It’s something all Caribbean Journal readers have in common (other than loving to travel to the Caribbean): you love small islands. Sure, bigger destinations have a lot to offer — but there’s something endearing about the less-traveled places, the ones with small populations and big hearts. Here are five “small” islands to check out right now, from sparsely populated destinations to geographically diminutive destinations. And the summer season means you can have them all to yourself. Or at least it will feel like it.
St Kitts It’s got all of the Caribbean charm you expect, but it’s missing crowds. But for a small island, St Kitts has so much to offer, from the beach bars on Frigate Bay (you have to try Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack) to hiking lush Mount Liamuiga to historic Basseterre. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, go for the island’s Ottley’s Plantation Inn (above), a quintessentially Kittitian hotel.
Bonaire By far the least populous of the Dutch Caribbean’s ABC islands, Bonaire is a place that truly tugs at your heart, with exceptionally warm people and a laid-back vibe. While it’s famous for its diving, Bonaire has a lot more to offer, from world-class windsurfing to a growing foodie culture. Don’t miss At Sea, one of the top restaurants in the whole Caribbean. And if you’re looking for a new place to stay, try the boutique apartment-hotel called Bellafonte Bonaire, right on the ocean (above).
Cooper Island This is a simple island. There is a beach (a traditional white-sand British Virgin Islands beach), and a hotel. The hotel is one of the coolest places in the Caribbean, with a remarkable array of offerings from a world-class rum bar to a microbrewery. It may be tiny, but it’s got everything you could ever want.
Isla Mujeres One of the treasures of the Mexican Caribbean, the very thin Isla Mujeres is a short ferry ride from Cancun but a universe away. There is great diving here, great fishing and a quaint little town. There are also a range of Isla Mujeres hotels that belies its size, led by the Isla Mujeres Palace. But this is really a place to do nothing at all. And that’s a marvelous thing.
Bimini There’s nowhere in the wider region closer to the mainland US, and this is a water lover’s paradise. Whether you want to swim with sharks in the shark cage at the Bimini Big Game Club, wreck dive or lounge on Radio Beach, this is the place for the classic island vacation. It’s also home to the very well designed Hilton at Resorts World Bimini hotel, which celebrates its grand opening early next month as the newest hotel in the Bahamas.