Two Great Caribbean Beaches Worthy of your Vacation

Two Great Caribbean Beaches Worthy of Your Vacation

The Caribbean is rife with spectacular beaches, but that’s nothing new. We all dream of burrowing our toes into the fine sand, enjoying our drink of choice, and basking in the sparkling brilliance of the turquoise waters. Although there are many outstandingly beautiful beaches, a two stand out from the rest.

Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas

This quiet, almost mile-long beach sits just north of the capital, Charlotte Amalie. As a public park, a nominal fee is required for access but don’t let that steer you away. This tranquil stretch of beach, free from resorts, offers a truly raw Caribbean experience. With numerous palms and gentle surf, Magen’s Bay is a gem for families as well as lovers looking for a quiet location away from the cruise crowds. A single beach bar serving a variety of drinks and quick meals offers a convenient stop to satisfy your cravings. Take special note of their pizza and piña coladas.

On each side of the bay, residential properties, nestled high in the lush, green jungle, dot the hills rolling toward the bay opening. The few yachts that seek the stillness and beauty of the calm waters make for a stunning view and serve to enrich the enchantment. A single island rises from the mouth of the bay, narrowing the opening to the open sea, truly creating the feel of a secret beach destination.

With cheap flights and no passport requirement for United States citizens, St. Thomas’ Magen’s Bay is a fresh respite from the busier beaches throughout the Caribbean.

Carlisle Bay, Barbados

Carlisle Bay boasts crystal waters and probably the best deal in the Caribbean. Harbour Lights, a restaurant bar located in the center of the beach, is easily identified by its array of colorful umbrellas. A short cab ride south from Bridgetown makes Harbour Lights an easy destination for cruise guests. The best advice for cruisers visiting Barbados, other than leaving your camo swim suits at home, is to skip the cruise line sponsored excursions!

After your cheap, and short cab ride, you arrive at Harbour Lights. The stroll to the beach takes you through a wonderful outdoor restaurant and bar nestled in the dense greenery before your introduction to fluffy, sugary sand and pure, aqua waters. Here’s the kicker, it is $10 per person to rent a shared umbrella and a chair, but for $20 per person, you can book a sea turtle and shipwreck snorkeling excursion! But this is the Caribbean, so try your hand at haggling to get a better deal.

The chairs and the umbrella are great for a long day at the beach, especially if you might be sunburnt from your previous island. But the excursion, lasting 45 minutes to an hour, will introduce you to one or two sea turtles and allow you to channel your inner James Cameron as you explore a sunken ship. With similar excursions through the cruise lines costing roughly anywhere from $70 to $140 per person, Harbour Lights at Carlisle Bay is a must for any Caribbean lover.