Best Caribbean Islands For A Relaxing Vacation

The Caribbean islands are perfect places to visit if you are looking for tranquility and relaxation.

In this article, we explore Caribbean islands which we believe are ideal if you are looking for a relaxing Caribbean getaway.

These islands have been selected because they are quiet with a laid back environment.

Generally, these islands do not have a bustling night life atmosphere and or are not crowded with massive number of tourists.

Read on for further details and explanations on what are the best Caribbean Islands for relaxation. This article was written by a Caribbean National who lived and traveled throughout the islands

1. St John, US Virgin Islands

If you want to experience the Caribbean but still remain in the United States of America, then St John which is the smallest island in the US Virgin Islands is an exceptional choice.

St John is only 19.6 square miles and according to Virgin Islands Now, the population as per census completed in 2000 was 4,197 individuals.

The majority of the population lives in Cruz Bay.  Additionally, the highest point is Bordeaux Mountain which is 1,277 feet.

A unique feature of St John is that two thirds of the island is protected as Virgin Island National Park.

Therefore, the island is a great choice for nature lovers and hikers.

Ram Head Trail is one of trails with a moderate difficulty level but features glorious and scenic views.

On the other hand, if you are interested in seeing historic markings and carvings, the Petroglyph trail which is relatively easy and short which is along the Reef Bay Trail is one that you should explore.

St John is also an amazing island for relaxing on beaches with blue and turquoise waters.

Trunk Bay Beach is the most iconic beach on the island and is usually what you will see in photographs for the US Virgin islands. 

For snorkeling enthusiasts, there is an underwater trail.

One challenge however, of selecting St John is the accessibility of the island.

The international airport for the US Virgin Islands is located in St Thomas and hence a ferry service is required from St Thomas to access St John.

2. Turks & Caicos Islands

Turks & Caicos Islands are a group of Caribbean islands that is British Overseas Territory.

This group consists of 40 different islands and cays. The island group is 366 square miles but only 8 of these islands are inhabited. 

Despite being an overseas British Territory, the official currency of the islands is the US dollar.

If you are in search for some of the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean, then the Turks & Caicos is the ideal spot.

Grace Bay Beach is the pride of Turks and Caicos and it has won many awards both regionally and internationally.

Grace Bay Beach is part of Princess Alexandra National Park and known for its calm and turquoise waters.

Alternatively, kite boarding is another popular activity on the islands with Long Bay Beach being one of the popular spots for this activity.

There is a kite boarding school on the island where tutors will provide you with a lessons as well as equipment rental facility.

3. Anguilla

As its tourism slogan states tranquility wrapped in blue, Anguilla is another perfect spot for peace and relaxation.

Known for exceptional fine dining and beautiful beaches, this small Eastern Caribbean Island is one you should consider.

Anguilla has 33 beaches with Rendezvous Bay Beach, Shoal Bay East and Sandy Ground Beach being some of the well-loved beaches.

Nevertheless, if for any reason you are seeking some vibrant entertainment while in Anguilla, it is seamless to island hop to nearby St Maarten/ St Martin via ferry.

Choosing Anguilla, can therefore give you a bit of both worlds.

4. Grenada

Grenada is a tri island state located in the Southern Caribbean fondly known as the isle of Spice.

It is an excellent choice for a relaxing vacation especially for foodies, divers and beach enthusiasts.

Grand Anse Beach located in the Southern end of the island is the most popular for both locals and visitors.

There are several high end hotels on this beach such as Spice Island Beach Resort, Allamanda Beach Resort and Coyaba Beach Resort.

The beach has many almond trees and sea grapes.

The area of the beach near the Catholic Church tends to be the calmest while the area on the other extreme end tends to be much rougher.

This beach is a 2 mile stretch of white sand beach and there are life guards stationed there for your safety.

Additionally, Grenada has an extraordinary underwater sculpture park constructed in 2006 and is located in Molinere in Grenada. 

The British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor is the creator of the park. It is about 5-8 metres deep and is accessible by scuba diving, snorkeling and glass bottom boats.

When it comes to cuisine, Grenada’s oil down is extraordinary and it is the island’s national dish.

Breadfruit is the star ingredient which is cooked with local provision, callaloo and different types of meats such as salt fish, chicken and salt meat.

Tumeric and curry powder are used to give the dish its yellow color. Oildown is all cooked in one pot with coconut milk being the mixture that it is cooked in.

5. Bonaire

Bonaire is a Dutch Caribbean island which measures 111 square miles. The island is quiet and laid back and is truly a diver’s paradise.

According to Tourism Bonaire, there are 85 official dive spots on Bonaire and Klein Bonaire of which 54 are shore dive sites.

The island is also a favorite of kite surfers as the trade winds makes the island ideal for this activity year round.

Bonaire also stands out among other islands in the Caribbean for its fine dining and high quality cuisine thus making it a perfect island to visit for foodies.

6. Dominica

Dominica is a Windward Island fondly known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean.

It is located between the French Islands of Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante to its North and Martinique to the South.

Dominica is not a popular island in the Caribbean for tourism and is a perfect spot for adventurers and hikers.

One of the main tourist attractions on the island is Morne Trois Pitons National Park which is an official UNESCO Heritage Site since 1997.

This park comprises of three types of geological formations being volcanic piles, glacis slopes and soufrieres.

The park occupies about 9% of the island and is home to lakes and boiling springs. Boeri Lake is one of two freshwater lakes located in this park and Dominica’s second largest lake.

There are a number of species of birds, reptiles and amphibians living in the park.

The famous twin waterfalls called the Trafalgar falls are also located in this park. There are several hiking trails and it is recommended that you explore using a guide.

7. St Vincent & the Grenadines

Another perfect place for a relaxing vacation in the Caribbean is St Vincent and the Grenadines.

This group of islands is 150 square miles and consists of the Mainland St Vincent and 32 smaller islands called the Grenadines.

Some of the Grenadine islands are inhabited while others are uninhabited. One of the relaxing things to do in St Vincent is to explore the Botanical Gardens.

The garden is located in New Montrose which is about 10 minutes’ drive from the city of Kingstown.

It is the oldest of its kind in the Western hemisphere and was first established in 1765. It is extremely easy to get there by taking a bus from the city.

In addition to being the home of parrots, peacocks and a large variety of flowers, this garden has a breadfruit tree from the sucker of the original breadfruit tree that arrived in 1793 from Captain Bligh.

For blue and turquoise waters in the Caribbean, the Grenadines islands have some of the best of offer.

Salt Whistle Bay located on the tiny island of Mayreau is one of these must visit spots.

There is about 2.5 miles of powdery white sand with palm trees, sea grapes and local flowers and fauna on its shores.

8. Montserrat

Fondly known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory perfect for nature lovers and hikers.

The official currency of Montserrat is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar and the only way to access the island is via plane or ferry from Antigua & Barbuda.

The island has a population of about 5,000 inhabitants with the main attraction being the Sourfriere Hills Volcano which caused massive devastation and migration since the main explosive eruption in 2003.

There is a lookout point at Jack Boy Hill which provides an enchanting view of the volcano.

If your preference is to relax on a white sand beach, then Rendezvous Beach is the ideal spot in Montserrat. This beach is secluded and perfect for snorkeling and swimming.

9. Saba

Saba which is commonly referred to as the “unspoiled queen” of the Caribbean is an exceptional island for a peaceful and relaxing vacation.

This small Dutch Caribbean island is located 28 miles Southwest of St Maarten/ St Martin and is known for its mountainous topography.

This island is perfect for hikers and diving enthusiasts. 

Climbing Mt Scenery of one of the island’s popular attractions.

It takes about 90 minutes each way and the hike is strenuous. There are steps through the rain forest where you can enjoy the island’s wildlife, flora and fauna.

Views at the top of the mountain may be restricted due to heavy cloud coverage.

Bottom Mountain trail, Bud’s Mountain Trail and Dancing Place Trail are some of the other hikes that you can consider when visiting Saba.

Saba is also a favorite destination for diving enthusiasts.

The Saba National Marine Park was established in 1987 and as a result marine life on the island is thriving.

Some of the well-loved dive sites include Diamond Rock, Third Encounter and Man o War Shoals.

10. St Eustatius

Last on our list is the Dutch Caribbean island of St Eustatius.  This island is ideal for individuals who enjoy nature.

Statia as it is fondly called is blessed with a wide variety of wildlife, flora and fauna.

The island has many hiking trails and visiting the Quill is one of them.

The Quill is the highest point on the island from which one has scenic views of the nearby islands.

It is a dormant volcano and there is a crater where you can see varieties of flowers on the island.

It is best if you plan on doing this hike, to consider a going along with a guide.

Final Thoughts

We trust you enjoyed this comprehensive guide on best Caribbean islands for a relaxing vacation.

There are several articles on this site which provides destination comparisons and deeper insight into several Caribbean islands if you are deciding which island suits you best.

Feel free to explore further using the search bar located on the top of this page.

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