8 Small Caribbean Islands for an Off-the-Beaten-Path Beach Vacay

Aruba, Jamaica, The Bahamas... there's absolutely nothing wrong with your Caribbean vacation resembling the lyrics of a Beach Boys song — we all love a bit of "Kokomo"! But with more than 7,000 islands in the Caribbean Sea, there are plenty of hidden gems and underrated slices of paradise to discover in this beautiful part of the world.

While you won't find these island destinations referenced in pop songs, they're every bit as dreamy (and a lot less crowded) than their more well-travelled Caribbean neighbours. So, without further ado, get ready to swap the Dominican Republic for Dominica, Barbados for Bonaire and The Bahamas for Bequia. Here are eight of our favourite underrated Caribbean islands for your next vacation!

• Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
• Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos
• Culebra, Puerto Rico
• Dominica
• Nevis, Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
• Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

When most people think of the ABC Islands, they start at the very top of the alphabet with Aruba — and hey, we get it! White-sand beaches, all-inclusive resorts and hotels, sunny skies year-round... there's a lot to love. But if you hop two islands to the east, you'll find yourself in Bonaire and trust us when we say there's nothing B-rate about this Caribbean island destination!

Located just off the coast of South America, Bonaire is a world-class diving destination. The island's crystal-clear waters are home to more than 80 dive sites catering to beginners and advanced divers alike. Prefer to keep your feet on land? On the southern tip of the island is the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, where you may be lucky enough to see the fascinating pink birds from a distance, along with the region's famous pink salt flats. Prepare for your camera roll to be pretty in pink after visiting Bonaire!

Bonaire is also a leading eco-tourism destination in the Caribbean. The Bonaire National Marine Park — one of the oldest marine reserves in the world — protects the island's vibrant coral reefs, while renewable energy and wildlife conservation are also prioritized.

Getting there: As one of the more well-connected island destinations on this list, Bonaire is fairly easy to access for Canadian travellers and even has its own international airport! Want to take a guess at what colour they've painted the Flamingo International Airport in Bonaire? Yep, it's also pink!

Located in the Turks and Caicos Islands just north of the Dominican Republic, Salt Cay may be one of the archipelago's smaller islands, but it's brimming with history and natural beauty.

As its name suggests, this Caribbean island has a rich history of sea salt production dating back to the 1600s. Nowadays, Salt Cay's vibrant coral reefs, underwater walls and impressive visibility of up to 30m make it the perfect spot for diving and snorkelling. Visiting between January and March? During the winter months, humpback whales on their migration path from the chilly North Atlantic waters to the sun-soaked Caribbean Sea are often spotted just offshore!

Getting there: The easiest and most reliable way to get to Salt Cay is via the larger islands of Providenciales and Grand Turk. Most incoming flights will arrive at Providenciales International Airport, and from there you'll connect on a short domestic flight (typically via Grand Turk) to Salt Cay.

Just off the eastern coast of mainland Puerto Rico, not far from the US and British Virgin Islands, you'll find Culebra, an underrated little island known for its stunning beaches and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Often considered to be among the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean (and arguably the world!), Flamenco Beach is without a doubt Culebra's top attraction. While you're there, don't miss the worn-down, graffiti-covered tanks of Flamenco Beach — a reminder of Culebra's military history and nowadays a popular photo spot.

Need a break from the surf? Culebra National Wildlife Refuge covers over 20% of the island and offers mangrove systems, subtropical dry forests and scenic trails for those keen to get off the beaten track. As one of the largest seabird nesting areas in the Caribbean, it's also a bird watcher's paradise!

Getting there: An easy 30-minute flight from San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, will see you exploring Culebra in no time. Visiting the Caribbean on a budget? Consider hiring a car and driving from San Juan to Ceiba and catching the ferry instead. 

Affectionately nicknamed the “Nature Island”, travellers in search of lush forests, breathtaking waterfalls, bubbling hot springs and volcanic landscapes will fall in love with Dominica!

Highlights include the 185km Waitukubuli National Trail, the longest hiking trail in the Caribbean, and Boiling Lake, one of the world's largest hot springs. Don't expect lazy beach days in Dominica! A visit to Boiling Lake involves a challenging trek through the Valley of Desolation (sounds intense, we know), so chat with your Travel Expert before you head off to make sure you're properly prepared for your geothermal adventure.

Getting there: You can reach the island of Dominica via Miami in the United States or connecting flights from larger Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico, Barbados, Antigua and the British Virgin Islands. There's also the option of catching a ferry from Martinique or Guadeloupe. 

Nestled within the Leeward Islands along with major Caribbean tourist hot spots like Antigua, Guadeloupe and Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis is often overlooked when it comes to planning a trip to the Caribbean. But we're here to put Nevis firmly back on the map!

Home to the dormant Nevis Peak volcano, lush tropical landscapes and beautiful botanical gardens, there are plenty of outdoor attractions to keep you busy in Nevis. But while you're there, don't miss your chance to discover the island's rich history by following the Nevis Heritage Trail and learning about the Caribbean's complicated colonial past through visiting plantation ruins. History lovers can also explore the Museum of Nevis History and the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. Yep, that's right, "the ten-dollar Founding Father without a father" was born on this small Caribbean island in the mid 1700s.

Getting there: You'll want to fly into St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport and then it's as easy as taking a scenic ferry ride across to Nevis. 

Known as the “Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean”, Saba offers a more rugged Caribbean island experience than the picture-perfect white-sand beaches you see all over Instagram. In fact, the island's shores are more rocky than sandy, thanks to the island's volcanic topography. There haven't been any volcanic eruptions in Saba since around 1640, but the landscape continues to be dominated by Mount Scenery, a dormant volcano towering over the island and a popular hiking trail for those who enjoy a more active vacation.

We'd also recommend exploring Windwardside and the Bottom, the two biggest towns in Saba. The charming gingerbread-style houses and bright red roofs provide a delightfully striking contrast against the island's rolling green hills.

Getting there: The easiest way to reach Saba is via St. Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport. From there, you can catch a ferry or short connecting flight to Saba.

Bequia, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is an ocean paradise within an archipelago of 32 islands stretching south towards Grenada.

Here you'll find idyllic white-sand beaches like Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay Beach, diving and snorkelling hot spots, as well as hiking trails to suit a variety of skill levels. Oh, and don't leave the island without enjoying a leisurely stroll around Port Elizabeth, Bequia's charming harbour and a popular sailing spot.

Have a few days up your sleeve? Talk to your Travel Expert about planning a sailing adventure from Bequia to explore nearby islands like Saint Vincent, Mustique and Petit Tabac (the tiny desert island made famous for its role in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl). It really doesn't matter which way your compass is pointing, you'll find palm trees, turquoise waters and yet another Caribbean island gem waiting for you in every direction!

Getting there: You can access the island by flying into Saint Vincent's Argyle International Airport and then catching the ferry across to Bequia. 

Okay, so you probably know all about Grand Cayman, with its exciting nightlife, vibrant dining scene and famous Seven Mile Beach… but what about its little island sibling, Cayman Brac?

This much smaller and less touristy destination in the Cayman Islands is perfect for a more adventurous Caribbean vacation. Think winding limestone cave systems and exploring the iconic MV Captain Keith Tibbetts shipwreck dive site. But Cayman Brac's most famous attraction is definitely the Bluff! The highest point in the Cayman Islands offers unspoiled ocean views and is the ideal spot for hiking, rock climbing and, if you're feeling particularly brave, abseiling.

Getting there: Fly into Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman and then catch a short connecting flight to Cayman Brac.

Ready to explore some of these underrated, often forgotten islands in the Caribbean for your next beach vacation? Take a look at our latest travel deals or chat with your Travel Expert to turn your dream island escape into a reality!