5. Eagle Beach, Aruba
Aruba’s best beaches are found on the northwest side of the island, where seven kilometres of fine white sand and turquoise waters stretch between Eagle Beach and Palm beach. Eagle Beach is the largest and most popular on the island, with plenty of shade and watersports aplenty.
© David P. Smith/Shutterstock
6. Playa Rincón, Dominican Republic
A clear contender for the island’s best beach, Playa Rincón boasts three kilometres of sand backed by a coconut forest of swaying palms. It's also one of our top 14 things not to miss in the Dominican Republic.
© Klemen K. Misic/Shutterstock
7. Negril beach, Jamaica
Jamaica’s shrine to permissive indulgence, Negril metamorphosed from a deserted fishing beach to full-blown resort town in little over two decades. If you’re after some time to yourself, this might not be the beach for you, but you can’t beat watching the sun go down here with a cocktail in hand.
© Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock
8. Puerto Mosquito, Vieques, Puerto Rico
One of the highlights of any visit to Puerto Rico is a night-time trip to La Reserva Natural de la Bahía Bioluminiscente at Puerto Mosquito (or just “bio bay”), said to contain the highest degree of bioluminescence in the world. This shallow-water mangrove lagoon shelters trillions of microscopic dinoflagellates, which light up in self-defence when disturbed. It’s one of the wonders of the natural world.
© Danita Delmont/Shutterstock
9. Les Salines, Martinique
The stupendous Grande Anse Des Salines is often considered Martinique’s best beach, and with good reason: its pristine white sands trim an azure bay framed by swaying palm trees. Should you get bored with sun-worshipping, the sand is backed by a natural salt pond, after which the beach is named, and borders a desolate petrified forest; both make good side-explorations.
© Stefano Zaccaria/Shutterstock
10. Bathsheba, Barbados
If you’re after surf rather than sunbathing, the crashing waves in the “soup bowl” at Bathsheba make this an ideal spot year-round. Picturesque, easy-going and caressed by Atlantic breezes, this has long been a favoured resort for Bajans, though surprisingly few tourists visit. Unfortunately the currents make it a dangerous place to swim, but the attractive golden beach is pleasant to walk along.

Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.