Discover the best beaches in the Caribbean by superyacht

The best beaches in the Virgin Islands

Blessed with calm waters, the British Virgin Islands are known for their white, sandy beaches, while the neighbouring US Virgin Islands are covered in lush, protected forests that provide a backdrop to the powdery sands that fringe the islands.  

White Bay, Jost Van Dyke (BVI)

The small island of Jost Van Dyke (named after a 17th century Dutch pirate) boasts a fun bar scene and clear waters made for adventures. Snorkelling and scuba diving are popular activities, especially off the immaculate crescent of ivory sand at White Bay.

Blessed with a protective reef lying just offshore and running nearly the full length of the beach, the shallow waters are perfect for children to swim in, while the reef has a convenient gap in it, providing easy access to the shore by tender. It is also home to the infamous Soggy Dollar Bar. Aptly named because when it opened the access was by water only, the bar is said to have created the BVI’s signature drink – the Painkiller cocktail. Any more than two and you will indeed be feeling no pain.

Cane Garden Bay and Smugglers Cove, Tortola (BVI)

The lush island of Tortola is a popular island for the yachting crowd thanks to its white sand beaches lapped by clear waters and is also home to nesting sites for giant leatherback turtles. As one of the busier islands, a handful of the beaches, including Cane Garden Bay, are better suited to those looking for activity and a spot of people-watching.

Anchor off the one-mile-long beach for an afternoon of watersports before heading to the west of the island and anchoring in Smugglers Cove. The quieter beach here features pristine white sands and calm waters for great snorkelling and paddle boarding.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda (BVI)

Plan to spend a day or two at The Baths in Virgin Gorda. Located on the southern tip of the island, the striking set of boulders that form caves and tidal pools above the brilliant white sand are one of the most iconic anchorages in the Virgin Islands, perhaps even in the yachting world. It can be busy though, so it’s best to arrive early before the crowds and swim and snorkel in the warm water pools that lie between the volcanic formations.

Trunk Bay, St John (USVI)

Donated to the US National Park Service by Laurence S Rockerfeller in the early 1950s, the silky white sandy beach of Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Head ashore and lounge on this near-deserted beach or jump in the water with your mask and snorkel on and discover the purpose built 200-metre-long snorkelling trail lying just offshore.

Magens Bay, St Thomas (USVI)

Nestled on the north coast of St Thomas, the horseshoe-shaped beach at Magens Bay stretches for almost a mile. The sheltered bay here provides an ideal yacht anchorage where you can enjoy all manner of watersports, including motorised toys. After an afternoon of activities, head ashore and take the nature trail to the island’s highest point at 640 metres above sea level. Time it right to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the bay.

The best beaches in the Windward Islands

A combination of dramatic landscapes, a cooling breeze and natural harbours makes the Windward islands an ideal cruising destination for a superyacht charter. Cruise from St Lucia to Grenada, stopping in the Grenadines idylls lying in between and experience a part of the Caribbean that has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries.

Casuarina Beach, Palm Island, Grenadines

Awakening even the dullest of senses with its vibrant colour and easy charm, the Grenadines offers visitors the Robinson Crusoe dream. Named after the 2,000-plus palm trees scattered across the private resort island, Palm Island is just one of the islands where the waterborne can enjoy a peaceful swim or snorkel around any of the three reefs that frame the white sands. Day visitors are also welcome ashore here for a refreshment at the laid-back Casuarina Beach bar. The beach, which is bordered by coconut palms, runs the entire length of the western coastline, and is a favourite with the yachting crowd.

Marconi Beach, Mustique, Grenadines

Nestled in the Grenadines, the private resort island of Mustique has long drawn socialites to its exclusive shoreline. Of the island’s nine beautiful beaches, Marconi on the eastern coast is probably most people’s favourite. In fact, many a famous footprint has been washed away on this long ribbon of unspoilt sand, including those of Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II, David Bowie and Mick Jagger, to name just a few. Mustique is also home to one of the Caribbean’s best bars: Basil’s bar. Perched on stilts by the jetty, it is the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner from the extensive cocktail list.

Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

There is no shortage of beautiful beaches in Grenada, the large island that lies to the south of the Leeward Island archipelago. Of the 45 beaches skirting its shoreline, the sheltered Grand Anse has to be one of the best. At just under two miles long, it is close to the capital of St George’s and overlooked by some of the finest hotels on the island, but there is still enough space to give the impression that its relatively empty. The epitome of a tropical, picture postcard Caribbean beach with its palm trees and mountainous backdrop, the sheltered bay is ideal for watersports, while ashore the bars provide plenty of fun.

The best beaches in the Leeward Islands

The Leeward Islands are an intriguing mix of West Indian, French, British and Dutch influences, and the nationality varies depending on which island you visit. St Barth is the place to head for high-end beach clubs and fantastic gourmet cuisine, while Antigua is rich in maritime history and renowned for its beaches. Many are deserted, fringed by untouched rainforest and accessible only by tender, while others are home to fun beach clubs and gourmet restaurants.

Saline, St Barth

Needless to say, it’s the beach scene that attracts most superyachts to St Barth. The island has 20 to choose from, but for sheer beauty Saline has to be the best. The wild beach lies just beyond a salt marsh and is free of bars and restaurants, remaining utterly unspoilt thanks to the effort it takes to access via a long and stony path, or for the lucky few, by superyacht tender.

St Jean, St Barth

Those looking for something more lively and fun while in St Barth should head to the cosmopolitan St Jean. Home to the Eden Rock’s ER Beach Bar, Nikki Beach and La Plage, the calm half-moon beach is probably the hippest strip of sand in the world, or certainly in joint first position with its French counterpart, Pampelonne Beach in Saint-Tropez. Like its French sister, it also boasts a similar little hub of stylish boutiques. But it's not all about style. Protected by a reef, the sea is nearly always flat and perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Maundays Bay, Anguilla

The exclusive island of Anguilla has more than 30 sensational beaches, and Maundays Bay is one of its best (even the locals agree). The long curve of flawless vanilla sand is located on the southwestern coast of the island and is home to a number of the Caribbean’s best resorts, including the Moroccan-styled domed white villas of Cap Juluca (a Belmond Hotel), the Four Seasons Resort and Cuisinart.

Half Moon Bay, Antigua

With so many beaches to choose from, it’s hard to choose just one while cruising along Antigua’s coastline, but Half Moon Bay has to be near the top of the list. The one-mile-long stretch of sparsely populated pink and white sandy beach is so named thanks to its crescent shape. Lying to the east of the island, the waters lapping the fringe of sand are the ideal place for windsurfing, while closer to shore are a number of great snorkelling spots.

Pinney’s Beach, Nevis

A perfect crescent of sugar-fine white sand, Pinney’s Beach is barefoot luxury at its best. The beach is also Nevis’ main party beach, but at three miles long there is plenty of room for everyone – and given that the island is home to just one resort, the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Pinney’s Beach is never crowded. A number of bars offer a casual hangout, including the colourful Sunshine’s Beach Bar & Grill, which is renowned for its Killer Bee rum cocktails.

Pink Beach, Barbuda

Whether you’re interested in nature or just looking for a pristine beach, Barbuda’s Pink Sand Beach is the one for you. The nearly deserted stretch of pink sand stretches eight miles all the way from Spanish Point to Palmetto Point, allowing you to walk for miles without encountering another footprint. The candy-floss-pink sand made from crushed corals here also provides ones of the Caribbean’s most Instagrammable backdrops.

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The Caribbean is a yachting playground like no other, offering a mix of nature, adventure, and relaxation. Whether you’re dreaming of a BVI yacht charter or exploring the wonders of Antigua, Burgess offers world-class services to ensure your Caribbean yacht charter is an unforgettable experience. Ready to embark on your tropical escape? Contact Burgess today to start planning the ultimate Caribbean getaway.