The natural beauty of the Caribbean can’t be denied, and every visit to the islands is suffused with timeless moments that linger in the mind’s eye — a stroll through a lush tropical garden that dazzles with colorful flowers perhaps, or a vision of swaying palms lining a pristine beach lapped by gentle waves.
Still, there are some sights that stand out as ‘I can’t believe this is even real’ clarity, both in the moment and looking back fondly on your island experiences. Here are some of our more cherished Caribbean memories, captured in a single view. Sit back, close your eyes and imagine yourself right there.
Ham’s Bluff Light, St Croix Lighthouses almost invariably have awesome views — after all, they usually were built in prominent places along the shore where their light could be seen great distances out to see. The Ham’s Bluff lighthouse on the Northwest coast of St Croix has been abandoned for years, but you can still climb the tower for an awe-inspiring look along the Maroon Ridge and the Crucian coastline. For now, just gaze upon its beauty.
Lagoon Beach, Mustique, St Vincent and the Grenadines Did I mention palm trees on a sandy beach? That plus a shady palapa and crystal-clear waters make a walk down undeveloped Lagoon Beach on Mustique an unforgettable experience.
The Tobago Cays, St Vincent and the Grenadines Most people head to the Tobago Cays to dive or snorkel, but you’ll want to keep you head above water to enjoy the magical scenery, too. Approaching the archipelago by boat is a Robinson Crusoe type experience — the scene where Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann are marooned together in Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed here — but the views are equally memorable from some of the five larger islands (Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac, and Jamesby).
Avenue of the Palms, Nisbet Plantation Nisbet Plantation on Nevis has a storied history as a resort dating back 30 years and a pedigree that stretches far further back in time — the plantation was once home to Fanny Nisbet, wife of Admiral Horatio Nelson. The most iconic feature of the resort is its Avenue of the Palms, a broad lawn bordered by towering palm trees and sloping from the Great House to the edge of the sea.
Mount Liamuiga, St Kitts Both St. Kitts and Nevis have challenging mountain hikes, but summiting Mount Liamuiga rewards the hardy climber with a view into the crater of the dormant, 3,792-foot stratovolcano (currently occupied by a lake rather than lava), the surrounding rainforests, and the Caribbean Sea far below.
Trafalgar Falls, Dominica These 278-foot and 131-foot twin waterfalls are located in the wild rainforest of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, but an easy 20-minute walk from the trailhead. In addition to enjoying the view you can switch between the cool water of the smaller (Mother) waterfall or relax in the hot spring at the base of the larger (Father) falls.
Mudjin Harbour, Middle Caicos, Turks & Caicos Cliffs, caves, and pounding tides conspire to make for dramatic views at Mudjin Harbour, a popular daytrip from Providenciales. It’s perhaps the most beautiful beach in an island nation that’s full of them (you’ve heard of Grace Bay Beach, perhaps?).
Willemstad Waterfront, Curacao You may not know the name (Handelskade), but you probably know this most iconic view of Curacao. Colorful pastel buildings line the waterfront of Curacao’s capital city of Willemstad, an 18th-century Dutch treat best viewed from across the Queen Emma Bridge.
The Glass Window, Eleuthera, Bahamas One of the best views in the Caribbean is hard to capture on camera all at once, at least from ground level. Standing on the narrow Glass Window Bridge on Eleuthera, you’ll see the dark and violent waves of the Atlantic crashing into the island from one side and the calm, Caribbean-blue waters of the Bight of Eleuthera on the other.
Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia James Michener called Marigot “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean,” and who would argue with a guy with a Pulitzer Prize? Sailing past the Pitons and into the narrow entry of this “hurricane hole” harbor is one of the most enrapturing moments you’ll have in the islands.
The Four Seasons, Nevis Hoteliers talk about creating a “sense of arrival” for guests, but few can replicate the experience of approaching the Four Seasons Nevis by boat, with staff awaiting your arrival on a long dock jutting from the shore of Pinneys Beach, the low-rise resort buildings nestled into the greenery behind the sand, and Mount Nevis rising in the background.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI Many of the best views at the Baths are underwater, where giant boulders tumble into the Caribbean waters and create a playground for tropical fish. However, the shoreline caves filled with shallow water and bathed in sunlight may be the most enduring image — and the one that probably will come out best on your camera.
Bathsheba Beach, Barbados Nothing creates drama like the juxtaposition of surfers cutting across big waves and Bathsheba Rock, a giant boulder that sits within wading distance just offshore of the beach.
The Carenage, Grenada Derived from the French word for “safe harbor,” the Carenage is the U-shaped inner harbor of St. George’s, the capital of Grenada, with a pretty postcard view of Georgian-era public buildings, church steeples, and colorful Caribbean homes.