These tropical destinations offer next-level serenity and solitude—so book your trip before everyone else discovers these hidden gems
13 Least-Crowded Islands in the Caribbean
Updated on Jun. 18, 2025
Bonaire
If you love scuba diving, then Bonaire—located in the Leeward Antilles off the coast of Venezuela—is the best Caribbean island for you. The Caribbean’s best-kept secret, home to more than 60 dive sites, is rich in marine life like turtles, parrotfish, tarpon and stingrays. With a total population of less than 30,000, the island is bursting with beaches, lagoons, caverns and desert-like hills that you can explore without crowds. In addition to diving, kite surfing and windsurfing are also popular due to the consistent winds and sunny weather.
In terms of accommodations, travelers can choose between full-service resorts (such as Plaza Beach & Dive Resort), intimate bed and breakfasts, and vacation home rentals. Don’t miss your chance to explore marine ecosystems at nearby sites such as Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park.
Bird Island
Seeking complete solitude aside from fish and feathered friends? Just off the coast of Placencia, Belize, sits Bird Island, a privately owned island. With a population of zero—except for the brown-footed boobies and frigate birds that roam the half-mile area—Bird Island, one of the world’s smallest islands, can accommodate six guests, who can look forward to total privacy during this staff-free experience. (The island prides itself on its “no-tan-line” personal option.)
Located in the heart of the Belize Barrier Reef, it’s the ideal spot to snorkel and kayak in the crystal clear water. The tour company that runs the island also offers side tours, from manatee watching to tours of the main reef and Monkey River.
Nevis
This tiny, lesser-known sister island of St. Kitts packs a lot of enchanting adventure into its 36 square miles. And with a population of less than 15,000, there is no shortage of tranquil spots (and curious green vervet monkeys). “While Nevis flies under the radar, those who visit once tend to return again and again,” says Greg Phillip, who served as the CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority from 2013 to 2019. “Our island is blessed with incredible natural beauty, both with our beaches and lush rainforest interior, as well as an ample itinerary of things to do. We like to say that you’re only a stranger here once because our warm and welcoming people will make you feel like family. For adventure, wellness and culinary excellence, there’s nowhere better than Nevis.”
Other than the Four Seasons Resort—the only large property on the island—accommodations consist of boutique properties, such as the Golden Rock Inn. Owned by famed artists Brice and Helen Marden, this property features spectacular tropical gardens, and guests can book a 300-year-old sugar mill that has been transformed into a magnificent guesthouse with a loft.
Cayo Espanto
Prior to 1997, this particular island, located three miles off the coast of Belize, had no name. It became known as Cayo Espanto (or Horrible Island) because local fishermen believe it to be cursed. But don’t let that scare you off. Cayo Espanto offers barefoot luxury in the form of private beaches, seaside activities—including exploring the world’s second-largest barrier reef system—and visiting one or all five of the Mayan ruins located in mainland Belize. Home to seven villas total, this hidden gem boasts luxury in every single detail throughout each guest’s stay. Each of the island’s seven villas comes equipped with its own private dock area, allowing for tranquil fishing, snorkeling and splashing.
If you’re into celebrity spotting, Leonardo DiCaprio owns an island nearby, not far from other beach destinations loved by the rich and famous.
Turneffe Island Resort
If you’ve ever been on a Caribbean vacation and felt like you had to race other tourists for access to the best activities or lounge chairs, you’ll appreciate the slow pace of Turneffe Island Resort (TIR). This private 14-acre island, located 30 miles off the coast of Belize, has a max occupancy of just 46 guests, which means you will have first dibs on anything your heart desires. At peak times, there are only 300 people on the island.
TIR offers snorkeling, fly fishing and diving in the eighth wonder of the world—the Great Blue Hole. Or set up camp at the outdoor pool with a cold drink, laze your days away in one of 12 hammocks scattered about the island or explore the island’s complimentary activities, including kayaking or paddle boarding.
St. Lucia
Want to unwind in an exotic but accessible tropical paradise? Look no further than St. Lucia. The island’s tourist industry is well developed but not overdone, resulting in a fraction of the bustle and none of the hustle of St. Lucia’s Caribbean neighbors. Stay at The Landings Resort and Spa, which offers luxurious one-, two- and three-bedroom suites that are elegantly appointed and spacious enough for families.
How will you spend your days? Slathering yourself in a mud bath at the Sulphur Springs, then rinsing off in the warm volcanic water; hiking the Tet Paul Nature Reserve for views of the volcanic peaks and nearby Martinique and St. Vincent; and watching the sunset from your suite’s private terrace. Plus, there’s a private beach with free access to water sports such as windsurfing, sea kayaking and paddleboarding.
Royal Island
You may have visited the Bahamas before, but never like this. Royal Island is a completely private 430-acre oasis located 40 miles northeast of Nassau. The island’s only structures are the five luxury beach villas and the private beach club and restaurant/bar/pool, meaning you’ll be surrounded by nothing but miles of untouched turquoise sea. And with no full-time inhabitants on the island, this destination is about as exclusive as it gets.
Consider Royal Island an ideal place for families who want to celebrate, to unplug and connect in a unique way, and to jump into a curated, exotic Bahamian experience. In addition to activities like beach volleyball, paddle boarding and jet skis, guests also have access to fully immersive experiences like spear-fishing, outdoor movies and full-time private chefs and butler service.
Anguilla
For an underrated but stunning Caribbean island vacation, look no further than Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory in the Eastern Caribbean. With no all-inclusives or mega-resorts, the island feels like your very own intimate and secluded slice of paradise. This affords travelers the opportunity to curate their own unique vacation experience, with activities like moonlight kayaking, snorkeling, cliff diving and scenic paddleboarding, each offering something special for every type of traveler. The abundance of beautiful beaches is just the icing on the proverbial cake!
Saba
If you think a Caribbean island is only about lounging on the beach, think again! The smallest island in the Dutch Caribbean, Saba doesn’t even have a beach. This sleepy island spans just five square miles and has just over 2,000 year-round residents. It is called “The Unspoiled Queen,” because its authenticity recalls what the Caribbean used to be: quiet, peaceful and quaint. Saba is most known for boasting some of the world’s best deep sea sights and hiking trails. Visitors will savor the peaceful vibe while they enjoy the undisturbed flora and fauna and hike historic paths used by earlier generations who used to farm the mountain’s slopes. Yes, that means you could hike for hours and not see another soul.
Be sure to venture beneath waters in the Saba Bank Nature Park, the largest protected marine preserve in the Caribbean. Unlike most crowded scuba diving spots in the Caribbean, Saba actually allows guests to take part in marine conservation during regular coral nursery maintenance dives.
“With no large resorts or commercial ventures, Saba is peaceful, unhurried and uncrowded,” says Glenn Holm, who served as the island’s director of tourism for 44 years prior to retiring in 2021. “Tourists do not feel like tourists for very long, as the locals warmly welcome newcomers and are eager and proud to show off the island’s natural beauty and unique culture.”
Elbow Cay
Those looking for a relaxing vacation that allows them to be fully immersed in the island culture should head to Hope Town, a quaint village on the Island of Elbow Cay, just one of the many cays in the barrier to the mainland of Abaco in the Bahamas. Located 200 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, and 100 miles north of Nassau, this hidden Caribbean gem is just 4.5 miles long and 1,080 yards at its widest point. With a population of just a few hundred people, it’s so remote that motorized vehicles are restricted from the towns, which adds to the simple and quiet atmosphere.
Hope Town is known for its small-town charm, with pastel clapboard cottages, hot pink bougainvillea and its landmark 120-foot-tall candy-striped lighthouse, one of the last manual lighthouses in the world. Visitors can travel the island by foot, golf cart or bike; grab a snorkel and go scuba diving to explore the underwater sea park; bask in the sun on the island’s untouched, serene beaches; sail the ocean blue; or grab a bite at one of the local restaurants. Guests of Hope Town Inn and Marina will indulge in chef-crafted meals, swim in one of several swimming pools and relax in their beachy-chic room or villa.
Culebra
If you’ve ever taken a Caribbean cruise, you’ve probably been to San Juan, Puerto Rico. But this U.S. territory has so much more to offer, including Culebra, a municipality located 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland. With a population of under 2,000, it boasts beautiful white sand beaches, lagoons and mangrove forests that can be enjoyed without fighting crowds. If you love bird watching, know that it’s home to one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in a United States territory—established in 1909 by President Teddy Roosevelt. And if you travel there in late spring or early summer, you’ll be treated to a variety of sea turtle species returning to the island to lay their eggs.
Barbuda
Barbuda, one of two main islands that make up the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, is home to some of our favorite colored sand beaches, most notably the namesake Pink Sand Beach. Alongside these unique shores, you’ll also find more traditional sugar-sand beaches like Spanish Point and North Beach. Despite a national population of around 80,000, Barbuda is home to just 1,300 residents. Covering 62 square miles, the island offers a tranquil escape with only a handful of accommodations, such as the luxurious Barbuda Belle, making it the perfect destination for an idyllic, off-the-beaten-path getaway.
Dominica
This underrated Caribbean island has been affectionately dubbed the “Nature Island” for its diverse flora and fauna (including more than 1,000 species of fruit trees, orchids, ferns and flowers along with iguanas, lizards and boa constrictors), lush rainforests, vibrant coral reefs and wetlands. It’s also home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, including Batibou Beach, a serene palm-tree-lined stretch of sand with calm waters; Champagne Beach, where the water has tiny bubbles thanks to the nearby volcanic thermal springs; and Mero Beach, an almost otherworldly swath of black sand.
A visit to Cabrits National Park is a must for its tropical forests and coral reefs; it’s also where you can visit Fort Shirley, an 18th-century military outpost that served as the site of a revolt by African slave soldiers back in 1802. After an action-packed day, retreat to your room at Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort, an oceanfront all-inclusive that offers excursions, tours, entertainment and boutique accomodations.
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Sources:
- Statista: “Population of Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands from 2011 to 2023”
- Greg Philip, MBA, former CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority (2013-2019) and current CEO of Nevis Sun Tours Inc.
- Nevis Island Administration: “Census shows a 7.4 percent increase in the population on Nevis”
- Ambergis Caye: “TURNEFFE ATOLL”
- Maya Allemeersch, general manager of Turneffe Island Resort in Belize
- Donna Banks, former chairperson of the Anguilla Tourist Board
- Statista: “Population of Saba in the Caribbean Netherlands from 2011 to 2023”
- Bahamas National Statistical Institute: “South Abaco Population by Settlement”
- Glenn Holm, past director of tourism for Saba (retired in 2021)
- U.S. Census: “QuickFacts Culebra Municipio, Puerto Rico”
- Antigua and Barbuda’s Government Information and Services: “About Antigua and Barbuda”
