14 Amazing Caribbean Islands to Add to Your Bucket List

If you’ve always dreamed of visiting the Caribbean Islands, it’s easy to understand why. The friendly people, natural beauty, and sunny climate are irresistible to travelers. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in an island paradise?

The Caribbean may be a single region, but each island nation and territory has a proud, distinct identity and culture unlike any other place in the world. While it’s hard to narrow down the best of the Caribbean islands, these are 14 of the ones you’ll want to add to your bucket list. Your only problem now is choosing which one(s) to visit!

1. Anguilla  

As one of the lesser-known Caribbean Islands, the British territory of Anguilla isn’t as well known as other locales. That works to your benefit because you won’t have to worry about encountering large crowds of tourists wherever you go.

The repeat award-winning island is called the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” for its restaurants, which include food trucks and fine dining establishments. Adults can participate in Anguillian boat racing; families can visit the ÀNI Art Academy or enjoy horseback riding on the beach, making Anguilla a must-visit destination among the Caribbean Islands.

2. Antigua and Barbuda

Visiting the sister Caribbean Islands of Antigua and Barbuda means getting twice the tropical paradise. Famous for their white and pink sand beaches, the islands and their people will make you feel like you never want to leave. Besides their beaches, Antigua and Barbuda also have several offshore islands to explore.

Once you’ve finished lounging, walking, or running on the beaches, you can take in other parts of island life. You can zipline through the rainforest or take a nature tour by kayak. If you want to party, join the annual Carnival summer festival for a display of the best, most vibrant aspects of the Caribbean Islands’ culture.

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3. Barbados

Singer and business mogul Rihanna may be the most famous person in the world from Barbados, and she proudly represents her home country. When you visit Barbados, one of the most vibrant Caribbean Islands, you can’t help but have a good time with the island’s joyful atmosphere.

Bajan nightlife is something that has to be experienced firsthand to be fully appreciated. There are nightclubs, festivals, a party cruise, and multiple arcades with electronic games from your childhood and adulthood. If you prefer hanging out during the day, you can take an ocean expedition or go sunning on the beach, making Barbados a must-visit gem among the Caribbean Islands.

4. Cayman Islands

People visit the Caribbean Islands, including the Cayman Islands, for the sun, surf, and beaches. The Cayman Islands consist of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac, each offering a unique experience. Grand Cayman is perfect for those seeking an active island adventure, while Little Cayman provides more privacy for anyone looking for a quieter escape.

A 30-minute plane ride takes you to Cayman Brac, an island in the chain with a mix of Grand Cayman and Little Cayman characteristics. Family-friendly activities are abundant, such as bird watching, fishing, and taking in the breathtaking views from the bluff, making it a must-visit destination in the Caribbean Islands.

5. Grenada

Grenada’s sovereign country comprises three separate Caribbean Islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. While all are collectively known as Grenada, each island has unique features that distinguish it from its sister islands and other Caribbean getaways.

The big island of Grenada is home to the world’s first underwater sculpture park, an awe-inspiring attraction for visitors to explore. The second-largest island, Carriacou, offers a glimpse into a simpler, less busy version of island life. Last but not least is the smallest island, Petite Martinique, where the heart of Grenadian culture thrives, making Grenada a standout destination among the Caribbean Islands.

6. Guadeloupe

Are you a fan of the British television show Death in Paradise? The mythical island of Saint Marie is Guadeloupe, where the show is filmed. The fictitious town of Honorè in real life is Deshaies and is located on Basse-Terre, one of the islands of Guadeloupe, if you’re curious to see where the show is filmed. 

Suppose you like the idea of visiting the Caribbean but are concerned with the environmental impact. In that case, Guadeloupe practices sustainability and has a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve. Other eco-friendly activities include whale watching, hiking, and diving. 

7. Martinique

The island of Martinique has everything for a Caribbean experience that revolves around biodiversity in animal species and beauty on land and at sea. In the air are delicate hummingbirds, among at least 200 species of birds. On land are Lesser Antillian iguanas, and the warm waters are the habitat of giant sea turtles. 

The diversity in nature also extends to the island’s plant life. Flowers are so prevalent in Martinique that the country’s other name is Madinina, which translates to “island of flowers.” The island has rainforests, mangroves, and other protected ecosystems. There’s a natural energy in that environment that can’t be replicated. 

8. Montserrat

The island of Montserrat (not to be confused with Montserrat, Spain) portrays how the ancient and the modern peacefully coexist. The island was inhabited by the indigenous Taino people around 500 B.C.E. Montserrat’s National Museum has some of the original artifacts from this era. 

The island has 5,000 residents and a large immigrant population from Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Dominica. This diversity extends to the island, with modern hotels, coffee shops, and transit, alongside a once-dormant ancient volcano and the Buried City. 

9. Saint Barthelemy

Also called Saint Barth, the island has an amazing history, beginning with its discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and ending with its becoming a French colony in 2007. One way the history of Saint Barthelemy can be seen is in the cuisine. 

The annual St. Barth Gourmet Festival’s menu nods to the island’s founder with dishes like Breakfast Christopher and Tea Time Christopher. Other dishes feature the best of St. Barth’s locally sourced foods, like mahi mahi and Caribbean sea bass. 

10. Saint Kitts

Kittitians (the name for natives of Saint Kitts) will tell you some interesting facts about the island, including it’s the smallest country in North and South America, the first English colony in the Caribbean, and was first named St. Christopher, after being discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. 

The sovereign nation has all the Caribbean attractions, such as snorkeling, paddle boarding, hiking, and catamaran cruises. Visitors are also welcome to do glamorous camping or glamping, in Christophe Harbour on the grounds of the Park Hyatt. 

11. Saint Lucia

In the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saint Lucia was represented by the fastest woman in the world, Julien Alfred. Her win has brought the island a lot of well-deserved attention. It’s a gorgeous country with attractions in all areas. 

Many guests stay in the northern section of Saint Lucia, and the southern section is the historical region of the island. The western part of Saint Lucia serves as a port for cruise ships, while the central part of the island is home to much of its greenery and waterfalls. 

12. Saint Martin

A mere three-hour flight from Miami and Fort Lauderdale and a one-hour flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the island of Saint Martin. It has 37 beaches where you can catch some waves or bathe in the sun, whatever you prefer. 

The island is two countries. On one side, Saint Martin is a French collective, and on the other side is Sint Maarten, which is part of the Netherlands. If you love festivals, both the French and Dutch sides of the island have their versions of Carnival in February and April. 

13. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The culture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a vibe unto itself. Nowhere is this evident than in the country’s music and festivals. Their annual Gospel Festival, held in different locations around the island, highlights some of the best musicians in the country. 

The Maroon Festival takes place during a full moon in May, and it includes music and dancing. Every summer, the island residents look forward to the Vincy Mas festival which starts in late June and runs for 12 days. Guests are welcome to participate in the party. 

14. Sint Eustatius

If you have an adventurous spirit, it can easily be fulfilled with a visit to Sint Eustatius, one of the hidden gems of the Caribbean Islands. History buffs can stroll through the island’s open-air museum of 119 monuments or the Sint Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum. But that’s not all this captivating island has to offer.

If your tastes lean toward more outdoorsy and athletic pursuits, you can embark on a diving excursion to explore shipwrecks, coral reefs, and numerous species of ocean life. Those who enjoy snorkeling can discover the underwater site of the wall that once protected the island centuries ago, making Sint Eustatius a must-visit destination among the Caribbean Islands.