We’ve always said that the best beach in the Caribbean is the one you’re on right now. But some beaches are that much more special — the ones that repay great journeys. But what makes a great beach? Is it the color of the sand? The relative lack of people? The size? It’s a daunting task, but we set out to create the most comprehensive list of great beaches in all of the Caribbean, looking at a series of factors: ease of access, sand quality, sand color, water quality, water tranquility, crowdedness, scenery, beach bars and, well, whether a beach has the “x-factor” that turns simple sand into something extra. Of course, there are more spectacular beaches in the Caribbean than one can count, so there are some superb beaches, big and small, that didn’t make this list. Ultimately, the test became simple: is this a beach we want to spend an entire day on? For our 50 favorites, the answer was a resounding yes. Here are the 50 Best Caribbean beaches.

Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla

Our number one beach in the Caribbean is the perfect Caribbean beach: it’s a wide stretch of soft, sugar-white sand with relaxing turquoise waves, one of the region’s best beach bars (Garvey’s SunShine Shack), all the privacy you need and spectacular views of neighboring St Martin. That’s what makes Rendezvous the best beach in the Caribbean – and it’s fitting, as Anguilla is the region’s beach capital.