Antigua, Saint Martin, and Grand Cayman have beautiful white sand beaches that stretch along the warm Caribbean coast. That is why they are so crowded with tourists.
Why can’t a weary traveler get all the sights and sounds of the Caribbean without the stress of rubbing elbows with others who are trying to make the same unforgettable memories you are?
Well, you can. You just need to look in the right place, and we know exactly where to get you started.
No one is arguing that the popular Caribbean islands aren’t fun and sunny.
The problem is there are so many tourists in places like Antigua you have to fight to get a seat at famous restaurants such as Cecilia’s High Point Café, where you can watch the sunset while enjoying delicious Scandinavian food.
Maybe that is your “thing.” Maybe you like the excitement of trying to beat the rush and getting into a screaming match over umbrella spaces on the beach.
For most of us who get that level of intensity every time we visit the grocery store, we are often looking for something much different from a beach vacation.
Try exploring one of these less frequented Caribbean islands to get an authentic experience, along with the peace a tropical island should bring.
Saba
Talk about a personal and hospitable experience, Saba’s mere 5-square mile island gives you an in-depth look into small community living.
Don’t let the size fool you, the volcanic island is anything but quaint. There are two small towns- Windwardside and The Bottom- that include towering cliffs with a nearly 3,000 foot summit.
Surrounding the island is a vast array of sea life and coral reefs that make underwater adventures as breathtaking as the endless oceanic view.
St. Eustatius
Like Saba, St Eustatius, part of the Netherlands, has a remarkable underwater world waiting for you, but there is a bit more to visit land side.
It’s hard to believe this 8.1 square mile island of just over 3,000 people use to be one of the “busiest ports of commerce between Europe and the Americas,” according to Travel Pulse.
Some of the 18th century historic buildings can be visited, or you can stay out and enjoy the perfect temperature while hiking up and down the drastic changes in elevation the island offers.
Grenada
This independent Caribbean country in the West Indies has an impressive blend of crops, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, that grow well in the fertile volcanic soil.
You can visit Belmont Estate, a working historic plantation, to see how the islanders maintain their livelihood.
St. George, the capital, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean with cascading waterfalls and the perfect Grand Anse beach where you will be hard-pressed to find another American.
Grenada is affordable with only local hotels to choose from rather than the glitzy all-inclusive resorts, and it is unique because of the constant aroma of spices wafting through the air.
Montserrat
Recent volcanic eruptions in New Zealand may have reminded you of the devastating volcanic explosion in Montserrat in the 1990’s.
“The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean”, which is part of the Lesser Antilles chain, was forever changed by lava and ash as the population sought higher ground to flee from danger.
Now, the island has intriguing landscape to explore, geothermal energy has become an industry, and tourists have decreased; meaning you get idyllic places like Woodlands beach almost all to yourself.
Visiting volcanic islands do come with inherent risks, as Proud American Traveler has previously reported, so staying on top of local reports and oversight organization’s warnings are vital.
The Caribbean has so much more to offer other than the few islands that get the bulk of tourists worldwide.
Booking a trip with one of these underrated Caribbean islands will be more like visiting the paradise you had imagined.
Kick your feet up, grab a daiquiri, and take in what escaping to a far-away island is supposed to feel like.