With very few exceptions, you won’t find a destination in the Caribbean that doesn’t have a beautiful beach — or five. But some destinations have that extra beach factor, the sort of place that simply overflows with marvelous beaches and the places to stay to match.

And if you’re planning a Caribbean vacation where it’s all about the beach, these are six hotspots that need to be at the top of your list.

Here are six beach vacations to try right now in the Caribbean.

Antigua and Barbuda You may already know that the twin-island destination of Antigua and Barbuda has 365 beaches on offer. But beach counting isn’t always an exact science – so perhaps it’s time consider making a journey here on your own just to double-check.

What you will find is one of the Caribbean’s true beach-filled paradises, with every kind of beach for every kind of vacation, from snorkeling sites to beach bar hubs to private islands.

And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll never find a beach that’s overcrowded, from the blindingly white sands of Valley Church to the rolling tides of Dickenson Beach. Of course, the destination also includes an embarrassment of great beach hotels, from signature Galley Bay to the adults-only Pineapple Beach Club to the venerable Curtain Bluff.

And while Barbuda is still working on its comeback, its best place to stay, the Barbuda Belle, has been open for nearly a year.

St John This tiny corner of the US Virgin Islands has a special place in the hearts of Caribbean beach lovers. And we are happy to report that the island is making an impressive comeback, meaning you can make your return to beaches like Maho and Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay and spend your afternoons strolling around Cruz Bay (or making an afternoon jaunt over to Jost). Most importantly, the island’s preeminent place to stay, the Westin St John Resort Villas, is back, joined by a lovely collection of smaller stays like Estate Lindholm and the Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel.

St Barth While it may be best known for its people watching, its megayachts and its breathtaking villas, this little island has one of the most impressive collection of beaches anywhere in the region.

There’s the buzzing St Jean; scenic Gouverneur; the raw waves of Le Toiny and the calm of Grand Cul de Sac. (And, oh yes, the almost overwhelming views of Saline).

And while you can stay in the ultra-luxe hotspots like Le Sereno and the Cheval Blanc, there’s more to St Barth’s hotel sector, from the laid-back Les Ilets de la Plage to one of our longtime favorites, the hilltop Le Village, a classic French Caribbean retreat.

The Cayman Islands Often the most beautiful beaches are in far-off corners, away from people, high on scenery but low on things to do. That’s what makes Seven Mile Beach such a miraculous stretch of sand. You’ll find the intoxicating tranquility, the soft sand, the ultra-clear water, but you will also never run out of things to do, places to eat or cocktail spots.

But Seven Mile Beach is just one beach — Grand Cayman teems with world-class beaches, from West Bay to the East End.

And whether you’re staying at the Kimpton or the Ritz-Carlton or a vacation rental in Cayman Kai, you’ll find a beach vacation that is hard to beat.

The British Virgin Islands Yes, the British Virgin Islands is back. And that means it’s time to rediscover its immense natural beauty, including some of the most spectacular coastlines in the Caribbean.

You can spend your days on the private sands of Guana; sip painkillers on Jost Van Dyke; watch the boaters at Cooper Island’s beach or explore the magnificent beaches of Virgin Gorda.

And whether you’re using Tortola as an island-hopping base; taking a Moorings boat around the archipelago or staying at a private island like Scrub or Guana, the BVI has always been one of the ultimate beach vacations in the hemisphere. And it still is.

Cat Island The Out Islands of The Bahamas are some of the buzziest places to visit in the region right now, none more so than Cat Island, home to jaw-dropping beaches like Old Bight, New Bight, Greenwood and Fountain Bay, along with lovable little boutique hotels and resorts like Fernandez Bay, Shannas and the Hawk’s Nest.

This is an island for advanced travelers, those willing to rent a car and drive to far-away corners and look for beaches where you won’t find another soul for miles.

But isn’t that why we travel in the first place?

— CJ

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Caribbean Photo of the Week: Ha’Penny Beach, St Croix

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