16 Coastlines full of eye candy
Even for those who have never set foot on its powdery sands, dipped a big toe into its intoxicating waters, or enjoyed its omnipresent sun, we all have a pretty good idea of the Caribbean and all that it symbolizes. The word alone—the Caribbean—conjures all of the clichés of the glossy vacation catalogs: palms swaying gently on white sand beaches lined by turquoise waters, perhaps a woman in a wide-brimmed sun hat with a chilled fruit-laced cocktail in hand.
See our slideshow of The Caribbean's Sexiest Beaches
There are good reasons why the Caribbean has become synonymous with “vacation” for North Americans and many Europeans, but this phenomenon has made it increasingly necessary to dig a little deeper or venture a little farther to find your slice of true beach paradise. Never fear, there are some 7,000 islands, islets, and cays to choose from. It is worth stepping back from all of your preconceived notions and noting that we are talking about an island chain that reaches some 2,500 miles from the southern tip of Florida to the northern coast of Venezuela.
Obviously, there were many contenders for the Caribbean’s Sexiest Beaches. And it is true that “sexy” is a subjective term. However, the following beaches stand above the rest in terms of sophistication, natural beauty and exotic appeal. They allow you to bring out your own sexiness in a variety of different forms, whether it be sipping a fine rum punch at a top-optional exclusive beach club or lazing in romantic seclusion on sands untouched by anything more than waves and a light tropical breeze.
On the extreme side of exclusivity there is Mustique and its Macaroni Beach. Mustique is a private island, owned and operated by the Mustique Company and called home (at least for part of the year) by the likes of Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Macaroni is the living stereotype of the perfect beach with the added luxury of there being no beach vendors, no big hotels, no cruise ships, no spring breakers, and absolutely no hassles.
Leading the pack in terms of developed sophistication and nightlife, Aquarium Beach in Curaçao doesn’t disappoint. Everyone seems to be trilingual, the restaurants have cosmopolitan flair and you are more likely to hear a DJ straight from Amsterdam than another steel drum band. To mix it up in the sultry world of the global jet set, check out Pigeon Point, Antigua, where European royalty and American celebrities toast to the good life on a beach of fine white sand that connects the fabulous mansions to the glorious blue sea. It is only fitting that Giorgio Armani owns a home at Antigua’s most fashionable beach.
See our slideshow of The Caribbean's Sexiest Beaches
For the ideal romantic getaway, choose from the upscale solitude of Crane Beach, Barbados; Baie Longue, St. Martin; Playa Esmeralda, Cuba; or Young Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Barbados’ magnificent stretch of Crane Beach is kissed by warm trade winds and lorded over by the Crane Resort, housed in an 18th-century mansion and a tourist attraction within its own right. Orient Beach may be the hotspot on St. Martin/St. Maarten, but Baie Longue, meaning, long bay, is more attractive and more private. High-end guests from La Samanna resort wander the beach in various levels of undress.
Guardalavaca was Cuba’s original chic resort area ever since it was blessed by a local celebrity-of-sorts named Fidel. It remains the region’s main tourist area, but neighboring Playa Esmeralda has the sexy, hidden-away feel that Guardalavaca once had, not to mention a world-class resort. Just a swimmable distance off the shore of St. Vincent, tiny Young Island was once the residence of a Carib chief. It now plays host to the likes of Johnny Depp during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean. The single resort island has full-service stone cottages and landscaped grounds that lead out to the manicured Young Island beach.
Raw nature and untouched sands awaken a different set of passions. Few have ever heard of Turks and Caicos—and that may be the islands’ biggest attraction. Grace Bay stretches well over ten miles along the coast of Providenciales (Turks and Caicos’ main island) and is one of the Caribbean’s finest beaches to stroll hand-in-hand.
On Tobago, the smaller of the two main islands that comprise Trinidad and Tobago, lies Pirate’s Bay. Named for the shelter that it provided 18th century buccaneers, this remote spot allows you to live out your deserted island beach fantasy. As a matter of fact, it was the site for much of the filming of 1952’s original Robinson Crusoe movie. Not much has changed since then. A burst of tropical colors, fertile rainforest, and abundant sea life stimulates the senses at Plage Malendure on Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe. In the shadow of powerful La Soufriére volcano, the sparkling black sands lead back to precipitous jungle-draped mountains or out to seas of technicolor fish and vibrant multi-hued coral.
Try one of these sexy beaches. Try a few. We are sure that you won’t be disappointed.