It's high summer and high time to hit the sand and feel the surf. We have already checked out some of the top beaches in the world and those in Europe. Where else to head now but the Caribbean for sun, sea and white sand beaches.
Harrismith Beach, Barbados
Spend the day like a castaway on the remote Harrismith Beach in the Parish of St. Philip in Barbados. Though it’s just a short walk from Bottom Bay, this sandy paradise is far removed from the resort scene at the more developed beaches. The beach is accessible by a flight of stone steps carved into a cliff overlooking the sea. The cliff-top ruins of an old plantation house add to the romantic air. After descending the steps to the shore, enjoy a picnic, search for shells or relax with a book.
Palominos Island, Puerto Rico
Palominos Island is a 100-acre private beach getaway off the coast at the north eastern tip of Puerto Rico. Adding to the island’s allure is its air of exclusivity as it’s only available to guests staying at the El Conquistador Resort and Waldorf Astoria Spa.
Those lucky VIPs board a fast-moving catamaran for an 8-minute ride to this retreat for a day of snorkelling, wind surfing or riding wave runners or embrace the island paradise by simply lounging in a hammock with a frozen cocktail.
Shoal Bay, Anguilla
Once a secret hideaway, Anguilla has come into its own as a Caribbean hot spot for Hollywood starlets and honeymooners alike. Filled with beautiful beaches, posh resorts and overall laid-back charm, Anguilla's popularity is certainly well-deserved. Shoal Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Anguilla, with 2 miles of pearly-white sand on the Atlantic side.
Crane Beach, Barbados
Barbados is a distinctive island, both in its natural beauty and fun-loving culture. This West Indies gem is actually a coral island.
The sandy beaches are made up of pulverized coral, which makes for fine, soft sand. Just off the coast, there are coral reefs that tempt snorkelers and scuba divers with their exotic underwater life. Crane Beach is known for its great waves, and the waters are filled with surfers and even some body surfers, though the rough waters are appropriate only for strong swimmers.
Philipsburg, St Maarten
St. Maarten is a cosmopolitan beach destination with European flair on the Dutch and French sides of the island. Phillipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side and the island’s hub of activity with cruise ships coming and going and visitors strolling along the brick-lined Great Bay Beach Promenade. This busy beachfront runs for nearly 2 miles with colourful umbrellas dotting the wide sandy shores.
Eagle Beach, Aruba
Eagle Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Aruba, with its wide swath of powdery sand and gentle surf perfect for swimming. The beach is a bit quieter than some of its neighbours, which could make it the ultimate relaxation spot.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Bermuda's famous pink-sand beaches are considered some of the prettiest seaside retreats in the world, and the shores of Horseshoe Bay are no exception. Wide stretches of the pastel pink sand offset by clear blue waves lapping at the shore, create an enticing lure for the tons of tourists that find themselves in Bermuda.
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau’s beaches are more than lovely and the allure for many is the spectacular diving just off the sandy shores where visibility can reach up to 100 feet! Explore the Blue Hole, a natural hole 100 feet across and 200 feet deep full of large schools of fish.
There are also countless shipwrecks that have occurred along the reefs surrounding the islands of the Bahamas that make for some very exciting underwater adventures.
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands are made up of a collection of smaller islands, each with its own unique island vibe. Virgin Gorda, one of the largest islands, is a popular tourist spot with posh resorts, pristine beaches and great sailing.
Virgin Gorda is probably most famous for the Baths, a unique national park on the island's southwest coast with white sandy beaches framed by gigantic granite boulders, some of these with diameters reaching 40 feet. Bring along your water shoes, a snorkel and a waterproof camera and explore the series of caves and grottos created by these irregular boulders.
Trunk Bay, St. John
The beach and offshore coral reefs remain among St. John’s most breath-taking and well preserved attractions; and with Trunk Bay’s clear, warm water and silky coral sands we can’t say we don’t see why this is one of the top Caribbean beaches to check out.
Visitors can bask in the tropical sun, snorkel the 225-yard-long Underwater Trail of reefs, or try their hand at underwater, and we have to mention that the clean water and variety of colourful sea life promise spectacular photo opportunities.
