6 Caribbean Islands Worth the Trek, no Matter the Mode of Transportation.
The Caribbean offers no shortage of postcard-worthy beaches and luxurious resorts to accommodate visitors in search of sun, sand and sea. But with 13 independent countries to choose from, it can be difficult to settle on a destination to escape from the world, at least temporarily, and cloak yourself in pockets of island paradise.
Nobu Beach Inn
To assist, we’ve rounded up six islands and trending properties that have emerged as leaders in upscale hospitality. These range in size, opulence and overall vibe, but all guarantee one thing: a tropical vacation that is worth the time, money and effort, no matter the type of voyage required to get there or take advantage of upon arrival.
Set Foot: Barbuda
Nobu Beach Inn
Perhaps 2026’s most anticipated Caribbean opening is Barbuda’s Nobu Beach Inn, heralded by two-time Oscar winner-turned-hotelier, Robert De Niro, along with his partners Daniel Shamoon and James Packer. The property, consisting of 17 two-or-three-bedroom beachfront bungalows, will feature an oceanfront pool, outdoor cinema, two tennis courts, padel and pickleball courts, as well as an open-air gym pavilion and outdoor spa to further encourage guests to blend in with their natural surroundings. The 400 acres of shoreline paradise will also be an unsurprising extension of the pre-existing, omakase-style restaurant bearing its iconic namesake, ensuring that there really is no reason to venture off-property for additional modern luxuries. Exclusive real estate options include 25 custom residences, fully serviced by the Inn, with pricing starting at around $12M and 30 estates on larger 5.5 acre-lots for private compounds. Each home is designed to feel like a personal luxury retreat – secluded and immersed in nature.
Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences, Saint Lucia
“Since I first stepped foot on Barbuda, I knew it was special. We wanted to create a place that’s comfortable, where everyone wants to gather and embrace the essence of the island,” said De Niro in a statement. “The Nobu Beach Inn is designed to complement its surroundings while maintaining the landscape’s natural beauty.”
Set Sail: British Virgin Islands and St. Lucia
Oil Nut Bay
Though boating culture runs rampant across all Caribbean islands, the British Virgin Islands’ archipelago has essentially morphed into a bustling harbor of sailboats, mega yachts and fishing charters, providing direct access to the sea for water-drawn tourists.
Nova Lounge, Oil Nut Bay
Dock for an extended stay at the Marina Village in Virgin Gorda’s Oil Nut Bay, home to dozens of mansion-esque villas built directly into its vibrant lime-green cliffs. Ranging from $650 to $17,950 per night, these grandiose, handsomely-designed accommodations offer the region’s best views of sunsets and breaching whales from private pools, oversized decks and outdoor showers. The property is also a hub of high-end amenities, including a brand-new overwater spa, state-of-the-art fitness center and two on-site restaurants that serve everything from fresh-caught lobster to wood-fired pizzas. For those looking for a permanent vacation, Oil Nut Bay also offers a range of luxury real estate opportunities, including turnkey villas and custom homesites with sweeping ocean views starting at $1.95M. Owners enjoy full access to the property’s amenities and services for a seamless blend of island living with a resort feel.
Oil Nut Bay Villas
For a more resort-like feel, opt for Saint Lucia’s Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences, recently featured on an episode of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Reality TV’s leading ladies lapped up luxury in the all-inclusive hotel’s new Ocean Point residences, complete with rooftop pools that take in 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea and sun-drenched mountain ranges. Daily activities also include catamaran treks to Soufriere where guests visit the island’s Sulphur Springs for a volcanic mud bath and take a splash in famed Toraille Waterfall, cascading from a staggering 50 feet above. But what is arguably St. Lucia’s best vantage point is a happy hour cruise around the Pitons: twin volcanic spires that jut from the cobalt-hued waves beneath them.
Jet Set: Bahamas, Anguilla and Turks & Caicos
Kamalame Cay
Private jetting has its obvious perks, particularly on islands with runways designed to welcome only small planes and a limited number of commercial aircraft. But some resorts have made their appealingly remote locales even more accessible with major airline partnerships, new direct routes and aviation programs that prioritize the utmost in travel quality and convenience.
A trip to Nassau is always top of mind for any Caribbean connoisseur and Baha Mar is the most ideal place to start or end a journey. Aside from being only a 15-minute drive from the capital’s airport, a nucleus of daily flights from all over the world, its sprawling campus touts the area’s largest casino, celebrity chef-backed eateries, and lively pool lounges with premium cabanas. Visitors also have the choice of staying at ultra-lux Rosewood, butler-appointed Park Hyatt, or recently renovated SLS with rooms furnished by RH. Any option makes an appropriate backdrop for lavish parties and celebrations, no matter the occasion, with exclusive access to bars and clubs that are merely a shell’s throw away.
Salterra
Only 10 minutes from Nassau sits Andros’ Kamalame Cay, a private island haven of villas among a secluded strip of beach to appease any silence-seeker. To get there, the property has introduced its own seaplane service, COCO, for easy, year-round services that take passengers directly to not only the resort’s coastal entrypoint, but also castaway coves and sand-dollar islets. Guests are encouraged to disconnect entirely from the real world by soaking up rays, enjoying a massage on the boardwalk spa and noshing on locally foraged produce from a daily menu dictated entirely by nature’s bounty.
Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club has also situated itself as a hotel primed for the runway, with only a 15-minute drive from the island’s only (and mostly private) airport. The hotel, which partners with Best Jets International to offer a fleet of various sizes, boasts everything expected at a five-star resort and then some, including an amphitheatre for concerts, massive activity center with mini golf and a climbing wall, as well as a waterpark for kids. It’s also host to a whopping six restaurants, including 10,000 square feet of gardens and farmland that are often used for romantic outdoor dinners.
Rosewood, Baha Mar
For those flying commercial, newly-constructed South Caicos Airport now welcomes visitors with two non-stop American Airlines flights a week from Miami International Airport. Practically every passenger is en route to Salterra, a Marriott luxury property adjacent to actual salt fields. This isolated Turks and Caicos gem escapes the hustle and bustle of touristy Providenciales for a more laidback holiday experience. Though the breezy, minimalist vibes of its rooms and landscaping are charming, its nautical excursions are the crown jewel, including half-day outings to uninhabited atolls and a local coral farm that promotes regrowth and replanting efforts.
Set Off: The Caribbean Always Makes Sense
Whether it’s by land, sea or air, there’s no wrong way to relish the unrivaled beauty of the Caribbean. Its signature turquoise water sparkles bright from foot, boat, or plane, luring weary and anxiety-ridden visitors like a siren song so that they can relax, disconnect, and embrace the trademark calm of island life. Choose your own adventure—there’s no wrong journey, as long as you safely arrive at your destination.
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