The Caribbean’s lesser-known islands

Everyone’s heard of Barbados and Jamaica — but what about the islands that fly a little more under the radar? Beyond the destinations that usually spring to mind, there’s a string of well-kept secrets. Yes, there are palm trees, and yes, there are piña coladas (plenty of them, if that’s your thing!) but these islands sit a little bit out of the spotlight.

Some are French to their core like Guadeloupe, and Saint Barths and others are proudly Dutch such as Sint Maarten. But they all share a generous dose of the inimitable Caribbean spirit and the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon somewhere brilliantly special.

Caribbean island hopping is the best way to explore these islands as they tend to be a little trickier to get to straight from the UK, but by combining islands, it can make the itinerary work smoother and you’ll get to see more of these amazing islands. We’d love to help you plan something unique for your next Caribbean escape, so let us know if one of these destinations catches your eye.

 

TL:DR: Lesser-known Caribbean islands

Guadeloupe:  A laid-back slice of France with beaches, rainforest and ‘Death in Paradise’ backdrops.

Curaçao: Colourful and full of character, with incredible diving and Dutch-Caribbean charm.

Martinique: Volcanic peaks, fine rum and sophisticated French elegance.

St. Martin/Sint Maarten: Half French, half Dutch – from beaches to beach bars.

Dominica: Wild, lush landscape that’s covered in waterfalls.

Tobago: Quiet coves, rainforest trails and a Robinson Crusoe vibe.

St. Kitts & Nevis: Crowd-free, colonial charm with rainforests and golden beaches.

St. Barths: Exclusive, secluded and sun-drenched French luxury.

Bonaire: Unpretentious, wild and underwater heaven for divers.

St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Sailing, island hopping, lush nature and hidden beaches.

Off the beaten track islands: For even more secret islands, Montserrat, Saba, or Sint Eustatius.

 

Guadeloupe: Wild nature & quiet beaches

Tucked away in the French Caribbean, Guadeloupe is shaped like a butterfly when seen from above.  It’s made up of the two islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, which are linked by a series of bridges.  On the eastern side, Grande-Terre is the more developed half, home to sweeping white-sand beaches, lively beach towns, and the island’s main hub, Pointe-à-Pitre. It’s flatter and drier, with a laid-back coastal feel, with lots of colourful markets, seaside cafés, and a distinct French-Caribbean vibe.

To the west, Basse-Terre is a complete contrast with its mountainous, lush, and wild landscape. It’s home to Guadeloupe National Park, where you can walk through rainforest, spot waterfalls such as Chutes du Carbet, and if you’re feeling adventurous climb La Soufrière, which is an active volcano.  This side is much quieter and more suitable for nature lovers rather than beach dwellers.

If you’re a fan of TV’s Death in Paradise, you might recognise the town of Deshaies on Basse-Terre’s northwest coast, where the show is filmed. The police station is next to the church in the middle of town and is a small museum outside of filming.  Katherine’s Bar is a real seaside restaurant called Le Madras, and the famous beach shack is a bungalow overlooking Anse de la Perle beach. Once you see the island, you’ll understand why the crew never rushes to pack up and leave!

 

Curaçao:  Rainbow coloured buildings & Diving

Curaçao is a Dutch territory with a wonderfully relaxed feel. It’s part of the ABC islands (alongside Aruba and Bonaire) and sits in the southern Caribbean Sea.  With picture-perfect beaches, fabulous diving opportunities, and Insta-famous rainbow-coloured buildings, it’s a wonderful choice.

The capital, Willemstad, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can spend hours just wandering its colourful streets and crossing the floating pontoon bridge that connects the two sides of the city. The year-round trade winds also keep things pleasantly cool.

The island’s beaches are spectacular, especially Kenepa Beach with its brilliant turquoise waters. You can explore Hato Caves with their ancient formations or spend the day at Christoffel National Park climbing to the island’s highest point.

The island is the birthplace of Blue Curaçao liqueur, made from the island’s native Laraha citrus peel. There’s nothing quite like sipping a Curaçao cocktail in a laid-back beach shack with your toes in the sand!

 

Martinique: French flavours & lively markets

Martinique is often seen as one of the Caribbean’s more sophisticated islands, thanks to its strong French influence and polished dining scene, perfect for foodies. With euros, French postcodes, incredible wine plus a slice of Creole spirit, it’s the perfect blend of European elegance and island warmth.   You can sip proper French wine and Champagne whilst watching the sunset from a beachside restaurant, then head to Fort-de-France’s lively markets to pick up a mix of local Caribbean goodies and French treats.

The island is dominated by the dramatic Mount Pelée volcano, which creates some of the most spectacular landscapes you’ll ever see.   At its base lies Saint-Pierre, once known as the ‘Paris of the West Indies.’ This lively town was tragically destroyed in minutes by the volcano’s catastrophic eruption in 1902. Today, Saint-Pierre is a fascinating place to explore, where you can wander through ruins and visit museums that tell the story of that dramatic event. Other highlights include The Jardin de Balata botanical gardens which are absolutely magical, and Les Salines Beach which boasts a picture-postcard stretch of white sand.  Don’t miss the rum distilleries either.  Martinique produces some of the world’s finest agricole rum, so make sure you head for some tastings.

 

St. Martin/Sint Maarten:  Dual cultures & beach buzz

St. Martin/Sint Maarten is the world’s smallest island that is shared by more than one nation, with the French St. Martin in the north and Dutch Sint Maarten in the south.

The French side (St. Martin) offers the more sophisticated and refined feel, with a plethora of Michelin-quality restaurants. The town of Marigot boasts colonial buildings and colourful markets filled with local crafts, fresh produce, and Caribbean spices. Orient Bay is the most popular beach on the French side with chic beach clubs, soft white sand, and a lively yet relaxed vibe. For something quieter, Friar’s Bay offers a more secluded cove with calm waters.  This side also boasts a lot of natural beauty with lush inland areas.  For a bit of adventure, head up to Loterie Farm, an eco-adventure park nestled where you can zip-line through the forest canopy.

The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is where you’ll find a high energy, party atmosphere, with fantastic shopping.  Philipsburg is the main hub, with duty-free shops and a seafront promenade lined with restaurants, casinos, clubs, and beach bars. One of its biggest draws is Maho Beach, where you can experience the thrill of planes landing just overhead. The beaches here tend to be busier, with plenty of resorts and water sports.

 

Dominica: Rainforest & hidden waterfalls

Nestled between Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica proudly calls itself the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean,’ and it certainly lives up to its name. Ideal for nature lovers and adventurers, pristine rainforest covers three-quarters of the island.

What makes Dominica unique though, is what it doesn’t have… There are no white sand beaches, no huge resort developments, and no cruise ship crowds. Instead, there are 365 rivers, numerous waterfalls, and the world’s second-largest hot spring lake. The hiking here is absolutely spectacular, with the trek to Boiling Lake offering a challenging adventure.

Dominica is also one of the world’s best places for whale and dolphin watching, with sperm whales living here all year-round. The diving at Champagne Reef is also excellent with underwater volcanic vents that create streams of bubbles that make you feel like you’re swimming in champagne. The capital town of Roseau is another highlight with plenty of Caribbean character and friendly locals.

 

Tobago:  Tranquil nature & calm bays

Tobago is perfect if you’re looking for complete tranquillity.  With no mass tourism, it’s often touted as what the Caribbean used to be – unspoiled, friendly, and blissfully laid-back. It is believed by some, that the island inspired Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, and it’s easy to see why when you’re surrounded by wild beauty and empty beaches.

One of its many pristine beaches is Pigeon Point Beach, with its famous thatched-roof jetty.  Other great spots include Store Bay, Englishman’s Bay and the remote Pirate’s Bay near Charlotteville.  Buccoo Reef and the famous Nylon Pool – a crystal-clear shallow area in the middle of the sea – offer some of the Caribbean’s best snorkelling. The Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the world’s oldest protected rainforest and is teeming with exotic birds and wildlife.

The Sunday School street parties in Buccoo are legendary too, featuring steel drums, local food, and of course, plenty of rum punch.

 

St. Kitts & Nevis: Island elegance & lush rainforest

St Kitts and Nevis is a dual-island nation that offers a chilled, authentic slice of the Caribbean, with very few crowds. St Kitts, once the oldest and wealthiest British colony, boasts colonial buildings, old sugar mills and the Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While Nevis is known for its lush rainforest and relaxed charm.

Both islands have beautiful beaches including Cockleshell Bay on St Kitts and Pinney’s Beach on Nevis. They offer great snorkelling, diving, walking and the chance to catch a cricket match. While nightlife is low-key, Frigate Bay on St Kitts has lively beach bars, and Nevis hosts the colourful Culturama Festival each July. Food is a highlight across both islands, with a mix of West Indian, Creole and international flavours. For a spot of shopping, the capital of Basseterre in St Kitts is best.

 

St. Barthélemy (St. Barths): Celeb spotting & yacht vibes

Northwest of Guadeloupe, St. Barths is unapologetically exclusive, glamorous, sophisticated, and French. It’s proudly kept its refined vibe by banning cruise ships entirely, so the beaches are uncrowded and the atmosphere feels luxurious and elegant. With stunning red brick buildings and an impressive harbour filled with sleek yachts, the capital Gustavia boasts designer boutiques like Bulgari and Louis Vuitton alongside duty-free prices.

The restaurant scene here is phenomenal, from Michelin-quality French haute cuisine to local Creole dishes served with spectacular views of the harbour. For beach lovers, Shell Beach and Saline Beach (a popular nudist spot) are particularly stunning, but if you have time, beach-hop your way around to hidden gems such as Anse du Gouverneur and Anse de Colombier.

If you want to see the whole island properly, renting a car is a great idea. St. Barths is also a  haven for sailing and yachting, with world-class events including St Barths Bucket Race and Les Voiles de St Barth bringing mega yachts and parties to the harbour.  Although most of the time, evenings here are generally all about fine dining and cocktails rather than wild parties.

 

Bonaire: Shore Diving & Nature spots

Part of the ABC islands with Aruba and Curaçao, Bonaire has earned a reputation as the shore diving capital of the Caribbean. It’s renowned for its easy access to numerous dive sites directly from the shore, making it particularly popular for both beginners and experienced divers. You can literally walk into the water from your hotel and find yourself swimming amongst pristine coral reefs teeming with tropical fish.

It’s not surprising that Bonaire takes marine conservation very seriously with the entire coastline being a protected marine park with incredible visibility that often exceeds 100 feet. The consistent trade winds make it excellent for windsurfing at Lac Bay, which is considered one of the world’s top windsurfing destinations.

Washington Slabaai National Park covers nearly 20% of the island and is home to pink flamingos, iguanas, and over 200 bird species. The salt flats create an almost otherworldly landscape that’s particularly wonderful at sunset. Kralendijk, the capital, has a small-town feel where you’ll feel like more like a local than a tourist.

 

Saint Vincent & The Grenadines (SVG): Sailing & island hopping

Saint Vincent & The Grenadines (SVG) is chain of 32 volcanic islands and cays located west of Barbados, offering some of the best sailing and island-hopping experiences in the Caribbean. SVG also boasts incredible snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs and the chance to watch dolphins and whales.  The largest island, Saint Vincent, is lush, with Kingstown as its lively capital. Here, you can wander cobbled streets lined with historic churches and colourful markets or climb up to Fort Charlotte for sweeping views over the city and harbour.  Nature lovers have plenty to explore, from the exotic Montreal and Botanical Gardens to the dramatic La Soufrière volcano, as well as Bat Cave near Buccament Bay, Owia Salt Pond, and the impressive 60-foot Falls of Baleine.

Each island has its own distinct character. Bequia is a favourite with the sailing community and boasts the lovely Princess Margaret Beach, plus a turtle sanctuary.  Mustique is ultra-exclusive, serving as a private hideaway for celebrities and royalty.  Canouan offers luxury resort living with a championship golf course, while tiny Mayreau has an authentic Caribbean village atmosphere.

The islands served as a major filming location for the Pirates of the Caribbean films, and once you see those perfect white sand beaches and turquoise waters, you’ll understand why Hollywood fell in love with the place.

 

More off the beaten track: Secret Caribbean islands

If even these lesser-known islands feel a bit too explored, you could consider Montserrat, Saba, or Sint Eustatius. Rarely featured in travel guides, these islands make you feel almost like you have them all to yourself. Montserrat features dramatic volcanic landscapes and ash-covered ghost towns; Saba is known for world-class diving and pretty mountain villages; while Sint Eustatius has 18th-century ruins and authentic, untouched feel.

 

Simply get in touch if you’d like us to help planning your Caribbean adventure.   If you’re after something a bit different – quieter, quirkier, or just more a bit more ‘you’ – one of these lesser known Caribbean islands might be your perfect choice.