The beaches of the Caribbean are known as some of the most beautiful in the world. Clear glistening water, idyllic seashores, abundant natural beauty. Have your choice of soft fine white sand, glorious pink sand, or stunning black sand. See below for a selection of some of the Caribbean's top beaches.
Anguilla - Shoal Bay This luscious stretch of silvery sand helped put Anguilla on the world tourism map. Snorkelers are drawn to the schools of iridescent fish that dart among the coral gardens offshore. You can take the trail walk from Old Ta to little-known Katouche Beach, which offers perfect snorkeling and is also a prime site for a beach picnic under shade trees.
Aruba - Palm Beach
This superb strip of white sand put Aruba on the tourist map. Several publications, including Condé Nast, have hailed it as one of the 12 best beaches in the world. It's likely to be crowded in winter, but for swimming, sailing, or fishing, it's idyllic.
Barbados - The Gold Coast Some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean lie along the so-called Gold Coast of Barbados, site of some of the swankiest deluxe hotels in the Northern Hemisphere. Our favorites include Paynes Bay, Brandon's Beach, Paradise Beach, and Brighton Beach, all open to the public.
BVI Tortola - Cane Garden Bay: One of the Caribbean's most spectacular stretches, Cane Garden Bay has 2km (1 1/4 miles) of white sand and is a jogger's favorite. It's a much better choice than more obvious (and more crowded) Magens Bay beach on neighboring St. Thomas.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Seven Mile Beach: It's really about 9km (5 1/2 miles) long, but who's counting? Lined with condos and plush resorts, this beach is known for its array of watersports and its translucent aquamarine waters. Australian pines dot the background, and the average winter temperature of the water is a perfect 80°F (27°C).
Grenada - Grand Anse Beach: This 3km (2-mile) beach is reason enough to go to Grenada. Although the island has some 45 beaches, most with white sand, this is the fabled one, and rightly so. There's enough space and so few visitors that you'll probably find a spot just for yourself. The sugary sands of Grand Anse extend into deep waters far offshore. Most of the island's best hotels are within walking distance of this beach strip
Jamaica - Seven Mile Beach: Located in Negril, in the northwestern section of the island, this beach stretches for 11km (6 3/4 miles) along the sea, and in the backdrop lie some of the most hedonistic resorts in the Caribbean. Not for the conservative, the beach also contains some nudist patches along with bare-all Booby Cay offshore.
Martinique - Diamond Beach: This bright, white-sandy beach stretches for about 10km (6 1/4 miles), much of it undeveloped. It faces a rocky offshore island, Diamond Rock, which has uninhabited shores.
Turks and Caicos Islands -Providenciales - Grace Bay Beach: These 19km (12 miles) of pale sands are the 'pride of Provo' and have been named as one of the world's best beaches. There are a number of resorts offering snorkelling on the reef as well as other watersports.
Martinique - Diamond Beach: This bright, white-sandy beach stretches for about 10km (6 1/4 miles), much of it undeveloped. It faces a rocky offshore island, Diamond Rock, which has uninhabited shores.
