Sometimes even a beach bar isn’t close enough to the water. That’s where these come in: they’re not on the beach. They’re past it. They’re the Caribbean’s floating bars, the ones that are either smack in the middle of the Caribbean Sea or as near as makes no difference. We’ve put together a list of great ones, with one requirement — that each bar have water on at least three sides. What’s your favourite floating bar in the Caribbean? Tell us below in the comments section.
The William Thorton — British Virgin Islands
This bar set in “The Bight” off the coast of Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands, this bar, is actually a boat. It’s known as The Willy-T, is one of the most beloved bars in all of the BVI.
Floyd’s Pelican Bar — Jamaica
Floyd’s also made our list of great secret beach bars, and it’s no surprise why — it’s a complete original. Propped on stilts, it’s sustainable (and can even be rebuilt in case of storms) and a whole lot of fun.
D-Boat Antigua
In its former life, D-Boa was an oil tanker. While you can only get to it by boat, it’s definitely worth the trip.
Houseboat Grill — Jamaica
The aptly-named Houseboat Grill is — you guessed it — located on an actual houseboat, with indoor and outdoor seating and a great restaurant, too.
Angel’s Rest St John
Angel’s Rest takes “swim up bar” to an entirely new level. It’s actually a pontoon boat, but it’s a fully-functioning bar on the beautiful Coral Bay in St John, USVI.
Karel’s Beach Bar — Bonaire
This popular bar in Bonaire is located on the water in the heart of downtown Kralendijk. At night, it becomes quite a bit of a hotspot.
Palapa Bar and Grill – Belize
This Belizean institution hovers off a nearly 300-foot dock in the waters off of the famous Ambergris Caye.
Pier One — Grand Bahama
It calls itself a “Shark Feeding Restaurant,” (and you can watch it happen live). Pier One in Grand Bahama is great seafood-and-spirits joint, on a set of stilts above the sea.
La Balandra — Bonaire
It’s actually a fine-dining restaurant, too, but this floating eatery in the shape of a wooden ship has a great bar, too, with water on three sides, located off one of the nicest beaches in Bonaire.
Saba Rock — British Virgin Islands
You might call it a private island, or you might call it the Caribbean’s largest floating bar. We prefer the latter. (Although it also has a hotel and restaurant).