Caribbean Islands

Chic Chateau, Haiti. Photo Credit: Emily Bauman/Unsplash

The Caribbean consists of the Caribbean Sea, islands and the surrounding coasts in the Americas region. Regionally comprising southeast the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America.

Not in the Caribbean but, thought to be amongst many travelers is Bermuda, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos. Bermuda, located in the North Atlantic area consists of isolated islands. A chain of islands and coral reefs Turks & Caicos is located Southeast of Florida and north of Cuba in the Atlantic Ocean.

Santa Martha Bay, Curacao. Photo Credit: StockSnap/Pixabay 

There three island groups outside of the Caribbean Sea:

• Bermuda
• The Bahama Islands
• Turks & Caicos Islands

Because of their similar island characteristics they are often associated with the Caribbean Islands. 

A part of the Lucayan Archipelago includes: The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos.

Photo Credit: Graham Lawrence/Pixabay 

Greater Antilles

A grouping of the larger islands in the Caribbean Sea. 

• Cuba
• Cayman Islands
• Hispaniola
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico

Hispaniola includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The British and U.S. Virgin Islands are in the Lesser Antilles.

Barbados. Photo Credit: lorax20/Pixabay 

Leeward Antilles

Along the southeast of the Caribbean Sea and north to Venezuela coast of South America.

• ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao
  
• (Federal Dependencies of Venezuela)
• (State of Nueva Esparta Venezuela)
  

Among the Lesser Antilles, are not to be confused with the Leeward Islands.

Photo Credit: Hajnalka Kosiba/Pixabay 

Leeward Islands

A group of islands located where the Caribbean Sea (northeast) meets the Atlantic Ocean (west).

• Anguilla
• Antigua
• Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Guadeloupe
  
• Montserrat
  
• Nevis
  
• Redonda
  
• Saba
• Saint-Barthelemy
  
• Saint Kitts
  
• Saint Martin
• Sint Eustatius

St John, USVI. Photo Credit: inactionsolutions/Pixabay 

Lesser Antilles

A group of islands in the Caribbean Sea between the Greater Antilles (northwest) and South America, causing an eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

• Aruba
• Bonaire
• Curacao
• The ABC Islands
• Trinidad & Tobago

Union Island, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. Photo Credit: Diane Holmes/Pixabay 

Windward Islands

The southern, larger Lesser Antilles islands within the West Indies.

• Barbados
• Dominica
• Guadeloupe
• Martinique
• Saint Lucia
• St Vincent & Grenadines, Grenada

Depending on who you ask, Barbados and Guadeloupe could be bundled with the Leeward Islands.

Photo Credit: Patrizia/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• British West Indies (BWI) refers to islands whether currently or previously affiliated with Great Britain: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands.
• French West Indies (FWI) are islands owned or affiliated with the Netherlands (Dutch Antilles, Dutch West Indies or Netherland Antilles): Guadeloupe, La Désirade, Les Saintes, Marie Galante, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy or Saint Martin.
• In 2019, the Caribbean population census was 44.42 million.
  
• Hurricane Season is June - November. Islands generally outside of the Hurricane Belt: Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grenada, St Vincent & Grenadines, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks & Caicos.
• "Windward Islands" derives from sailing ships with prevailing trade winds blowing east to west. 

Photo Credit: Toni Paul/Pixabay 

Cruise Lines often group the islands into the following regional sailings:

• Eastern Caribbean: British Virgin Islands (BVI), Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
• Southern Caribbean: Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Western Caribbean: Belize, Cuba , Grand Cayman, Honduras, Jamaica and Mexico Caribbean Coast (Costa Maya, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen​, ​Progreso, Puerto Costa Maya).

May vary by cruise line.

St Lucia. Photo Credit: Jolyne D/Pixabay 

Popular island destinations for:

• Destination Weddings: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, 
  The Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
• Divers: Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Honduras, Saba, St Croix (USVI), St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos.
• Family: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, British Virgin Islands (BVI),  Cayman Islands, Curacao, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
• Golf: Barbados, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Croix (USVI), The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos.
• Honeymoons (Romance): Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Barts, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and U.S. Virgin Islands.
• LGBT/LGBTQ Friendly: Aruba, Curaçao, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Saba, St Barts, St Croix (USVI) and St. Martin/St. Maarten.
  
• Nude Beaches: (Hawksbill Bay) Antigua, (Anse du Gouverneur) St Barthelemy, (Pointe Tarare) Guadeloupe, (Booby Cay) Jamaica, (Anasco Beach) Puerto Rico and (Orient Beach) St. Martin.

Your experience can vary greatly depending on the activities you desire during your visit, the destination island and the time of year (or season) traveling.

Antigua. Photo Credit: photosforyou/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• U.S. Citizens do not need a passport to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John or Saint Thomas) or Puerto Rico​. However, do keep in mind the Real ID applies effective 10/1/21.
• Depending who you ask, Guadeloupe flip flops between the Leewards and Windwards. If you consider their culture, lush landscape or mountains it's best compared to Windwards.
• It's easy to island hop either by ferry or flight depending on the destination.
• BVI has over 50 small islands and cays.
• ABC Islands refers to: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
  
• Be mindful, some beaches are nude or topless.

​

Photo Credit: André Rau/Pixabay 

Are you suddenly daydreaming about palm trees, salt air blowing through your hair, the sun kissing your cheeks and white sandy beaches​?

Fortunate to have visited most of the islands, each island declared to make the best local rum and to have the best local tasty fruit!

Maho Beach, Saint Martin. Photo Credit: kendallpools/Pixabay 

My industry designation earned as a Caribbean Specialist combined with our local connections with Cruise Lines, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Airlines, Villa Rental Companies, Adventure Travel providers and Limo companies will offer you Exclusive Benefits that you won't be able to achieve on your own. Such as: Complimentary Breakfast for Two Daily, Dining or Resort Credit, Spa Treatment, Airport Transfer, or other privileges. Even Room Upgrades, Early Check-In and Late Check-Out when available. 

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.