There’s nothing like the feeling of discovery, of coming to a destination far off the beaten path, of finding a place for adventurous travelers. In the Caribbean, that often means the more remote islands, the harder-to-reach spots.
But even these wonderful little destinations are easier to reach than you think, just an extra flight or an extra boat ride
But the journey is worth it. These tiny Caribbean islands will instantly make you fall in love.
Here are five tiny out-of-the-way Caribbean paradises.
Dinner at the Anegada Reef hotel.
Anegada It used to be a frontier destination, tucked away in the far reaches of the British Virgin Islands, an almost mythical place filled with giant lobster and endless beaches. But today Anegada is the centerpiece of the British Virgin Islands’ post-storm recovery, and with new ferry service it’s easier than ever to get there. (Oh, and the giant lobster and beaches are very real). How to Get There: There are VI Airlink flights from both St Thomas and Tortola, along with a new Anegada Express ferry out of Tortola.
Petite Martinique As Grenada raises its profile among travelers, its largely unknown sister islands are starting to be rediscovered. That includes the 586-acre-big Petite Martinique, a fishing and boat-building hub with just a few friendly guest houses to choose from. This is the Caribbean as it was long ago — and that’s a wonderful thing. Osprey offers ferries from Grenada to Carriacou, and then Carriacou to Petite Martinique.
La Desirade While Guadeloupe is an archipelago, most of the outer-island focus is deservedly on the lovely mini-St Barth of Terre de Haut. But other islands in Gwada are equally enticing, including the just-under-8-square-mile La Desirade, home to a charming little main village, superb seafood and truly remarkable natural beauty. How to Get There: Several ferries, including Archipel and La Sademar, operate service from the town of Saint Francois in Guadeloupe.
Cayman Brac This isn’t the Cayman Islands. It’s the Brac. “Brackers” have a unique identity and a robust pride in their homeland, a quiet, very pretty spot with warm hospitality and unspoiled beaches. In recent years, the Brac has gained renowned for something else: Le Soleil d’Or, the luxe, farm-to-table-focused destination resort. How to Get There: Cayman Airways operates multiple flights per day from Grand Cayman.
Statia For a place that’s just a short flight from St Maarten, this Dutch Caribbean corner is still refreshingly quiet, with a beautiful old main town, terrific hiking and some great diving, too. Even better? It will soon be home to a significant new hotel, the Orange Bay. (Its terrific restaurant, Harbour Club, is already open). How to Get There: Winair operates multiple daily flights out of St Maarten, while Great Bay Express operates regular ferry service.