8 best beaches in the Caribbean: your essential guide

The best beaches in the Caribbean include some of the most relaxing in the world, like Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach. The best Caribbean islands are, of course, known for their remarkable beaches, like Barbados' Crane Beach and its epic, Atlantic-facing views or Grenada's lively and inviting Grand Anse.

But there are less-heralded gems to explore, too, such as Playa Caracas in Puerto Rico or even the beautiful but almost un-Caribbean in character Maracas Beach in Trinidad. Find your favorite with this guide to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean for families, couples, and everyone else.

1. Crane Beach, Barbados

Best for breathtaking Barbados beach views

Crane Beach is a relatively short stretch of white coral sand on Barbados' rugged Atlantic coast. Routinely named among the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, this is also a top spot for boogie-boarding thanks to a regular supply of waves rolling across the bay's shallow waters.

A glass-fronted elevator whisks guests up to the neighboring clifftop hotel overlooking this exquisite scene, or you'll find public access across the rocks at the opposite end of the beach. You're pointing east when looking out to sea here, so a daybreak visit is rewarded with a special sunrise view.

Insider tip

Don't underestimate the currents. Stay out of the water if you see red flags on the beach.

Address

Crane Beach

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

2. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Best for active family fun

As you may have guessed, Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is long, though it's closer to six miles (10 kilometers) than seven. This is among the best beaches in the Caribbean for families, featuring activities for just about everyone. The crystal-blue water is a swimmer's paradise; you can snorkel or scuba dive around nearby reefs and wrecks or try parasailing, jet-skiing, and kayaking. Plus, there are literal miles of white sand to stroll.

You'll also find beachfront restaurants, play areas, even a golf course and art gallery — all within easy reach.

Insider tip

There's more commercial activity at the south end of the beach, so push north if you want more space to yourself.

Address

Seven Mile Beach

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

3. Maracas Beach, Trinidad and Tobago

Best for delicious island bites

Tell anyone in Trinidad you're visiting for the first time, and they'll almost certainly ask if you've seen Maracas Beach yet. This sandy bay on the north coast is comfortably Trinidad's (but not Tobago's) most popular beach. Wade into the shallow waters and turn to face the shore for a rare sight in the Caribbean: you're surrounded by green-forested hills. The scene resembles a South American riverbank rather than a Caribbean coral-sand coastline.

Insider tip

As you'll realize when you see the lines, the beachfront kiosks serve some of the most popular food on the island. The fried fish sandwiches here (known as "Bake and Shark") are arguably more beloved than the beach itself.

Address

Maracas Beach

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

4. Playa Caracas, Puerto Rico

Best for postcard-ready snaps

Head to Vieques, an island off Puerto Rico's east coast, for the most picture-perfect, white-sand, blue-water bay you might ever see. Playa Caracas is in Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, and that protection pays off in the form of an unspoiled natural wonder. If you want a restroom, you'll have to return to the entrance to the refuge or find your way to nearby Playa La Chiva. All there is at Playa Caracas is a few gazebos and one of the best beaches in the Caribbean for swimming and snorkeling.

Insider tip

Stay on Vieques until nightfall to see one of the world's most fascinating bioluminescence displays at Bahía Bioluminiscente, just a 30-minute drive from Playa Caracas.

Address

Puerto Ferro, Vieques 00765

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

5. Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Best for swimming until the sun goes down

Grand Anse Beach is so close to the airport in Grenada that it's as though the island's administrators knew you'd want to immerse yourself in those calm, clear waters as quickly as possible. The beach is almost two miles long, a white-sand behemoth in a country that is at best 21 miles (34 kilometers) from its northern to southern tip. At Grand Anse, you'll find the best of everything in Grenada: sun, sea, sand, shady almond trees, and bars with plenty of the Spice Island's signature nutmeg for your rum punch.

Insider tip

Linger on this west-facing beach until dusk to see a stunning Caribbean sunset.

Address

Grand Anse Main Rd, The Lime

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

6. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos Islands

Best for the perfect beach day

Grace Bay Beach on the Turks and Caicos island of Providenciales is a showstopper, so often declared among the best beaches in the Caribbean that it may soon get to keep the trophy. Gleaming white sand, shimmering blue sea, shielded by a barrier reef, nothing but soft sand beneath your feet as you walk into the shallow water — every aspect of this beach exudes perfection. It's also an outstanding resort with abundant water sports, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Insider tip

Grace Bay Beach is about three miles (5 kilometers) long, but you can walk twice that distance along Providenciales' north coast thanks to connecting beaches on either side.

Address

Grace Bay TKCA 1ZZ

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

7. Bávaro Beach, Dominican Republic

Best for everything a kid could want

It is not just one of the best sandy beaches in the Caribbean but also one of the biggest. The 30-mile (48-kilometer) Bávaro Beach in Punta Cana is the centerpiece of the Dominican Republic's magnificent network of resorts. From swimming and snorkeling to boat rides and parasailing, if it can happen on a beach, it is happening somewhere in Bávaro.

Insider tip

Bávaro is home to no fewer than three theme parks. Between them, they feature ziplining, bungee jumping, wakeboarding, and water skiing. There's also a nearby chocolate museum, furthering Bávaro's reputation as one of the most family-friendly beaches in the Caribbean.

Address

Bávaro Beach 23000

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

8. Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas

Best for picturesque pastel memories

Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island in the Bahamas gets its namesake feature from crushed coral. Visit the beach at sunrise or sunset to see the rose-petal sands at their most remarkable. But the sun's effect on the beach changes throughout the day, encouraging repeat visits (or just don't leave).

If you can take your eyes off its most famous beach, Harbour Island features excellent snorkeling and diving. Or take a relaxing catamaran cruise (especially around sunset).

Insider tip

You'll find more pink on display around the picturesque cottages of Dunmore Town, the only settlement on Harbour Island. The elegant, understated, and historic town is nicknamed "the Nantucket of the Caribbean."

Address

Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island

Opening hours

Open 24 hours.

FAQs: Best beaches in the Caribbean

Generated with the help of AI

Which Caribbean beach offers the clearest water?

Devil's Bay in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, is renowned for its exceptionally clear waters. Other notable mentions include Buck Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Grand Case Beach in St. Maarten, and Honeymoon Beach in St. John. Ffryes Beach in Antigua, Blue Bay Beach in Curaçao, and Grand Anse Beach in Grenada also boast stunningly clear waters, making them perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Which Caribbean island offers the best beaches for swimming?

The Caribbean offers numerous islands with fantastic beaches ideal for swimming. Some top picks include Tahiti Beach on Elbow Cay, Rendezvous Beach in Montserrat, and Coconut Beach in Dominica. You might also enjoy Baradal Beach in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sandy Island Beach in Carriacou, Sandy Point in St. Croix, Tropic of Cancer Beach in Exuma, and Tintamarre Beach in St. Martin/St Maarten. Each of these beaches provides clear waters and inviting sands for a perfect swimming experience.

Where can you find the calmest ocean water in the Caribbean?

Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is renowned for its clear, calm waters and stretches of white sand. This beach offers a serene setting, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea.

Which beach is considered the most beautiful in the Caribbean?

The Caribbean boasts numerous stunning beaches, each with its unique charm. Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos is renowned for its pristine sand and clear waters. Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is famous for its long stretch of white sand. Playa Rincon in the Dominican Republic offers a more secluded experience. For something unique, visit Pig Beach in the Bahamas, where you can swim with pigs. Eagle Beach in Aruba is known for its soft sands and crystal-clear waters. Each of these beaches offers its own slice of paradise.

Are there any beaches in the Caribbean known for their unique natural features?

Yes, one such beach is Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Its sand has a distinctive pink hue, which comes from tiny red-shelled organisms mixed with the white sand. This unique feature, along with its clear turquoise waters and gentle waves, makes it a popular destination for visitors seeking a picturesque and tranquil beach experience.