Best Spots in the Caribbean to Visit this Summer

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A peaceful resort beach with a sandy shore, cabanas, palm trees and umbrellas, all set up for guests to relax while looking out at a calm bay.
There’s a lot to do and see in the Caribbean this summer, or you can choose to do nothing and relax in paradise. Photo credit: Buccaneer Resort St. Croix.

Nothing says summer like beach time and the Caribbean has some of the world’s best beaches. I live two hours from the Texas Gulf Coast but the white sands and clear, calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean have me forever spoiled. Sure, it’s hard to compare a short drive to buying a plane ticket, but if you’re willing to fly to experience a dreamy beach, the Caribbean is easily accessible. Here are the best spots in the Caribbean to visit this summer. I’ve been to all of these spots, love them, and would 1000 percent plan a return trip.

In addition to gorgeous beaches…

Any one of these islands will give you the best ever saltwater fix and lots of options for luxe resorts – I’ve listed my favorites, where you can be pampered between swimming, snorkeling, and water sports. I’ve also provided some suggestions for other things to do on each of these Caribbean hot spots, just in case you want to plan something different than straight beach vibes.

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1. Puerto Rico

Colorful buildings on eiher side of the street
Colorful Old San Juan. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Beautiful beaches, lush greenery, waterfalls: Puerto Rico is calling you. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Getting There

It’s easy to fly to San Juan (SJU). American Airlines has a direct flight from Miami that takes about two hours. All major U.S. carriers offer flights to San Juan, and you can find direct flights from Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, and New York City.

Puerto Rico is a United States Territory, which means there’s no passport required and no currency exchange. Also, your cell phone will work.

To Do

Aside from enjoying Puerto Rico’s beautiful beaches, here’s what’s fun in Puerto Rico:

  • Hike in El Yunque National Forest – El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
  • Explore the history of Old San Juan.
  • Kayak in a bioluminescent bay.

Where to Stay

Blue pool with zero gravity entrance surrounded by cabanas and palm trees
Pool at Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

If you want someplace with that “away from it all” vibe, stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. It’s near Luquillo Beach and El Yunque, making it easy to leave the property and explore, or stay and enjoy the numerous restaurants and amenities on-site. Located in Rio Grande, about a 40-minute drive from the airport.

The Royal Sonesta San Juan – Beachfront high rise in San Juan’s Isla Verde neighborhood, close to the airport, restaurants, and nightlife.

2. St. Croix USVI

aerial view of golf course showing blue water, a green golf course with resort in the background
Beach vibes or epic golf views? You don’t have to choose at this breathtaking St. Croix resort. Photo Credit: Buccaneer Resort St. Croix

Getting There

American, United, and Spirit all fly into St. Croix (STX). I flew American Airlines from Miami and it was an easy, two-hour flight. The US Virgin Islands are an unincorporated territory of the United States and like Puerto Rico, you won’t need a passport if you’re coming from the U.S.A. However, you do pass through an immigration and customs check on your way out of St. Croix.

To Do

Catamaran on a sandy beach with blue water and a cloudy sky
Catamaran off the coast of Buck Island Reef National Monument. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

St. Croix boasts fantastic snorkeling, with crystal-clear and clean water. Here’s what not to miss.

  • Sail to Buck Island Reef National Monument. Located 1.5 miles off St. Croix, this epic snorkel spot can only be accessed by boat. Commercial tour boats or charters, such as those offered by Buck Island Charters, are widely available.
  • Hike Jack & Issac’s Bay Preserve – this moderate hike offers stunning ocean views and access to remote beaches.
  • Explore the town of Christiansted. You’ll find a historic fort, as well as restaurants and shops.
Cannons on the roof of Historic Fort with the ocean in the distance
Christiansted National Historic Site on St. Croix, USVI. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Where to Stay

Restful resort room with  bedroom furniture and seating area with big windows that overlook island vegetation and the sea
Light, airy, and newly refurbished guest room at Buccaneer St Croix Resort, USVI. Photo credit: Buccaneer Resort St. Croix

Hands down, The Buccaneer. This family-owned legacy resort has three beaches and an array of incredible restaurants. If you prefer a more active vacation, various on-site activities, including golf, tennis, and other games, are available. The concierge can assist with various off-site activities. Our Buck Island excursion was arranged by the resort, and they also provided suggestions on things to do in nearby Christiansted and around the island.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Plan your visit to St. Croix around Jump Up!, a four-time-a-year festival featuring music, food, and local shopping.

3. Bonaire

Vibrant blue sky and water with Waterfront jetty and palm trees
Fantastic swimming, snorkeling, and shore diving await you on the island of Bonaire. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

The Dutch territory of Bonaire, part of what is known as the “ABC Islands” off the coast of Venezuela—the “A” and the “C” refer to Aruba and Curacao—is popular among scuba circles, but relatively unknown to US vacationers.

Getting There

American Airlines, United, Delta, and JetBlue fly to Bonaire. I flew American Airlines from Miami and the flight was about two and a half hours. Easy peasy.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Check the flight schedules before making firm plans. Although there are plenty of flights available, most airlines don’t fly to Bonaire every day, so familiarize yourself with the flow of what’s coming in and going out.

To Do

pink Flamingos in the water searching for fish to eat
Flamingos inside Bonaire’s Washington Slagbaii National Park. Photo credit: Bonaire Tourism.

The main draw is diving, with snorkeling a close second. Here’s what else you can do on this charming island.

  • Immerse yourself in food culture. Try the chef’s table experience at Zara’s or the tasting menu at Biña.
  • Visit Washington Slagbaai National Park. Check their website carefully for information on permits/entrance.
  • Take a water taxi to Kleine Bonaire. This uninhabited island off the coast of Bonaire makes a fun spot to swim and picnic for the day.

Where to Stay

Beachfront Bar overlooking the ocean with palm trees and tables in the background and beach signs in the foreground
Delfin’s Beach Resort has a waterfront restaurant and bar as well as loungers and direct water access. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Delfin’s Beach Resort, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, has direct water access and all the comforts of home. There’s an onsite dive outfitter that also rents fins and snorkel masks. The rooms are beachy, comfortable, and home-like. The hotel has two pools, water access, and dining. Want a fun place to get a drink, soak up the ocean views, or listen to live music in the evenings? Check out the beach club, which has a tiki kind of vibe.

4. Turks & Caicos

dazzling orange Sunset over deep turquoise water and cloudy sky
Sunset over Turks & Caicos. Photo credit: Lee Robbins

Getting There

The Turks & Caicos Islands are easily accessible – all major U.S. airlines fly into the main airport on Providenciales (PLS), offering direct flights from Atlanta, Miami, New York City, and more. One con:

To say the airport isn’t awesome is putting it mildly. The terminal needs refurbishment and lacks many amenities.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Spring for the jump-the-line service with SkyPass Caribbean. It’s easy and vastly reduces your wait in line. I went through immigration in less than five minutes.

To Do

Windsurfing equipment in front of a Restaurant sign with the beach in the background
Water activities in front of Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Although relaxing at a posh resort and enjoying the service and ocean views will always be popular in Turks & Caicos, here are a few other options.

  • Check out Iguana Island, also known as Little Water Cay, and yes, you can expect to see Iguanas! They look scarier than they are.
  • Take a sunset cruise or a snorkel charter.
  • Explore other islands. While most resorts are located on Providenciales, it’s easy to reach Grand Turk by plane or ferry. Check with the concierge at your resort for options.

Where to Stay

Comfortable Living Room with couch, coffee table and ottoman looking out over the balcony with the ocean in the background
Cozy, homelike living room with a view inside a suite at Grace Bay Club. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Grace Bay Resorts has five resorts on the island, plus a collection of private villas. Each resort has its own personality and energy. From the newest South Bank resort, situated on the Caicos Bank, to the Grace Bay Club, one of the first luxury resorts in Turks and Caicos, Grace Bay Resorts offers casual luxury and a variety of delicious and diverse dining options.

5. St. Maarten

Flight coming in for a landing over water with people on the nearby beach
Since the runway is mere steps from the beach, watching planes come in for a landing from the water is a popular St. Maarten pastime. Photo credit: Sonesta St. Maarten

Getting There

All major U.S. airlines offer service into this half-Dutch, half-French Caribbean island. Princess Julianna Airport (SXM) is located on the Dutch side, but once you’re on the island, you can travel seamlessly between the Dutch side and the French side of Saint Martin with no border checks.

To Do

Mannequin in a yellow print carnivale costume dress with headdress standing in front of a bar
Carnival costume at the We Culture Museum. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

St Maarten is much more than just dazzling beaches so you can be as active as you want to be.

  • Planespotting. The incoming planes swooping over the beach as they come in for a landing are quite the sight to see. Nearby bars broadcast the tower audio and display landing and departure boards, making planespotting extra immersive.
  • Take a cooking class at the Creole Culinary Classroom. You get to eat what you make and the experience comes with rum punch.

Where to Stay

Hotel room with king sized bed and seating area.
Inside the one-bedroom room on the 10th floor – adults only – at the Sonesta Maho Beach. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

If you’re a fan of all-inclusive, the colocated Sonesta Maho Beach and Sonesta Ocean Point offer lots of amenities in a prime location near the airport, with shopping and dining within easy walking distance. Choose between family-friendly Maho Beach, with two dedicated adults-only floors or 100% adults-only Ocean Point.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Take a trek across the street to the We Culture Museum and learn the history of carnivale in St. Maarten through a tour or one of the museum’s interactive workshops. The admission includes an open bar and they make a wicked rum punch.

6. Anguilla

Rock formation arching over the blue water with island greenery in the forefront.
Beautiful, wild Anguilla. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Getting There

Ferry terminal sign in front of a modern building with ferry dock.
If you travel to Angulla via St. Maarten, your boat will dock at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Getting to Anguilla may present a bit of a challenge, but once you’re there, you’ll see it’s worth the effort. While you can fly directly from Miami into Anguilla, you might find it easier to add a visit to Anguilla to a trip to St Maarten. From St. Maarten, Anguilla is a 10-minute flight or a 30-minute boat ride away.

To Do

Although the waters in Anguilla are exquisite and the chill vibes lend well to doing a whole lot of nothing, there are things to do besides admiring the beaches.

  • Rent a moke and drive around the island. A moke, an electric, low-speed vehicle that’s somewhere between a car and a golf cart, can get you around Anguilla in about an hour.
  • Explore one of Anguilla’s offshore cays: Scrub Island, Sombrero, Dog Island, Sandy Island, Prickly Pear and Anguillita.

Where to Stay

Luxurious tiled Bathroom with ornate crystal light fixtures and two bathrobes hanging behind the vanity area with a view of the tub in the next room
Luxury bathroom? Yes, please. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

If you want an ultra-luxury escape, book a room at the Quintessence Hotel. The stately, towering mansion overlooks a pool that overlooks the ocean. The rooms and suites are restful and garden-like, which blend seamlessly with the lush, tropical greenery woven into the landscape. Wherever you look, there’s effortless beauty that brings on those travel “pinch me, I can’t believe I’m here” moments.

7. Saint Barthélemy

View of the water from a mountain-side observation point with two smaller islands in the distance.
Ocean views on St. Barts. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Also known as St. Barth of St. Barts, this oh-so-French island, situated at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean – or Atlantique, as they say –  and the Caribbean Sea, is well-known as a vacation hideaway for celebrities. Regular folk can enjoy this destination, too, although expect splurge prices.

Getting There

The St. Barts airport is a tiny hub for private and small aircraft. To get there from the US, you’ll fly to San Juan or St. Maarten and transfer. I flew to San Juan and connected via Tradewind Aviation, which was quite the bougie experience. The flight took an hour and I shared my small jet with another family. It was thisclose to being a private plane ride! The flight from St. Maarten takes around 15 minutes.  You can also take a 40-minute ferry ride from St. Maarten.

To Do

St Barts has two towns, St. Jean and Gustavia.

  • Spend a day at a posh beach club. Nikki Beach Club in St. Jean is popular and centrally located.
  • Browse luxury boutiques in Gustavia. You’ll find retailers like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Cartier and more. You’ll typically find luxury goods priced about 20% less than in the United States.

Where to Stay

Living room with couch, chair, and table looking out onto the beach with blue water and lounge chairs
Beachfront accommodations at the luxurious Hotel Manapany. Photo credit: Hotel Manapany

The five-star Hotel Manapany. This luxurious eco-hotel features elegantly casual rooms and suites, decorated with soothing neutrals and vivid pops of color, complemented by unique art. A central pool and bar/restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all fabulous food. This comfortably luxurious resort offers ocean views and a stretch of sandy beach. It’s conveniently located near St. Jean, making it an easy jump from the property to shop, or grab lunch.

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Jill Robbins is a freelance writer covering lifestyle, travel, health, and commerce. Her writing has appeared in SheKnows, HuffPost, Tripsavvy, Insider, AARP, and other publications. Jill lives in San Antonio with her husband and two youngest kids, although she’s usually somewhere else. You can find out what Jill is up to by reading her blog, Jill Goes.
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