Regularly ranked among the world’s top beaches, Crane Beach is a true Caribbean standout. Nearby coral reefs temper the waves and make conditions perfect for swimming and boogie boarding, while the powdery sand—with its distinctive, rosy blush—was made for sunbathing. Sheltered by rocky cliffs and fringed with coconut trees, Crane Beach is the quintessential tropical paradise.
Another frequently cited pick for one of the world’s most stunning beaches, Aruba’s Eagle Beach is a Caribbean highlight. Its brilliant white sands are home to nesting sea turtles and distinctive fofoti trees, and its turquoise water is so vivid it almost defies reality.
Located on the Turks and Caicos island of Providenciales, Grace Bay Beach stretches for mile upon mile of pristine shoreline. The beach’s unspoiled sand and aquamarine water are appealing enough, but Grace Bay truly excels as a diving destination, thanks to the extraordinary coral reefs found just offshore.
One of Bermuda’s best-known beaches, Horseshoe Bay—named for its distinctive, crescent shape—pairs roseate sand and brilliant blue waters (and is an Instagrammer’s dream destination as a result). Beyond swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling, Horseshoe Bay’s many coves and rock formations are also worth exploring.
Orient Bay Beach is famously clothing-optional, so if you’d like to feel the sea breeze on your skin, this may be the place for you. The beach also offers sublime snorkeling opportunities. Though many of its bars and facilities were damaged during Hurricane Irma in 2017, Orient Bay is already bouncing back.
True to its name, Seven Mile Beach offers an expansive waterfront that’s often singled out as one of the Caribbean’s most scenic stretches of shoreline. While it’s picture-perfect by day, the beach transforms in the evening: As it faces west, it offers the perfect vantage point to watch the sun set over the waves.
The Cayman Islands aren’t alone when it comes to 7-mile beauties. Negril’s own Seven Mile Beach is a Jamaican highlight, thanks to its silken sands, clear waters, and festive ambiance. Sunbathe and paddle at your leisure by day, and get ready to let loose in the evening.
Part of Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay is one of St. John Island’s most popular beaches. While its views are impeccable, don’t just stay on the sand: The park also has a self-guided underwater snorkeling trail, so you can go for a dip, admire the coral, and even attempt to glimpse the leatherback turtles that frequent the area.