As the Caribbean works to recover from last month’s hurricanes, (a process that is already taking shape), one of the biggest questions we hear from travelers is, “where can I still visit?” Or, for some, “can I still visit the Caribbean?”
There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and it’s a misperception that isn’t helping the Caribbean.
With this list, we wanted to show travelers the remarkable breadth of islands you can still visit right now in the Caribbean. And while there are 30 here, this isn’t even all of them.
As our hearts remain with those in the affected islands, it’s important to remember that the whole Caribbean economy relies on travelers like you coming back to the region — and coming back soon. And while things look difficult for some islands now, remember that places like Dominica, the BVI and USVI, Puerto Rico, Anguilla, St Barth, St Martin and Barbuda will be back and ready for visitors far sooner than you think. And that’s when they’ll need you to come back again.
Here are 30 Caribbean islands you can visit right now, listed in alphabetical order. And starting traveling again right now.
Antigua With 365 beaches, this increasingly hot destination has long been a celebrity favorite, with a particularly good selection of upscale beach resorts.
Aruba One of the best Caribbean islands for beaches, this Dutch Caribbean gem also has one of the Caribbean’s best food scenes right now, too.
Barbados The quintessential luxury destination in the Caribbean, this beach-filled paradise is home to ultra-chic hotels, myriad rum distilleries and some of the region’s finest restaurants.
Bequia The Grenadines’ capital of cool, this ultra-laid-back tiny jewel is filled with beautiful boutique hotels and old-school beach bars.
Bimini Just 50 miles from Miami, Bimini has a remarkable offering, from some of the world’s best bonefishing to totally empty white-sand beaches.
Bonaire The Caribbean’s snorkeling and diving capital, this Dutch Caribbean mainstay also has a very good food scene.
Greenwood Beach on Cat Island.
Cat Island One of the Bahamas’ best kept secrets, Cat Island has wide, untouched beaches and some great little beach resorts.
Cayman Brac One of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands, Cayman Brac is relaxed, kind and a throwback to the Old Caribbean.
Cozumel This Mexican Caribbean mainstay has some of the region’s best snorkeling and diving, all just a short trip from Cancun.
Curacao Home to one of the Caribbean’s coolest cities, Willemstad, Curacao is a developed island that hasn’t lost its beach culture.
Eleuthera This Bahamian outpost has all the elements that make the Out Islands great: spectacular scenery, freedom from crowds and warm, friendly people.
Exuma Home to the most beautiful water in the Caribbean, this Bahamian archipelago is a dream for yachters or travelers looking for an island hopping journey.
The Ritz-Carlton on Seven Mile Beach.
Grand Cayman One of the most complete destinations in the Caribbean, Grand Cayman has world-class beaches, superb gastronomy and a very high standard of service.
Grenada One of the Caribbean’s under-the-radar jewels, Grenada has an increasingly strong luxury sector and a unique personality that keeps travelers coming back again and again.
Guadeloupe Terrific Creole food, rainforests and island hopping make this mini-archipelago a French Caribbean dream.
Harbour Island The Nantucket of the Caribbean, this ultra-chic little island off the coast of Eleuthera has beautiful hotels, great cuisine and one of the world’s greatest pink sand beaches.
Hispaniola Whether you’re looking for culture in Haiti or pure beach bliss in the Dominican Republic, there’s a reason this island gets more visitors than any other in the Caribbean.
Isla Mujeres A tiny slice of heaven, this seven-km-long island off the coast of the Riviera Maya is an authentic, friendly patch of sand that’s everything we love about the Mexican Caribbean.
Jamaica Home to some of the Caribbean’s greatest resorts, Jamaica remains the standard for Caribbean destinations, from the rum to the reggae to the raw natural beauty.
Little Cayman It doesn’t get any smaller than this, with less than 200 people occupying a minuscule stretch of sand a short flight from Grand Cayman. But that’s what makes it just so lovable.
Above: Les Anses d’Arlet, Martinique
Martinique Perhaps the most fascinating destination in the Caribbean, this French Caribbean crown jewel is home to world-class food, a plethora of beaches and the Napa Valley of Caribbean rum. And that’s just the beginning.
An artists’ village in Nassau.
Nassau It’s easy to get to, blessed with a huge amount of great places to stay and an increasingly cool, authentic downtown that’s become a full-fledged destination in its own right.
Nevis This is the Caribbean as it used to be, untouched and unspoiled, friendly and warm and truly authentic. And then there are the hotels, a mix of luxury resorts and historic plantation inns.
Providenciales Turks and Caicos has long been one of the region’s sought-after spots, and there’s a reason – it’s spectacular, from the world-class Grace Bay Beach to the string of top-shelf resorts that line its sand.
Roatan This salt-life paradise is the most beloved spot in the Western Caribbean, with a large expat community and an emphasis on enjoying the water.
St Kitts Beautiful St Kitts remains one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets, with wonderful natural beauty, interesting history and, soon, the Caribbean’s first Park Hyatt resort.
St Lucia One of the most gorgeous destinations in the Caribbean, St Lucia is all about romance, with an emphasis on beautiful boutique hotels designed around the island’s natural wonders.
St Vincent and the Grenadines Whether you’re enjoying it by land or by sea, this archipelago of islands and cays is a sight to behold, from raw, lush St Vincent to luxury destinations like Canouan.
Tobago They say Tobago was the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, and that’s thanks to a castaway-chic vibe and an easygoing atmosphere that emphasizes local food and culture.
Trinidad The best food destination you’ve never thought about, Trinidad has some of the most diverse gastronomy on earth thanks to its mix of people and cultures. It’s developed, urban and energetic, making for a rather unique Caribbean getaway.