7 Best Caribbean Islands For A Group of Friends

Thinking about traveling to the Caribbean as a group of friends?

Then this article is exactly what you are seeking as we have 7 amazing options outlined here just for you.

As Caribbean nationals, we can vouch that there are so many destinations that you can choose from depending on whether you prefer nature, white sand beaches, entertainment, island hopping and exotic cuisine.

In this article, we will cover a range of destinations so you can choose which is ideal for you and your friends.

So let’s get started.

1. Barbados

Our first recommendation is the Southern Caribbean island of Barbados which is truly a gem.

Located approximately, 100 miles East of St Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados is one of the most developed islands in that part of the region with world class medical amenities and wider range of goods and services when compared to its immediate neighbors.

Fish Friday in Oistins is one of the biggest items on the weekly entertainment calendar. It is the place to visit for music, dancing, food and to mingle with the locals.

Top Things To Do In Barbados

Explore Harrison Caves– this excursion is truly one of the island’s natural wonder where you can tour a network of limestone caves using electric trams. There are also refreshments at the facilities as well as souvenir shops.

Tour The Capital City– The capital city of Bridgetown and its Garrison holds tremendous history with many archaeological buildings to explore. This could be combined with a food tour to experience the many local dishes that Bajans enjoy.

Ride the St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway– delve into the history of the island visiting a great house, museum and distillery. This activity is wheelchair accessible.

See The Underworld with an Atlantis Submarine Day Tour– this is a unique attraction where you can explore the marine and sea life from a submarine. You can also consider sailing around the island in a Catamaran may be awesome activities to consider.

Where To Stay In Barbados

The South Coast is an excellent region to stay as there are a number of restaurants, bars, grocery stores, fast food chains which makes life without a car seamless.

On a whole, hotels in Bridgetown and Christ Church are excellent regions to consider as they are near to the city centre and other amenities.

Budget Options– Pirate’s Inn and Coral Mist Beach Hotel

Mid-Range Options– Coral Sands Beach Hotel and Coconut Court Beach Hotel

Luxurious Options– Savannah Beach Club, Hilton Barbados Resort, Courtyard By Marriott Bridgetown

2. Antigua & Barbuda

Next up is the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua & Barbuda which is the place to visit for folks seeing to spend an enormous amount time at the beach.

The island boasts of having 365 beaches in gold, white, black and even exotic pink sand.

To help you navigate the diverse number of beaches, the tourism board has created a beach personality quiz.

The dependency island of Barbuda which is only 62 square miles is home to Low Bay Beach which is one of the longest in the Caribbean and beloved for its picturesque pink sands.

Top Things To Do In Antigua & Barbuda

Take a day trip to Maiden Island– also called Maid Island, this tour is ideal for swimming and snorkel in privacy and seclusion.

Spend The Day On Laviscount Island– this excursion is also a perfect private island to visit. Situated on the Northeastern coast, this is an excellent location to see giant Aldabra tortoises.

ATV Island Tour-explore unpaved roads using dune buggies. This tour includes visits to historic and heritage sites as well as Antigua’s National Parks.

Where To Stay In Antigua

For an adult only all-inclusive, Cocobay Resort Antigua and Escape at Nonsuch Bay are excellent options.

For proximity to the famous Dickenson Bay Beach, Trade Winds Hotel, Buccaneer Beach Club and Yellow Maison are suitable options to explore.

Royalton Antigua is a high end option to consider near this beach.

Alternatively, if you will love easy access to the capital city, Hodges Bay Resort & Spa as well as Heritage Hotel are great options to consider.

3. St Kitts & Nevis

This island stands out among its other regional counterparts as it was the first ever British colony in the Caribbean

Furthermore, the first hotel to ever open in the Caribbean was in 1778 on the island of Nevis.

Fondly called Sugar City by the locals, St Kitts & Nevis is excellent for hiking, entertainment and island hopping to nearby St Maarten.

Top Things To Do In St Kitts & Nevis

Take A Day Trip To Nevis– this is the dependency of mainland St Kitts which is only 36 square miles. While there, you can explore the small town of Charlestown as well as visit the amazing white sand location called Pinney Beach.

Take A Historic City Tour- enjoy the scenic views and historical sites around the capital city and on the island. Some of the must visit locations include Berkeley Memorial, Immaculate Catholic Cathedral, War Memorial and Fairview Great House.

Explore the history of the island via a scenic railway tour- this railway bears much significance as it was constructed between 1912 and 1926 to facilitate the transportation from plantations to sugar factories on the island. This tour is suitable for individuals of all ages.

Where To Stay In St Kitts & Nevis

The best place to stay in St Kitts and Nevis is at a hotel in the capital city of Basseterre.

Ocean Terrace Inn which is walking distance from the city is a perfect for persons seeking to explore the island without a car.

If you are booking a taxi you can consider Seaview Inn or for a more upscale experience the Marriott Resort in Frigate Bay.

The Frigate Bay area is a great place to night time entertainment and many bars and restaurants are within walking distance.

On the beautiful island of Nevis, we recommend Mount Nevis Hotel and Montpelier Plantation Beach which are perfect for beach lovers.

For a high end experience, Four Seasons Resort on the famous Pinney’s Beach is the place to stay with golf course, infinity pools and spa facilities.

4. Aruba

The Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba is one of the most visited destinations in the Caribbean.

It is situated outside the hurricane belt and generally receives lower levels of rainfalls than its Eastern Caribbean counterparts.

Hence if you are searching for a Caribbean island without mosquitoes or a destination where sunshine is almost always guaranteed, Aruba is definitely to place to visit.

Most notably, there is US immigration and customs in Aruba which makes traveling back to the US mainland seamless.

Top Things To Do In Aruba

Take A Parasailing Tour– this is a lovely activity to experience the beauty and landscape of the island from the sky.  There are individuals available to capture your moment of bravery.

Explore ATV Tour- see various off the beaten path spots on ATV such as secret beach and caves. This is truly a great way to experience the desert like landscape of Aruba.

Bar Hop Via Bus– experience the nightlife of the city by visiting various entertainment hotspots in Palm and Eagle Beaches. There is a live DJ and music on the bus. A great way to experience the city at night

Day Trip To A Private Island -do you love private islands? Then, De Palm Island is a great place for an all-inclusive experience. There are waterslides, boat rides, flamingos, underwater helmet walks and more. A great activity for every member of the family!

Where To Stay In Aruba

The best place to stay in Aruba is the capital city of Oranjestad or at a resort on the famous Eagle and Palm beaches.

To enjoy the white sands and turquoise waters of these above beaches, we recommend Coconut Inn, MVC Eagle Beach and Board Walk Boutique Hotel Aruba.

For high end accommodation on Eagle and Palm beaches, The Ritz Carlton, Aruba and Bucuti & Tara Boutique Beach Resort are two premium options.

For accommodation options in the capital city of Oranjestad, we recommend, Wonders Boutique Hotel and Hyatt Place Aruba Airport.

For a private island escape where you can take instagrammable pictures with the pink flamingos, we recommend Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.

5. St Thomas

If you are journeying to the Caribbean for the first time and you have a measure of apprehension, a great choice is the US overseas dependency, St Thomas.

Due to its ties to the US mainland, no passports are allowed for entry and exit. Furthermore, the US dollar is the official currency used for financial transactions.

Shopping enthusiasts will love St Thomas as there is the range of high end premium brands available on the island such as Gucci and Coach.

Top Things To Do In St Thomas

Take A Zipline Tour- thrill seekers will love to soak up the tropical vegetation of the island while completing an Extreme Zipling Tour.

The zipline reaches up to 35 miles per hour. Soar around the skies with stunning views of St Thomas and other neighboring islands. Tours starts from Sapphire Beach.

Sail To The British Virgin Islands (BVI)-visit the BVI via boat while in St Thomas. 

This tour involves a visit to the iconic beach The Baths which is known for its large boulders. 

Also, you get an opportunity to visit the White Bay.  Kindly note that US passengers are required to have a passport as well as return travel information to enter the BVI.

Swim At Magens Bay Beach- this is the most famous beach on the island and is loved for its calm and turquoise waters.

This makes it a great spot for persons of all ages and is ideal for swimming as well as water sporting activities.

Tours to the beach often involves stops to scenic areas such as Mountain Top. This is a perfect place to take your selfies as Mountain Top is 1500 feet above sea level.

The location provides a stunning view the other Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. From mountain top you can see a total of 20 islands.

Where To Stay In St Thomas

The best place to stay on the island in the capital city of Charlotte Amalie. The Pink Palm Hotel, Castle Villas and Windward Passage Hotel are our recommendations for stay in the capital.

If you are seeking a high end alternative near Havensight Mall, we recommend Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove. This mall is a great location for shopping for high end items, jewelery and souvenirs.

6. Jamaica

Fondly known as the land of wood and water, Jamaica is truly one of the most diverse Caribbean islands to visit.

The island is loved for its exotic cuisine, friendly people, reggae music, waterfalls, world class coffee, white sand beaches and so much more.

Additionally, it is located less than two hours flying time from Miami International Airport and may be an ideal destination to consider for a long weekend getaway.

Top Things To Do In Jamaica

Rastafari Experience, Montego Bay- explore the country side on ATV and get an opportunity to have an authentic Jamaican lunch, swim and  see a ganja or marijuana field.

Luminous Lagoon Night Tour, Montego Bay– discover the unique bioluminescence lagoon by boat. You can enjoy the chance to swim in lagoon. Included are welcome drink as well as hotel pick up and drop off.

Dunn’s River Falls, Secret Falls and Blue Hole Tour- swim in the Blue Hole, Dunn’s River Falls and Secret Falls from Montego Bay all in one day.

Tour includes stop at local jerk shop and Columbus Park. Hotel pick up and drop of from Montego Bay Hotels are available.

Where To Stay In Jamaica

If you are considering spending time in Negril and the iconic Seven Mile Beach, we recommend Negril Treehouse Resort, Merrils Beach Resort II and Negril Palms.

Furthermore, to enjoy the countryside of Montego Bay, Toby’s Resort and Altamont West Hotel are excellent accommodation providers.

For all inclusive options in Montego Bay, S Hotel Jamaica and Riu Reggae are two amazing choices.

Alternatively, if you are interested in staying in Ocho Rios, Ocean Palms, Hibiscus Lodge Hotel and Pineapple Court Hotel are places that we recommend.

7. Grenada

Affectionately known as the Spice Isle on the Caribbean, Grenada is loved by visitors for its tranquility, waterfalls, lakes, white sand beaches and just how safe the island is as a whole.

The official currency used on the island is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. Nonetheless, US dollars are widely accepted on the island.

Top Things To Do In Grenada

Day Tour- spend a day visiting Concord Waterfall where you can bathe and relax in the pool. Also explore the Grand Etang lake region where you can possibly spot the mona money.

The Diamond Chocolate Factory will give you insight into how chocolate is harvested and processed into delicious chocolate bars.

Rivertubing Adventure- visit the Balthazar river in the Grand Etang area and float with the river’s current.

The mona monkey calls this area home so if you are in luck, you may see one. This tour also involves a stop at the Annandale Falls near the capital city.

Authentic Grenadian Experience– this tour truly embraces Grenada’s trademark of being the isle of spice which involves visiting the House of Chocolate Museum in the capital city.

The tour then goes to De La Grenadine Industries and Annandale Waterfall.

Where To Stay In Grenada

The island is blessed with apartments, cottages and all inclusive hotels within a range of various prices.

For budget friendly accommodation in the South, we recommend Siesta Hotel and Blue Horizon Hotel.

Both properties are within walking distance to Grand Anse Beach, Spiceland Mall, commercial banks, Wall Street and many more businesses.

For a couples only resort, we recommend Sandals La Source Grenada which is s short five minutes’ drive from the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

If you are interested in exploring the waterfalls, beaches and lakes in the Northern region of Grenada, we recommend Petite Anse Hotel.

Final Thoughts: Best Caribbean Islands For A Group Of Friends

We trust that this article was helpful as you plan your epic vacation with your friends to the Caribbean. The region is blessed with over 700 islands, reefs and cays.

Peradventure, you have a preference that was not mentioned above, feel free to continue reading using the search bar located at the top of this page.

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