18 of the Best Beaches in the Caribbean and the Bahamas

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Fact checked by Sarah CahalanFact checked by Sarah Cahalan

With their powdery white sand and gentle turquoise waters, beaches in the Caribbean and the Bahamas are the picture of paradise. There are countless stretches of sand across thousands of islands where you can laze beneath swaying palm trees with a tropical cocktail in hand. To make planning your tropical dream vacation a little easier, we've rounded up 18 of the best Caribbean and Bahamas beaches.

• Best tourist destination: Pig Beach, Big Major Cay, Bahamas

• Underrated hidden gem: Caracas Beach, Vieques, Puerto Rico

• Best for families: Labadee Beach, Haiti

• Best for couples: Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI

• Best for solo travelers: Pigeon Point Beach, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Read on for where to go in the Caribbean and the Bahamas for snorkeling, swimming, and plenty of sun.

Pig Beach, Big Major Cay, Bahamas

Stunning white sands and clear, aquamarine waters aren't the only showstoppers in the Exumas, a chain of islands in the Bahamas. On uninhabited Big Major Cay, a colony of pigs (and adorable piglets!) takes center stage. The beach has become a tourist attraction, because who doesn't want to take a photo swimming with pigs? You can't stay here overnight, but many nearby islands offer excursions, including Staniel Cay.

Related: The Best Times to Visit The Bahamas for Fewer Crowds, Lower Prices, and More

Caracas Beach, Vieques, Puerto Rico

There is no shortage of beaches in Puerto Rico, but it's worth a quick ferry ride or flight from the main island to nearby Vieques. The island's beaches stand out for how untouched and calm they feel. If you crave seclusion, Caracas Beach is a great choice, as it's not uncommon to be the only one there, even on a beautiful day. And if you go to Vieques from December to mid-April, you might be able to see bioluminescence, when the water is illuminated an electric blue by a type of algae.

Labadee Beach, Haiti

Located on one of the largest islands in the Caribbean, Haiti boasts countless stunning beaches. One of the best to visit is Labadee Beach, which is now a private resort leased to Royal Caribbean, meaning you'll need to book a cruise to access this sandy shore. If you do, you'll be rewarded with heavenly views. For thrill-seekers, there is an option to zip-line across the water from atop a nearby mountain. Amenities like a rollercoaster, waterslides, and a water trampoline make this one of the best beaches in the Caribbean for families.

Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI

There are beautiful beaches, and then there are beaches that leave you speechless. A quick ferry from St. Thomas will bring you to St. John, where you'll find Trunk Bay, a beach that most certainly falls into the latter category. Tucked away 15 minutes' drive from the ferry port in Cruz Bay, the sand here is perhaps the whitest you've ever seen, even without an Instagram filter.

Pigeon Point Beach, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

While Trinidad is known to many for having one of the largest Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean, its sister island, Tobago, is where you go to cool off and unwind. There's no better place to do that than Pigeon Point Beach, the island's most popular beach on the southwest end. Take a glass-bottom boat ride to the Nylon Pool, an in-sea shallow point in the sea where you can safely stand and splash around, and do a bit of snorkeling in the clear waters.

Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Postcard-perfect Grand Anse Beach is a two-mile stretch of powdery sand lapped by tranquil azure water. Sheltered between green hills on both sides, the beach is full of fun bars and overlooks a bay dotted with vibrantly colored boats. Find shade under an almond tree and you may never want to leave these panoramic views. In addition to jet skiing and parasailing, you can snorkel or dive at the nearby Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park — a unique installation created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor to help rebuild the coral reef ecosystem that has been devastated by hurricane activity.

Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Often rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Grace Bay lives up to its accolades. This miles-long beach boasts powder-soft sand and piercing blue waters, which are perfect for swimming. Many of the best hotels and restaurants on the island are along this beach, so it's easy to visit Providenciales and never have to leave this strip.

Doctor's Cave Beach, Jamaica

Many of the best beaches in Jamaica are privately operated and connected to hotels. Doctor's Cave Beach, less than a five-minute drive from the airport in Montego Bay is this local favorite, available to the public for $8 for adults and $4 for children; you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas for $7. Access to the beach is free if you book a stay at the neighboring S Hotel. The tranquil water here makes swimming all day an easy task. Rehydrate from the heat with fresh coconut water from an on-site vendor

Bávaro Beach, Dominican Republic

Palm trees fringe this white-sand beach lapped by placid turquoise waters. Located in the popular area of Punta Cana, Bávaro Beach stretches 30 miles, so you can walk on pillowy sand for what feels like forever. It's a particularly nice beach for a sunrise or sunset stroll. Nearby all-inclusive resorts make this a complete getaway where you can leave the stress of your everyday life behind.

Varadero Beach, Cuba

Spanning 12 magnificent miles, Varadero Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island of Cuba. The sparkling blue waters separate it from the Florida Straits. There's never a shortage of water activities to choose from, including diving, sailing, snorkeling, fishing, or taking a ride in a glass-bottom boat.

Related: I Just Got Back From This Famous Island Nation That's Suddenly the Hottest LGBTQ Destination in the Caribbean

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI

The British Virgin Islands are famously scenic, but few spots draw quite as much attention as the Baths, an area of sea pools sheltered by huge granite boulders. You'll have plenty of fun climbing around the rocks and wading through a maze of grottos, as well as snorkeling in nearby waters. Just be sure to get there early to beat the cruise ship crowds.

Brownes Beach, Barbados

Barbados, the easternmost island in the Caribbean, has gorgeous beaches, especially along its Platinum Coast. Located in the Carlisle Bay area, Brownes Beach offers some of the most stunning sand and water around. While here, embark on a snorkeling excursion to explore a shipwreck and spot an abundance of marine life, including green sea turtles if you're lucky. The warm, calm waters combined with good visibility and active marine life make Brownes Beach a great place to take kids snorkeling in the Caribbean.

Jalousie Beach, St. Lucia

Just south of the town of Soufrière, Jalousie Beach boasts crystal-clear waters, bright white sand, and amazing views, thanks to its position between the iconic twin Piton Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beach is also a popular snorkeling point, as it's near a vast coral reef packed with schools of beautiful fish swimming all around.

Flamingo Beach, Aruba

Aruba's Eagle Beach and Baby Beach may be popular for their clear, aquamarine waters and powdery white sands, but you can find equally excellent beach quality and have close encounters with flamingos at Flamingo Beach. This exclusive beach is only accessible by visiting Renaissance Island, a private island that's part of Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

For crystalline water and coral sand, look no further than stunning Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. The beach is the ideal place to let your mind drift as you stare off into perfection. If you love eating well as much as you dig the beach, plan your trip to Grand Cayman for January, when the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman hosts the annual Cayman Cookout; this five-day culinary festival marries delicious food and drinks with even more gorgeous weather.

Related: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Grand Cayman

Little Ffryes Beach, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. But all you really need to feel at peace are two gorgeous adjacent stretches of sand: Ffryes Beach and Little Ffryes Beach. Little Ffryes has a leg up in that it's usually less populated. Both beaches have a handful of restaurants serving local food and drinks.

Coki Beach, St. Thomas, USVI

Coki Beach is where you really feel the flavor of St. Thomas. Here, locals lie out while enjoying fresh seafood and strong cocktails prepared by on-site beach bars. Always-on music and laughter create the soundtrack to the perfect day of frolicking in and out of the beautiful water.

Maho Beach, St. Maarten

This beach has great sand and water quality, but that isn't why it's one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean. While scrolling on social media, you've likely stumbled upon a photo of someone with a huge jet seemingly right above their head — and it was probably taken here. Maho Beach is located right next to the island's Princess Juliana International Airport, so on a good day, you can enjoy this gorgeous beach and seriously up-close plane spotting.

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