Top 10 Best Beaches in the Western Caribbean I Can Recommend

My wife and I have been able to visit a number of islands in the western Caribbean in the past five years. Because we have researched well before going there were few times we were disappointed in what we experienced.

Because we have not been privy to get to every island there may be one or two some person would like to add to this review through the comment section. I invite any and all to do so.

As for now, compare pops list of the Top Ten Best Western Caribbean Beaches with anyone you know.

Beaches on Buck Island, St Croix

On a trip one year to St. Croix my wife and I went out on an excursion to snorkel around Buck Island that happens to be part of the US National Parks System. There's a reason for that. Buck Island Reef National Monument does offer some awesome snorkeling but I was blown away by a piece of beach that we stopped on on the island. It was the most beautiful a powder white sand I ever set foot on. I wish we were able to spend more time on it. I now know that excursions with much more time on the island can be set up. Next trip to St Croix will bring me to the beaches of Buck Island.

Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos

This past winter brought my wife and I to Turks & Caicos where we stayed at Sibonne Beach Hotel on Grace Bay. Now we heard about the colours of the waters at Grace Bay but all the talk isn't realised unless see it yourself. The waters are an electric blue colour. We could see it from our hotel and it's amazing to see from above. When we left the island our plane flew over the bay. Magnificent. We also loved the fact that we found an excellent place to snorkel right off the beach and into Grace Bay. I also liked the fact that we could walk the beach and stop in at any of the other properties for a drink or something to eat. Though there are very expensive places there, it still has a laid back feeling.

Tulum, Mexico

A few years back we visited Tulum in Mexico. It's the only Mayan ruins of such stature overlooking the azure blue Gulf of Mexico. Just north of the ruins is a small beach. It can get crowded with tourists but there is something heavenly about it. The small beach is in a sort of cove with rocky outcrops and lovely white sands. Swimming in those radiant warm waters and looking south and above at the ancient ruins is an exciting and humbling experience.


Megan's...Bay, St Thomas

First, if you can try and get a view of Megan's Bay from the mountains above. WOW!! what an unbelievably picturesque site it is. With just a touch of imagination one can see it is heart shaped


Getting down to sea level it takes on a different feel. This is one of the few places one has to pay for parking. No worries though. This beach has a very comfortable atmosphere. A bar and eatery overlook the beach and many a local family share the beach with the tourists. This beach is in protected waters so there are no waves. It's tranquil and the perfect place to purchase a rum drink at the bar and then simply walk out into the waters and relax with that drink in hand while talking to other tourists, sharing travel stories and enjoying watching the carefree attitudes of the local kids frolicking in the waters.

Sapphire Beach, St Thomas

Also on St Thomas but a bit of a ride from the cruise ships is Sapphire Beach. We stayed there at a fine and fun resort. We noticed that on cruise days many people are taken to this beach. I can see why. It is one of the best on St Thomas. The beach has a nice bend to it as the eye follows the white sands. It also has snorkeling from the beach. What is particularly striking are the islands in the short distances with nary a sigh of life and the rolling hills give a tranquil feel.

Leinster Bay, St John, USVI

St. John is mostly part of a US National Park. Because of that there are many fine beaches to visit. Trunk Bay, Caneel Bay, Hawksnest and Cinnamon Bay are perhaps the most well known and truly are a place to visit. Out favorite on St John though is Leinster Bay beach. This isn't a wide beach and there isn't a whole lot of area to call your own. What attracts me and my family is the relative quiet of this area and the world class snorkeling there. My wife and I still compare all our snorkeling adventures with the snorkeling around Waterlemon Cay that is a small island off Lienster Bay. Be prepared to walk a distance and there are few amenities.

Vieques' Hidden Beaches, Puerto Rico

Getting to these beaches can be a chore. A car rental is a must. You won't be finding cab service. No facilities in most either. (they can be found on many other beaches though).

The roads were extremely rough when we were there two years ago.

The ride and potholes are worth it though. You drive your care through a wooded area and onto your own stretch of paradise. Few if any other people are around and the views and waters are marvelous even if bare bones. No food, showers, facilities, no nuttin' except for the privacy and stunning views from each little outlet from woods to beach.

Bavaro/Punta Cana Beaches

My wife and I have been to this part of the Dominican Republic three times. The beaches are wide, white and clean. Most impressive however is the landscaping. Where Viequez beaches were more basic, Punta Cana/Bavaro offer every amenity one may desire. The Dominican people on that end of the island are particularly friendly if just the smallest amount of effort to smile at them.

We never found good snorkeling here but the beaches are truly stunning.

Negril, Jamaica

We have been to Jamaica three or four times. Our absolute favorite beach on that island is one long stretch of white sand and brilliant waters on Long Bay. They call it Seven Mile beach. This isn't to be confused with Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands. We were there and weren't quite impressed with the raves we have heard about that stretch.

The beaches of Negril are busier with people trying to sell their wares than most the rest of the beaches we have as our Top Ten Caribbean Beaches. The hawkers can be annoying at times especially when relaxed and being suddenly woken up by the sounds of people hustling their products.

I do love the feel of the beach regardless. I recall a small Jamaican man named "Smiley" who would be sure to have flowers on the beach for my wife every day. Jamaica gives more than just the beaches, it also gives personality.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Island

My wife and I only visited the Baths of the BVI one time. Our memories will last a lifetime. The only negative is the long walk back up to transportation. The Baths are a special tourist attraction where huge boulders the size of trucks and homes are warn smooth and balanced against each other like matchsticks. These are right on the beaches and crawling through the rocks brings one to lagoons, grottoes and tranquil pools of water with rays of light shooting through the space between the boulders.

To each side of the baths are beatiful beaches on their own but the waterfront of the boulders is a wonder of this world. WOW!. It is good to know that the walk up does bring one to a fine bar and restaurant that offer a pool to anyone having a drink or lunch.