The Caribbean: For guaranteed winter sun and postcard-perfect beaches

Who doesn’t love the idea of sitting under a palm tree on a Caribbean beach, enjoying the tropical warmth, turquoise sea and a hit-the-spot rum punch? With direct flights available from the UK to 13 islands, and onward connections to many more, it can be hard to decide where is best to take your sun hat.

I’ve had the good fortune to visit the Caribbean dozens of times over the past few decades. And so I’ve assessed every island and territory in the region, taking into account factors such as ease of access, the quality of accommodation and the range of sights, experiences and world-class attractions that make a trip worthwhile.

I’ve also analysed crucial issues such as safety, crime rates and the threat from hurricanes, along with the current travel advice from the Foreign Office. 

Here’s my pick of the top five Caribbean islands and territories – plus one you should avoid!

The Caribbean island of Anguilla delivers the archetypal Caribbean dream: a wealth of fabulous beaches that are clean and uncrowded, backed up with exceptional luxury hotels

Anguilla 

Reached via Antigua or St Maarten, this safe, tiny and low-lying British Overseas Territory tops our list because it delivers the archetypal Caribbean dream: a wealth of fabulous beaches that are clean and uncrowded, backed up with exceptional luxury hotels.

BOOK IT: Elegant Resorts offers seven nights B&B, staying at Malliouhana, with flights from Heathrow for £2,775 pp (elegantresorts.com)

Staying at the Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort gives you the chance to enjoy deserted beaches, castaway bars, luxurious private islands and a rich marine life that will thrill snorkellers and divers

British Virgin Islands

Like to sail? This is a prime reason to visit this gloriously scenic archipelago of 60 isles that is also a British Overseas Territory. Get ready for deserted beaches, castaway bars, luxurious private islands and a rich marine life that will thrill snorkellers and divers.

BOOK IT: Rooms at Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort from £240 per night (wyndhamhotels.com). Flights with BA and interCaribbean Airways, via Antigua, from £689 (ba.com, intercaribbean.com).

Spice Island Beach Resort is the perfect base for visiting Grenada, where you can explore spice plantations, rum distilleries and underwater sculpture parks

Grenada

Grenada is a magnificent island that lives by tourism but has still kept its soul. With a mountainous, forested interior, it’s a destination for exploring rather than flopping – with attractions that include spice plantations, rum distilleries and underwater sculpture parks.

BOOK IT: Trailfinders offers seven nights all-inclusive, staying at Spice Island Beach Resort, for £2,999pp including flights and transfers (trailfinders.com). 

Marigot Bay in St Lucia has plenty to offer, from golf and rum-tasting to diving and hiking

St Lucia

Best known for its spectacular twin peaks, the Pitons, super-scenic St Lucia is an enjoyable cook-up of French, British and Creole cultures with plenty to do from golf and rum-tasting to diving and hiking.

BOOK IT: Virgin Atlantic Holidays offers seven nights all-inclusive, staying at Zoetry Marigot Bay St Lucia, with direct flights from Heathrow for £2,567pp (virginatlantic.com)

A couple enjoys the ocean at Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort on Bonaire, which has terrific snorkelling and diving opportunities in waters protected since 1979

Bonaire

Small is beautiful on this tranquil Dutch isle near Venezuela. Lying outside the hurricane belt, Bonaire has terrific snorkelling and diving in waters protected since 1979. Fly via Amsterdam.

BOOK IT: Doubles at the boho-chic Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort from £315 (sorobonbeachresort.com). Return London-Bonaire flights from £1,070 via Amsterdam (klm.com). 

One to avoid… 

St Maarten

This Dutch half of a small island shared with French St Martin is a regional transport hub with a major airport and cruise ship terminal. If you’re not into high-rise condos, casinos and duty-free shops, move on.

For my full ranking of all 31 Caribbean islands, with the best beaches, top stays and the ones to skip, read the complete Caribbean guide here.