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If you’re seeking a tropical paradise for sailing, the Caribbean is a no-brainer. Your biggest challenge will be deciding exactly where to go. There are 13 sovereign countries and more than 7,000 islands, cays, and reefs in the region, with Antigua alone home to 365 beaches (one for every day of the year).
To help narrow down your Caribbean itinerary, you might want to consider some of the very best beaches that you can visit by yacht. Some are more suited for those seeking lots of activities, while others can only be accessed by yacht, providing a tranquil atmosphere for peaceful contemplation and relaxation. No matter which Caribbean beaches you choose to visit on this list, you can be sure it will be a memorable experience.
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Located on Jost Van Dyke, which has no airport, the only way to reach the island is to arrive by water. Not surprisingly, you’ll find it’s not nearly as crowded as many other Caribbean Islands. White Bay is the crown jewel of beaches on the island, a spectacular arc with powdery white sand lapped by neon-blue water and backed by palms.
This legendary sweep of sand comes alive when visitors arrive as part of their day tours, famously swimming ashore for rum cocktails and music at beach bars like the Soggy Dollar. This is where the Painkiller cocktail was created, and it can be enjoyed on a floating bar seat in the sea or a hammock. While it’s quite lively during the day, if you arrive early or linger in the afternoon, you’ll get to enjoy it at its most tranquil. White Bay also offers mooring balls that are popular for overnight stays, so you can sip your favorite drink on a nearly empty stretch of sand once the daytrippers head out.
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You’ll need to arrive early to anchor just offshore from Trunk Bay beach, but it’s worth it to enjoy what’s often ranked as one of the most awe-inspiring beaches on the planet. This unspoiled crescent of chalk-white sands is renowned as one of the world’s top spots for snorkeling and diving. It edges an underwater national park with vibrant coral reefs that include brain coral, elkhorn coral, and more. Swim alongside everything from colorful fish like parrotfish to eagle rays, squid, and sea turtles. Nearly every other type of watersport can also be enjoyed here, and you’ll have the super soft sands to relax on afterward. There are some on-site facilities available, including snorkel gear and beach chair rentals, showers, restrooms, and a snack bar and souvenir shop..
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One of the lesser-developed islands in the Caribbean, with no high-rise hotels or sprawling resorts, Bequia offers a more authentic vibe with beautiful beaches like Princess Margaret, featuring fine white sands and clear turquoise water. You can anchor or moor in Admiralty Bay right near the beach, although it’s best to do so at the bay’s southern end. The beach is easily reached from here with a short walk over the headland. It’s ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with all sorts of marine life from tropical fish to eels and octopus. There are several beach bars and eateries here too, including Jack’s. Located right on the beach, it’s renowned for its fresh seafood and cocktails. But you’ll find many bars and restaurants right along the Belmont Walkway, the scenic waterfront path linking the harbor to Princess Margaret Trail.
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Chic St. Barths is renowned for its tropical beauty, as well as for attracting the rich and famous, which means it caters to those seeking exclusive experiences. There are no berths for huge cruise ships, but Colombier Beach offers some of the best protected anchorage on the island. The secluded beach can only be accessed on foot or by boat, making it an ideal stop on a yacht itinerary for those seeking the ultimate in tranquility. You’re likely to share it with only a few other luxury yachts and avid hikers. The lack of current and shallow blue waters creates ideal conditions for children and beginning snorkelers to swim or snorkel while the adults relax and soak up the unspoiled surroundings.
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Port St. Charles Marina is the perfect place to land in Barbados, providing guests with two beaches right on-site, one of which is located right next to the breakwater berths. Simply referred to as the St. Charles Beach, it’s popular for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. The yacht club offers lunch and dinner here on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
If you have time, it’s worth arranging transport on land, whether a private car or taxi, to get to Crane Beach. This beach is often named among the best in the world, with stretches of pale, pink sand lapped by brilliant turquoise and a magnificent backdrop of dramatic cliffs. As it’s along the Atlantic coast, the surf is more powerful here, but it’s worth visiting to capture photos, and you can always enjoy a quiet afternoon gazing out at the incredible vistas.
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Located north of the main island of Anguilla, the Prickly Pear Cays offer stunning white sands with clear, calm water protected by a reef, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. All of Anguilla’s uninhabited cays are only accessible by boat, ensuring a more peaceful setting, though you’ll need to use a designated mooring to protect the coral reefs (and secure the necessary cruising permits).
Along the northern coast, there is a long stretch of white sand that can be enjoyed with few others around for a “castaway” kind of experience. While it’s far less busy than the beaches you’ll find on the main island, it is home to the popular beachfront Prickly Pear Bar & Restaurant (also known as Agatha’s). It offers items like fresh lobster and mahi mahi, along with chilled beers and a variety of cocktails like daiquiris and pina coladas. All can be enjoyed at a covered picnic table or beneath the shade of an umbrella on a beach chair.
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If you want to explore some of the beautiful beaches in Cancun, you can easily do so by anchoring nearby at Playa Norte (North Beach) on Isla Mujeres, which is one of the most breathtaking stretches in the Yucatan. It offers calmer anchoring spots, although careful navigation is required. Or you can take advantage of full-service mooring at Marina Ilsa Mujeres and then rent a golf cart to reach Playa Norte.
Playa Norte is often ranked among Mexico’s best beaches and even the world’. It curves around Isla Mujeres’ northern coast and is lapped by calm, cobalt waters, providing excellent snorkeling near the reef. Parasailing and jet skiing are possible too. Or, you can just relax, with umbrella and lounger rentals available. Several bars and restaurants offer them for free if you spend a bit, but you can also find spots to just toss down your towel. Don’t miss the fresh, homemade coconut ice cream available from the vendors you’ll see pushing their carts around the sand.
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While not as well known as Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun, Puerto Aventuras is a newly built residential community with two main marinas popular for yachts: Puerto Aventuras Marina and Mariner’s Marina. Both are centrally located and offer docking for various vessel sizes. One of the most picturesque beaches lies right in the heart of the town, a stretch that mostly only locals know about. You can walk through the Omni Hotel next to the main town square, which has steps that lead right down to the beach.
The unspoiled white sands stretch as far as you can see, while sparkling turquoise waters lap the shore and palm trees provide shade. There’s even a manmade reef just offshore, inhabited by all sorts of colorful fish. The reef also acts as a barrier, protecting the beach from waves and debris commonly found on many beaches along the Riviera Maya.
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Consistently voted one of the globally best beaches, Grace Bay is renowned for its soft white sand and Easter egg blue water. You can gently cruise into the beach to enjoy the day anchored in the Large Vessel Anchoring Zone (LVAZ), available for yachts over 60 feet to anchor safely. Enjoy a scenic stroll barefoot on the sand, which stretches for three miles, connecting to Bight and Leeward beaches, or take advantage of the opportunity to swim, snorkel, or even kayak in the mangroves. There are plenty of bars and eateries, including spots ideal for sunset cocktails. After watching the sun go down, gaze up at the endless canopy of stars or enjoy the live music hosted frequently in the local bars.
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The uninhabited Tobago Cays are not to be missed. Part of a national park and wildlife preserve, it’s home to quintessential, fantasy-like deserted islets, including Petit Tabac, which was used in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, most notably as the spot Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was seen searching for his lost rum.
There are no traditional restaurants, beach bars, hotels, marinas, or other infrastructure here, but you can anchor in the protected lagoon that lies between Petit Bateau and Petit Rameau to access the beaches on Petit Bateau. On its northern side, you’ll find pristine sands that overlook the lagoon, while the eastern side is edged by calm, shallow waters, making it a great spot for beginning snorkelers. With giant starfish, sea turtles, and other marine creatures easy to see in the crystal-clear waters, you won’t have to go far.
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Not far from Tobago Cays, Mustique is another idyllic island in the Grenadines, known for attracting all sorts of VIPs from rock stars to royalty. Britannia Bay is the best place to anchor on the island, providing access to Britannia Beach, a long stretch of white sand for sunbathing and swimming. Even more popular is iconic Basil’s Bar that sits right by the water’s edge. It’s the hottest spot on Mustique to be when the sun starts to set and the live music begins. Mick Jagger is one of the bar’s most famous guests, but just a few of its other big-name visitors have included Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Johnny Depp, Cate Moss, Morgan Freeman, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
If you want to enjoy a quiet, secluded spot, hike the Salt Pond Trail, leaving from Brittania Bay to Lagoon Bay. The scenic trek takes about 45 minutes to an hour, but you’ll appreciate the serene atmosphere and calm waters for swimming.
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Montserrat is sometimes called the “Emerald Isle” because of its lush greenery and rich Irish heritage. It’s best known for its volcanic activity that has created captivating landscapes like the buried “Old Town” that was covered in volcanic ash. Most of the beaches are made up of black sand, but Rendezvous Beach has white sand, as the only one of its kind on the island. While most have to take the steep hike from Little Bay to get here, yachters can find anchorage and mooring that provides direct access to the crescent-shaped beach. It’s wild and completely facility-free, providing the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature. Snorkeling in the clear aquamarine waters is popular with shallow coral formations and abundant marine life just offshore.