USA TODAY 10Best
Anse Chastanet Names Best Caribbean Beach!
Best Caribbean Beach (2017)
When you think 'Caribbean,' you probably think 'beach.' This region of the world has been blessed with some of the most spectacular stretches of sun-kissed sand in the world, and we're on the hunt for the best of the best. We asked a panel of Caribbean experts to nominate their favorite Caribbean beaches, and 10Best readers voted daily to decide 10 winners.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Caribbean Beach are as follows:
- Trunk Bay Beach - St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Horseshoe Bay Beach - Bermuda
- Arashi Beach - Aruba
- Bavaro Beach - Dominican Republic
- Sandy Island - Anguilla
- Dickenson Bay - Antigua
- Playa Kenepa - Curacao
- Grace Bay - Turks and Caicos
- Grand Anse Beach - Grenada
- Anse Chastanet - St. Lucia
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 10:
Beautiful pearly white sand, aquamarine water (complete with a marked underwater snorkeling trail) and a stunning location inside Virgin Islands National Park make Trunk Bay on the island of St. John a serious contender for the best beach in the Virgin Islands (or the Caribbean ... or the world).
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 9:
Two words: pink sands. Bermuda's iconic Horseshoe Bay, a horseshoe-shaped beach lined with natural limestone cliffs, is the crowning jewel of the island's several pink-hued beaches covered in sand made from crushed sea shells and coral. It's one of only a handful of public beaches in the Caribbean that employs lifeguards, making it a favorite of beach-loving families.
Photo courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority
No. 8:
While Aruba isn't hurting for stellar beaches, Arashi Beach appeals because it's quiet, while it's gentle currents and abundant underwater life make it a great spot for snorkeling. It's not wonder this is a favorite with locals.
Photo courtesy of Andrei-Daniel Nicolae / Flickr
No. 7:
Palm-lined Bavaro Beach is one of the most developed of Punta Cana's beaches, and it's a beautiful stretch of sand for sunbathing or trying out a water sport like parasailing. An offshore reef keeps the waters calm.
Photo courtesy of alljengi / Flickr
No. 6:
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 Thinkstock
No. 5:
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 Charles Hoffman / Flickr
No. 4:
Shaded by manchineel trees, Curacao's Playa Kenepa is a bit off the beaten path, which makes it a quiet, serene beach for relaxing. Visitors can snorkel from the shore or rent paddle boards to take out onto the calm water.
Photo courtesy of Turks and Caicos
No. 3:
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 Grenada Tourism Authority
No. 2:
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 Thinkstock
No. 1:
Those lucky enough to be sprawled out on the sands of Anse Chastanet Beach on St. Lucia enjoy stellar views of the Piton Mountains and snorkeling just 10 yards from the beach.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Liliana Erasmus (10Best), Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (JetSetSarah.com), Melanie Reffes and Chelle Walton (10Best) were chosen based on their expertise of the Caribbean region.
Next time you're planning that ultimate beach getaway, keep these 10 award-winning Caribbean beaches in mind.
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 covers the Caribbean for 10Best.com, CruiseCritic.com and the Miami Herald.
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 covers the Caribbean for 10Best.com, CruiseCritic.com and the Miami Herald.
Liliana Erasmus
Born and raised in Aruba, Liliana moved to the... Read More
Born and raised in Aruba, Liliana moved to the Netherlands to continue her college education in Marketing. Since 1998 she’s been back on her beloved island, where she is working as a full-time writer in her native language Papiamento and in Dutch, official language of the Dutch Caribbean. Liliana has enjoyed a varied career, which includes television work, voice acting, copy writing, reading promotion, illustrating, creative writing classes, column writing and sharing Aruba’s beauty secrets as a local expert. Currently, Liliana is finishing her first speculative fiction novel set in Aruba.
Liliana Erasmus
Born and raised in Aruba, Liliana moved to the Netherlands to continue her college education in Marketing. Since 1998 she’s been back on her beloved island, where she is working as a full-time writer in her native language Papiamento and in Dutch, official language of the Dutch Caribbean. Liliana has enjoyed a varied career, which includes television work, voice acting, copy writing, reading promotion, illustrating, creative writing classes, column writing and sharing Aruba’s beauty secrets as a local expert. Currently, Liliana is finishing her first speculative fiction novel set in Aruba.
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.
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (aka JetSetSarah) is a... Read More
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (aka JetSetSarah) is a travel writer, on-screen host and self-described “Carivangelist,” who goes to the beach and beyond to share the culture, lifestyle and personalities of the Caribbean with the world. Based in Miami, she is a special correspondent for Travel + Leisure magazine and creates content for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler; Afar; Food & Wine; Islands.com; and the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper. Sarah is also jetsetter-in-chief at JetSetSarah.com where her passions – travel, style and fitness – meet. Follow her adventures on Instagram and Facebook @JetSetSarah.
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon (aka JetSetSarah) is a travel writer, on-screen host and self-described “Carivangelist,” who goes to the beach and beyond to share the culture, lifestyle and personalities of the Caribbean with the world. Based in Miami, she is a special correspondent for Travel + Leisure magazine and creates content for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler; Afar; Food & Wine; Islands.com; and the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper. Sarah is also jetsetter-in-chief at JetSetSarah.com where her passions – travel, style and fitness – meet. Follow her adventures on Instagram and Facebook @JetSetSarah.
