Top 10 Islands in the Sunny Caribbean

Capital: Santo Domingo

Language: Spanish

Religion: Roman Catholic

Currency: Dominican peso

National Dish: La Bandera; beans, rice and chicken (stewed) guisado

Local Saying:  In the DR you can always fit one more person in the bus

Watch out for: Sanky-Pankies (smooth talker, beach walker)

Forming one side of the Caribbean’s second largest landmass, Hispaniola, sharing a border with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is one of the less developed tourist destinations. This makes it an option for the budget conscious, but don’t let that fool you. The many tourists that visit, know the rest are missing out. A variety of airports make this an accessible option. The north coast of the island sports choppier seas that are a must for the wind and kite surf fraternity. For the adventurous, try your hand at the Samana Zipline tour. For a more genteel pastime, try the Punta Espada Golf Course, Punta Cana.

2. Anguilla

Population: Just over 12,000

Language: English

Capital: The Valley

Wildlife: Home to the endangered Brown Pelican

Size: 16 miles long, 3 miles wide

Number of beaches: 33

Fact: The name Anguilla means eel

Although this tiny island was hit by Hurricane Irma last September, it is definitely still worth visiting for those looking for complete chill-out. Experts would argue that Anguilla possesses the finest beaches in the region; some accolade considering the competition. This tiny British protectorate is dominated by white sandy beaches where top-notch restaurants dare each other to see how far into the waters they can stretch. The national sport of boat-racing is a delight for seafaring aficionados. Even in high season, it can feel like you have destinations like Barnes Bay all to yourselves. Plan your trip around the Festival Del Mar and you will realise unspoilt does not necessarily mean quiet.

3. St Lucia

Do say: Iconic and Volcanic

Capital: Castries

Language: English/French patois

Life expectancy: 78 years (women)

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar

Fact: Features the only drive-in volcano in the world

When we dream of the Caribbean, we see St Lucia. The warmth of the people is legendary, as is its stunning natural beauty and the forested twin peaks rising from the sea. There are areas of this island that are refreshingly inexpensive like Soufriere on the island’s west coast, catering as much for couples as it does for families. The island is not predisposed to tacky entertainment but revels in activities like snorkelling, sailing, golf and tennis. This jewel of the Lesser Antilles is home to many endangered species, and the verdant rainforests are a bird watcher’s paradise.

4. Bequia

Don’t say: Bequia, it is pronounced Bek-Weh

Language: English/French patois

Capital: Port Elizabeth

Population: 5,000

Area: 7 sq miles

Flight Times: from Barbados 55 minutes

Bequia is perfect for those in search of a little touch of luxury without being overtly exclusive. It is a popular haunt for sailors of the Caribbean, but stands out for its beaches, of which the beach named after Princess Margaret is the obvious choice. She liked to pop over from neighbouring Mustique. The islanders welcomed her and they’ll make you feel welcome too. If this idyllic setting is not enough and it’s shopping you prefer, then look no further than Port Elizabeth, or a boat trip to Kingstown, St Vincent will only take you a short hour.

5. Antigua

Capital: St. John’s

Population: 80,000

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar

National dish: Fungie (pronounced “foon-jee”)

Beaches: 365

Although it’s hard to choose, Antigua has to be one of our favourite Caribbean Islands due to its stunning beaches; one for every day of the year! Jump on one of the local buses (a small minivan) and experience the real Antigua. The driver will drop you wherever you wish along the route and point out the best beach (possibly where his cousin has a bar!). A must-see is a visit to Nelson’s Dockyard. It is a UNESCO site in English harbour, and is Britain’s best colonial Caribbean legacy.

6. Grenada

Do say: Spice up your life!

Location: 100 miles north of Venezuela

Capital: St Georges

Language: English

Aka: the Spice Isle

National Dish: Oil-Down made with breadfruit and served with Golden Apple Drink, which also happens to be the national drink

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (and US Dollar)

The beach on the postcard that you send back home to chillier climes, will likely be Grand Anse, two miles long and favouring the island’s hottest hotels. But there are more secluded places along the northern tip for those who want to take care of the cash in their wallets. Friday means happy hour, so stroll down to Prickly Bay Marina for drinks and live music.

7. Turks and Caicos

Do say: The Shangri Las of sandy beaches

Capital: Cockburn Town, Grand Turk Island

Language: English

Location: 550 miles south of Miami

Currency: US Dollar

Population 30,000

If all inclusive family holiday resorts are what you are looking for, then the Beaches Turks and Caicos is one of the finest to adorn the 12 mile long Grace Bay. The resort has superb facilities throughout to occupy children, while you sip on a chilled rum and coke, dumbfounded by the sight of the aquamarine sea. They say the Turks and Caicos are relatively undiscovered; not for much longer. Our lips are sealed.

8. Barbados

Fact: Tourists love Barbados. They keep coming back (39% return rate is one of the highest in the Caribbean)

Capital: Bridgetown

Fact: Third oldest Parliament in the world, at 398 years

National Dish: Cou Cou & Flying Fish, a recipe made with corn meal, okra, and flying fish

The beautiful sing-song accent of the Bajans would lull a baby to sleep. Barbados is notoriously expensive but that doesn’t deter visitors. Perhaps it’s the high quality gourmet food (ask Michael Winner). The Crop Over Festival is a popular time, celebrating the ending of the sugar cane season and climaxing with the spectacular Carnival Parade.

9. Jamaica

Do say: How do you like your coffee (answer: Blue like the Mountains)

Capital: Kingston

Currency: US Dollar widely accepted

Fact: Ian Fleming built his house ‘Goldeneye’ in Jamaica and wrote ten novels there

National dish: Ackee and Saltfish

Jamaica’s assertive culture offers the best entertainment for many families. Treat the locals with respect, and they will offer you enduring politeness and old world charm. No ‘small island’ mentality but a culture striving to be seen as something other than a tourist destination. However, as a tourist destination, Jamaica has breadth and scope. Resorts like Beaches Boscobel offer the complete package for families in search of that perfect Caribbean experience.

10. The Bahamas

Size: 700 islands (of which approx 40 are inhabited)

Capital: Nassau

Location: The islands cover an area 100,000 sq miles (incidentally not actually the Caribbean, but the Atlantic)

National Bird: The Flamingo

Fact: Woodes Rodgers, the first governor of the Bahamas, was also a former pirate

Population: 320,000. (200,000 live in the capital)

Another favourite family destination is Paradise Island (no need to ask where its name derives) or Grand Lucayan, two of the most outstanding islands in the Bahamas. Aruba not only offers great family value, but also casinos and sparkling nightlife to accompany white sandy beaches and that signature aquamarine sea. If you don’t like to walk, try a horse safari. For those who can’t ride, drive a 4 wheel drive instead across the island’s national park.

Hopefully you have found what you are looking for, but if you are still not sure where to holiday in the Caribbean, don’t worry; there are at least another 7,000 islands to choose from. Happy hunting!

Original article’s author bio: Clive Wedderburn is a freelance writer/editor who studied literature and journalism. His interests include travel, architecture, business development and marketing. Beaches.com offers luxury family vacations in some of the Caribbean’s most bountiful locations.