USA TODAY 10Best
The Caribbean's best beach is in the Bahamas
Best Caribbean Beach (2019)
Beach junkies and sun lovers will find some of the world's most spectacular stretches of sand on the islands of the Caribbean. With so many palm tree-lined, silky sand expanses leading down to warm, azure water, it's hard to narrow it down to just 10. So we asked our readers for help.
The top 10 winners in the Best Caribbean Beach category are as follows:
- Sandy Island - Anguilla
- Tahiti Beach - Bahamas
- Deep Bay - Antigua
- Dickenson Bay - Antigua
- White Bay Beach - Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
- Eagle Beach - Aruba
- Grand Anse Beach - Grenada
- Stocking Island Beach - Bahamas
- Grace Bay Beach - Turks and Caicos
- Gold Rock Beach - Bahamas
Photo courtesy of iStock / Purestock
No. 10:
Paradise-seekers in Anguilla may just find what they're looking for on tiny little Sandy Island, a tiny speck of sand a short boat ride from the main island. With 360-degree ocean views, Sandy Island has its own seafood restaurant serving some of the best food around.
Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Bartlett / Flickr
No. 9:
This beach on the southern tip of Elbow Cay features soft white sand shaded by coconut trees and clear, calm water perfect for swimming. It’s only accessible on foot or by bike or boat, and at low tide, its large sand bar is ideal for shelling.
Photo courtesy of iStock / peeterv
No. 8:
Situated on the western end of Antigua, Deep Bay features one of the island’s finest stretches of sand. The crescent-shaped beach fronts a wide, turquoise bay that’s home to the famous Andes Shipwreck diving site. A 10-minute trail from the sand leads to Fort Barrington.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Only1BruceC
No. 7:
Situated on the north coast of Antigua, Dickenson Bay is a favorite for its white sand, shallow and calm waters, and the abundance of activities available — everything from restaurants to water sports.
Photo courtesy of iStock / cdwheatley
No. 6:
The waters of White Bay Beach on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands are protected by an excellent snorkeling reef, accessible from shore. Between bouts in the water, beach goers can relax and one of several beach bars along the sandy stretch.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Diego Mariottini
No. 5:
Aruba's widest beach is also one of its most spectacular, thanks to its blindingly white sand, warm Caribbean waters and some of the island's most famous (and photographed) fofoti trees.
Photo courtesy of Grenada Tourism Authority
No. 4:
Many a visitor to the Caribbean's Spice Island never leave the 2-mile stretch of creamy white sand known as Grand Anse Beach. Located conveniently close to St. George's, the beach has an old Caribbean feel, plenty of room for walking and loads of restaurants, hotels and shops to meet any beach-goer's needs.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Valerie Loiseleux
No. 3:
Accessible by boat from Elizabeth Harbour, Stocking Island is ringed by white sand beaches, and just offshore lie blue holes, coral gardens and undersea caves perfect for snorkeling and diving.
Photo courtesy of Turks and Caicos
No. 2:
On the north side of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos sits 12-mile-long Grace Bay, a long stretch of sand lined with excellent resorts and tourist services. The endless (and unbelievably soft) white sand and mesmerizing turquoise water are often rather quiet, as there isn't a cruise ship in sight.
Photo courtesy of iStock / espiegle
No. 1:
Located within the protected Lucayan National Park, Gold Rock Beach comprises a spectacular and secluded stretch of sand known as Grand Bahama’s “welcome mat.” Beach goers can make use of BBQ pits, picnic tables and benches, and at low tide, the sand stretches for yards out to sea.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Melanie Reffes and Chelle Koster Walton (10Best Local Expert) were chosen for their knowledge of the Caribbean.
Congratulations to all these winning beaches!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chelle Walton
Chelle Koster Walton took her first Caribbean trip... Read More
Chelle Koster Walton took her first Caribbean trip to Jamaica in the 1970s and has been in love with the region ever since. Author of the award-winning Caribbean Ways: A Cultural Guide, she served as contributing editor and contributor for Caribbean Travel & Life magazine for more than 15 years. Two-time winner of the Bahamas Cacique Award for International Writer, Walton is also the author of Explorers Guide: The Bahamas and a guidebook app about Nassau.
Chelle Walton
Chelle Koster Walton took her first Caribbean trip to Jamaica in the 1970s and has been in love with the region ever since. Author of the award-winning Caribbean Ways: A Cultural Guide, she served as contributing editor and contributor for Caribbean Travel & Life magazine for more than 15 years. Two-time winner of the Bahamas Cacique Award for International Writer, Walton is also the author of Explorers Guide: The Bahamas and a guidebook app about Nassau.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist... Read More
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
