The Caribbean has no shortage of headline-making beaches — Seven Mile, Grace Bay, Eagle Beach — and they deserve the spotlight, too. But tucked away across the region are lesser-known gems, quiet strands with local charm, raw beauty, and the feeling that, when you arrive, you’ve made your own personal discovery. These are the kinds of places you almost don’t want to share — but they’re too good to keep secret.
Anse Marcel, Saint Martin It’s in one of the best corners of one of our favorite destinations; Saint Martin, but it somehow flies way under the radar. This little destination-within-a-destination is tucked in a northern corner of the island, within easy access of both Grand Case (the gourmet capital of the Caribbean) and Orient Bay, with a breathtakingly beautiful beach edged by green hills. It’s one of the great Caribbean beaches you’ve probably never heard of. It’s also home to the sleek, tiny Aura, a hybrid hotel-villa-residence that’s perfect for groups and families. (Rooms from $396).
Pigeon Point, Antigua Every time we make the trip here we like it more. It feels like a secret: quiet and alluring, but it’s also home to one of the best beach hotspots in the Caribbean right now: Catherine’s Cafe, the Rocks Group’s all-day beach destination where the Negronis flow and the vibes are immaculate. It’s a perfect Caribbean beach.
Portici Beach, Grenada Located just a five-minute drive from Maurice Bishop International Airport, Portici Beach is a secluded gem nestled between two rocky cliffs and surrounded by lush vegetation.
This less-than-half-mile stretch of golden sand offers crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for family outings, snorkeling, or simply relaxing in tranquility. But the biggest reason to visit might be the pair of hotels that now call this beach home: the lovely, venerable Laluna (rooms from $534) and the upstart, effortlessly chic Silversands Beach House (the sister property to the now-famous Grand Anse resort). Rooms from $600.
Hopkins, Belize Dreamy and intimate, there’s a fantasy feel to this stretch of beach in central Belize. Beach shacks, cold Belikins and a barefoot, carefree vibe. The best part? No one you know has ever heard of it. That means when you get here, it’s your own personal discovery.
Old Bight, Cat Island, The Bahamas Located in the village of Old Bight, this five-mile stretch of pure white sand offers a peaceful setting perfect for quiet walks, picnics, beachcombing, or sunbathing. It just seems to go on and on.
The beach’s expansive shoreline and clear blue waters provide an idyllic backdrop for relaxation — and it’s also home to a beloved little beach hotel called Rollezz Villas, with rooms for under $300 per night — right on the sand.
Anse Noire, Martinique Set at the very bottom of a high cliff, this is the nly black sand beach in the south of Martinique, nestled in a small, peaceful cove with crystal-clear waters. The beach offers a magnificent underwater world and a romantic, stunning setting that makes it a kind of bucket-list beach.
Pain-de-Sucre, Terre de Haut, Guadeloupe We like to say that if you squint, you can imagine a miniature version of St Barth on the little island of Terre de Haut in the Guadeloupe archipelago. And here, you get a mini version of Brazil’s Sugarloaf. They call it Pain de Sucre, and thisis the crown jewel of the Les Saintes mini-archipelago in Guadeloupe. It’s wonderfully calm, scenic and perfect for laying back with a ti’ punch.
Lindquist Beach, St Thomas Tucked away on St. Thomas’s tranquil East End, Lindquist Beach is one of those places that feels like a secret — even if it isn’t. Officially part of the 21-acre Smith Bay Park, this stretch of sand is everything you come to the Caribbean for: soft, white-pink sand, impossibly clear turquoise water, and a quiet, unspoiled vibe.It’s a local favorite, but rarely crowded, with gentle surf perfect for families and plenty of palms for shade. The beach is part of a protected nature reserve, so you’re just as likely to spot seabirds and marine life as fellow sunbathers.
There’s a lifeguard on duty, showers, picnic tables, and changing stalls — but no vendors, so pack your cooler. (You may recognize it from the old Hannah Davis commercials for DirectTV).
Baby Beach, Aruba This beach isn’t a secret, but it’s still one of Aruba’s most remote beaches. It’s uniformly shallow, meaning you can wade out as far as you want in the nylon-turquoise water and find the perfect blend of energy and calm. This beach is also about to hit the travel radar in a big way with the imminent debut of Secrets’ first ever resort on the island.
Long Bay, Tortola Gold-medal beaches are all over the British Virgin Islands, whether you’re in Anegada, Virgin Gorda or Peter Island. So it’s sometimes easy to forget just how magnificent the beaches are in Tortola. And for us, there’s none better than Long Bay and its dreamy, almost intoxicating beauty, a beach that somehow manages to continue flying under the radar.
