13 Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out

13 Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out

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Did you know the Caribbean is composed of over 7,000 islands? Millions visit the Bahamas and Jamaica hotspots every year, but there are other hidden gems to be discovered.

Leave behind the noise of tourist crowds and explore the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. If you’re looking for culturally rich and peaceful beaches out of a magazine, you’ll want to add these 13 secret islands to your bucket list.

It’s time to pack your bags for an exclusive getaway that will make you feel like you just landed in paradise before the rest of the world catches on.

The Sailor’s Paradise – Bequia  

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Rene’ Slack/Flickr

Bequia (pronounced Bek-way), of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is a haven for sailing enthusiasts. Imagine beautiful, colorful yachts bobbing up and down in bright blue harbors and these historic trade routes with their warm Caribbean buzz—and whaling traditions, not to mention the Bequia Easter Regatta.

You may not realize that Bequia is just seven square miles, but you feel genuine hospitality from its 5,300 residents in its intimate setting of dreamy beaches and scenic coves.

Isla de Providencia, Colombia

Image credits: Constance/Flickr

One of the region’s best-kept secrets, Providencia lies closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. It’s known for its “Sea of Seven Colors,” where crystal-clear waters shimmer in shades of blue and green. Under UNESCO’s protection, this island ensures admiration for nature is at the forefront.

You can also join a local snorkeling tour around Crab Cay or hike some trails that endemic birds like to visit. Providencia is where slow living rules, with fewer tourists and modern developments.

Mayreau – The Caribbean’s Best Kept Secret

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Gyöngyösi Gábor/Flickr

Picture an island with no cars and only one village. That’s Mayreau. At nearly two square miles, it’s a tiny paradise, but it has everything you want from an island getaway.

The crescent-shaped, salt-whistling bay is excellent for kayaking and sailing. Visitors can trek from their hilltop Catholic Church to enjoy fantastic views of the Tobago Cays. With under a few hundred residents, every visitor feels welcomed by the intensity of their experience.

Vieques – The Island of Bioluminescence  

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Edgar Torres/Wikimedia Commons

Known as Mosquito Bay, Perez says Vieques’ waters, located off the coast of Puerto Rico, boast being the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. At night, paddle through the glowing waters, surrounded by millions of microorganisms that light up.

It’s a magical event not to be seen anywhere else. Vieques also has lush wildlife refuges and wild beaches beyond Mosquito Bay. There’d be no mega-hotels or people crowding, just pure tranquil beauty and memories to be made.

Saba

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Andrey Sulitskiy/Flickr

Saba is popularly known as “the Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean,” it takes pride in its rugged landscapes and lush rainforests. The hiking trails and scuba-diving spots are world-class, but there’s no beach.

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Mount Scenery is the highest point in the Netherlands. Here, you will enjoy panoramic and breathtaking views. Saba Marine Park offers unparalleled diving opportunities for avid divers. Underwater pinnacles and a shocking amount of rare marine life abound. With only about 2,060 people on Saba, you’ll be almost alone on such a peaceful island.

Little Corn Island – Rustic Caribbean Magic 

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: kateshanley/Flickr

The Little Corn on Nicaraguan island is only accessible by boat. It’s free of cars, stress-free, and 100% dreamy. Palm trees, coral reefs, and the barefoot luxury they provide are what you should expect.

Available accommodations range from eco-lodges to seaside cottages filled with hammocks. There are no paved roads and little WiFi, so it’s the place to unplug. Lobster dishes (frequently served fresh from the sea) are also a must for seafood lovers.

Anegada – The Flat Island

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Iamge credits: Heidi Baker/Flickr

Anegada is in the British Virgin Islands. Unlike most mountainous Caribbean islands, it is flat. It is famous for its impossibly white sand beaches and extremely vibrant coral reefs. Others say snorkeling here is up there with the best the Great Barrier Reef offers.

Anegada’s seafood is legendary, aside from its beauty. Enjoy delicious lobsters by attending the annual Lobster Festival and tasting the local conch delicacies. They seemed like a billion miles away from the daily hustle on the island’s laid-back pace.

Dominica, Caribbean’s Nature Island  

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Patrice TOULZE/Flickr

Dominica is every nature lover’s dream, with 365 rivers, nine volcanoes, and abundant waterfalls. Unlike its glitzier counterparts, the island is rugged and unkept and seems not to have been touched by time.

Take a hike to Emerald Pool or dip in Trafalgar Falls. Champagne Reef (named for its bubbling underwater vents) is unmissable for thrill seekers willing to snorkel its shores.

Marie-Galante -Guadeloupe’s Peaceful Escape 

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Marie-Galante/Flickr

Marie Galante is part of Guadeloupe and is known for its old-world ambiance and glorious landscapes. It’s often called “Grand Terre” for its sugarcane-covered plains and endless beaches.

Visit the distilleries and taste some of the best rum this side of the Caribbean has to offer.

Carriacou – The Isle of Reefs

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Once in a lifetime/Flickr

Talk about laid-back vibes; you’ve got to head to Carriacou, part of Grenada. Its name means “Land of Reefs,” a nod to the vibrant underwater ecosystems.

Snorkeling near Sandy Island, you don’t have to be a professional diver, as you see it flourishing with sea life. The island is flooded with drumming and dancing during Carriacou Carnival. Wherever you turn, local hospitality shines and makes you feel at home.

Eustatius – History Meets Tranquility

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Adrian Turner/Flickr

This tiny island, known locally as Statia, has a fascinating history. During the 1700s, it was a significant trade point; it was even the only foreign entity to recognize the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Visit the cobbled streets of Oranjestad and see, according to some, the Blue Bead, a holdout that provides luck. Both unspoiled and streaked with historic shipwrecks, the coral reefs here are heaven for underwater explorers.

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Salt Cay

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: José Pestana/Flickr

Stepping back in time is how you feel on Salt Cay (part of the Turks and Caicos). Once a prosperous salt production center, the tiny island exuded old Caribbean charm.

Wandering its streets is like walking through a history book. Between January and April, humpback whales pass through to calve. Few can say they’ve seen these ocean giants off the coast themselves.

Culebra -Puerto Rico’s Hidden Pearl  

Secret Caribbean Islands You’ll Want to Escape to Before Everyone Else Finds Out
Image credits: Ricardo José/Flickr

Flamenco Beach is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches on Culebra. Its crystal clear waters and powdery white sands make it feel as surreal as you’d expect, but its calmness is magical.

Visit Culebrita, a small island nearby, to view tidal pools and historic lighthouses. Here, snorkeling allows you to see sea turtles and colorful coral reefs, a dream come true for marine lovers.

Disclaimer This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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