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Escape the crowds at these 5 peaceful Caribbean islands
Get off the beaten track in the Caribbean Unhurried and unspoiled by mass tourism, these lesser-known islands may not have the glitz and glamour of some Caribbean hotspots, but they offer plenty of old-fashioned charm and are the perfect antidote to the region’s overdeveloped and congested areas.
1. Harbour Island and Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Harbour Island in The Bahamas has been touted as the best place for a tropical escape, and sister island Eleuthera is every bit as enticing. The twin islands are only separated by a narrow stretch of water and a five-minute ferry ride, but both offer something entirely unique. While Harbour Island is a charming seaside town featuring New England-style architecture, Eleuthera is a wild and beautiful stretch of land, home to pristine beaches and rocky alcoves.
2. Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe Islands, French Antilles
Slip into the slow-paced way of life by chartering a boat to sail around the isles. When the mood strikes, drop an anchor at one of the little bays for a snorkel, or to stretch out on the sands. You can even venture into the verdant inland. The two-hour hike from sparsely-populated Terre-de-Bas’ Grande Anse beach to the top of the Morne Abymes bluff is a very rewarding trail. Look out for iguanas scuttling in the bushes.
3. Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Overshadowed by glitzy big sister Grand Cayman and bijou baby sister Little Cayman, this rugged isle is the most down to earth of the three. This is where the locals say you’ll find the real Caymanian culture and where they come to get away from it all.
4. Saba, Lesser Antilles, Dutch Caribbean
Just a 12-minute flight south of Sint Maarten, this forested five-square-mile (13sq km) island oozes low-key tropical charm. Rising dramatically out of the ocean, Saba is a dormant volcano that's worlds away from the flashy resorts and mass tourism of many other Caribbean isles. A holiday here is all about hiking, diving and, most importantly, chilling out.
5. Carriacou, Grenadines
For a taste of the sleepy and unspoiled Caribbean of old, look no further than this pretty little isle. Part of the southern Grenadines, Carriacou belongs to the nation of Grenada along with Petite Martinique. Home to around 9,000 people, it’s all sandy bays and wooded hills – an ideal place to escape, unwind and switch off. Aside from the slight bustle of the main town of Hillsborough, the island is refreshingly crowd-free.
