Hidden Caribbean islands New Yorkers will love for a relaxing escape.

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The best Caribbean islands for New Yorkers who want to skip the crowds

For New Yorkers seeking a relaxing escape from the city’s hustle without dealing with crowded beaches and packed resorts, the Caribbean offers an abundance of less-travelled gems. Here’s a guide to the best off-the-beaten-path Caribbean islands, perfect for those seeking tranquillity, unique experiences, and stunning landscapes without the typical tourist rush.

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10 Caribbean islands perfect for New Yorkers looking to escape the crowds

1. Grenada

Known as the “Spice Isle”, Grenada is famous for its rich culture, vibrant landscapes, and, most importantly, its peaceful atmosphere. With beautiful beaches like Grand Anse, Grenada offers seclusion along with historical treasures such as Fort George and the underwater sculpture park.

Grenada also provides a unique island experience with spice plantations and cocoa farms where visitors can tour and savour authentic Caribbean flavours.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Unlike popular islands like Jamaica or the Bahamas, Grenada remains largely untouched by mass tourism, allowing for a truly immersive Caribbean experience.

Silversands Grenada

Welcome to Silversands Grenada, an intimate luxury resort inviting travelers to escape the everyday, explore the original and feel part of something exceptional amid timeless architecture and the enduring beauty of Grenada’s natural landscape. Set on the shores of Grand Anse beach.

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2. Nevis

Nevis, the smaller companion to Saint Kitts, boasts a quaint charm with its colonial-era architecture, lush landscapes, and tranquil beaches. A standout feature of Nevis is the dormant volcano, Nevis Peak, which hikers can explore for panoramic views.

Visitors will also enjoy the quiet Pinney’s Beach and the old-fashioned ambiance of Charlestown, Nevis’ capital, offering a sense of Caribbean life from centuries past.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Nevis is one of the least-developed islands in the region, providing an unspoiled environment with fewer tourists than neighbouring Saint Kitts.

The Hamilton Beach Villas & Spa

Located directly on the beach with wonderful views of St. Kitts and Mount Nevis. The property includes several pools and wonderful tropical gardens, as well as an excellent beachfront restaurant and bar.

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3. Dominica

Often called the “Nature Isle”, Dominica stands out for its lush rainforests, natural hot springs, and extensive hiking trails. Unlike its bustling Caribbean counterparts, Dominica draws nature enthusiasts who are more interested in adventure than partying.

From the dramatic Boiling Lake to the scenic Trafalgar Falls, this island is perfect for those looking for a retreat immersed in nature. Snorkelling and diving in Dominica are also world-renowned due to the pristine marine environment and the chance to swim with sperm whales.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: With a focus on eco-tourism, Dominica sees fewer tourists overall, making it ideal for New Yorkers seeking a serene escape.

InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa, an IHG hotel

Breathtaking, sophisticated, and blissfully secluded, our beachfront wellness sanctuary is designed for the eco-conscious luxury traveler. Resting on a nature reserve alongside an extinct volcano and surrounded by rainforest and marine habitats, we are immersed in the splendor of Dominica. Our eco-adventures reveal the island’s beauty. Spa treatments use natural island products to soothe and cleanse. And delight your palate with our locally sourced fusion of creole and international cuisine.

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4. Saba

Known as the “Unspoiled Queen” of the Caribbean, Saba is a hidden gem of volcanic peaks, diving spots, and charming Dutch architecture. This tiny island’s claim to fame is its vibrant marine life, making it a haven for divers and snorkellers. The island also offers unique hiking trails such as the Mount Scenery trail, which leads to the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom. With its small-town feel, Saba is an island for those who appreciate a laid-back vacation.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Saba’s small size and limited lodging options keep tourist numbers low, ensuring peace and quiet for those looking to unwind.

Juliana’s Hotel

Juliana’s Hotel offers a variety of accommodations suited to each individual’s preference. For the budget-minded traveler, we offer comfortable garden-view or ocean-view rooms. For those who seek more luxurious accommodations, Juliana’s Hotel offers a fully equipped suites or a choice of two private Saban cottages.

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5. Anguilla

Anguilla offers a luxurious yet low-key atmosphere, where beaches like Shoal Bay and Rendezvous Bay are far less crowded than many others in the Caribbean. The island is known for its luxury resorts, private villas, and beach clubs.

Anguilla also has a thriving culinary scene, with high-end restaurants that allow visitors to experience authentic Caribbean flavours with a gourmet twist.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Anguilla’s exclusive appeal tends to attract discerning travellers, resulting in a more tranquil, upscale experience without the typical crowds.

Solaire Anguilla

At Solaire you will enjoy a luxury villa and your own private pool as well as housekeeping and front desk service – all for a cost comparable to hotel rooms at competing resorts. Whether you are travelling as a couple or a group, we have options tailored to give you the truly private luxury vacation you have been dreaming of.

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6. Montserrat

Dubbed the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean”, Montserrat is renowned for its volcanic landscape and lush greenery. Despite a volcanic eruption in the 1990s that transformed parts of the island, Montserrat has rebuilt itself as a peaceful destination with charming beaches, hiking trails, and a friendly local community. Scuba diving and birdwatching are popular here, as well as exploring the now-abandoned southern half of the island.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Montserrat’s remote vibe and fascinating history attract niche tourists, keeping crowds low and offering an authentically local experience.

Gingerbread Hill

Gingerbread Hill is a breezy 900 feet above sea level: 3+ tropical acres with a lovely swimming pool, gardens, and spectacular views of both the Caribbean Sea and the lush mountain rain forests! We have our own free range (in their designated space) laying hens who give us lovely brown eggs, and we have homegrown fruits,herbs & veggies available according to season.

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7. Barbuda

Barbuda, the smaller sister of Antigua, features pink-sand beaches and abundant wildlife. This island is home to one of the Caribbean’s largest bird sanctuaries, and visitors can observe magnificent frigate birds up close. Barbuda’s natural beauty is unspoiled by mass development, making it an ideal spot for those looking to enjoy pristine beaches and nature without interruption.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Barbuda is accessible only by ferry or private plane, which limits the number of tourists and maintains its secluded appeal.

Barbuda Belle Luxury Beach Hotel

Barbuda Belle is located within the Codrington Lagoon Park on the island of Barbuda. It is a Boutique Beach hotel featuring six exclusive bungalows situated on a spectacular and deserted fifteen mile long beach. Each bungalow is beautifully decorated offering magnificent views of the beach and the surrounding mangroves. The hotel is solar powered combining comfortable luxury and environmental sustainability. At Barbuda Belle admire wild life and untouched nature up close while enjoying excellent French Gourmet cuisine with a local twist.

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8. Tobago

Tobago, the smaller of the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, is celebrated for its quiet beaches, rich biodiversity, and easygoing atmosphere. Known for eco-tourism, Tobago is home to the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. The island’s Buccoo Reef offers crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling, while Pigeon Point and Englishman’s Bay provide picturesque beaches with plenty of solitude.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Tobago’s emphasis on sustainability and eco-tourism attracts visitors looking for a low-key, natural escape, keeping crowds minimal, especially outside the Carnival season.

Coco Reef Resort & Spa

Exquisite architecture and well manicured grounds warmly welcome you to the enchanting paradise that is Coco Reef Resort. Tranquil turquoise waters caress the white sands of our private beach with magnificent snorkeling just outside the breakwater. Enjoy kayaking, pedalos, diving, tennis, gym, in-house shopping, massages, manicures, pedicures and much more.

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9. Jamaica (off the beaten path)

While Jamaica is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations, certain areas of the island remain refreshingly uncrowded and full of authentic culture. Beyond Montego Bay and Negril, the southern coast offers quieter spots like Treasure Beach, where you’ll find untouched beaches, local farms, and laid-back vibes. Port Antonio is another hidden gem, with breathtaking natural attractions such as Reach Falls, the Blue Lagoon, and Frenchman’s Cove Beach.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Jamaica’s lesser-known areas provide all the beauty and culture of the island without the typical tourist crowds, ideal for travellers looking to experience local life at a slower pace.

Mystic Luminescent Lagoon Night Cruise & Swim in Jamaica

Experience one of the world’s natural phenomena on this night cruise of Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon—a great choice for nature lovers and first-time visitors. Board a small boat for a moonlight cruise of the bioluminescent lagoon and learn about the millions of harmless microorganisms that cause its iridescent blue-green glow. The tour includes just enough time for a swim in the lagoon’s warm, shallow waters.

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10. Trinidad

Though known for its lively Carnival, Trinidad has much more to offer beyond the famous festival. The island’s untouched natural reserves, like the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Nariva Swamp, and Asa Wright Nature Centre, make it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Trinidad’s north coast also boasts serene beaches like Maracas Bay and Las Cuevas, where the crowds are light except during local festivals. For a unique experience, visit the Pitch Lake, one of the world’s largest natural asphalt lakes.

Why it’s great for avoiding crowds: Outside of Carnival season, Trinidad offers plenty of quiet spots to explore and a local, unhurried vibe that appeals to those looking for a more culturally immersive experience without the crowds.

Hadco Experiences At Asa Wright Nature Centre

HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre is a sanctuary. Nestled in an ancient rainforest, in the Northern Range of the island of Trinidad, the Asa Wright Nature Centre was established in 1967 with a mission to protect part of the Arima and Aripo valleys for wildlife conservation, education, and scientific research. Home to an easily accessible breeding colony of the rare, nocturnal Oilbird, the Centre covers 1,500 acres of protected rainforest, which houses a rich biota with an outstanding species list that includes native mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies, and a variety of flowering plant species.

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Planning your Caribbean getaway with Tripadvisor

These hidden gems offer serene Caribbean vacations away from tourist-heavy hubs, perfect for New Yorkers craving a relaxing escape. To simplify your travel planning, use Tripadvisor to find the best accommodations, activities, and dining options across these islands. With user reviews, booking options, and customised recommendations, Tripadvisor makes planning an off-the-beaten-path Caribbean adventure easier than ever.

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