Social distancing is one of the hardest parts about COVID-19: we all miss our family and friends, and it’s made even worse when you feel like you’ve been trapped in your house for months.
What if, however, you could stay safely apart from other people yet still enjoy the beauty of a Caribbean beach? Any beach in the islands is probably less crowded right now as most people are not traveling, but these nine beaches have a reputation for being quiet even in the busiest of tourism seasons.
These lovely strips of sand also have the advantage of being public beaches and at least reasonably accessible (rather than at the end of a three-mile hike, for example).
Each is perfect for a Caribbean beach outing whether your interest is safety or snuggling up with someone in your bubble in solitude:
Gouverneur Beach, St. Barth
St Barth may be small, but the island is filled with tucked-away beaches. And although Gouverneur Beach is quite well-known, it still attracts relatively few visitors — meaning the social distancing here is always guaranteed. Bring your own food, drinks, and shade and enjoy a day of snorkeling and working on that all-over tan. (Note: all of these destinations are currently open for international tourism, subject to local restrictions and protocols).
Meads Bay, Anguilla
There are more isolated beaches in Anguilla — Little Bay is only reachable by boat and thus gets relatively few visitors, for example — but we like Meads Bay for its mix of ample amenities and typically uncrowded sands, especially in contrast to busier Shoal Bay.
Anse L’Ivrogne (a.k.a. Sevoigne), Saint Lucia
If you’re in the mood for mixing a little exercise along with your time lounging on the sand, this is your beach. Anse L’Ivrogne is located at the base of Gros Piton and requires a boat or a moderately difficult but relatively short hike to reach. Once at the beach you’ll find fantastic scuba diving over The Black Hole, the trailhead for the challenging hike up Gros Piton. (It’s close to the Tet Rouge resort, now one of Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 approved accommodations.)
Ffryes Beach, Antigua
You actually have to work hard to get close to anyone else on Ffryes Beach, which is not only a slightly off the beaten path on Antigua’s southwest coast (although close to the much better known Jolly Beach) but also has exceptionally wide sands, offering plenty of room for everyone to spread out along the brilliant aquamarine waters.
Little Bay, Jamaica
It’s hard to recall that Negril was a laid-back beach town popular with backpackers on a budget; nearby Little Bay retains some of that spirit with a relaxed vibe centered on a few guest houses and beach cabins, the authentic culture of a Jamaican fishing village, and snorkeling over the offshore reef. (Photo: Coral Cottage Jamaica)
Boca Keto in Aruba
Located in Arikok National Park, Boca Keto is typical of Aruba’s rugged and wild east coast beaches — a bold contrast to the gentle waters of the resort areas on the opposite shoreline. The nearby Natural Pool draws its fair share of tourists, but Boca Keto is a quiet stretch of sand interrupted only by a large offshore rock formation that roughly resembles the island of Aruba itself.
Spring Bay, Bequia
The island of Bequia in the Grenadines is home to small hotels and inns, a traditional boat-building culture, a renewed turtle sanctuary, and a variety of beautiful beaches. They’re all pretty quiet, but if you’re truly looking to get out on your own, check out the palm-fringed Spring Bay beach on the island’s windward side, close to the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary.
Batibou Beach, Dominica
Dominica is another Caribbean island with far more space than people, and Batibou Beach is more isolated still — a long stretch of golden-brown sand on the northeast coast with a beach bar for snacks and drinks and not much else to distract you from the sun and surf.
Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic
The arrival of a Club Med resort in 2019 helped put Playa Esmeralda on the map for Dominican Republic travelers, and the Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda remains the only resort in the Michès region on the Dominican Republic’s northeast coast. There are beach chairs and the usual amenities in front of the 335-room resort, but it’s easy to walk along the shore in either direction to find a piece of socially distant sand all your own.