At the point when a fantasy wedding trip blends dreams of swimming in turquoise water, tasting piña coladas on a white sand shoreline, and influencing in a loft to the hints of calypso music, the Caribbean is the goal. With many different islands to browse, it’s difficult to know which will be the wedding trip encounter that fantasies are made of. Almost every island offers the conventional shoreline resort understanding, so couples might need to begin their inquiry by coordinating their own concept of paradise with the islands vibe most appropriate to them.
#1 — Anguilla
This British West Indies island has beautiful, uncrowded beaches and rivals St. Barts as a vacation mecca for the rich and famous.
Best for: Food enthusiasts. There are over 100 places to eat in Anguilla’s 35 square miles. Cuisine ranges from roadside bistros serving local specialties to pristine seaside restaurants catering to passionate gourmands.
Not for: Serious shoppers. Unlike islands with slews of duty-free shops, Anguilla’s retail offerings are basically limited to galleries showing the work of local artists and hotel gift shops.
Highlight: Water-taxi to tiny Scilly Cay for a barbecued lobster curry lunch. Grab a waterside table at the islet’s restaurant, place an order, and snorkel while you await your meal.
Sweet Dreams: Cap Juluca is a luxurious hotel on a sweeping strip of beach. White villas topped with Moorish domes house guest rooms, which have massive, shuttered windows and balconies overlooking the Caribbean.
#2— British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islanders could drape the terminal at Beef Island Airport in a giant banner that reads, “Welcome to the Sailing Capital of the World” — although they’d never actually do anything so crass. But that’s essentially what the BVI has become over the past 30 years: the globe’s number-one spot for summer (and honeymoon) sailors.
Best for: Couples who want to learn the basics of sailing and spend their nights at a private-island resort. Or newlyweds with enough experience beneath the mast to sail off on their own bareboat charter honeymoon.
Not for: Anyone who prefers the self-serve piña colada machines and 24/7 party scene at a mega-resort. These islands are really for those who want peace and quiet with their tropical paradise.
Highlight: Spending a day alone on Anegada, a coral atoll, where there’s always an empty beach and an offshore wreck waiting to be explored by scuba divers or snorkelers.
Sweet Dreams: The BVI is famous for posh resorts. But one of the archipelago’s most romantic digs is the almost legendary Sandcastle Hotel, on secluded Jost Van Dyke island. This is the Caribbean straight out of Jimmy Buffett — hammocks strung between coconut palms, cool breezes, cold beer, cottages draped in bougainvillea and hibiscus, and a bar packed with people from all around the world telling seafaring yarns. Want that super-indulgent, posh resort experience? BVI also has a half-dozen private-island resorts, including the renowned Peter Island.
#3 — Cayman Islands
The islands that make up the Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac) are surrounded by gorgeous, clear water, making them a diving hot spot. They also have a culture of politesse, which makes visitors feel safe and at home.
Best for: Couples who appreciate high-end resorts and the high-stakes adventure of wall diving.
Not for: Those who want to explore local villages for exotic cultural experiences. The Caymans have an American standard (and style) of living.
Highlight: Scuba divers love the Sunken City of Atlantis, where a local artist constructed a below-the-surface city with sculptures cast from rock, sand, and cement — all of which are fostering the growth of a brand-new reef.
Sweet Dreams: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is located on Grand Cayman’s famous Seven-Mile Beach. It has a La Prairie spa, a Greg Norman golf course and a restaurant overseen by the chef of Le Bernardin, the New York City French food palace. Rooms have private terraces, and there are also secluded oceanfront condos. A more moderately priced choice are the accommodations at the Rocky Shore Villas. It has charming rooms — some in private cottages — and offers classes on traditional island cooking and fishing.
#4 — St. Kitts
St. Kitts is home to green mountainside rainforests and historic sites, and its sister island is Nevis. While the island has been independent since 1983, it retains strong ties to its English heritage and offers a taste of an unhurried, uncrowded Caribbean.
Best for: Nature-lovers. Exploring rain forests, sugar plantations, majestic sea cliffs and the island’s famous Mt. Liamuga, an extinct volcano situated at 3,792 feet above sea level, are musts for adventurous, outdoorsy couples.
Not for: Beach-lovers. If lounging on a postcard-worthy beach is your first priority (and will be your primary honeymoon activity), St. Kitts may not have enough idyllic strands to satisfy your sand-and-sea requirements.
Highlight: While some Caribbean boutiques have cheesy, commercial-grade batik clothing on offer, everything at Caribelle Batik is the real thing. Located in an adorable cottage on the grounds of a 17th-century estate, this workshop is open to visitors, who can watch artisans paint the fabrics by hand and see the finished hibiscus-red, canary-yellow and electric-blue garments drying in the sun. It’s a can’t-miss shopping experience — and a cultural one to boot.
Sweet Dreams: Ottley’s Plantation Inn is as romantic as it gets. Situated on a hill 500 feet above sea level, this genteel, boutique resort is surrounded by thick fields of sugarcane, rain-forest trails and, in the distance, panoramic ocean views. Plan to stay in your own private cottage, with luxurious British-colonial-style appointments, as well as a private plunge pool and patio, where the cutest little green lizards are happy to keep you company while you soak up the sun. If you’re set on a beachfront location, the Timothy Beach Resort is one of the better ones, and it’s a great value, too.
#5 — Turks and Caicos
Just over an hour’s flight from Miami, this British territory is actually a chain of 40 islands and cays — many uninhabited — which you can easily hop to from the hub, Providenciales (Provo).
Best for: Exploring. It doesn’t get much more romantic than chartering a private yacht to a virtually deserted island for the day. Once there, you and your new hubby can stroll along ultra-white beaches, gaze at wild flamingoes, snorkel in turquoise waters off the world’s third-largest barrier reef, then hop back on the boat for a gourmet picnic lunch.
Not for: Shopping and nightlife. Unlike many Caribbean islands, the Turks and Caicos have no real town center, and there are only two local nightclubs (and the hotel bars).
Highlight: Kayaking to tiny, conch-shell-strewn islands, snaking in and out of mangrove-lined coves along the way (keep your eyes peeled for little nurse sharks and other eye-catching marine life). Big Blue Unlimited, a small eco-tourist company in Provo, arranges kayak trips for groups as small as two.
Sweet Dreams: The Palms is a hip boutique hotel with suites featuring state-of-the-art kitchens, large terraces, and Acqua di Parma amenities. Before the Turks and Caicos developed into a luxury beach destination, there was just one tiny, quaint motel on beautiful Grace Bay Beach. It’s still there today, and it’s as cute as ever. A two-story, pale-pink, West-Indies-style property with traditional shuttered windows and fretted balconies, Sibonné doesn’t have fancy amenities but it does sit on prime real estate.
#6 — The U.S. Virgin Islands
Of the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands — St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix — St. Thomas offers more choices in hotels and activities while being the most convenient to reach (most major airlines offer nonstop flights).
Best for: Sailing. The calm waters and soft breezes around the U.S.V.I. make it easy and fun to explore by boat the tiny islands that dot the bays. Winifred Charters sails through Pillsbury Sound to spots such as Mingo, Lovango, and Whistling cays. Along the way. you will drop anchor to take guided snorkeling trips.
Not for: Shopping. At least, not if you’re looking for authentic local art and crafts. The bustling port at Charlotte Amalie is packed with shops, but they lean more toward duty-free goods than artisan crafts.
Highlight: Drake’s Seat. Travelers flock to this scenic lookout during the day, but the best time to take in the panoramic view of crystal-blue Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands is at sunset, when the crowds are gone and the two of you can have it all to yourselves.
Sweet Dreams: Honeymooners who are looking to splurge can’t top the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Set on 30 acres out on the far eastern tip of the island, the resort has two private, white-sand beaches and a spa.
#7 — Curaçao
This little Dutch island off the coast of Venezuela is a melting pot of people from all around the globe: More than 50 different nationalities and ethnic groups are represented in an area about a sixth of the size of Rhode Island. This mix of cultures makes Curaçao one of the most cosmopolitan places on the planet — an island of interesting food, intriguing art, and pretty good duty-free shopping.
Best for: Couples who crave a side dish of art and architecture with their coconut-palm-tree-and-turquoise-bay honeymoon entrée.
Not for: Die-hard beachcombers. Curaçao has its nice strands, but they’re few and far between, and not in the same league as those of more fabled Caribbean beach destinations.
Highlight: Roaming the island’s Punda and Otrobanda districts, where hundreds of Dutch-colonial buildings have been lovingly restored and are now restaurants, bars, music clubs, art galleries and duty-free shops.
Sweet Dreams: The Kurá Hulanda Village & Spa offers a model upon which every Caribbean boutique hotel should base itself. The resort is located in an ancient, walled colonial compound with cobblestone streets, pastel walls and one of the best museums in the Caribbean, making a stay there feel like a journey back in time. Couples with a hankering for a beachfront setting should check out the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino.
#8 — Dominican Republic
Friendly people, a vibrant culture, miles of beaches and affordable resorts all attract visitors to the bustling, Spanish-flavored Dominican Republic.
Best for: Couples who crave adventure in the sun. You can hike 10,000-foot peaks, windsurf in terrific cruising grounds, scout for humpback whales, snorkel and scuba dive with a kaleidoscopic array of fish and bike through the fecund countryside.
Not for: Haute cuisine. Chicken dinners with sides of rice and fried plantains are the norm. Your best bet is to choose the grilled fish — more than likely, it’s just off the boat.
Highlight: Protected by a barrier reef, the bay at Cabarete, 23 miles east of Puerto Plata, is an ideal place for beginners to try windsurfing. The Carib BIC Center offers equipment and instruction for one hour or one week.
Sweet Dreams: When you’re not zipping across the water at Cabarete, relax in one of the hammocks at the Velero Beach Resort. All junior suites are smack-dab on the beach and equipped with a full kitchen. It’s good to know you can grab a cool one from the fridge at any time.
#9 — Grenada
Also called “The Spice Island,” Grenada has grown its trademark nutmeg, along with mace, cinnamon, and cloves, for centuries. The island is home to mountainous rainforests alive with tropical birds and monkeys, white- and black-sand beaches, and welcoming people.
Best for: Outdoorsy couples who love to get their feet wet will enjoy exploring Grenada’s lush jungles, waterfalls, and beautiful beaches.
Not for: Name-droppers and party animals; though in some cases decidedly luxurious, Grenada is wonderfully low-key and unpretentious.
Highlight: Explore Grand Etang National Park, where you can hike to the Seven Sisters Waterfalls and jump in for a swim, or go tubing down the Balthazar River. Adventure Jeep Tours offers tubing trips.
Sweet Dreams: Spice Island Beach Resort’s rooms stretch along the golden sands of Grand Anse Beach (the island’s most famous strand). All have oversize whirlpool tubs, Frette linens, Molton Brown amenities and a patio or balcony. The 1,500-square-foot suites come with a private plunge pool.
#10— St. Barthélemy
This chic French island is all about being gorgeous, rich and famous — or at least pretending to be — whether you find yourself lounging on some beautiful beach, zipping around in a Smart Car or dining at a trendy café.
Best for: Couples who love spending time (and money) with the beautiful people. One great place to join them is over lunch at the Tom Beach Hotel on St. Jean Beach.
Not for: L.L. Bean-wearing types most comfortable with burgers and beers, or those on a strict budget.
Highlight: Intimate and exclusive, like everything else about St. Barts, the tiny island’s white-sand beaches are never crowded, so it’s not tough to snag a prime spot. For the best people-watching ops, along with good swimming, water-sports rentals and a selection of restaurants, try Cul-de-Sac and St. Jean beaches. For a strand that’s popular with locals, visit pretty Corossol Beach, which is set near a tiny fishing village.
Sweet Dreams: Awash in the colors of the sea and sand, Baie des Anges offers perfectly simple rooms, each with ocean-view terraces. Book a suite with a private pool, and you’ll never want to venture off the grounds of the lovely Le Guanahani. All rooms have garden or ocean-view terraces, Hermès bath amenities, and free Internet access.
