The Best Caribbean Beaches to Visit by Superyacht

Looking for the best beaches in the Caribbean? We roundup the most beautiful sand beaches in the Caribbean islands to visit on your superyacht holiday if you want to get away from the crowds.

Pink Sands, Harbour Island

Considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, not just the Caribbean, Pink Sands’ looks almost salmon- coloured in appearance during sunset.

The beach is three-miles of beautiful sand and crystal clear waters. Protected by the coral reef the waters are calm and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Harbour Island is also considered to one of the best scuba dive sites in the Caribbean.

Only accessible by boat Harbour Island has not been spoilt by mass tourism and it is well worth a stop off if you are on a private yacht or enjoying a luxury yacht charter in the Bahamas.

The details of how American businessman and financier Laurance S. Rockefeller came to own Trunk Bay are not so clear, but he was also a conservationist and a philanthropist who donated this magnificent bay and beach to the US National Park Service. This is the epitomal silky white sands and impossibly clear waters beach. Unbeatable for lounging in the sun and soaking up the sheer unspoiled beauty of the place.

The transparent sea of the US Virgin Islands has light waves and is perfect for snorkelling. There’s a 200-metre-long snorkelling trail just offshore and equipment can be hired on the beach. The waves remain largely calm but there is still a lifeguard service for peace of mind. There’s nowhere to stay overnight at Trunk Bay so the number of guests stays reasonably low. If you are spending seven days exploring the US Virgin Islands on a luxury yacht simply ask your captain to drop anchor for a few nights and enjoy a slice of paradise. There are some facilities on land, including a rustic beach shop and a basic visitor centre, as well as picnic tables, BBQ grills and changing rooms and showers. There is a small admission fee for Trunk Bay… but what price is paradise?

“Cuba is surrounded by beautiful beaches,” says Plácido Sánchez Vega of Mega Yacht Services. And, he continues, the most interesting ones for people traveling via yacht are on the easternmost tip of Archipelago de los Canarreos, on Cayo Largo del Sur (Cayo Largo), on Cuba’s south coast.

This 23.3-square-kilometre mangrove-covered island’s white-sand beaches stretch for almost 26 kilometres along its south coast. Wander its eastern beaches to spot iguanas. For swimming, Vega recommends two of the western ones: Playa Paraiso, which is clothing optional, and busier Playa Sirena.

Following a stroll and dip, tender to nearby Cayo Largo coral reef for snorkeling or diving or, suggests Vega, embark on a sportfishing or fly-fishing excursion.

Virgin Gorda is the third largest of the British Virgin Islands and whether visiting on a private yacht or as part of a luxury yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands you will not be disappointed. You can cast your mind back to the days of Christopher Columbus as you arrive at this pre-historic looking place. Ask your captain to head for the southern tip of the island and as you approach notice how the profile of the island emerging from the sea looks like a woman lying down on her side… this prompted Columbus to nickname the island “The Fat Virgin”.

The beach is wondrous and the biggest attraction is the unique geological formations that were caused by the islands volcanic history. There are all manner of strangely shaped granite rocks and boulders strewn all over the beach and in the shallows. In between them are created ‘The Baths’ – lovely warm pools that glisten in shards of sunlight. You can walk through all the baths as they are interconnected by a series of makeshift planks, ropes and ladders. It is a surreal setting and the sunsets here are spectacular, the hulking silhouettes of the rocks creating a sense of a forgotten land – make sure to bring your camera.

In recent years this wondrous place has become more popular so plan to arrive early or late. There is a small government parks fee and also a recently added concession stand with souvenirs that slightly compromises the untouched nature of the Baths, but it’s still an incredible place to behold.

Whether visiting the area on a private yacht or enjoying a luxury yacht charter in the Turks and Caicos Islands make sure you discover the Providenciales region, referred to by those in the know as “Provo”. In the sixties, this area on the northeast coast was barely inhabited and there were no vehicles of any kind to speak of, but over the years the secret of this idyllic haven has spread and now there are a spattering of upscale properties and some more humble beach dwellings to be found.

Grace Bay in particular is now a well developed tourist destination and there is a proliferation of high-end hotel and spa resorts on the beachfront. This should not dissuade you from dropping anchor and spending time at Grace Bay beach. There are 12 kilometres of pristine coastline to choose your spot from, and naturally the turquoise and sapphire waters are flawless. As there are quality facilities easily accessed, you can choose to enjoy a range of water sports activities, such as windsurfing and parasailing.

Imagine the most perfect Caribbean island; now add white tailed doves, sun bleached wooden boardwalks, quaint cottages, wild flowers and five star restaurants serving the sweetest lobster you could ever hope to have on the prong of your fork. This is Petit St. Vincent, the unrivalled star of the Grenadines. The island may be private but the resort is often willing to fling open their doors and welcome some of the world's largest superyachts.

For those who adore the Robinson Crusoe dream with a few luxury extras thrown in, Petit St. Vincent can beautifully tip the balance. After a refreshing dip into the bright and colourful world that inspired Jacques Cousteau you can let the island masseuse unknot those sun weary muscles.

If you’re seeking a Caribbean beach that's one of the best toy-friendly destinations, consider Magens Bay, a large, calm anchorage in St. Thomas’ north. Surrounded by land on three sides, it’s quite sheltered, and, as it isn’t part of national park waters, it’s an ideal place for exercising Jet Skis, waterskis, wakeboards and Seabobs.

Afterwards, tender or paddle toward the small stretch of white sand before you for some land-based chill time — or, if you’re still craving movement, tackle the nature trail, which leads up to a viewpoint over the bay. Get a panoramic view of beautiful St. Thomas from this famous landmark 640 metres above sea level, the island’s highest point.

The private and prestigious Palm Island Beach is a swim, snorkel and dive paradise.

The waters are blue, the sun dapples through the palms, the iguanas sun themselves on the rock and the rum tasting and steel pan parties are the only way to end the day.

This is one of those places where swigging ice-cold beer on the sand doesn’t have to be the only thing on the agenda. You can cycle along hidden nature trails, kitesurf and even play a game of cricket.

The sea has washed away many famous footprints on this beach, from rock god Mick Jagger to Princess Margaret. Macaroni Beach is one of those celebrity favourite Caribbean destinations, far from the prying eyes of the press and flanked by an oasis of green. Picnic tables sit beneath the splayed fingers of palm trees where world class chefs execute artful dishes.

A smattering of millionaire villas hide in the trees and the beach is private so for those seeking to spend a night or two bobbing offshore, you'll need to know someone on the inside or sweet talk your way in.

On the southern tip of the The Bahamas' Abacos Islands lies Elbow Cay, which is home to the secluded white sands of coconut tree-lined Tahiti Beach. This idyllic spot can only be reached by foot, bike or boat, making it ultra exclusive and very much off-the-grid. Laze away a few hours indulging in a cup of rum punch, swimming its shallow waters, collecting shells, starfish and sand dollars, and, at low tide, wandering along its sandbar.