Escape the Crowds: 22 Hidden Caribbean Islands You’ve Never Heard Of
If the idea of calm waves, empty hammocks, and secret beaches speaks to your soul, you’re in the right place. While crowds swarm the usual Caribbean hotspots,
I’ve been on the hunt for the quiet corners—the islands where time slows down and the only soundtrack is the sea. These 22 secluded escapes may not make the cover of glossy travel mags, but that’s exactly why they’re worth discovering.
Ready to swap resort crowds for hidden coves and authentic island vibes? Let’s dive into the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets.
1. Isla Holbox, Mexico
How could I ever forget the first time I saw Isla Holbox’s flamingos wading in the shallows? The sky blushed pink, matching the feathers, and not a hotel high-rise in sight.
On Holbox, bicycles glide over sandy streets, and the air smells like fresh ceviche. I met locals who fish at sunrise and paint murals after dark.
Did you know cars aren’t allowed here? You’ll find only golf carts and laughter echoing under palm trees. Each small café brings new flavors, and every sunset feels like a secret shared only with you.
2. Culebra, Puerto Rico
If solitude calls your name, Culebra answers in soft whispers. I wandered Flamenco Beach, toes sinking in powdery white sand, while rusted tanks stood as silent reminders of history.
Where turtles nest and coral gardens flourish, I snorkeled in crystal waters undisturbed by crowds. Only a handful of guesthouses dot the shore.
This island feels like a step back in time. I chatted with residents who remember when boats brought everything in, and discovered secret coves that never made the guidebooks.
3. Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Are you looking for old-world Caribbean charm? Bequia’s harbor gleams with painted boats, and I loved wandering its hillside paths lined with frangipani flowers.
Fishermen mend their nets while children skip stones at dusk. Sometimes, I’d sip passionfruit juice listening to stories about whaling days long gone.
Though the island feels small, its spirit is enormous. Friendly faces greet you everywhere, and there’s always a hidden bakery or beach waiting to surprise you.
4. Tobago Cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
When dreams of untouched Caribbean waters fill my head, Tobago Cays comes alive. Five uninhabited islets float above the brightest reefs I’ve ever seen.
Snorkeling with turtles here, I felt like I’d stumbled into a living aquarium. The only sounds were the wind and distant bird calls.
No hotels, just anchored sailboats and soft sand. Each visit is a reminder that wild beauty still exists, waiting for those who search beyond the obvious.
5. Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Where the Caribbean meets the clouds, Saba rises like a secret fortress. Its roads twist up steep mountainsides into mist-shrouded villages.
I hiked through rainforests filled with orchids and giant ferns. The island’s friendly townsfolk love sharing tales of old pirates and storms.
Though there’s no sandy beach, Saba’s dramatic cliffs and world-class diving more than make up for it. It’s all pure, wild, and beautifully unexpected.
6. Isla Bastimentos, Panama
This island greeted me with the chatter of parrots and the slow sway of sloths in the treetops. Isla Bastimentos feels uncivilized, in the best way.
I explored golden beaches fringed by rainforest and met families living in stilted homes above the water. There’s a laid-back rhythm—nobody rushes.
Red frogs hop along jungle trails, and fishermen paddle dugout canoes at dawn. Here, adventure comes with every tide.
7. Isla de la Juventud, Cuba
Did you know pirates once called Isla de la Juventud home? I wandered its pine forests and found secret caves whispered about in old stories.
Empty beaches stretch for miles, interrupted only by limestone cliffs and the distant flicker of a lighthouse.
Fishermen share tales of shipwrecks, and sometimes, I catch the scent of citrus groves on the breeze. This island’s mysteries keep you guessing around every corner.
8. Petite Martinique, Grenada
How can a place so tiny feel so full of life? Petite Martinique drew me in with the hum of daily routines—fishermen mending nets and laughing kids chasing crabs.
Colorful boats bob along the coast, bringing in the catch of the day. Most days, I’d join locals for a spicy stew at sunset.
Here, neighbors know each other by name, and visitors are welcomed with a smile. The world’s worries feel far away.
9. Isla Grande, Colombia
If music could be tasted, Isla Grande would be a sweet calypso. I found painted murals, drifting guitar chords, and laughter drifting down leafy paths.
Palm trees shade hammocks on empty sand. I tasted coconut rice and snapped photos of thatched huts swaying in the breeze.
The island’s Afro-Caribbean heritage shines through in every meal and melody. Each moment feels joyful, as if the whole place is dancing just for you.
10. Mayreau, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
When silence feels like a luxury, Mayreau offers it in abundance. One village, a handful of beach bars, and a stone church perched above the palms.
I watched fishermen haul nets onto blinding white sand, and sometimes, only my footprints broke the stillness.
Sunsets here are golden and slow. Where else can you walk from one side of the island to the other before breakfast?
11. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
This island feels like a cheerful secret, tucked just off the coast. Isla Mujeres shines with bright colors and a rhythm all its own.
I zipped along the shore on a scooter, stopping for fresh mango and sandy toes. The lighthouse at Punta Sur stands watch over the sea.
Where turtles nest, I found time slipping away. Isla Mujeres always left me smiling and sun-kissed.
12. Anegada, British Virgin Islands
Are you someone who loves flat horizons? Anegada is nothing like the usual hilly Caribbean islands. The land stretches low, dotted with flamingos and wild orchids.
Most days, I watched fishermen grill lobster at open-air shacks, salt breezes tangling my hair. The beaches feel endless.
Snorkeling over shipwrecks, I found treasures lost ages ago. Anegada’s quiet beauty lies in its gentle simplicity.
13. Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos
When pelicans outnumber people, you know you’re somewhere special. Salt Cay’s wild donkeys and empty beaches stole my heart.
I explored old salt pans where time stands almost still. Crumbling stone buildings hint at the island’s storied past.
Locals are proud, quick to share a joke or a legend. Watching the sunset, I felt like I’d found the perfect place to slow down and simply be.
14. Isla Providencia, Colombia
If pirates ever hid treasure, I’d bet it was on Providencia. Forested hills rise above sapphire water, while reefs wrap the island in color.
I mingled with friendly residents proud of their Rastafarian roots. The air carried the scent of fresh guava and sea salt.
On moonlit nights, music drifted over the lagoon. Providencia is a place where adventure and tranquility walk hand in hand.
15. La Désirade, Guadeloupe
Are you ever drawn to wild edges? La Désirade swept me off my feet with its windswept beaches and untamed hills.
Goats grazed along rocky paths, and fishermen pulled nets in early morning light. The island’s beauty feels rugged, almost stubborn.
Locals cherish their traditions, from homemade rum to seaside picnics. Here, each breeze whispers a new story.
16. Montserrat
Did you ever walk through a ghost town? Montserrat’s old capital, partially buried by volcanic ash, left me awestruck.
Green hills tumble to black sand beaches, and the volcano looms as both threat and protector. Life goes on, resilient and hopeful.
Music and laughter fill the new villages. Montserrat’s spirit endures, stronger for everything it’s faced.
17. Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe
How sweet can life get? Marie-Galante’s sugar mills and wind-swept fields reminded me of simpler times.
I rode in an ox cart, bumping along between rows of cane. Locals invited me for homemade punch and stories by lamplight.
Rum distilleries here craft liquid gold, and the pace is delightfully slow. Every day is a gentle celebration of island tradition.
18. Isla Contadora, Panama
When luxury meets quiet, Isla Contadora delivers both. Sleek villas peek from the jungle, and I zipped around on a golf cart, chasing the sea breeze.
Dolphins leaped in the bay while I lounged on soft white sand. There’s a subtle elegance here that never feels stuffy.
Gourmet meals followed by barefoot walks—every moment felt indulgent. Still, the island remains unspoiled by crowds.
19. Great Camanoe, British Virgin Islands
Where privacy is precious, Great Camanoe offers it in spades. This small island has hidden coves only reached by boat.
I anchored in a marina and met just a handful of other visitors. Every beach felt like my own secret paradise.
Birdsong filled the air as I explored the island’s green hills. Sometimes, the only footprints in the sand were mine.
20. Carriacou, Grenada
Where music and laughter spill from every doorway, Carriacou pulses with joyful energy. People here celebrate with colorful festivals year-round.
Wooden boats line the beaches, and I joined a fish fry with new friends. The hills are dotted with tiny villages and hidden beaches.
Life moves to its own melody. I always left Carriacou with sand in my shoes and a smile on my lips.
21. Corvo, Azores (Caribbean-like!)
Did you know there’s a little island thousands of miles north that feels Caribbean in spirit? Corvo’s emerald hills and ocean views captured my imagination.
I watched cows graze in volcanic meadows while mist rolled down the slopes. Village life is quiet, centered around stone cottages.
Though it’s in the Azores, Corvo’s warmth and tranquility make it the ultimate unexpected escape.
22. Isla Coche, Venezuela
Where windsurfers race the breeze, Isla Coche offers an adrenaline rush and tranquility in equal measure. I watched colorful sails dart across sparkling water.
Fishermen nap in hammocks beneath palm trees, dreaming of tomorrow’s catch. The beaches feel vast and untouched.
Local food bursts with tropical flavors. Every day on Isla Coche felt like an invitation to slow down, or speed up, however I liked.