We love the Caribbean all year round, but especially in summer. There’s something about those cool evening breezes, the afternoon ti’ punch on a hot afternoon, the joy of the uncrowded. Forget the Hamptons or Nantucket. The Caribbean is still the best summer destination!
And where to go right now? Here are our picks for seven places to visit in August, part of a new regular monthly feature we’ll be bringing you.
Anegada, British Virgin Islands Whether you’re a veteran of the British Virgin Islands or you’re an island collector looking for a new catch, Anegada is for you. Long one of the best-kept secrets in the BVI, this beach-and-lobster-filled paradise is now the crown jewel of the BVI, from luxe glamping to more traditional boutique stays and the kind of old-school beach bars that will make you instantly fall in love. And with regular ferry service, it’s remarkably easy to get here from Tortola. So what are you waiting for?
The Copper and Lumber hotel in Nelson’s Dockyard.
Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua The Caribbean’s newest UNESCO World Heritage site is as charming a destination as you’ll find in the region, home to breathtakingly restored 18th-century architecture, a beautiful harbor and several terrific little boutique hotels like the Copper and Lumber and the Admiral’s Inn. It’s a unique destination to stay in the region, with a special kind of spirit about the place — it almost feels as if you’ll run into Horatio Nelson himself — or even grab a glass of rum with him.
The pool deck at the Fort Young has become one of the most happening spots on the island.
Roseau, Dominica The island of Dominica is making a comeback, and that means it’s time to return to experience the things that made Dominica unique in the first place: the natural beauty, the warm people and the hard-to-match sense of adventure that seems to permeate the entire island. Roseau is once again a bustling Caribbean town, and there’s a new party piece: the rapidly-transforming Fort Young Hotel, the heartbeat of the island right now.
The West End of Curaçao Maybe you know about the colorful beauty of Willemstad, or luxe retreats like the Baoase. But there’s another side to Curaçao, raw and untouched, ripe for exploration. This is the west coast of Curacao, a delight for nature lovers, home to some of the Caribbean’s great unexplored (or at least empty) beaches and some rugged, remarkable landscapes. This is the Curacao you don’t know.
Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia The north of Saint Lucia just keeps getting better, particularly greater Rodney Bay (including Gros Islet), from new entries like the Harbor Club to the fast-growing Bay Gardens collection of resorts. But what hasn’t changed is the energy of the area, whether you’re lazing on Reduit Beach, trying Saint Lucia’s famous 1931 rum at The Landings or doing a pub crawl.
The Bimini Big Game Club, Bimini’s legendary hotel.
Bimini It’s never been easier to get to this tiny gem of the Out Islands of The Bahamas, thanks to new flights from Miami. And Bimini is better than ever, now home to a terrific Hilton hotel, a casino and the same awe-inspiring natural beauty it’s always boasted. Whether you want to check into the legendary Bimini Big Game Club, spend a lazy day at Radio Beach or spend a day bonefishing in the mangroves, there’s a lot packed in to one tiny destination.
Trois Ilets, Martinique Martinique is a big place, and it’s filled with so many mini-destinations: Le Carbet, Diamant, the Atlantic coast. But if you’re heading to the island for the first time, there’s no better place to stay than Trois Ilets, the tourism hub of the island across the bay of Fort de France from downtown. There are beaches, Creole restaurants, a casino and, perhaps most importantly, great access to get both north and south. (And a regular ferry to explore the hidden charms of Fort de France.) And if you’re staying here, there’s nowhere better than the Hotel Bakoua, above.