WIND SPORTS »
Silver Sands, Barbados
On the island’s happening and (between November and July) predictably breezy south coast, Silver Sands is home to former Olympic windsurfer Brian Talma, whose remodeled deAction Beach Shop rents and sells wind-sports gear of all sorts. Enlist Talma himself, or one of his able instructors, to teach you the basics
of kiteboarding and windsurfing.
SNORKELING »
No-Name Beach, Klein Bonaire
Just off the west side of Bonaire, this unpeopled little isle — accessible by rented boat or the twice-daily water taxi ($15) from the town pier in Kralendijk — is a snorkeler’s paradise. Off the white sand of the north shore’s No-Name Beach (also known as Playa Neme), snorkelers feast their eyes on rays, schools of fish and a vast array of corals as they drift with the current.
SURFING »
Chatarra Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico
The island’s west coast — Rincon, specifically—tends to get all the ink when it comes to great surf beaches,
but metropolitan San Juan has a world-class spot of its own. Just east of the airport, Chatarra has one of the best left-hand breaks in the Caribbean. Waves — which can be epic here — break in shallow water, and the competition among surfers can be mighty intense, so novices are well advised to grab a cold Medalla and play the role of spectator.
SKINNY-DIPPING »
Orient Beach, St. Martin
The Caribbean’s most celebrated nude beach lives up to its fame. Unfortunately, however, its days as an end-to-end heinie haven are over: Full nudity is tolerated only along the southern stretch, in front of the clothing-optional Club Orient resort.
PEOPLE WATCHING »
Grace Bay Beach, Turks + Caicos
Provo’s most picturesque beach boasts 12 miles of sexy sand to stroll and scan for the glitterati, who come here in droves to hide out in posh digs. As sunset nears, hit Grace Bay Club’s 90-foot-long Infiniti Bar, the longest (and maybe the coolest) in the Caribbean.
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Your own sun-drenched island afloat in turquoise waters, fringed with talcum-soft sand and studded with swaying palms. It sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t. You can have all of the above — plus five beaches, three hiking trails and all the food and drink you can consume — at this private-island resort in the Grenadines.
Paddling a kayak over transparent Caribbean water is a rare pleasure, and though the region has no shortage of excellent tour operators and rental outfits, there’s something to be said for the joys of impromptu exploration. For that, you need to bring your own boat, and to do that, you need an inflatable.
Who says vacations have to be once-a-year indulgences? With these handy 3-day guides to the Caribbean's most easily reached destinations—Puerto Rico's Old San Juan, Bermuda, Grand Cayman, and St. Thomas—you have even less excuses to stay at home. So get planning, get packing, and get going!
Less than an hour’s flight from Miami to George Town makes Grand Cayman easily accessible. Pack your bags and get going!
With its pastel cottages bordered by fences draped in cascades of flowers, Bermuda simply oozes charm. And its quiet pink-sand coves make it perfect for romance. Use this 3-day guide to plan your trip!
