10 Caribbean Islands You Might Have Missed

Do the two of you have a case of “been there, done that”? If you’ve vacationed in the Caribbean several times, you just might be on the lookout for a way to expand your island horizons, a chance to check out paradise on isles you might have missed. Spanning over 2,000 miles east to west and 1,000 miles north to south, the Caribbean gives you plenty of options. Here are 10 lesser visited islands you might consider for your next romantic getaway.

Anguilla: Gourmet Getaway

Well known among the well-to-do, Anguilla is a favorite getaway for those really looking to get away. This tiny island is the king of the Caribbean beach world, a mecca for beach buffs in search of that perfect stretch of sand. Although only 16 miles from end to end and little more than 35 square miles in all, Anguilla packs in over 30 beaches and numerous nearby cays to tempt sunlovers, snorkelers, scuba divers, and those just looking for a good beach walk. When it’s time to take a break from the sun, fine dining is the order of the day; acre per acre, Anguilla has almost the same number of restaurants as New York City.

Nevis: Traces of the Old Caribbean

Just two miles from neighboring St. Kitts lies the tiny island of Nevis (NEE-vis), covering a total of only 36 square miles. Columbus first named this island because of the ever-present cloud that circled Mount Nevis, giving it almost a snow-capped look. Today the cloud still lingers over the mountain peak that challenges climbers. Home to only 9,000 residents (but twice as many green monkeys), Nevis has a charming atmosphere all its own, due in part to numerous plantation inns where you can enjoy a gourmet lunch amid genteel surroundings which evoke the old Caribbean style.

Antigua: Beach of the Day

What Antigua boasts are beaches: 365 of them, the tourism folks claim. There's a beach for every activity level: beaches where you can walk and hardly see another soul, beaches where you can shop for local crafts and buy a burger at a beachside grill, and beaches where you can just curl up under a tall coconut palm. Antigua’s maritime connections run deep; English Harbour was the home base of none other than Admiral Nelson. Today Nelson’s Dockyard, surrounded by a national park, is the world’s only remaining Georgian dockyard and is a favorite with history buffs.

Tobago: Southern Comfort

On docking at this southern Caribbean island, divers head straight to Speyside for the opportunity to hitch short rides on a "Tobago taxi" or the broad back of a giant manta ray. Dolphins, whale sharks and porpoises also sometimes join the underwater ballet. And landlubbers won’t want to miss the leatherback turtles who come to nest on the leeward side of the island between March and August. Regardless of where you visit, life here moves to a Caribbean beat, with a leisurely pace. Goats graze in every field, and coconut palm-lined beaches offer quiet getaways.

Turks and Caicos: Following the Whale’s Trail

This archipelago of nearly 40 islands offers over 200 miles of pristine beaches, a world-class coral reef system, and quiet relaxation. From December through April, ecotourists journey to Salt Cay for a chance to spot humpback whales. Although you can watch them from shore, the best view is up close and personal, right in the water with the giant mammals when these humpbacks migrate through the Turks Island Passage. History buffs can’t miss the Turks and Caicos National Museum on Grand Turk. The museum focuses on the Molasses Reef shipwreck, which occurred in these islands five centuries ago and has been recognized as the oldest European shipwreck excavated so far in the New World.

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