5 Underrated Caribbean Beaches That Deserve Your Next Holiday

Rum, reggae, escapism — the Caribbean isn’t just a destination, it’s a full-body mood. Layer that over white sands or pink-hued shores, and you’ve got a cocktail no one wants to come down from.

But beyond the usual tourist-trodden sands lie beaches that feel like secrets. Think black sand coves, shipwrecked beauty, and beaches where the only crowds are local kids on a Sunday picnic.

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If you're looking for the best Caribbean beaches for your next holidays but without the clichés, start here.

Caribbean Beaches, Grand Turk

Governor’s Beach, Grand Turk: Shipwrecks and Solitude

Want to walk up to a wreck on the beach? Visit Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Absolute stunners where beaches are concerned. The islands must have had VIP passes to an exquisite selection when the universe dished out beaches.

Grand Turk, not as commercialised and developed as Providenciales, but its beaches are no less draw-dropping! Sand so white it sparkles! Sea and sky so endlessly azure, they become one! Add to that a wreck on the beach, and you have another story to tell.

This is Governor's Beach. Frequented by the locals but shied away from the three thousand strong tourists off a cruise ship in town. The good news is - it remained relatively empty but for some local families and their Sunday picnics sat under the shade of pine trees, at wooden beach tables and chairs, having a good old gossip.

The kids, however, took great pleasure in their frolics around the omnipresent 'Mega One Triton' shipwreck.

The story is this cargo ship became marooned during a hurricane. With no means of moving his beloved ship and no income, the captain seemingly drank himself to death some months later from the dilemma.

On the other end of the beach, well, it's just beach - miles of it. Have a wander or relax on your beach lounger and enjoy the calm and serenity.

This beach is especially convenient to the cruise terminal in Grand Turk. If you only have a few hours to idle away and want a pleasurable time away from your madding three thousand-strong cruise crowd, calm waters, sugar-white sandy beach and an imposing shipwreck in your photo frame, head over to the Governor's Beach. It is named for the nearby Governor's mansion.

Facilities: Shower, Jack's Shack, beach loungers and umbrellas and parking

Getting There, In Style?

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Pigeon Point Beach, Antigua: Local Vibes and Calm Waters

What Antigua lacks in freshwater rivers, ponds and pools, it greatly compensates with beaches and lagoons. This is the island where the number of beaches totals the number of days in the year. With 365 beaches to choose from, do you get sucked into one of the overly subscribed tourist melting pots? Although with this many, do the beaches ever become crowded? 

Hang with the locals and head for the warm waters of Pigeon Point Beach. Less pepped up, decidedly unpretentious, but no less eye candy. Blissfully removed from the spiked and spritzed social butterflied sands of Dickenson Bay. Guaranteeing a more relaxed affair and a beach nearly all to yourself.

Pigeon Point is one of the more southerly beaches on the island. Approximately one hour's drive from the capital St Johns if driving as a tourist or forty-five minutes - horns tooting; music blaring if driving like a local.

A more relaxed affair and a beach nearly all to yourself. The kind of quiet you chase when it's just the two of you.

(Antigua made our list of best Caribbean islands for couples. Here’s why.)

The water is all calm and inviting. Relax on the beach or wonder at the guests in the yachts floating in the bay.

Pigeon Point calls Nelson's Dockyard (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) at English Harbour neighbours. Historical attractions worthy of a rendezvous, unless already booked to stay within the charming 18th-century walls of The Admiral's Inn gazing out to the harbour.

Facilities: The facilities at this beach include an outdoor shower and an open shelter.

[Fly direct from the UK to the capital St Johns, Antigua, with most major airlines] 

Little Bay, Montserrat: Black Sands and Beach Bars

While Antigua is blazoned in white sand beaches and clear blue seas, take a flight on a nine-seat commuter plane (imagine it's your little private plane) and, in twenty minutes, discover an island that is quite the opposite.

With its mix of black, grey and light brown sands (it is a volcanic island), this is Little Bay on the north-western coast of the island of Montserrat. Tourists delight in the same laid-back lifestyle as ex-pats and locals.

But for me, Montserrat is more than a beach stop. It’s a place woven into memory. I wrote about it in Mini Memoir of an Island Girl, if you’d like a peek beneath the surface.

Though the locals are happy to brainwash you into the charms of a mellow island lifestyle, the beach, however, doesn't always mirror that easy going lifestyle. Sometimes the waves do come rolling in.

And when they do, find your spot at one of four thatched, open-air beach bars where the seafood served must surely be the 'freshly caught' of the day.

Make one of the island's many villas your own. Here's one villa, Olveston House, whose walls rung out with the guitar chords of Sting, and Eric Clapton, not to drop any names.

Facilities: complimentary wi-fi, a dive shop and public restrooms on location. 

[Fly from the UK to Antigua and connect with a daily commuter to Montserrat]

Pointe du Bout, Martinique: A French Caribbean Surprise

Martinique, an absolute surprise! 

Very much in the Caribbean, but with a decidedly french European way to proceedings. Best to brush up on those french phrases. De rien!

The island's western side sees the mountains kiss the Caribbean sea's calmer waters. Here is where you'd find Trois-Islets and Pointe du Bout. The sand has had less whitening here, the sea a more mysterious shade of green. Ah yes, Martinique is another volcanic island!

Scarcely a twenty-minute ferry ride outside the cruise terminal in Fort de France, and you are there. A vibey beach town pepped up with french eateries, Caribbean rum-infused bars and touristy shops.

A stay at the ultra-modern and aesthetically pleasing Simon Hotel is your location ticket. A skip and a jump away from Fort Saint Louis and its elevated views over the capital Fort de France. The closest hotel to the islands cruise terminal and the ferry port and ferries to Pointe du Bout.

Facilities: beach loungers and umbrellas are available to rent; bars and restaurants; restrooms.

[Fly London to Fort De France, Martinique via Paris]

Carlisle Bay, Barbados: Classic Sands, Big Energy

Carlisle Bay, Barbados (not to be confused with Carlisle Bay - Antigua) has much of the lofty white sandy stuff. Energetic with its atmosphere with a rum-infused crowd.

This beach is busy but big enough not to have to share your sand with anyone else unless you want to. An unbelievable rainbow of blue waters, and the sand, ice cream soft under your feet. On the island's western side, the Caribbean sea lends its chilled-out characteristics to the beach vibes.

There's a lot to do here in the way of water sports. Scuba diving, jet-skiing, snorkelling is but a few. If the thought of any sports is far too exerting, there's always Pirates Cove Bar.

Your very own laid-back beach shack where the only exercise required is lifting your bottle of Banks (locally brewed lager) to your lips and swaying to the sounds of the live band present on the day.

You can stay at the Hilton or Radisson and catch the racehorses' laid-back procession to their early morning swim. Or watch leatherback turtles escape their sandy nests back to the ocean.

Hanging at Carlisle Bay will fast become one of your daytime rituals. You'd be riding a high knowing you chose a hotel where you roll from the bed onto Carlisle beach.

Facilities: umbrellas and beach chairs available to rent, showers, toilets, changing room, wifi.

[Fly direct from the UK to Bridgetown Barbados with most major airlines]

And for the real surprise!

Bonus - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas: Beauty You Can't Just Book

This is an island drunk on its beauty. Had I not seen it myself, I'd have not believed it.

To visit it is not like any other; it is private, so click on this link and find out how. Hint: it’s one of Holland America Line’s best-kept secrets. More on that in this post.

Some unique but all amazing!

Which of these beauties can you see yourself giving over your next vacation to?

Still daydreaming? Dive deeper with Best Caribbean Islands for Every Kind of Traveller. Got a romantic escape to plan, a girls' trip or a nature-fuelled adventure, I’ve got the island for your mood.