7 Underrated Islands in the Caribbean to Visit

Mega-cruises and must-visit lists circulating on social media have left some Caribbean islands oversaturated with tourists. This not only detracts from locals’ lives and visitors’ experiences but also can be damaging to the beautiful nature that draws people in the first place. There are a few ways to avoid the crowds in the Caribbean: consider going during hurricane season; eschew all-inclusive resorts and feast at smaller, independent restaurants; or visit lesser-known Caribbean islands.

By choosing Caribbean islands that are far—or even somewhat—off the tourist trail, you’ll be rewarded with space to exhale, commune with nature, and better see how these islands’ residents actually live, whether in bustling produce markets selling guavas or makeshift bars slinging rum punch cocktails.

For a crowd-free vacation with unparalleled diving, chocolate-tasting, and postcard-perfect beaches on which to snooze, consider these seven lesser-known Caribbean islands.

St. Kitts

St. Kitts, the larger island of St. Kitts and Nevis, offers much to do at all times. In the morning, hike up dormant Mount Liamuiga on the western end of the island, or take a scenic ride on St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the last one in the Caribbean. Passengers can enjoy a three-hour historic tour of the island with complimentary cocktails in hand.

In the afternoon, shop for fresh produce like cherry peppers, mango, and guava at the lively Public Market in the capital Basseterre, before spending the evening at the Strip, a collection of oceanfront bars and restaurants always filled with crowds and good energy. In December, the island comes alive with the annual carnival celebration, Sugar Mas.

Where to stay

Book now: Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour

Located on the soft sands of Banana Bay, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour has 124 rooms and suites; some feature private rooftop swimming pools and sundecks. Experiences for guests include private cooking classes and a starlight dining experience that offers unobstructed views of the sky and nearby Nevis.

Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

Situated in the Caribbean some 50 miles off Nicaragua‘s eastern coast, Little Corn Island spans just 1.5 square miles. Getting here isn’t easy, but that’s what makes Little Corn so well-preserved. You’ll need to fly into Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua, then take an 80-minute flight to Little Corn’s larger neighbor, Big Corn Island. From there, it’s a 30-minute boat ride.

The tiny, car-free island brims with dense mangroves, flourishing jungles, and a turquoise sea inviting you to snorkel through networks of coral reefs and around nurse sharks, stingrays, and turtles. Little Corn has a handful bars and restaurants, including Rosa’s on the west coast—a favorite for breakfast—and Ms Jorgana’s Restaurant, a beachfront, barefoot-lunch seafood spot on the east coast.

Where to stay

Book now: Yemaya Reefs

Yemaya Reefs is an oceanfront boutique property with 16 individual casitas, some with private pools and outdoor showers, surrounded by palm trees. You could simply spend the day in a hammock by the ocean—or enjoy one of the property’s activities, which include yoga, hiking through nearby forests, snorkeling, or stargazing on the beach.

Grenada

Known as the Caribbean’s Isle of Spice because of its abundance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, Grenada is full of flavor, culture, and natural beauty at every turn. The island has plenty of beaches with soft white sand and turquoise water, plus opportunities for hiking and chocolate-tasting.

To spot Grenada frogs and mona monkeys, lace up your boots and go to Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve, a mountainous forest with several hiking trails. Thirty minutes away by car, 17th-century plantation Belmont Estate has a farm where visitors can take a tour and learn about tree-to-bar chocolate production. At True Blue Bay, chocolate lovers can participate in the hotel’s chocolate experience, tasting cocoa that’s harvested all around the island, including as part of a rum and chocolate pairing, or even enjoy a facial that includes chocolate. For the ultimate celebration, the annual Chocolate Festival in May includes nine days of tastings and exploration of cocoa fields. Grenada is also home to Spicemas, a Carnival celebration that takes place every August with an explosion of colors on detailed costumes, the echoing sounds of soca, and celebrations like J’ouvert, honoring the emancipation and strength of enslaved people.

On the dining front, Dexter’s features flavorful dishes like dorado with plantain cakes, butternut squash and coconut risotto by chef Dexter Burrus. At BB’s Crabback, try the namesake dish of seasoned crab meat stuffed into a crab shell or oildown, a savory one-pot stew filled with salted meat and vegetables.

Where to stay

Book now: Villa Solitaire ; Spice Island Beach Resort

For large groups, book the the four-bedroom, three-bathroom Villa Solitaire, where you can swim in the pool or at the private beach, play tennis, and walk in gardens filled with fruit trees.

The 64-suite, all-inclusive Spice Island Beach Resort is located on the popular Grand Anse Beach. Borrow a Hobie Cat, kayak, or paddleboard from the resort, then return hungry for fine dining at Creole Caribbean–focused Oliver’s, featuring dishes like braised rabbit legs and banana sorbet that is not to be missed.

Sint Eustatius

Often called “Statia” by residents, this island sits between St. Kitts and St. Bart’s. Ideal for scuba enthusiasts, St. Eustatius is home to more than 10 square miles of protected marine reserve, where divers can spot nurse sharks, turtles, and shipwrecks among the 60 diving sites around the island. A dormant volcano called the Quill leads to dozens of hiking trails and panoramic views of the island. Along the way, you’ll also find a rainforest bursting with flora, fauna, and exotic birds, like the bridled quail dove.

The historic downtown of the island’s capital, Oranjestad, is connected by cobblestone streets. There are a few bars and restaurants here, including the Ocean View Terrace, serving simple fare like grilled sardines or rice and peas with grilled mahi mahi.

Where to stay

Book now: Golden Rock

Luxury boutique resort Golden Rock opened in 2021 and features 75 rooms, suites, and cottages set among 40 acres of gardens. This is a nice option for families, with two pools, a playground, padel and pickleball courts, mini golf, and plenty of board games to borrow. Guests can enjoy excursions like hikes to the nearby Quill, snorkeling, or dining on fresh seafood at Breeze Restaurant, which gets some of its organic produce from the hotel’s own 20,000 square-foot greenhouse. Sustainable on-site systems include solar panels and reverse osmosis machines that turn salt water into drinking water, plus 140,000 plants, flowers, and trees that create a welcoming habitat for local wildlife.

Long Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

No, the island of Provo—the traveler’s gateway to Turks and Caicos’s 40-odd islands and cays—isn’t undiscovered by any stretch of the imagination. But the frequently photographed Grace Bay Beach has long overshadowed other perfect stretches of sand here. Long Bay has become a destination for kiteboarders and paddleboarding families, with year-round wind gusts and clear water so shallow, you could walk a kilometer and it would still only hit your knees. Look for the Big Blue Collective on the beach at the Shore Club for kiteboarding lessons. Rent a car at the airport, make Long Bay your base, and explore all corners of the island—the low coastal cliffs of Cooper Jack Bay, the world’s third-largest barrier reef and, of course, Da Conch Shack on the North Shore for the best sea-to-table conch fritters. Hire a boat to get out to Dellis Cay and Parrot Cay for shallow inlets, beach picnics, and snorkeling.

Where to stay

Book now: Beach Enclave

The butler-serviced villas at Beach Enclave are phenomenal, especially for groups. They sleep anywhere from 2 to 10-plus people, so friends or families can splash in private infinity pools, stretch out during beachfront yoga, take out paddleboards and kayaks, and tuck into chef-cooked dinners. This is barefoot luxury where it doesn’t matter much if you track sand inside. They supply the Sun Bum SPF and pool toys (and Le Labo bath products and deep soaking tubs for when you’re done with the sand and sun).

Saba, Lesser Antilles

Spanning only five square miles, Saba is the most diminutive of the Lesser Antilles, so-called for their size. Just getting here is fun; coming from St. Maarten, you can either take a 90-minute ferry or a 12-minute flight. (The US$10 departure tax must be paid in cash, and there are no ATMs at the airport or harbor.) Saba, surrounded by a National Marine Park, has some of the Caribbean’s best preserved diving spots, such as the coral-encrusted Eye of the Needle.

Where to stay

Book now: The Cottage Club

Walking distance from the tiny village of Winwardside, the Cottage Club has 10 gingerbread-style bungalows, all with fully equipped kitchens and sea-facing balconies. The property is perfumed by frangipani-filled gardens, including those that surround the enticing pool.

Dominica

Dominica, “the Nature Island,” has several active volcanoes and is popular both with those who want to laze on the beach and avid hikers. Batibou Beach is a long, wide crescent of golden sand partially shaded by spindly palm trees ($5 entry, cash only). Enjoy a meal from the local beach-bar restaurant Batibou Beach, run by sisters Jacqueline and Irma. (Call ahead to confirm hours; 1-767-225-9696.) You’ll find options like a vegetarian tart, coconut-spiced chicken, and conch salad.

Many of Dominica’s must-visit beaches and attractions are spread out, so rather than rent a car to shuttle yourself around, consider joining a tour. Kalinago Tours specializes in experiences with the Kalinago community, the Indigenous people estimated to have been living on Dominica since 3,000 B.C.E. Depending on the tour, you can swim in Emerald Pool, at the bottom of a 40-foot waterfall, learn to bake traditional bread made of cassava flour, and hike in the Central Forest Reserve.

Where to stay

Book now: Coulibri Ridge

Perched in the mountains on the island’s southwestern tip is 14-suite luxury eco-resort Coulibri Ridge. From here it’s a short jaunt to Soufriere Bay, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, although with the resort’s two pools, a yoga pavilion, and 200 acres for nature walks, you may not want to leave. The resort is completely off the grid, powered by solar panels, with water generated entirely from filtered rainwater, and produce is sourced either from its on-site gardens or local farmers.

Related: How to Plan the Perfect Solo Trip to Dominica

This article was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on August 14, 2025, with current information. Sophie Friedman and Laura Dannen Redman contributed to the reporting of this story.