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Are you seeking for information on the best Caribbean islands to visit during the summer?
Then this article is just for you. As a Caribbean national during the summer locals use the time to visit beaches, hiking trails, lakes and waterfalls.
In this article, we provide a list of some of the outstanding summer destinations as well as what are some of the unique things to do in order to make your summer vacation memorable.
So let’s get started.
1. St Lucia
Known for its stunning twin peaks called the Pitons, St Lucia is the ideal Caribbean islands for outdoor enthusiasts.
The island is lush, green and mountainous with majestic waterfalls and numerous hiking trails.
Some of the best waterfalls in St Lucia are Diamond, La Tille and Sapphire Falls. The latter, being Sapphire Falls, is located in the Soufriere where you can relax and enjoy a mud bath.
Experts have stated that this has many healing and other benefits to the body and skin.
Due to the volcanic nature of the island, some of the beaches have black sand. Anse Chastanet and Anse De Piton are two to consider visiting.
As you may imagine, the most popular excursion is hiking the Piton. The Gros Piton is the trail predominantly used while the Petit Piton is rarely climbed.
It takes about three to six hours each way to complete the trail and hence may not be suitable for children.
2. Jamaica
Jamaica is well known for reggae music and exotic foods. It is also perfect for a weekend getaway as it is less than two hours flying time from Miami International.
One of the key events on the entertainment calendar during the summer is Reggae Sumfest.
This music festival features both local and international performers and is hosted in Montego Bay.
This is the fourth largest city in Jamaica and is situated in the parish of St James.
In addition to enjoying the Reggae festival, visitors can enjoy the beautiful seven mile beach is the best in Jamaica.
It is beloved for its white sand, calm waters and its turquoise waters.
Furthermore, the Dunns Falls and Park located in Ocho Rios is one of the most visited attractions on the island which you should definitely include on your bucket list.
3. Grenada
Grenada is a wonderful destination for seniors and solo female travelers.
This is because the people are incredibly friendly and it is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean.
Grand Anse beach situated in the South of the island is the best beach in Grenada. It is a gorgeous two miles stretch of white sand with turquoise waters.
The shore is lined with various almond trees and Camerhogne Park is located near the centre of the beach if you want to sit and relax.
Malls, hotels, guesthouses, banks, restaurants, public transportation, fast food places and other amenities are all within walking distance
A visit to House of Chocolate is one of the best things to do in St George’s which is the island’s capital city.
This café features eats and drinks made with locally grown chocolate.
There is also an area where the technique of processing cocoa beans is demonstrated.
Other things to do in the capital city of St George’s include a visit to the cathedral and taking photos at Fort George which has sweeping views of the city and surrounding areas.
4. Martinique
Affectionately referred to the isle of flowers, Martinique is a French speaking island in the Caribbean.
Home to over 1,700 known species of flowers, this island is a perfect for persons who love flowers.
To view the variety of flora and fauna, a visit to Jardin de Balata is a must.
Designed by the poet, Jean Philipee Thoze, there is a creole house in the middle of the garden. Private tours are available.
The island has gorgeous white and black sand beaches. Les Salines is well loved by both locals and tourists alike.
This beach is a long strip of white sand with several amenities such as restaurants, bars, shops and showers in the area.
In terms of black sand beaches, Anse Noire is the most famous in Martinique with exceptional snorkeling spots.
5. Aruba
If you are concerned about hurricanes, then Aruba is one of the best islands to consider as it is situated outside the hurricane belt.
The island is a favorite of numerous persons to the Caribbean for its white sand beaches, golf courses, sky diving and stunning desert like landscape.
Eagle Beach is one of the most visited on the island with white sand and turquoise waters in the capital city of Oranjestad.
Arikok National Park is the best location on the island to enjoy its rugged terrain.
Located on the Eastern coast, this park is approximately 8,000 acres which equates to 20% of the landmass of the entire island.
The park is open for tours and there are number of exciting spots to see such as Andicuri Beach, Boca Ketu, Natural Bridge and Guadiriki caves.
6. St Maarten
This beautiful Dutch Caribbean island shares its landmass with the French Caribbean island of St Martin.
St Maarten is an excellent place to visit in the summer for persons who enjoys island hopping.
There are ferry transportation services available to neighboring islands of Anguilla, Saba, St Kitts, St Barths and St Eustatius.
One of the best excursions on the island is a visit to Maho Beach.
Affectionately also referred to as Airplane Beach, persons from all over the world visit this location to experience jet blasts.
Planes landing at the Princess Juliana International Airport approach landing at an altitude of only 100 feet.
There are numerous bars and restaurant in the vicinity so it is the perfect place to spend the day.
St Maarten is also known as one of the best destinations for luxury shopping with Front Street in Philipsburg being a great place for shopping.
The island also has historical landmarks to visit as well as a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
7. Barbados
Our next recommendation is the birthplace of singer and entrepreneur, Rihanna which is Barbados.
The island is known for horseracing, beautiful white sand beaches and the magical Harrison caves.
An excursion to the caves allows visitors to explore its inside via trams where you can see stalactites and stalagmite formations.
In terms of stunning white sand beaches, Accra Beach, Brownes Beach and Bottom Bay are three excellent spots for a day trip.
For a gorgeous pink sand beach location, visit Crane Beach on the Southeastern end of the island.
One of the activities on the weekly entertainment calendar to check out is Fish Friday.
Hosted in the community of Oistins, various vendors gather to sell local dishes with fish as the main ingredient.
There are also individuals selling handmade souvenirs and a live band providing entertainment.
Barbados has numerous daily non- stop flights from major international cities and thus is easy to access.
8. St Thomas
If you are from the United States of America and you are traveling to the Caribbean for the first time, St Thomas is an excellent location to consider.
This is because the island along with its counterparts called the US Virgin Islands is overseas territories of the USA.
St Thomas is an amazing destination for island hopping, island getaway, relaxing on white sand beaches and luxury shopping.
There are daily ferries available from St Thomas to Tortola which is the largest of the British Virgin Islands.
Furthermore, St Thomas is truly one of the best destinations for luxury shopping in the Caribbean as each person including children is permitted $1600 each of duty free purchases back into the USA.
High end luxury brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Little Switzerland and coach have retail presence on the island.
9. Curacao
If you prefer to travel to another destination outside the hurricane belt, Curacao may be a great option to consider.
The island is a lovely spot to visit for white sand beaches and amazing diving and hiking trails.
Some of the popular beaches on the island include playa piskado which translates to fisherman’s beach where you get to swim with sea turtles in Curacao.
Christoffel Mountain is one of the top trails which offer some sweeping views for pictures.
Nevertheless, it can be strenuous and may not be appropriate for novice trekkers.
Marijke Nature Trail is a less challenging hike and more suitable for beginners.
10. Trinidad & Tobago
Our next recommendation is twin island of Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Known as the birthplace of steel pan music Trinidad and Tobago is a place to visit for foodies.
Doubles and bake and shark are two of the most popular street foods which you must try if you visit the island.
Maracas Bay Beach which is about thirty minutes’ drive from the capital city of Port of Spain is known as the best on the island.
The beach is an excellent location to spend the day for its golden sands, majestic palm trees and amenities.
There are lifeguards, food stalls and WIFI access to help make your visit comfortable.
If you are seeking peace and tranquility, take the ferry across to the neighboring island of Tobago.
Swimming at Pigeon Point Beach and relaxing at Argyle Falls are two of the exciting activities to do on the island.
11. Dominica
Affectionately known as the nature island of the Caribbean, Dominica is an excellent location to visit for the summer if you are an outdoor enthusiast.
The island boasts of stunning waterfalls, lakes, rivers and lush green mountain peaks.
For hiking enthusiasts, May is the best month to visit Dominica as the island hosts its annual hike fest.
For the first three Saturdays of the month, there are organized hikes to various parts of the island.
This is a great festival to attend to discover more about the island while also interacting with local trekkers.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park is home to the iconic boiling lake on the island. The park and its surroundings were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.
Boeri Lake is one of two freshwater lakes located in this park and Dominica’s second largest lake which is at an altitude of 2,800 feet. The Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand is the largest in the world.
Dominica is also an ideal destination for island hopping. L’Express provides high speed ferry services to neighboring islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica.
12. Antigua & Barbuda
Our final suggestion is the beautiful island of Antigua and Barbuda.
Located in the Northern region of the Caribbean, this destination is easy to access as there are numerous direct and non-stop flights daily from major international cities.
Antigua is fondly known as the Caribbean island with 365 beaches being one for every day of the year.
Dickenson Bay Beach is one of the most visited on the island and it shares its shoreline with many of the major hotels.
If you require a bit more peace and serenity, head over to the dependency of Antigua called Barbuda.
It is only 62 square miles with approximately 1500 inhabitants. A ferry ride from Antigua takes approximately 90 minutes.
Barbuda is also home to one of the longest beaches in the Caribbean being Low Bay Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Caribbean Island To Go To July?
For Food enthusiasts, St Croix, Belize, Puerto Rico and St Kitts are excellent Caribbean islands for food festivals. Alternatively, if you will like to immerse yourself into the local culture, Montserrat and Tobago are better islands to consider as they host Calabash Festival and Heritage Festival.
Which Caribbean Island Is The Safest From Hurricanes?
Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are the safest Caribbean islands from hurricanes as they are located outside the hurricane belt. Alternatively, islands such as Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago are also outside the hurricane belt but are more susceptible to the effects of hurricanes.
Which Caribbean Island Is The Best To Visit In August?
Belize is one of the best Caribbean island to visit in August for the Costa Maya Festival in the town of San Pedro. Alternatively, for food enthusiasts, Bonaire is a great option to explore as the it hosts the annual Taste of Bonaire which features local dishes such as repa, goat stew and funchi.
Final Thoughts: Best Caribbean Islands To Visit In The Summer
The summer period is an excellent period to time to visit the Caribbean as the weather is usually sunny.
Alternatively, the summer period marks the start of the hurricane season which begins in June and ends in November annually.
Therefore, it may be prudent for travelers to consider travel insurance in the event of delays and interruptions.
More Best Caribbean Island Guides:
Best Caribbean Islands To Visit
Best Beaches In The Caribbean
Best Caribbean Islands To Spend Christmas
