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Travel + Leisure readers voted on the best Caribbean islands in the 2026 World’s Best Awards survey. These are their 25 favorites.
Comprising 26 territories and hundreds of individual islands spread over more than a million square miles, the Caribbean offers so much more than just sun, sea, and sand. You’ll find destinations with volcanoes and sulphur springs; islands split between two countries; even places where pigs swim and starfish decorate the sand. Read on to find out which Caribbean islands Travel + Leisure readers loved the most in the 2026 World’s Best Awards.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best-awards-top-100-hotels-in-the-world
1. Dominica
The “Nature Island” (or, as one reader put it, “a fantastic, out-of-this-world island”) lives up to the hype, with 365 rivers, waterfalls, and a ‘round-the-island hiking trail. “The nature, the beauty, and the people were second to none,” readers said, pronouncing it “hands-down the friendliest island in the Caribbean.”
2. Grenada
Known as the “Spice Island” (it’s the world’s second-largest producer of nutmeg), this southern Caribbean spot gets rave reviews for its pristine beaches, lush rainforest, and cascading waterfalls. Sibling islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique offer an even more laid-back experience.
3. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The third-largest island in the archipelago is also, according to readers, “one of the most beautiful places on earth,” with gorgeous “beaches, quaint bars, and the bluest water.” Its famous rock formations, the Baths, are a “truly stunning” must-see.
4. Vieques, Puerto Rico
“A wonderful smaller island” roughly six miles off Puerto Rico’s east coast, Vieques is likely to become one of your “favorite places to travel to.” The draws: secluded beaches, “good food,” “very friendly people,” and the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.
5. St. Lucia
With soaring volcanic peaks, lush jungle, and black-sand coves, this island looks more like the south Pacific than the southern Caribbean. But its Creole culture, (which combines African, French, and British influences), gracious locals, and laid-back vibes are distinctly “‘Lucian.”
6. Exumas, Bahamas
The seas surrounding this archipelago of 365 white-sand cays and idyllic isles are crystal-clear and almost impossibly blue. This makes the Exumas a must-visit for snorkeling, diving, fishing, beach-hopping—and paddling with those famous swimming pigs.
7. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The 32 islands in this idyllic archipelago offer several options. Snorkel with turtles in the Tobago Cays; relax on Canouan’s Godahl Beach; or belly up to Basil’s Bar on Mustique. But be sure to allow yourself enough time or risk echoing readers who enjoyed their visit, but thought “it was too short.”
8. Aruba
White-sand beaches blessed with near-constant breezes, a plethora of resorts at all price points, and a uniquely cosmopolitan culture made up of more than 100 nationalities make this Dutch Caribbean territory another favorite.
9. Anguilla
What lies beyond the 33 sun-drenched beaches that fringe this 35-square-mile paradise north of St. Maarten? More than 100 restaurants, a clutch of swanky resorts, a thriving live music scene, and three popular offshore islands, perfect for day trips.
10. St. Barts
This high-end hot spot feels like a piece of France transported to the Caribbean, complete with posh hotels, sprawling villa estates, designer boutiques, and a sophisticated vibe that’s distinctly Français.
11. Bermuda
Pink sands and turquoise water are the draws of this archipelago, which, while technically in the North Atlantic, shares the casual and friendly vibes that make it feel Caribbean. Add in unfailingly polite locals, potent Dark and Stormys, and those famous knee-length shorts to reasons why T+L readers love it.
12. Culebra, Puerto Rico
This unhurried, 10-square mile oasis is beloved not just for its “nice beaches” (Flamenco Beach is ranked among the world’s best), but also for its “amazing people.” And with a quarter of the island designated a wildlife refuge, there are plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with nature, too.
13. Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
“Transport every weary traveler to this destination,” recommends one reader, obviously enamored by this three-square-mile island that another considers “one of the most beautiful places on earth.” Limpid waters, “friendly people” and “lively bars” combine to make it “everything you want in a vacation”
14. St. John, United States Virgin Islands
Whether or not you think this is “America’s best-kept secret,” T+L readers love this Virgin Island for its “absolutely gorgeous beaches,” “the friendliest locals” and the “most beautiful landscape anywhere in the world.”
15. Eleuthera, Bahamas
With more than 200 miles of coastline, this “stunning, unspoiled natural beauty” features a narrow highway bordered by the turquoise Caribbean on one side and the rolling Atlantic on the other. As one reader put it: “Eleuthera is the perfect spot that will capture your heart for years to come.”
16. Antigua
As if its 365 beaches weren’t enough, this island is also one of the region’s most popular sailing capitals. It’s full of centuries-old naval history, best appreciated today from sights such as Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights.
17. Jamaica
With stunning beaches, a lush landscape, lilting reggae rhythms, and a vibrant culture, it’s little wonder the Caribbean’s largest English-speaking island is such a hit with T+L readers. (And let’s not forget the appeal of Jamaicans themselves, the heart of a tradition of hospitality that’s more than a century old.)
18. Cayman Islands
Whether you choose to bask on the beach on Grand Cayman, pursue adventure on Little Cayman, or really get away from it all on Cayman Brac, this tropical trio checks all the boxes for a memorable family-friendly Caribbean escape.
19. Abaco Islands, Bahamas
Searching for a “calm and quiet vacation?” T+L readers love this island chain for its “clean beaches” and “friendly and polite” locals, but agree “the water is the most beautiful part” of the Bahamian boating capital.
20. Turks and Caicos
A roughly two-hour flight from Miami, Providenciales is a beach lover’s paradise and also the gateway to an archipelago of islands (eight of which are inhabited) that are rightfully famous for Windex-blue water, sand as white and soft as confectioner’s sugar, and the freshest conch.
21. Curaçao
“A beautiful island with lots to do,” this Dutch-Caribbean territory impressed T+L readers not only with its cosmopolitan vibes and beachy coastline, but also with its multicultural cuisine. “The food was excellent, no matter where we ate,” said one reader. “Can’t wait to return.”
22. Cuba
“A beautiful island with beautifully warm people who will do anything for you” is how one T+L reader describes our close neighbor to the south. Travel restrictions notwithstanding, readers felt “welcomed everywhere [they] went,” and said “the food is incredible and the beaches are beautiful.”
23. Barbados
What do you love most about the Caribbean’s easternmost island? It’s the birthplace of rum and Rihanna, and its beaches––white sand on the Caribbean, wild and rugged on the Atlantic coast—are the stuff of island dreams. What’s not to love?!
24. Nevis
Known for its plantation inns and as the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, this sand-dollar-shaped island wins T+L readers’ praise for its “wonderful sights,” “great restaurants,” and “the friendliest people.” Not bad for an island that’s only seven miles long.
25. St. Kitts
An around-the-island railway and the iconic 17th-century fort at Brimstone Hill are two of this island’s biggest attractions. Another: Day trips to sibling island Nevis (another reader favorite), just a quick ferry ride away.
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