When people dream of the Caribbean, they often picture the usual favourites—Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas.
However, tucked between the bigger names are quieter islands with just as much beauty, charm, and local soul. If you’re after something a little less polished and a little more personal, these under-the-radar Caribbean islands are worth adding to your list.
1. Saba (Netherlands Antilles)
At just five square miles, Saba is tiny, but don’t let its size fool you. Known as the “Unspoiled Queen,” this island is a hidden gem for eco-travellers and diving enthusiasts. There are no large resorts, no chain restaurants, and not even a beach in the traditional sense. What it offers instead is towering volcanic peaks, lush hiking trails, and some of the best underwater landscapes in the Caribbean.
Saba has a quiet confidence. With its small villages and red-roofed cottages, it feels more like a European mountainside village dropped in the middle of the tropics. Whether you’re climbing Mount Scenery (yes, that’s really its name) or diving among coral-covered pinnacles, the island offers a raw, rewarding kind of escape.
2. Dominica
Often confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is a completely different kind of destination. It’s lush, rugged, and proudly uncommercial. Think waterfalls, boiling lakes, natural hot springs, and rainforests instead of white-sand resorts and cocktail bars. It’s known as the “Nature Island” for good reason.
For travellers who crave adventure, it’s paradise. Hike the Waitukubuli National Trail, snorkel in Champagne Reef’s bubbling volcanic waters, or soak in a sulphur pool after a long trek. It’s an island that invites you to sweat, explore, and fall in love with nature all over again.
3. Guadeloupe
This French overseas territory is actually a butterfly-shaped cluster of islands, with a blend of Caribbean warmth and European flair. While it’s popular with French tourists, it’s still relatively under the radar for English-speaking travellers. You’ll hear Creole and French in the markets, see baguettes next to mangoes, and sip espresso on black-sand beaches.
The islands offer a mix of experiences—Grande-Terre for its beach towns and surf, Basse-Terre for its national parks and waterfalls, and smaller islands like Les Saintes for charming villages and hidden coves. It’s cultured, diverse, and surprisingly easy to fall for.
4. Montserrat
Montserrat is known as the Caribbean island that the volcano reshaped. In 1995, the eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano buried the capital city of Plymouth, leaving half the island uninhabitable. What’s left is a fascinating blend of resilience, beauty, and eerie remnants of the past.
Today, Montserrat offers quiet beaches, hiking trails with volcano views, and the unique experience of visiting an exclusion zone, where homes, churches, and government buildings sit frozen in ash. It’s part nature escape, part living history, and ideal for those drawn to places with stories beneath the surface.
5. Carriacou (Grenada)
Just a short ferry ride from Grenada lies Carriacou, a small, sleepy island where life moves at an entirely different pace. With its low-key charm, friendly locals, and clear waters, it feels like the Caribbean before tourism really took hold.
There are no major hotels here, just guesthouses, rum shops, and perfect little bays to snorkel or nap beside. Carriacou is a favourite for sailors and divers, but also for anyone who wants to disappear for a while into simple, sun-soaked living.
6. Îles des Saintes (Les Saintes, Guadeloupe)
Part of the Guadeloupe archipelago, Les Saintes is a cluster of tiny islands that feel more like the French Riviera dropped into the tropics. The main town on Terre-de-Haut is a postcard come to life, with pastel houses, waterfront cafés, and steep hills dotted with goats and old stone forts.
Despite its European charm, Les Saintes is delightfully slow-paced. There are no big resorts, no loud nightlife, just electric scooters, beach picnics, and boat rides to hidden snorkelling spots. If you’re after something romantic and deeply relaxing, it delivers.
7. Isla de la Juventud (Cuba)
This lesser-known Cuban island was once a pirate hangout and later, a place of political exile. Today, Isla de la Juventud is peaceful, remote, and culturally rich, offering an offbeat taste of Cuba without the tourist crowds of Havana or Varadero.
You’ll find limestone caves, unspoiled beaches, and old-world charm in the town of Nueva Gerona. It’s not the easiest place to reach, but that’s what keeps it feeling untouched. For curious travellers, it’s a chance to see another side of Cuba—one that time seems to have forgotten.
8. Culebra (Puerto Rico)
Just off the east coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is best known for Flamenco Beach, regularly ranked among the most beautiful in the world. But beyond the iconic white sand lies an island that’s rustic, charming, and surprisingly quiet.
There are no high-rises or cruise ports here. Instead, you’ll find friendly locals, wild chickens, coral reefs, and the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes you forget your phone exists. It’s a perfect weekend escape from mainland Puerto Rico or a peaceful stop on a Caribbean hop.
9. Tobago
Trinidad gets most of the attention thanks to its massive carnival and buzzing energy, but Tobago is its slower, more nature-driven sibling. With rainforests, birdwatching, diving, and a laid-back rhythm, it offers the best of the Caribbean without the crowds.
From the historic Fort King George to the secluded beaches in Englishman’s Bay, Tobago is quietly spectacular. It’s the kind of place where you make friends quickly and feel at home within a day—especially if you’re the kind of traveller who prefers hammocks to hotel lobbies.
10. Anegada (British Virgin Islands)
Unlike the other hilly Virgin Islands, Anegada is completely flat and made of coral—not volcanic rock. That makes it geologically unique and ecologically fascinating. The beaches are some of the most pristine in the BVI, with barely a soul on them.
Anegada is known for its fresh lobster, flamingo colonies, and dramatic shipwreck dive sites. Getting there takes a bit more effort, but if you’re craving serenity and space, it rewards you with peaceful beaches and a horizon that feels like it never ends.
