantic to the left and the Caribbean to the right. Sweeping views of the green verdant hills of St. Kitts against the vibrant blue sea create a breathtaking image. It’s a cherished spot for romantic moments and a favorite with photographers. The vista below showcases the local favorite beach at South Friar’s Bay. This stretch of golden sand faces calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. When it’s time for refreshments, there are a handful of beach bars serving local barbeque and cold beverages.
English Harbour, Antigua
Steeped in history and dating back to the 17th century English Harbour was once the dockyard for the British Navy. Today the picturesque harbor includes two adjacent harbors, Nelson’s Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour. Falmouth Harbour Marina caters to mega yachts and is the center for sailing. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, for its Georgian-style structures and the natural deep bays contributing to the Antigua Naval Dockyard. The curved coastline of Antigua is revealed from the hilltop at Shirley Heights, a hot spot for Sunday’s sunset barbeque. Tropical scenery combined with West Indian culture and British heritage gives this island its unique flavor. A haven for sailors, the harbor fills with sailboats during the annual regatta that takes place in May.
Virgin Gordon, British Virgin Islands
The third-largest island in the BVI, Virgin Gorda offers quiet coves and safe anchorage for sailors who frequent these waters. North Sound is a hub for watersports including snorkeling and fishing. Hilly terrain unveils several hiking trails that can be challenging climbs and require ropes to ascend to the highest point of 1,370 feet. For those wanting to take it slower, there are easy-going coastal walks. The island gives easy access to nearby islands like uninhabited Prickly Pear Island with several hikes and beaches. North Sound is home to the recently reopened Bitter End Yacht Club and Biras Creek Resort. Well-known for the natural pools and grottoes set in a maze among giant granite boulders, The Baths is a popular on-island attraction for visitors. Panoramic views from Virgin Gorda’s hilltops reveal Prickly Pear Island and Necker Island.
Terre-de-Haut, Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe
No longer a secret among French tourists, Guadeloupe, and its archipelago has become a favored spot for many world travelers. Crowds are still sparse in the nine islands that make up Les Saintes, as visitors come by ferry or private boat. Just two are inhabited, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas, the remaining seven are rocky outposts reachable only by boat. Views of the village and harbor of Bourg, the only town on the two-by-three-mile island of Terre-de-Haut are best seen from the top of Pain-de-Sucre. The hills are composed of volcanic cones cloaked in scrub and dry forests home to wandering goats and cows and the occasional human making the trek to the top. This is the largest of the islands of Les Saintes but still a small fishing village where cuisine served in the dozen seaside restaurants consists of local specialties that mostly come from the sea.
Playa Tortuga, Culebrita, Puerto Rico
Off the beaten path islands of Culebra and Vieques are the pride of Puerto Rico, but Culebrita remains a hidden gem. Culebra is known for its soft sand beaches, great snorkeling and hikes over sandy hills and rugged terrain to beaches like Zoni and Playa Carlos Rosario. Beyond Culebra, the tiny cay of Culebrita boasts even more beautiful and pristine white sands and complete quiet. The isle is known for its population of green turtles that frequent the beaches and offshore reefs, large rock formations along the shore that create tidal pools and walking trails to an abandoned ruins of an old lighthouse. The island is uninhabited and reachable by boat and is part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge where the feeding and nesting grounds for green turtles are protected.
The Pitons, St. Lucia
From every hairpin turn near the town of Soufriere, you’ll find mesmerizing vistas of the iconic twin peaks. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site both peaks are challenging hikes but offer stunning views. Gros Piton can be a four to six-hour vertical climb, hiring a local outfitter is recommended. The smaller, Petit Piton is considered more difficult and will take a minimum of six hours where climbs with ropes and maneuvering around in small spaces is part of the adventure for those extremely fit. A guide is most definitely in order here. Undeniably the most photographed landmark in the Caribbean, these distinctive volcanic pinnacles, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, can be viewed from a sandy beach at sea level or from the top during a day hike.
