Thinking about heading out for some sun, sea, and sand in the Caribbean? That’s a great idea. With people flocking from around the world for the crystal clear waters, the Caribbean is a popular spot for ultimate relaxation.
With so many amazing spots, it can be difficult to narrow it down to just one place to stay. Don’t worry though – with this list, I’m going to help you do just that!
From Barbados to the British Virgin Islands to Cuba and beyond, let me take you on a journey around the clearest water in the Caribbean!
Who Has The Clearest Waters in The Caribbean?
1. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Island
Okay, so let’s be honest, having seven miles worth of beach is already a huge win, but Seven Mile Beach in beautiful Grand Cayman has been named within the top 20 of the world’s best beaches by MSN. That’s huge.
This massive expanse of beach is probably one of the main reasons why people visit Grand Caymans in their droves each year. With plenty of space to spread out, tons of beach bars, kayaks to hire, parasailing experiences to try, and shops along the coastline, you can have your perfect day at the beach.
2. Carlisle Bay, Barbados
Crystal-clear Caribbean waters seem to go hand-in-hand with amazing watersports, and Carlisle Bay in Barbados is a perfect example of this. Home to some of the island’s most beautiful luxury yachts and catamarans, it’s the ideal launch point for a sunset cruise out on the Caribbean.
Closer to the shoreline, Carlisle Bay’s clear waters make it one of the best places in Barbados to go snorkeling or try scuba diving. In fact, thanks to the bay’s naval history, there are six different shipwrecks in this stretch of water that you can go out and explore.
3. Ffryes Beach, Antigua
Often the best beaches in the Caribbean are hidden down side roads and passed unassuming landmarks. Ffryes Beach in Antigua is no different. Once you leave the main road behind and journey past the mighty, historic windmill, you’ll be greeted with one of the best beaches on the whole island.
With soft white sands, crystal clear waters, and the smells of delicious local restaurants, there’s no better place to get together with your family or loved ones. If you’re coming in on a cruise ship, it’s super likely that you’ll be visiting this beautiful beach on your guided excursions!
Suggested Reading: Antigua or Barbados: An Honest Comparison
4. Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Okay, so if we’re talking about world-leading beaches, Grace Bay Beach on the Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos group has to be top of the list. It’s been voted the second best beach in the world by Trip Advisor, and the World’s Leading Beach Destination by the World Travel Awards. That’s a high accolade by anyone’s books!
If you’re scared of things touching you in the water, don’t worry. Grace Bay Beach has no rocks, no seaweed, and no pollution. It’s incredible. Snorkellers and divers can also enjoy the barrier reef that’s located around 1.6km off the coast.
5. Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
Spanning two gorgeous miles of soft sand and clear waters, Grand Anse Beach is the grand jewel of the Grenada beach scene. In fact, it’s been voted as the best beach in the Caribbean by USA Today Readers!
In addition to the beautiful beach, Grand Anse Beach is also home to a bustling spice and craft market where you can pick up a souvenir or two to take home with you. It’s a fun and friendly beach that’s beloved by tourists and locals alike – you can often see games of cricket being played on the soft sands.
6. Playa Lagun, Curaçao
This secluded spot is definitely for the wildlife lovers among you. While you might not find miles of soft white sand at Playa Lagun, you will find some of the clearest waters on the entire island. This makes Playa Lagun one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in Curaçao.
Surrounded by cliff faces, this bay is full of reef fish and turtles going about their business. You can also see coral reefs and sponges along the way. It’s a whole other world below the surface, and the clear waters make it visible to any adventurer!
7. Buck Island, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Okay, so the next destination isn’t just a beach, it’s a whole island. Buck Island off St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands is a protected reef and a national monument thanks to its thriving ecosystem.
As the island is only accessible by boat, you can sail across from St. Croix or join a tour. With the Elkhorn Coral Barrier Reef, you’re really going to be spoiled when you dive below the water. From the vivid colors of the reef itself to the fish and marine life that lies beneath, it’s going to be an experience that you’re never going to forget.
8. Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, Cozumel
Known locally as just Punta Sur, this eco beach park in Cozumel puts sustainability at the heart of everything it does. In fact, this state reserve park spans an incredible 1,000 hectares of protected land and sea! The result is a thriving marine ecosystem, clear waters, and natural beauty everywhere you look.
A great thing about Punta Sur Eco Beach Park is that it has the best of the land and sea. You have long soft, sandy beaches, clear waters, filled with fish and turtles, as well as expansive green gardens, filled with land-based wildlife, like crocodiles!
9. Honeymoon Beach, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Anywhere that has the name Honeymoon Beach has to be pretty spectacular, right? Well, this St. John’s staple definitely lives up to the name. With quintessentially Caribbean white sand beaches and turquoise waters, Honeymoon Beach is the perfect spot to kick back and relax.
If you want to try your hand at snorkeling but don’t feel comfortable in deep water, Honeymoon Beach is the ideal spot, as the reef here is pretty shallow. You don’t have to go out far to see beautiful marine life. like turtles and rays, and be inspired by the world underneath the waves!
10. Eagle Beach, Aruba
As the winner of the 2023 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award Winner for the Best Beach in the Caribbean, Eagle Beach in Aruba is a popular spot, and for good reason! It’s the widest beach in the whole of Aruba, so there’s plenty of place to spread out and set up camp for your dream beach day.
With iconic Fofofi trees, cute beach huts, and even tennis courts along Eagle Beach, there’s definitely something for everyone to enjoy. In fact, during Easter Week, many local families have a tradition of camping out on this very beach!
Suggested Reading: Barbados or Aruba: Which Should You Choose?
11. Exuma, The Bahamas
So, Exuma is actually a series of 365 islands in The Bahamas group rather than one beach or one specific island. However, they’re home to some ridiculously clear waters! While there’s an airport on the main island of Grand Exuma, the rest of the islands are only accessible by small prop plane or boat, making it a secluded place to visit.
The result is undisturbed beaches where you might be the only person for miles. However, the most popular residents of the waters around the Exumas are the swimming pigs. Yep, you read that correctly, you can swim in crystal clear waters with Caribbean swimming pigs!
Suggested Reading: Bahamas or Barbados? An Honest Comparison
12. Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
If you’re looking for a Caribbean stretch of sand that goes on as far as the eye can see, look no further than Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This extraordinary beach actually extends for a whopping 30 miles, accompanied by clear waters and safe swimming spots.
The clear waters are home to plenty of marine life, like triggerfish and butterflyfish, so snorkeling is definitely a popular excursion here. On dry land, you can hire a sand buggy to ride along this huge beach and see the entire coastline in one fell swoop!
Suggested Reading: Riviera Maya or Punta Cana – The Honest Guide You Need
13. Carolina Beach, Puerto Rico
As a consistent winner of a Blue Flag award for beautiful sands and clean waters, Carolina Beach in Puerto Rico is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. With plenty of on-site amenities including beach bars, food vendors, and gazebos available for hire, you can spend the whole day without having to leave the beach!
Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax on the soft white sands, take a dip and explore the crystal clear waters, or start up a game of volleyball on one of the many available courts, Carolina Beach definitely has a little something for everyone.
14. Shoal Bay, Anguilla
As probably the most popular beach in stunning Anguilla, Shoal Bay has been welcoming tourists and locals alike for decades. With two miles of white sand beaches and some of the clearest water in the Caribbean, Shoal Bay is one of the must-visit locations on the island.
Thanks to the clear waters, some of the most beloved pastimes are snorkeling and diving. After you’ve had your fill of swimming and exploring, head to one of the many beach bars and restaurants that line Shoal Bay for a tasty local meal and a cocktail!
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