BG Editors' Picks for Best Beaches

For Serenity Seekers...

5. Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica

Photo courtesy of Jim Smith; The Jamaica Tourist Board

Located on the east coast, Port Antonio is Jamaica’s secret haven, a hideaway that in-the-know travelers and paparazzi avoiding celebs have long treasured for its low-key ambience and quiet celebration of the good life. And the family-operated hotel of the same name is an idyllic spot for enjoying it all. There’s a small but pristine swath of white-sand beach where, just offshore, a rainbow-colored coral reef lies waiting for snorkelers. The resort is modest and gracious, with several rustic cottages tucked in a tropical garden setting. A Great House offers 10 guest rooms, along with the hotel’s lounge areas and an open-air restaurant (room rates start at $95 a night and include breakfast and WiFi; frenchmanscove.com).

6. Saltwhistle Bay, Mayreau, the Grenadines
Come to this curve of white sand that hugs a bay of luminous blue water, and you’ll feel you’ve discovered a deserted treasure. Splash in crystal-clear water, lounge in the shade of palm trees and spend the day lazing on the brilliant sand. Beyond the dense thickets of palms along the edge of the beach, you’ll see some low-slung stone cottages. This is the Saltwhistle Bay Club and, just like the pristine beach, this intimate hideaway is naturally understated (room rates start at $360 a night and include two meals. Three night minimum stay; saltwhistlebay.com).

For Underwater Adventurers...
 

7. Bloody Bay, Little Cayman
The legendary Bloody Bay Wall, which was dubbed one of the finest dive sights in the world by Phillipe Cousteau, is located just off the coast of Little Cayman, sister island to well-known Grand Cayman. The mile-deep underwater cliff, patrolled by eagle rays, is lush with gardens of sea fans and coral. For your time ashore, Pirates Point, an informal beachfront boutique hotel, is the place to be. Food here is awesome, thanks to the owner/manager, a Cordon Bleu chef who loves to cook for divers and to time meals around their schedules (rates for the seven-day Dive Package start at $1,995 and include accommodations, all meals, activities; piratespointresort.com). (Photo courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism)

For Wave Runners...
 

8. Soup Bowl, Barbados
Surf’s up in Barbados. Monster swells reach as high as 15 feet at the legendary Soup Bowl. Thanks to the island’s isolated location at the outer edge of the Caribbean archipelago, the dependable waves place Barbados among top surfing spots like Puerto Rico, Oahu and Australia. But it’s not only for pros—there are plenty of beginner breaks, as well as instructors and rental gear.

Next: The best choices for both laid-back daytrippers and frisky types >>