You can take a great family vacation anywhere in the Caribbean. But some islands have a certain innate family-friendliness, an added level of comfort and ease that make a trip particularly well suited for a family traveling together, whether due to well-developed infrastructure or thoughtful hotels.
Because the same trip that’s exotic and alluring for a couple won’t always be for a family, with different considerations to think about. How easy is it to get there? How many flights are there? What’s it like getting around? Is it safe? Are there hotels geared toward families?
Of course, there are different kinds of family vacations. Sometimes you’re looking for an easy beach getaway that helps you and your kids relax; other times it’s all about giving the whole group a memorable adventure.
Ultimately, though, if you’re traveling with your family you want that extra degree of comfort and convenience, a bit of a retreat from the hassle that can all too often come with traveling as a unit while managing to find something to make everyone in the group happy and engaged.
To compile our 2017 list of the best islands for families, we looked at a variety of factors, including airport and transportation infrastructure, quality of airlift, ease of navigation on island, breadth of attractions, beach and natural beauty and the proportion and quality of hotels well suited for family travel.
Here are the best Caribbean islands for families right now.
Aruba The Dutch Caribbean’s tourism capital has managed to create what is right now the most family friendly destination in the region, thanks to a surfeit of comfortable, well-managed hotels (like the Aruba Marriott and the Hilton), some of the world’s best beaches, great transportation infrastructure and a wide number of nonstop flights.
Round Hill is Jamaica’s best hotel for families.
Jamaica While Jamaica has a wonderful slate of attractions like Mystic Mountain and Dunn’s River Falls Park, where the island really distinguishes itself is in its family-friendly hotel product, both in smaller hotels and larger resorts (right now, the Montego Bay-area Round Hill is our pick for Jamaica’s top hotel for families).
New Providence Known for its major city, Nassau, this island has long been a hub for family travel in the Caribbean thanks to a wide array of flights and the prominent Atlantis resort, long one of the region’s most sought-after family getaways (the kids usually ask for it). But Nassau’s terrific airport, easy navigation, array of beachfront resorts and diversity of activities make it an all around great family getaway.
The Sands at Grace Bay in Provo.
Providenciales You won’t find any family member with a complaint about Turks and Caicos’ spectacular Grace Bay Beach, but Provo really stands out for its large condo-hotels, with some of the region’s most spacious rooms that give you all the comfort both you and your kids need.
Antigua Increasingly on the map of sophisticated travelers, this Eastern Caribbean island has a great mix of the exotic and the comfortable, thanks to a beautiful new airport and some terrific family resorts, from the Verandah to the legendary Curtain Bluff, both of which are also all inclusive, something that never makes a family vacation harder.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman.
Grand Cayman The level of infrastructure and development here is so good that it’s often easy to forget you’re actually in the Caribbean. But that, combined with a great mix of both large resorts (like the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and the Westin) and villa and vacation rentals, make for an easy, fun-filled family getaway.
Martinique Looking for a family vacation to France? Why not take a significantly shorter flight to the heart of the French Caribbean? The “Isle of Flowers” has easily the best road network in the Caribbean, making it a great destination for family trips full of exploration of a fascinating mix of French and Caribbean culture that’s unlike anywhere else. Even better? It’s arguably the safest place in the whole Caribbean.
Above: Peter Island
The British Virgin Islands Looking for an unforgettable family adventure? Head to the BVI and charter a sailboat to explore one of the most beautiful places in the region, taking you and your family on an island hopping journey with charter firms like Marine Max Vacations and Sunsail. And even if you don’t get out on the water, the islanda chain is full of great private island resorts like Peter Island and Scrub Island, giving you all the amenities and room you need to enjoy your trip.
The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas.
The U.S. Virgin Islands There’s something for everyone in America’s Caribbean, with beaches, shopping, food and nature, along with very good transportation that gives the opportunity to travel to at least three different islands on your journey, something not every archipelago can boast. Oh, and you don’t need a passport, either.
Colony Club in Barbados.
Barbados The easternmost place in the Caribbean is all about elegant relaxation, making it the perfect place to retreat with your kids to luxury resorts like Colony Club and Sandy Lane or even all inclusive properties like Turtle Beach and Crystal Cove.
Punta Cana.
The Dominican Republic No, it’s not an island (sharing Hispaniola with Haiti), but the Dominican Republic has a remarkable offering for families, whether you’re on an all inclusive trip to Punta Cana or a cultural excursion to Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. And then there’s the vast amount of nonstop flights and an excellent group of airports perfect for easy arrivals and much easier family vacations.