Time moves a bit slower in the Caribbean, and that’s what makes it great. It’s the perfect place for swimming, finding seashells, and chilling on some of the world’s best beaches. If you’re looking for a laidback family beach vacation, the Caribbean should be at the top of your list. With clear blue water and beaches that everyone from toddlers to teens will love, it’s the perfect spot for a family trip. Grab the sunscreen and flip-flops, because the perfect Caribbean family vacation is just a flight away.
Why you can trust these picks: Read FamilyVacationist’s methodology for selecting and recommending vacation destinations and hotels.
1. Paynes Bay Beach, Barbados
The island of Barbados is part of the British Commonwealth, so it’s not surprising that the country pairs its gorgeous beaches with some very British traditions, including playing cricket and afternoon tea. My favorite of the island’s beaches, Paynes Bay Beach, enjoys a fantastic position on the island’s Platinum Coast, where a string of breathtaking beaches dangle like charms on a bracelet. Here, the sea is ringed with golden-hued sand and the water as gentle as what’s in your bathtub.
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Don’t miss Oistin’s Fish Fry, an island culinary tradition that’s close to Paynes Bay Beach. Each Friday, dozens of stalls sell fresh fish cooked on the grill. If the kids don’t like fish, they can order macaroni pie, a fortifying riff on macaroni and cheese. After dinner, hang out for music and dancing.
Where to stay near Paynes Bay Beach in Barbados
I love the all-inclusive Tamarind by Elegant Hotels, which sits on a dreamy slice of Paynes Bay. Kids and kids-at-heart are all in on the in-water trampoline, banana boat rides, and multiple swimming pools. And at the kids club, children will be introduced to activities that local kids enjoy, including cricket, beach walks, and island crafts.
2. Reduit Beach, St. Lucia
Saint Lucia has a ton of photo-worthy Caribbean beaches, but the balmy breezes at Reduit Beach are catnip for sun-starved families. Crystal-clear azure water, golden sand, and a view of Pigeon Island National Landmark paint the prettiest of pictures. One of the coolest things on this beach is the Splash Island Water Park, the first open-water sports park in the Caribbean and a blast for the entire family.
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You won’t go hungry on the beach, either, thanks to vendors who stroll Reduit Beach selling homemade roti and refreshing coconut drinks. Beyond its beautiful beaches, the Caribbean island of St. Lucia has plenty of worthwhile attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Piton Mountains, a tropical rainforest, and a drive-in volcano.
Where to stay near Reduit Beach in St. Lucia
Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa is an easygoing resort on Reduit Beach. Rooms are bright and airy and decorated in festive colors. The kids club offers supervised activities for guests ages four to 12. And, the resort is a short stroll from Baywalk Shopping Mall’s many restaurants.
3. Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos
If you’re looking for a hidden gem and money is no object, exclusive Ambergris Cay in the Turks and Caicos is for you. You can connect to the tiny island of Ambergris Cay on an 18-minute flight from the Turks and Caicos international airport, flying in the island’s private plane. Once you arrive on this pristine island, you’ll enjoy a deserted beach with blue-green water and sand as smooth as a pearl. Along with the stunning seascape, the island overflows with colorful flowers, native Turks Head cactus, and a rainbow assortment of rare birds.
Where to stay at Ambergris Cay Private Island in Turks and Caicos
All guests on the island stay in beachfront suites with private plunge pools or spacious hillside three-and- four-bedroom villas with swimming pools. Service is highly personalized, with a dedicated butler for each family. Gourmet meals, resort activities, water sports, use of golf carts, and bikes are included. There’s also a fully equipped arts and crafts space where kids can let their creative juices flow. If beautiful beaches aren’t quite enough, tweens and teens can enjoy an assortment of video games and a pool table, too.
4. Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
With the scent of locally grown nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon wafting through the air, it’s no wonder Grenada is known as the Spice Island. Home to dozens of beautiful beaches, none are more beautiful than Grand Anse Beach on the sheltered leeward coast. This two-mile-long treasure of powdery alabaster sand offers a tropical trifecta of sun, sand, and surf. It’s a mere 15 minutes from the airport, so your toes will be in the sand soon after clearing customs.
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Beaches in Grenada are public, which provides you the opportunity to watch fishermen haul in their daily catch and local children build sand castles at any of the island’s many lovely beaches.
Where to stay near Grand Anse Beach in Grenada
Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club is an eco-friendly property on Grand Anse Beach. The suites and villas each have their own veranda with sweeping views of the sea and the majestic sunsets. There’s an on-site restaurant and kid-friendly amenities, including an outdoor ping-pong table and a beach volleyball court.
5. Playa Knip, Curaçao
If you’re not yet convinced that the Caribbean is the Platonic ideal of tropical paradise, a swim at Playa Knip on Curaçao may change your mind. Made up of two protected beaches, Grote Knip (Big Knip) and Klein Knip (Little Knip), these blissfully undeveloped and uncrowded twin beaches feature satiny sand and cobalt-colored waves.
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An autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao blends Caribbean and Dutch cultural elements and traditions. Though it’s tempting to spend every waking moment on this stunning beach, the capital city Willemstad—with funky street art and Dutch colonial architecture in a palette of candy colors—is well worth exploring, too. Sold at many shops around the island, Chichi dolls are one of Curacao’s most recognizable crafts. Look for paint-it-yourself Chichi doll workshops, which are good fun on a rainy day.
Where to stay near Playa Knip in Curaçao
Landhuis Klein Santa Martha is a casual hotel approximately five miles from Playa Knip. There are four rooms plus one spacious apartment with a kitchen and small terrace. A pool, garden, library, restaurant, and attentive service are among the perks.
6. Eagle Beach, Aruba
In stark contrast to the lush terrain found in much of the Caribbean, Aruba presents a dramatic arid desert landscape. On Eagle Beach, photo-worthy cacti and twisted divi-divi trees lay just beyond the soft white sand and emerald-colored water. Aruba’s widest beach is postcard-pretty, with calm water that’s ideal for swimming. Low-rise hotels and condos gently frame the coastline without overwhelming its natural beauty.
Where to stay near Eagle Beach in Aruba
Manchebo Beach Resort is a low-key boutique resort located on the shores of Eagle Beach. The 72 spacious rooms are inviting and come with contemporary furnishings, soft bed linens, and soothing waterfall showers. The resort’s beach hammocks are a step up from standard beach chairs and make a splendid spot for a snooze while the kids play in the sand.
7. Maho Beach, St. Maarten
With a French and a Dutch side, St. Maarten has plenty of European panache. In addition to cultural and linguistic diversity, there are scores of beautiful Caribbean beaches here too. At Maho Beach on the island’s Dutch side, the sand is pure white and the waves roll in at a steady pace, but it’s the low flying planes landing at adjacent Princess Julianna Airport that draw plane spotters young and old. Aviation geeks make pilgrimages here to watch the jets as they approach the runway, passing just over their heads in dramatic fashion.
Where to stay near Maho Beach in St. Maarten
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino and Spa provides an all-inclusive launch pad for your family’s next vacation. The hotel is set on 10 prime beachfront acres with a kids club, pizzeria, and water park. You’ll have a view of the planes landing from many of the luxurious guest rooms.
8. Isla Verde Beach, Puerto Rico
San Juan’s urban attractions are right at your fingertips, yet Isla Verde somehow feels like a resort beach anyway. This three-mile stretch of playa in Puerto Rico is made up of three beautiful beaches, each with glistening golden sand and tall palm trees swaying in the breeze. There can be sizeable waves, which makes it a favorite Caribbean beach spot for body surfing and boogie boards.
Where to stay near Isla Verde Beach in Puerto Rico
The newly restored Fairmont El San Juan Hotel on Isla Verde beach epitomizes beachfront elegance while also welcoming families. Kids will enjoy multiple swimming pools, a pizzeria, and outdoor movies screened under the stars.
9. Bávaro Beach, Dominican Republic
A long strip of white sand and deep-blue water fringed by a canopy of palm trees, stunning Bávaro Beach is one of the Caribbean’s finest. These natural attributes help to explain why it’s one of the most popular Caribbean beaches, so be prepared to share the scenery with a large number of fellow vacationers staying at the resorts concentrated nearby. It’ll be worth braving the crowds, though, once you snag a spot of sand on one of the most beautiful beaches not just in the Dominican Republic but in the whole Caribbean.
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Where to stay near Bávaro Beach in Dominican Republic
Located on this idyllic swath of sand and sea is the Barceló Bávaro Palace, a beachside all-inclusive resort. Kids can splash at the waterpark, try a round of mini golf, aim for a strike at the bowling alley, and test their wits in the escape room. Tennis courts, a baseball field, and an array of non-motorized water sports provide more options for active families.
10. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands’ Grand Cayman is home to the crescent-shaped Seven Mile Beach. This wonderland of sparkling sapphire water and coral-hued sand has miles of uninterrupted beach, fabulous snorkeling, and restaurants serving fresh fish still briny from the sea await lucky visitors. The hotels here run the gamut from affordable to luxury, and the low-rise vibe feels relaxed and friendly.
Where to stay near Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa has a prime position on this stunning beach. Well-appointed rooms, a beachfront pool, fantastic cabanas, and perks like morning yoga make this centrally located hotel a real win for families.
