A guide to lesser known Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean is made up of over 7,000 islands, Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas being three of the most popular. There’s no doubt that these destinations are stunning but if you like to explore off the beaten path and visit unique and unusual locations where you don’t have to fight for a spot on the beach, then there are ample Caribbean islands that are yet to become tourist hotspots.

Here are just five lesser-known Caribbean islands that are just waiting to overwhelm:

Curacao

Curacao is a Dutch Caribbean island that is located south-east of Aruba, just off the north coast of Venezuela. This island, which is a part of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, boasts dazzling beaches along with brightly coloured traditional Dutch architecture which floods the UNESCO World Heritage capital, Willemstad.

Its beautifully blue coves and lagoons make it a fabulous place for snorkelling and its National parks offer plenty of rugged countrysides, greenery and wildlife to explore.

Anguilla

You’ll find Anguilla lying east of Puerto Rico and north of Saint Martin, it’s a small island with numerous offshore islets. For an island with 12 miles of sensational beach, this British Overseas Territory remains surprisingly tourist free, which is what makes it even more attractive.

After being seriously damaged during Hurricane Irma in 2017 the island is now flourishing again and long sandy beaches, secluded coves, luxury accommodation, vibrant beach bars, intriguing art galleries and delicious cuisine is all waiting to be discovered.

Vieques

Sitting off the east coast of Puerto Rico is a hidden Caribbean gem. The island of Vieques is most well-known for Mosquito Bay which lights up spectacularly at night due to the vast amount of Pyrodinium bahamense in its water.

Explore the island’s hidden beaches, snorkel in the beautiful bays or visit The Bioluminescent Bay by boat. You’ll also find free-roaming horses around the island, the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge which is a diverse reserve and Punta Mulas Lighthouse.

Nevis

Nevis is the smallest island of the nation that is made up of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It’s situated in the northern part of the West Indies and is a charming island that will make you appreciate its natural beauty.

It’s one of the most unspoilt islands in the Caribbean and is home to a volcanic peak that provides epic walking trails, long empty beaches where you can bask under the unclouded skies, an offshore dive site that shelters sea turtles and sting rays and a Georgian style capital.

Martinique

This special Caribbean island is an overseas region of France and can be found settled between St Lucia and Dominica in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The island combines French and West Indian cultural influences and can be described as a little bit of France in the Caribbean.

The island has something for everyone with reams of mountainous rainforest making it an ideal destination for canyoning, hiking and horseback riding, plus oodles of tropical beaches with both black and white sand and warm waters for relaxing or watersport activity.