If you’re looking to escape civilization to a tropical paradise, the Caribbean is probably your best bet. But, you might soon realize that finding a deserted island in the Caribbean is becoming more difficult in this day and age (thanks, Internet). However, there are still pockets of perfectly blue waters and sandy shores where the crowds don’t venture. Pack your sunscreen and sense of adventure for these Caribbean islands you’ve probably never heard of…but need to visit ASAP.

Saba

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If you dream of white sandy beaches, Saba isn’t for you. Perched north of Saint Kitts, this Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles doesn’t actually have any beaches, but it makes up for its lack of sandy shores with few tourists and a lush landscape. Measuring just five square miles, Saba isn’t large by any means, but it’s mighty. The island is quite mountainous, home to the 2,910-foot Mount Scenery. Hikers can delight in the chance to climb this volcano that also happens to be the highest point on the island. If hiking isn’t your thing, Saba remains one of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the Lesser Antilles. Thanks to its lack of visitors, the waters are clear, making for the perfect conditions to see what lurks below. Saba boasts only a handful of towns, including its capital, The Bottom.

Anegada

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East of Tortola, Anegada is easily the most remote of the British Virgin Islands. If you go to Saba for the mountainous terrain, you head to Anegada for the exact opposite. This Caribbean island is completely flat, but that makes for fine, white sandy beaches like Cow Wreck Beach and Flash of Beauty. The population of Anegada hovers just over 200, so you won’t find the crowds of other islands. It’s ideal for snorkelers and scuba divers who will have a great time checking out a number of shipwrecks along this stretch of sea. The island is also home to Horseshoe Reef. Spanning 18 miles long, this coral reef is the fourth largest barrier coral reef on the planet.

Sint Eustatius

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If a time traveler from the 18th-century showed up to sleepy Sint Eustatius today, you might say they would be shocked, and not just by the beach attire. Back in those days, this Caribbean island close to St. Maarten was home to the busiest port in the Caribbean, acting as a vital stop for cargo between Europe and the American colonies. Today, Sint Eustatius is decidedly quieter, where you can truly embrace slow travel. Also known as Statia, the island is revered for its reefs and rich marine life, as well as its maritime history and outdoor hiking options. You can still see several relics of the bygone days on the island, like Fort Oranje that was built in 1636. If nature is calling, Sint Eustatius has a 1,968-foot volcano to climb. And if you just want to relax on the beach, Sint Eustatius obliges with skinny volcanic sand beaches.

Bequia

Young woman tourist sitting on tropical beach of Bequia Island, Caribbean Sea region of Lesser Antilles

The Grenadines are already considered some of the Caribbean’s most remote islands and Bequia is no different. This hilly lush island embraces the slower pace to life, but doesn’t leave behind all of civilization in the process. Only 7 square miles, Bequia sits just south of St. Vincent. It boasts plenty of shops and fine restaurants for a dose of reality, but it is also still largely forgotten from the tourism circuit. Bequia offers some stunning beaches, including Princess Margaret Beach, a golden sandy stretch backed by palm trees with that classic Caribbean blue water. You can even scale Mount Peggy, the highest peak on the island. From atop this perch, you’ll appreciate views of St. Vincent.

What’s your favorite slice of secluded paradise in the Caribbean? Share your pick with us in the comments below.

 

About The Author

Suzy Guese is a travel writer from Denver, Colorado. She caught the travel bug after taking her very first flight at just three months old—she was headed for Disney World—and has been a total travel junkie ever since. From family car trips across North America to stints abroad in Europe, Suzy travels the globe with her redheaded temperament in search of sarcasm, stories, and travel tips to share with anyone willing to listen. She blogs about her travels at http://suzyguese.com.