Unhurried and unspoiled by mass tourism, these easy-going Caribbean islands have lashings of old-fashioned charm and are the perfect antidote to some of the region’s overdeveloped and congested isles. Here, we recommend a handful of little-known destinations that might not have the glitz and glamour of some Caribbean hot spots, but where you’ll find secluded beaches, breathtaking rainforest trails and culture aplenty.
Harbour Island in The Bahamas has been touted as the best place for a tropical escape, and sister island Eleuthera is every bit as enticing. The twin islands are only separated by a narrow stretch of water and a five-minute ferry ride, but both offer something entirely unique. While Harbour Island is a charming seaside town decorated with New England-style architecture, Eleuthera is a wild and beautiful stretch of land, home to pristine beaches and rocky alcoves.
Both islands have dreamy stretches of sand, in the form of Twin Coves Beach on Eleuthera and Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island. The latter was even named the second-best beach in the world by Alpha Travel Insurance in 2019. Looking at a range of factors, including visitor ratings, average water temperatures and average number of sunny days, the company declared Pink Sand Beach a must-visit.
Aside from stunning shorelines, the twin islands have plenty to offer. Stroll through the streets of Harbour Island's Dunmore Town, soaking up its colourful clapboard houses; take a short boat ride to St. George's Cay, off the northern tip of Eleuthera, where the charming fishing village of Spanish Wells can be explored; and don't miss Queen's Bath and Glass Window Bridge, two of Eleuthera's greatest treasures.
Three airports service Eleuthera, and Harbour Island is a mere ferry trip away, making it an easy alternative option for those seeking sun, sea and seclusion. Plus, each spring Eleuthera usually hosts the All That Jazz Festival, while January is The Bahamas International Film Festival – both of which are well worth making the trip for. If you're looking for picture-perfect views and total tranquillity, book yourself into French Leave Resort in Governor's Harbour on Eleuthera.
Just a 12-minute flight south of Sint Maarten, this forested five-square-mile (13sq km) island oozes low-key tropical charm. Rising dramatically out of the ocean, Saba is a dormant volcano that's worlds away from the flashy resorts and mass tourism of many other Caribbean isles. A holiday here is all about hiking, diving and, most importantly, chilling out.
The Dutch, Spanish, French and English all squabbled over Saba, and it was finally colonised by the Dutch in 1816. It's now part of a special municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Sint Eustatius and Bonaire. You can delve into the island’s history and hear stories about its past life as a haunt of pirates at the Dutch Museum of Saba.
You won't find sandy beaches on this island, but it does have some of the region’s best snorkelling and diving opportunities. In Saba Marine Park, you can duck beneath the water's surface to spot hawksbill turtles, barracuda, colourful sponges and coral ridges. Above ground, hikers can pass through beautiful cloud forests and enjoy panoramic views from the top of Mount Scenery, the island’s highest point.
Check into the Cottage Club Hotel, a serene spot with a stunning location on the outskirts of Windwardside. With Mount Scenery as a backdrop, the hotel's fragrant tropical gardens house a string of charming little cottages, built in traditional Saban style, and a lovely swimming pool with dreamy sea views.
Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration
Those who have discovered this little jewel don’t like to share it. Sint Eustatius in the Dutch Caribbean – known locally as Statia – is just six-miles (10km) long and 3-miles (5km) wide, with a population of just over 3,000. It’s dominated by the Quill, a dormant volcano that looms over the isle, and is a favourite with hikers. The walk up the peak, which rises to around 2,000 feet (601m), and the descent into its semi-tropical rainforest-filled crater, is nothing short of spectacular.
Landed upon by Christopher Columbus in 1493, Statia changed hands 22 times between the French, Dutch and the English, until the Dutch eventually won out in 1816. The teeny isle is still peppered with forts, including the restored Fort Oranje, which dates from the 17th century. The island's diminutive capital Oranjestad, split by a cliff into an upper and lower town, is well worth exploring too.
Many ships met their fate around these waters and wreck dives are one of Statia’s big attractions. The island's marine park has 36 dive sites, including huge anchors, walls, pristine coral reef and volcanic pinnacles. Keep a look out for blue beads as you dive: they were used as trading currency by the Dutch West India Company and can still be found in the waters around Statia whenever a storm stirs up the sand. Local legend has it that if you find one you’ll be sure to return.
Big resorts are not a thing here, and the island is all the better for it. Rent an apartment in Oranjestad, or book in to The Old Gin House (pictured), a quaint hotel just a short walk from town and near the beach. Surrounded by bougainvillea and swaying palm trees, the idyllic property boasts oceanfront suites with superb views – be sure to head to the beachside restaurant for a sundowner too.
Carriacou has a distinct culture, with its music and vibrant festivals stemming from the islanders' African and European heritage – one to look out for is the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival, usually held every April. Be sure to visit the fascinating village of Windward too, which was once home to a group of Scottish boat builders, who settled here in the 19th century. Boat building and launching ceremonies remain a tradition and the island also hosts an annual regatta.
Much like those of its big sister Grenada, Carriacou’s beaches are white-sand stunning. Paradise Beach, a gorgeous stretch of sand in the village of L’Esterre, is a particularly lovely spot. It’s not all about lazing on the sand, though. Snorkellers and divers love the shallow reefs just off shore here, and hikers can enjoy some lovely walks such as the High North Nature Trail, a coastal woodland path hemming the High North National Park. Follow it to get to the idyllic secluded beach of Anse La Roche (pictured).
Another must is zipping over to sister island Petite Martinique (pictured) by speedboat – you can walk or hike around the tiny isle in around an hour, or ascend the 750-foot (230m) Piton for incredible views. There are several hotels on Carriacou as well as some lovely Airbnb properties such as pastel-coloured Green Cottage at Bayaleau Point Cottages, overlooking Windward Bay.
Overshadowed by glitzy big sister Grand Cayman and bijou baby sister Little Cayman, this rugged isle is the most down to earth of the three. This is where the locals say you’ll find the real Caymanian culture and where they come to get away from it all.
Tourism is not a big thing here – instead the residents tend to work in quarries or fish for a living. There are, however, a couple of lovely places to stay, including Le Soleil d’Or, a 4-star hotel with a 20-acre organic farm.
This trio of islands, which lie around halfway between Cuba and Honduras, are renowned for diving, with over 300 marked sites, high visibility and an array of marine life. Cayman Brac is no exception and has some world-class diving on offer, and some great wreck dives in particular. The wreck of MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Russian-built Cuban naval frigate, which sunk off the island's northwest coast in 1996, is one of the most popular spots. There’s also easy access to shallow underwater scenery for snorkellers.
Hiking is another highlight of a holiday on this craggy isle, and visitors can enjoy cliff walks around the 140-foot (43m) bluff or "brac" (from which it takes its name) that drops dramatically into the sea. There are also caves to explore and trails that slice into the island's green centre. Cayman Brac is a favourite with birdwatchers too, and there are over 200 species to spot – don’t miss the National Trust Parrot Reserve, which is home to the endangered Brac parrot.
Known as Les Saintes, this quiet French archipelago, located around 10 miles (16km) southwest of Guadeloupe, is made up of seven islets and two inhabited islands, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas. Originally inhabited by fishermen from Brittany and Normandy, the French-speaking isles are fairly well-known in France but little-visited by other tourists. Larger cruise ships don’t come by these isles and, as a result, they ooze more seaside village charm than they do chic Caribbean resort luxury.
Slip into the slow-paced way of life by chartering a boat to sail around the isles. When the mood strikes, drop an anchor at one of the little bays for a snorkel, or to stretch out on the sands. You can even venture into the verdant inland. The two-hour hike from sparsely-populated Terre-de-Bas’ Grande Anse beach to the top of the Morne Abymes bluff is a very rewarding trail. Look out for iguanas scuttling in the bushes.
Meanwhile, Terre-de-Haut, the most populous island, is home to some great beaches, a ruined fort and a good few laid-back bars and bistros. Hire a scooter or electric car (there are very few cars on the island) to wind your way up to Fort Napoléon, which is perched on a bluff nearly 400 feet (122m) above the bay. It has staggering views across the island and Les Saintes Bay, an UNESCO-listed beauty.
There are some gorgeous places to stay here, including charming antique-filled Les Petits Saintes. Set above Les Saintes Bay, it has lush tropical gardens, a fabulous pool and a French chef dishing up sophisticated cuisine – as you’d expect in a French outpost, the food here is a highlight.
Bequia is the second-largest of the 32 islands and cays that make up the island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after the capital island of St. Vincent. But it's still bijou by anyone’s standards at just seven square miles (18sq km). This pretty-as-a-picture isle has a lot going for it: long golden stretches of sand, colourful little villages dotting the lush green hillsides and a strong sense of its own cultural identity.
Port Elizabeth is the entry point for passengers coming by ferry from St. Vincent and the other Grenadines, so it’s not quite as sleepy as some other spots on this list. But this does mean there's a fairly lively restaurant and nightlife scene here, should you want it – the local rum punch is a must-try! Elsewhere on the isle, though, the pace is much more relaxed.
There’s a cluster of small hotels, including luxury boutique Firefly Plantation Bequia, which is set on a centuries-old sugar plantation, plus a good range of self-catering options on the beach, in the hills or in villages. Rent a car to pootle about the island’s attractions (the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary is a must), stopping to explore wildly beautiful little bays, or to follow one of the many walking trails.
Unsurprisingly the diving here is excellent, so head out by boat to get acquainted with the local marine life. Alternatively, stay above the surface on a sailing trip – a picnic and swim on the nearby deserted island of Isle de Quatre makes for a wonderful excursion. If you'd rather simply embrace the island’s unhurried lifestyle, slip into a hammock and gaze out at the seriously gorgeous Grenadine views.
A lack of cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts has ensured that lush little Nevis has retained its old-fashioned Leeward Islands charm. But there's still plenty going on. Here, travellers can partake in everything from horseback riding to yoga retreats, water sports and lavish spas – there are also a wealth of historic sites well worth exploring.
For one, the historic capital of Charlestown is a wonderful place for a wander, thanks to its handsome 18th and 19th-century buildings and laid-back vibe. Inland, there are many gratifying trails into the isle's thickly forested interior, which is home to hummingbirds and monkeys.
The ascent to Nevis Peak, the green dormant volcano that dominates the island, beckons serious hikers, but if it’s lounging you’re after then Pinney’s Beach is the place to go. Nevis’ lovely long stretch of sand has none of the crowds of big sister St Kitts, but it does have shacks serving up delicious cocktails...
Once you've watched the sunset, you can retreat to one of Nevis' gorgeous hotels. Many of the island's old plantations have been converted into small and stylish inns, including The Hermitage, a family-run inn in the oldest wooden house on Nevis. Meals here are something else – served on the veranda of the 17th-century house, which overlooks mango and palm trees, the menu is full of local specialties and produce grown on site, as well as locally-caught seafood and a mammoth rum catalogue.
Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica lies between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Known as 'Nature Island', it doesn't have stretches of vanilla-white sands – but it does have forest trails, wildlife adventures, boutique hotels and Boiling Lake, the world's second-largest hot spring.
Along with your bikini you’ll need to pack your walking boots as Dominica has plenty of hiking trails, including the Caribbean's longest, the Waitukubuli National Trail. A boat tour along the Indian River will take you through the rainforest with the chance to see native frogs and birds too.
Of course, the lush tropical isle is also home to its fair share of breathtaking waterfalls, natural hot pools and National Parks, making it a fantastic option for outdoor explorers. While the island was badly damaged during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, it has recovered well over the past couple of years and welcomes tourists with open arms.
If big 5-star, all-inclusive resorts are what you’re after, this isn’t the island for you. Here, you’ll find a smattering of boutique and independently-owned hotels, such as Secret Bay. Located near Portsmouth on the northwest coast, this rainforest resort boasts secluded clifftop villas, on-call chefs and secret beaches. Not too shabby then...
This squiggle of an island might be a mere 35 square miles (91sq km), but it has 33 pristine beaches and luxurious hotels aplenty. In fact, it's a favourite haunt for celebs such as Kevin Bacon, Beyoncé and Mariah Carey. But the island, some seven miles (11km) north of Sint Maarten, is more than just a celebrity hotspot – it also retains a gloriously independent Caribbean spirit and a burgeoning food scene.
As you’d expect, the main activities on the island centre around the beaches, with the many shipwrecks making it popular for snorkelling and scuba diving. Yet those who prefer to take a load off can simply unwind on the sand and take a dip in the island's crystal clear, bathwater-temperature waters whenever they feel the need...
Discover the incredible private islands you can afford to rent
Anguilla has only really seen tourism take off in the past two decades, but the island was sadly devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The good news is that it's now recovered and back open for business, and there's everything from more rustic small holdings to sleek resorts, such as Zemi Beach House (pictured), to stay at. Luckily, you won’t find cruise ships packed with tourists – getting here usually involves an hour’s propeller plane from neighbouring Antigua.
Music fans should head here in March for the annual Moonsplash festival – it's been taking place since the 1990s, featuring a line-up of local reggae artists. August's Anguilla Summer Festival (pictured), with its colourful parades and all-day beach party, is another reason to make the trip.
Discover more things to see, eat and do on the isle of Anguilla with our guide