We absolutely love the Caribbean, but one thing we’ve learned after visiting islands throughout the region is that they are not interchangeable. A vacation in St. Barth feels completely different from a week in Aruba, just as exploring St. Lucia is nothing like relaxing on the beaches of Anguilla.
That’s why asking for the “best Caribbean island” is almost impossible to answer. The better question is: Which Caribbean island is best for the way you like to travel?
Whether you want incredible beaches, adventure, luxury, nightlife, or a little bit of everything, here’s how some of our favorite Caribbean destinations compare, plus what we’d actually recommend doing while you’re there.
Anguilla
If your number one priority is beautiful beaches, Anguilla should be high on your list.
The island feels quiet and relaxed, without the massive resorts and busy cruise ports you’ll find elsewhere in the Caribbean. This is somewhere we’d go specifically to slow down.
Shoal Bay East is a must, but we’d also make time for Rendezvous Bay and Meads Bay. For lunch, head to a casual beach bar where you can eat with your feet practically in the sand.
One of the best ways to experience Anguilla is from the water. Charter a boat for the day and visit spots like Sandy Island or Prickly Pear Cays for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.
For something active, rent kayaks or paddleboards and explore the coastline from the water.
Anguilla is best for travelers who want beautiful beaches, boutique luxury resorts, great restaurants, and a quieter couples getaway.
The downside? If you’re looking for tons of nightlife, shopping, or sightseeing, this probably isn’t your island. Anguilla is about slowing down, and that’s exactly why we love it.
St. Barth
If Anguilla is relaxed Caribbean luxury, St. Barth is its glamorous cousin.
St. Barth has beautiful beaches, but the overall experience goes far beyond spending the day in the sand. Gustavia is filled with designer shops, incredible restaurants, yachts, and beautiful waterfront views.
For a classic St. Barth day, we’d spend the morning walking around Gustavia, head to a beach club for lunch, spend the afternoon by the water, and finish with a great dinner.
Nikki Beach and Gyp Sea are popular choices if you want a lively beach club atmosphere. For something quieter, head to Gouverneur Beach or Saline Beach.
Our active pick is the hike to Colombier Beach. You can’t drive directly to the beach, so you’ll need to hike in or arrive by boat. Pack water, wear good shoes, and you’ll be rewarded with one of the prettiest stretches of coastline on the island.
St. Barth is best for travelers who prioritize luxury, food, cocktails, beach clubs, and shopping.
Just know that St. Barth comes with St. Barth prices. If budget is a major factor, there are better Caribbean islands for stretching your dollar.
St. Lucia
If sitting on a beach for seven straight days sounds a little boring to you, we’d look at St. Lucia.
St. Lucia is one of the most visually dramatic islands in the Caribbean. The Pitons rise above the coastline, the interior is lush and mountainous, and there’s much more to explore than your resort.
We’d spend at least one day around Soufrière. See the Pitons up close, visit Sulphur Springs and the mud baths, stop at a waterfall, and have lunch overlooking the mountains or sea.
A boat day is another must. Seeing the Pitons from the water gives you a completely different perspective of the island.
For our adventure travelers, hike Gros Piton. It’s a challenging climb, so this isn’t a casual stroll, but the views make it one of the most memorable active experiences you can have in the Caribbean.
St. Lucia is our pick for travelers who want a romantic trip with some adventure mixed in. Compared with Anguilla or Turks and Caicos, you’ll probably spend more time exploring and less time simply sitting at your resort.
Turks and Caicos
If you want to fly to the Caribbean, check into a beautiful resort, and immediately switch into vacation mode, Turks and Caicos makes that very easy.
Grace Bay is the star. The beach is long, the water is unbelievably clear, and many of the island’s best resorts and restaurants are concentrated in the same general area.
We’d spend plenty of time enjoying Grace Bay, but we wouldn’t stay at the resort the entire trip.
Book a half-day boat tour to explore the surrounding cays, snorkel the reefs, and see more of that famous turquoise water. For something active, try paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling at Coral Gardens.
We’d also plan at least one great dinner away from the resort. Coco Bistro is a longtime favorite for travelers looking for a special evening out.
Turks and Caicos is especially good for first-time Caribbean travelers, couples, families, and anyone who wants luxury without a complicated itinerary.
If we’re comparing Turks and Caicos with St. Lucia, we’d choose Turks for beaches and pure relaxation and St. Lucia for scenery and adventure.
Aruba
Aruba is one of the easiest Caribbean islands to recommend because it works for so many different types of travelers.
You can stay at a full-service resort, spend your days on Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, enjoy plenty of restaurants and nightlife, and still find adventure once you leave the resort area.
Our must-do activity is exploring Arikok National Park. We’d either rent a Jeep or book an off-road tour to see Aruba’s rugged coastline, desert-like scenery, caves, and natural attractions.
If you’d rather be on the water, book a snorkeling or catamaran excursion. And don’t leave without spending at least one afternoon on Eagle Beach, which is one of our favorite places to simply relax.
Aruba is especially good for couples, groups, first-time Caribbean travelers, and anyone who wants both activities and downtime.
Compared with Anguilla, Aruba feels much busier and offers more to do. Compared with St. Lucia, it’s easier to navigate and less mountainous. It’s a great middle ground for travelers who aren’t quite sure what type of Caribbean vacation they want.
Which Island Wins?
There really isn’t one “best Caribbean island.”
If we had to simplify the decision, here’s how we’d match them:
Best beaches: Anguilla
Best luxury and dining: St. Barth
Best adventure: St. Lucia
Best easy luxury vacation: Turks and Caicos
Best mix of everything: Aruba
And that’s only scratching the surface. Islands like Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Grand Cayman, and many of the smaller islands throughout the Caribbean offer completely different experiences again.
That’s one of the reasons we love this region so much. You could take a Caribbean vacation every year and have a completely different trip each time.
Final Thoughts
When planning a Caribbean vacation, don’t choose an island just because you saw a beautiful beach photo online. Start by thinking about how you actually want to spend your trip.
Want to wake up, walk onto an incredible beach, and have almost nothing on the schedule? We’d look at Anguilla or Turks and Caicos.
Want beach clubs, great restaurants, shopping, and a little glamour? St. Barth is hard to beat.
Want to hike, explore waterfalls, get out on the water, and still come home to a beautiful resort? St. Lucia gets our vote.
Want beaches, nightlife, restaurants, and adventure all in one vacation? Aruba gives you a little bit of everything.
The best Caribbean island isn’t necessarily the most famous one. It’s the one that matches your travel style.
And if you’re still torn between a few islands, that’s where we can help. As travel advisors, we can compare destinations, resorts, pricing, and experiences to help you choose a Caribbean vacation that actually fits the way you want to travel.
