Best Secret Caribbean Islands Without Cruise Ships For Crowd-Free Travel

There are plenty of under-the-radar, secret Caribbean islands you can visit without booking a cruise ship ticket. Cruise ship travel is a great option for convenient, amenity-packed Caribbean travel. However, these large commercial ships are known to spoil the authentic, cultural island life. Fortunately, there are a few terrific holdouts left all throughout the Caribbean islands. Here, you can enjoy tourist-free beaches, offshore reefs, and sustainable lodges. This is the perfect choice if you are looking to soak up the sun, catch a tan, or spend the afternoon relaxing in a hammock. To help you get started, read on to learn about the best secret Caribbean islands without cruise ships for crowd-free travel.

Anguilla

First off, check out Anguilla for spectacular beaches, breathtaking scenery, and incredible culture. Located less than 10 miles off the coast of St. Martin, Anguilla is a convenient, easily-accessible destination to visit. Most visitors choose to get here through St. Maarten’s SXM International Airport. Once you are here, you can easily get to the island via ferry or sea shuttle. However, there is always air transfer services available if you get easily seasick. While you are on the island, some of the best beaches to visit include Shoal Bay East, Sandy Ground, and Island Harbour. Shoal Bay East is two miles of perfect white sand and great for swimming, snorkeling or a nice long walk. It has been named a top beach to go to by many top tourist magazines. There are good beach bars and open-air restaurants right there along the water. Sandy Ground is where many boats dock when they visit. Island Harbour is a photogenic fishing village lined with fishing boats. You can find some nice eateries there.

If you are looking for a scuba or snorkeling day trip, visit Sandy, Prickly Pear, and Anguillita islands as well.

Sandy Island has a white sandy beach, a beach bar, and fresh seafood. It is a quick shuttle ride away ( $ 10 per person roundtrip) and a good spot for an afternoon.

Prickly Pear is a great remote spot for lunch and relaxation. It is 20 minutes north of Anguilla. You will find two restaurants and bars, a large salt pond, and some of the clearest waters in all of Anguilla.  Anguillita is a small, rocky island nearby. It has good scuba diving and snorkelling where you can see barracudas, stingrays, and turtles. Certainly, Anguilla is an excellent, off the beaten path beach town to visit in the Caribbean.

St. John

Located on the U.S Virgin Islands, St. John is another spectacular secret Caribbean island to visit this summer. The majority of St. John is part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Therefore, it is one of the most quiet, calm, and truly natural Caribbean beaches. On the island, some of the most popular destinations are Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay Beach. Other great experiences include climbing America Hill, going on an Arawak expedition, or walking the Reef Bay trail. To see more of the beaches, check out Salt Pond Bay, Mongoose Junction, and Jumbie Beach as well. Indeed, St. John is one of the best secret Caribbean islands without cruise ships for crowd-free vacations.

Dominica

Of course, Dominica is a spectacular Caribbean island for calm, relaxing, and crowd-free getaways. Known as the “Nature Island,” Dominica is widely known for its vast rainforests and impeccable scenery. Simultaneously, it is known to be home to an abundance of unique animals, making it the perfect destination for your endangered wildlife species vacation. While you are here, be sure to visit Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Here, you can walk down the Waitukubuli National Trail, which is the first long-distance trail located in the Caribbean. Also in the park, be sure to stop by the eerie-looking, mystical boiling lake. Other must-see attractions include Victoria Falls, Cabrits National Park, and Roseau. Absolutely, Dominica is one of the best secret Caribbean islands without cruise ships for crowd-free travel.

Guana Island

Next, think about planning a secret Caribbean vacation to Guana island. Locatedon the British Virgin Islands, Guana is a minimally touched, hidden Caribbean getaway. To get here, most tourists fly into Beef Island, which is also located in the BVI. From here, you can take a short boat ride over to Guana’s white sandy beaches. If you are having trouble finding flights, you can always book directly to San Juan, Puerto Rico or St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. From here, you will have to take an hour-long flight to Tortola, which is a beautiful destination in itself. Then, you can take another short ten minute boat ride to reach Guana. Surely, Guana island is a great destination in the Caribbean to visit without cruise ships.

La Desirade

Right in the French West Indies, La Desirade is another must-see, under-the-radar destination in the Caribbean. Less than 10 square miles, this truly is a quiet, calming location for tourism-free travel. After all, the island’s name literally translates to “The Forgotten.” While you are here, be sure to visit Souffleur and Baie Mahault, two of the island’s best beaches. Here, you will still find tall palm trees and incredible, untouched white sands. Afterwards, head over to Grande-Anse, the city’s main village, to soak up some of the history. Since this island is very remote, you should take special precautions when preparing for travel. Check out our guide on the top travel safety essentials to help you get ready. Definitely, La Desirade is an impeccable secret Caribbean island without cruise ships for crowd free travel.

There are plenty of secret, off-the-beaten path Caribbean islands to vacation to without a cruise ship. First and foremost, visit the island of Anguilla, right off the coast of St. Martin. Next, check out Guana in the British Virgin Islands. Right on the USVI, St. John is another must-see, under-the-radar island to visit. Of course, Dominica is another largely untouched, spectacular Caribbean Island. Moreover, stop by La Desirade for calming, relaxing beach tourism. Follow the points highlighted above to learn about the best secret Caribbean islands without cruise ships for crowd-free travel.