Caribbean Escapes without the Crowds

Off-the-beaten-path beach getaways where you can still have an authentic Caribbean experience

 

There are dozens of glorious sands, but those with fewer people are getting harder to find. These five options require an extra flight or boat trip to reap the rewards of some privacy and solitude with no long lines or crowds.

Anegada, British Virgin Islands

The anticipation of sighting the flat coral island from a sailboat is the highlight of any journey. The isle appears like a mirage in the distance, shimmering in the middle of the sea. Anegada has always been the remote outpost of the British Virgin Islands, lying 12 nautical miles north of the hub. Today, a well- marked channel invites more sailors to navigate past the countless wrecks and around the reef. But still, the island remains quiet and not overrun with visitors. There are a handful of flights and ferry service from Tortola, with day-trippers longing for grilled lobster. Days are spent walking the long stretches of glistening sand, snorkeling the patches of reefs, kiteboarding, or just communing with nature and drinking in the relaxed, solitary island atmosphere. Once evening comes, there’s not much happening except a few iguana crossings to watch out for.

Beach: Miles of white sand stretch along the northern coast where Loblolly Bay attracts snorkelers to the multi-colored reefs, and those craving grilled lobster line up at The Big Bamboo, now a rite of passage. The sands are equally white and fine over at Cow Wreck Beach, where the bar of the same name sits with picture-perfect sea views, picnic tables rest in the sand, and hammocks are strung between palms.

Stay: You’ll only find small guest houses and inns on the island, so you can expect plenty of quiet time wherever you stay. Anegada Beach Club takes it to the next level with a location on the northern shores of Keel Point. The sea views are non-stop, snorkeling is a worthwhile pastime, and dining with toes in the sand on lobster, conch, or fish is de rigueur. Here, you’ll stay in a palapa-style retreat, delivering beachfront glamping at its best.

Bequia, The Grenadines

With 32 islands in the archipelago of the Grenadines, Bequia is a delightful stop on a bareboat sail throughout the chain. It’s seven square miles of the verdant hillside, ringed in turquoise water, is the most visited and charming. That said, it’s still off the radar for most. Port Elizabeth in Admiralty Bay is all about yachts. Water taxis buzz visiting cruisers to shops, chandleries, and markets. Storefronts and cafes are adorned with island do-dads drenched with a hefty nautical theme. Over a century ago, whaling was introduced, attracting boatbuilders and sailors. The tradition of boat building permeates today, and local artisans build small replicas for display and full-size vessels for sailing island regattas.

Beach: Sailors find safe and quiet anchorage in the waters that front Princess Margaret Beach. The beach is one perfect stretch of golden sand fronted by the razzle-dazzle water of the Grenadines. Those staying on the island eventually find their way over to walk the beach, snorkel, snooze under the shade of sea grapes, and grab a bite at Jack’s Beach Bar.

Stay: A touch of elegance abounds at the Bequia Beach Hotel. This boutique beachfront inn has all the amenities of a larger resort but the charm of a small inn that is heaped with stories, legends, and history. Wander the 10 acres of tropical gardens overlooking Friendship Bay Beach, a perfect curve of soft sand where Mustique and the Grenadine archipelago fill in the horizon. Palms and sea grapes back the beach to ward off the sun during an afternoon nap.

Culebra, Puerto Rico

It’s no secret that Puerto Rico’s serpent-shaped island is famous for its stretches of sand. The island is a small village that maintains a slow pace, unchanged even though development is on the horizon. Sanjuaneros have come to open shops and restaurants and exchange the fast-paced city life for more laid-back culture. Culebra is friendly and approachable, as you’ll soon find out after a couple of icy Medallas at Mamacita’s, the hangout that serves a hefty plate of local chatter. You’ll be part of the community after a few days.

Beach: Bone white sand fringe the iridescent blue waters around the island’s dozen or more beaches. Playa Flamenco ranks as one of the top beaches in the world. It is surrounded by empty green hills where frigate birds soar overhead, and offshore corals provide a mosaic of blues and greens. You’ll find fewer people at Zoni Beach, another idyllic spot for snorkeling and swimming.

Stay: Serenity and panoramic views of Luis Pena channel are front and center at Aleli Cottages. One- of-a-kind bungalows trimmed in stone, glass, and tile offer hammocks on decks, outdoor showers, and plenty of privacy. Sunrise and sunset are celebrated daily from the mountain view balconies. Step into nature and listen to the sounds of waves and birds while strolling the 33 acres.

La Sagesse, Grenada

Grenada is lush with rainforests and waterfalls and ringed with creamy white sands. Grande Anse, the queen of the strands, is an obligatory stop for most, but this comes with crowds. La Sagesse is just thirty minutes away, where the scene shifts to quiet solitude. Home to the La Sagesse Nature Centre, where several ecosystems provide sanctuary for birds and wildlife, days are filled with nature hikes and beach walks where there are only a handful of people.

Beach: A crescent of smokey grey sand lines the sheltered bay where shallow and calm aquamarine waters welcome swimmers. The spot exudes solitude and calm, backed by palms, sea grapes, and tropical vegetation.

Stay: La Sagesse Boutique is a timeless small hotel set in perfect harmony with nature, where rooms are only steps from the sea. An on-site al fresco restaurant serves local cuisine and plenty of fresh seafood. Birders will find the quiet preserve around the property offers sightings of herons, egrets, and mockingbirds.

Playa Coson, Dominican Republic

The seaside town of Las Terrenas is the entry point to the Samaná Peninsula. This once quiet fishing village turned bohemia enclave attracts its share of expats from Europe and North America. Guesthouses, restaurants, and patisseries line the streets where a hustle of multicultural shopkeepers, restaurateurs, and chefs cater to the new arrivals. A 15-minute ride down the beach and the sea’s mesmerizing sounds replace the town’s honking horns. Playa Coson is tucked away from the outside world, and the atmosphere is totally relaxed. In this small village, beach lovers come for moments of isolation, an unspoiled coastline, and private picnics between the pristine beach and the coconut groves.

Beach: It’s not just the surfer that appreciates this beach at Playa Coson, where towering palms line the narrow strip of sand. The tan ribbon stretches for 12 miles of naturally wild coastline, folding into Playa Bonita, where wind and wave junkies gravitate. Sunsets and afternoon skies are particularly striking. Find your spot on the beach to watch the afternoon sky streaked in pink and purple as clouds stack up like pillows of cotton.

Stay: An Italian couple runs the pristine and quaint Casa Coson, offering a handful of rooms, two casitas, and one villa. Set among palms and the beach, visitors come to have lunch at the cozy on- site restaurant serving local seafood delicacies and Italian fare. Soak up the sea air in the alfresco patio with a cocktail overlooking the pool.