In Search of Paradise: The Caribbean Islands With The Clearest Water & Whitest Sand (2023)

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Last updated on April 13, 2023 by Wandering our World

Finding a beach with clear blue waters, luscious soft white sands and an amazing overall experience is the top thing to look for when planning a vacation to the Caribbean.

We know this region of the world well and have taken matters into our own hands, putting together a list of some of the best places and islands in the Caribbean for pristine white beaches with beautifully clear water.

From exclusive secluded intimate beaches to action packed sun-worshipping hotspots, these islands have it all, alongside the most translucent waters and alluring white sand in the world. (Recommended: The Best Caribbean Islands for Beaches).

1. Turks & Caicos

Known for having the best clear water beaches in the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos are home to sparkling white sandy beaches with shimmering blue crystal clear water that laps gently at the shore.

The shallows are so clear you can see the undisturbed pearly sands at many depths. And just a few meters away from shore will give you crystal clear views of stunning coral reefs jam-packed with color.

This secluded nation with its many deserted beaches makes it a perfect spot for an exclusive holiday without the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist destination.

An archipelago of some 40 low-lying coral islands, Turks and Caicos has a network of islands and cays that give you a wide range of beautiful beaches to choose from. All with some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.

The shells and corals that have created the white sands give the beaches here a perfect shimmer which reflect the blue waters, giving the beaches of Turks and Caicos their signature paradise look.

Paired with luxury hotels and villas for rent, all with amazing beach views, one of the best attractions in Turks and Caicos is Grace Bay, found on the island of Providenciales.

Tranquil stretches of beach spread as far as the eye can see, as the stunning pristine waters glitter under the tropical sun. The soft sands here will pull at your heart-strings, inviting you to take a dip in the cool water.

2. Antigua & Barbuda

Surrounded by calm shallow waters and underlying coral reefs and shoals, the islands of Antigua and Barbuda put up some of the clearest water beaches in the world. Also known by many as the ultimate romantic destination, what more do we need to say?

Antigua and Barbuda probably has the biggest variety of beaches in the Caribbean, and with its small size, these beaches are super easy to access. From beaches perfect for water sports to long expanses of secluded sand, Antigua and Barbuda is the complete package.

The best clear water beach can be found at Green Island. A small island off the coast of Antigua, Green Island is a private island which has been under the ownership of Mill Reef Club since 1947.

Reachable by boat, this stunning place is surrounded by pale white beaches bordered by beautifully shaded blue waters. If you want to avoid the crowds at other beaches in Antigua and Barbuda, then you must hop on a boat and head over to Green Island. It’s also a great location to snorkel and swim in the shimmering water and enjoy a picnic in a slice of paradise.

But let us end with this fun fact. This nation is so packed with beaches, lagoons and natural harbors, that there’s 365 white-sandy beaches here. That’s one beach to visit for every single day of the year!

3. Curaçao

Known as one of the best Caribbean islands for diving and water sports, Curaçao can’t clinch that position without having some of the clearest water and best beaches in the world.

With sky blue waters and pearly white sands, your beachside experience is completed with mouth-watering food and a rich cultural heritage.

Over 40 dive areas and 70 dive sites give Curaçao its top spot on the diving charts, and these dive sites include some of the best diving spots you can find in the Caribbean, including one of the top wreck dives in the world, Superior Producer, and one of the top reef diving sites, Watamula. (Recommended: The Best Caribbean Island for Snorkeling).

Curaçao also gives you a chance to swim side by side with sea turtles as they drift through the calm transparent waters. You can also watch a variety of beautifully colored reef fish dart about in the expanding corals.

Home to roughly 38 beaches, many of Curaçao’s beaches are found in secluded locations, giving you privacy for an intimate experience.

Topping the list of beaches to visit in Curaçao is Cas Abao Beach. This is the ultimate hotspot for tourists who want to catch some warmth under the sun whilst enjoying clear blue skies and equally clear blue waters.

It does get a bit crowded during peak season so the best option would be to head over early to secure a good spot.

4. St. Vincent & The Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines offers a mix of beaches for you to choose from. The islands also have another name, Caribs as Hairoun which means ‘Land of the Blessed’, and it truly is a land that is blessed.

A collection of more than 30 islands and cays, the seclusion that St. Vincent and the Grenadines offers makes it one of the best places in the Caribbean for an intimate getaway.

Untouched by mass tourism compared to other Caribbean destinations, the beaches here are unspoiled and pristine and waters are clear as day.

There are two types of beaches you can find on these islands. Due to the island’s volcanic origin, St. Vincent has many beaches with powdery black sand.

However Villa Bay and Indian Bay have the white sandy beaches with transparent waters that we all love. It is on these beaches that you can find most of the hotels and resorts that the island offers.

On the other hand, the Grenadines have more stunning idyllic white sand beaches, many fringed with lush forest. There’s several uninhabited islands too, circled with some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.

These islands are perfect places for yachts, and the transparent waters give you uninterrupted views of the seafloor and the mosaic of coral reefs. Diving and snorkeling are other options just a short way from shore throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

5. St. Croix

The shores of St. Croix give you some of the best beaches that the Caribbean has to offer and it’s all due to the mesmerizing white sand and turquoise waters found here.

These secluded beaches are also bordered by lush tropical forest, giving them a real paradise island vibe.

With beaches dotting the island in all shapes and sizes, you have 23 to choose from when visiting St. Croix.

To add to the package, St. Croix is the only island in the Caribbean that offers a 13,000 feet underwater drop, the largest living coral reef in the Caribbean, five wrecks within 100-yard distances, and a pier, making it one of the best places for divers around the world too.

As one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is famous for having some of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean, but it still has many spectacular beach sites that are off the beaten track.

Jack’s Bay Beach is a popular spot at St. Croix, accessible only by foot or by boat. Home to Hawksbill and Green Turtle nests, Jack’s Bay Beach is a protected nature reserve and the footpath that takes you to this beach is a magnificent cliff walk with stunning sand and water views.

6. Puerto Rico

With a mix of golden sun-kissed beaches and pillowy soft white sandy beaches, Puerto Rico is a wonderful destination with some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.

With a beautiful landscape of jungle and beaches, Puerto Rico is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and be one with nature on a secluded beach.

Enjoy the sun as you soak it up on the pristine beaches that Puerto Rico has to offer. This island has an incredible 300 beaches, and the sparkling glass like water will leave you mesmerized as the sun reflects on the ripples and waves.

A hub for water sports enthusiasts, the warm waters of Puerto Rico calls surfers, bodysurfers, paddleboarders, snorkelers and divers from around the world too.

Flamenco Beach in Culebra is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular beaches with its pearly sands and aquamarine waters.

Unwind and relax with a swim or lounge on the beach as the lush forest in the backdrop provides some cooling cover.

7. Aruba

Home to some of the cleanest and widest beaches that the Caribbean has to offer, the crystal waters of Aruba are outlined by pristine white sands in an amazing destination for soaking up some Caribbean sun.

Even though the colonial Spanish nickname for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao was Islas Inútiles – ‘Useless Islands’ – there’s no way Aruba deserves such a name!

The tropical waters of Aruba are littered with vast magnificent coral reefs. The crystal clear Caribbean waters provide ample visibility underwater for divers to explore these amazing wonders up close.

Among the glamorous beaches Aruba has to offer is Palm Beach which is the place to be for beachside action.

Palm Beach is packed with high-end resorts making it the busiest beach in Aruba. Cabanas and lounge chairs dot the shoreline under the palm tree shade, and the water is calm, clear and incredibly enticing.

8. British Virgin Islands

As one of the least-developed islands in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands offers one of the most exclusive holiday experiences in the region.

The reef protected waters of the British Virgin Islands provide shallow transparent waters and smooth white sands.

Be it sunbathing on the beach, sipping cocktails at sundown, or snorkeling in the shallow water, the British Virgin Islands pulls out all the stops.

This paradise on earth has perfect white sand and crystal clear waters, and is also surrounded by seas that are teeming with marine life.

The four large islands and 50 smaller isles in this nation have an amazing selection of beaches that provide seclusion, fun activities, fantastic beach bars serving delicious cocktails, and possibly the clearest water in the Caribbean.

White Bay Beach and The Baths are some of the best beaches the islands have to offer. White Bay Beach is a long crescent shaped beach with soft white sand and bright blue shallow water that deepens in color as the ocean floor falls to the depths.

The offshore reef there provides a great place to snorkel. The Baths on the other hand boast a mesmerizing network of caves that form a maze through the cove and boulders.

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