While it’s not difficult to find a list of the best beaches in the Caribbean, finding the best walking beaches in the Caribbean can be a little trickier.
My time working on cruise ships and visiting over 60 countries as well as traveling to all seven continents allowed me the good fortune of sauntering across some of the most picture-perfect beaches in the world, gathering first-hand research for this very scientifically-based article.
This list is a compilation of the best walking beaches in the Caribbean that I’ve loved visiting as well as some iconic beaches that are on my bucket list for the future!
But first, what exactly makes any regular beach a great beach for walking?
As a beach enthusiast who’s walked and jogged many a beaches across the globe, I’ve come up with the following criteria for what qualifies as a great walking beach:
- Width and Length: A good walking beach should be spacious and have wide sandy shores for easy strolling.
- Flatness: While I do appreciate beaches with varying inclines especially when I’m out for a beach run, the flatter a beach is, the better it is for relaxed walks.
- Sand Quality: Ideally, sand should be soft, packed, and feel like walking through powder.
- Water Conditions: Calm and clear turquoise waters, please, and thanks.
- Cleanliness: Pretty straightforward, but there’s nothing more annoying than finding trash on the beach. All of the beaches on this list are some of the cleanest I know of.
- Seclusion: Is it a typically crowded beach? While some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and in the Caribbean will undoubtedly be tourist magnets, a perfect walking beach will have quiet stretches once out of the main cluster of beachgoers.
Now with our criteria established and in no particular order, here are the best walking beaches in the Caribbean.
1. Cabbage Beach- Paradise Island, Bahamas
Cabbage Beach in the Bahamas was my first Caribbean beach experience and it set the standard for all future beaches.
What makes Cabbage Beach an excellent walking beach is that it quickly turns from crowded, touristy area to secluded, scenic views of powder-soft sand and crystal clear azure waters.
While the sand closer to the road and buildings is deep and feels like walking through quicksand of sorts because of how soft it is, the sand at the waterline is packed enough for a comfortable and enjoyable stroll.
The beach seems to go on for miles, making it the perfect beach for long walks with endless tropical views.
2. Grace Bay Beach- Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Earning the title of the best beach in the world in TripAdvisor’s 2018 Traveler’s Choice Award as well as the best beach in the Caribbean for its 2020 roundup, Grace Bay Beach is 12 miles of stunning aquamarine waters and never-ending pristine sandy shores.
The barrier reef about a mile off the coast protects the jaw-dropping destination from giant swells and any pollutants that could wash ashore as a result, ensuring that the quintessential tropical paradise remains picture-perfect all year round.
With a dozen miles of creamy white sand, Grace Bay Beach tops the list as one of the best walking beaches in the Caribbean and possibly the entire world.
3. Playa Norte- Isla Mujeres, Mexico
There are so many things to do in Mexico, including of course, visiting its spectacular beaches!
Although Playa Norte is probably the busiest of all the beaches on this list, it’s still one of my personal favorite places in the world, winning my vote for the best walking beach during sunset.
As I mentioned, I’ve been lucky enough to work and travel around the world, and I have never seen any water, ocean, or sea as electric blue as the waters in Isla Mujeres.
Consistently ranking as one of the top beaches in the world and in the Caribbean, Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres deserves a visit at least once in everyone’s lifetime.
The sand is so fine that I can only describe it as being as soft and silky as flour or confectioners’ sugar.
And the sunsets are out. of. this. world.
For the best walking experience at Playa Norte, I’d suggest going later in the afternoon when the number of beachgoers has reduced a bit, walk away from the crowds and beach clubs, then and watch that fiery, cotton-candy sunset reflect off the crystal clear ocean for a truly mesmerizing experience.
4. Grand Anse Beach- Grenada
The 2 mile-long stretch of silky soft shores is one of Grenada’s top beaches, providing ample space and ideal conditions for a beach walk.
At Grand Anse Beach, you’ll find a flat coast filled with baby powder-white sand and calm, sun-kissed teal waters.
This national gem is home to any and all water sports you can think of: snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, water skiing, and more.
Whether you feel like a relaxing day in the sun or an adventurous getaway in the ocean, Grand Anse Beach has it all.
5. Eagle Beach- Aruba
One look at Aruba’s Eagle Beach and it’s no wonder why it’s often voted one of the best beaches in the Caribbean and the world.
Although Eagle Beach is the most famous beach in Aruba, that doesn’t mean it’s too busy to enjoy a stroll.
In fact, one of the main reasons it’s so popular is because it is the widest beach on the island.
With plenty of space to spread out, Eagle Beach doesn’t disappoint.
Enjoy the gorgeous views of the Caribbean, powder-soft wide sand, and the island’s iconic fofoti trees.
6. Jolly Beach- Jolly Harbour, Antigua
Jolly Beach is one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches, offering visitors wide and flat sandy shores to walk and sunbathe on.
Despite being home to the island’s largest all-inclusive resort, Jolly Beach’s deep and long stretches of soft sand means there’s plenty of room for everyone.
At Jolly Beach, you’ll find the usual amenities as well as some exciting water sports opportunities such as windsurfing and jet skiing.
Somewhat of an off-topic story: As a cruise ship worker, we tend to go to places we know most guests will not be heading to.
This was such the case when we came to Jolly Beach.
With just a handful of other tourists on the beach, I and my other crew member friends had the entire area to ourselves.
The locals in charge of selling jet ski tours were having a slow day and not getting any business.
After learning we were crew members and wanting to do anything but sit around, they ended up giving us free jet ski rides for the rest of the afternoon.
While working on cruise ships can be challenging, one of the best parts is the perks and discounts we get once local businesses learn we’re crew members!
7. Seven Mile Beach- Grand Cayman
Measuring only 6 miles long despite its name, Seven Mile Beach is not just one of the best walking beaches in the Caribbean, but it’s one of the best in the tropical region period.
Winning multiple honors such as one of the top 25 beaches in the Caribbean for its idyllic and never-ending coral white sand and shimmering aquamarine coastline, Seven Mile Beach is a sight to see.
The crescent-shaped beach is also known for calm waves, which makes walking in the shallows or snorkeling among the vibrant fishes and corals all the more enjoyable.
While there are resorts, restaurants, and other offerings along the shore, the miles-long beach provides ample room to spread out and take a stroll away from the more populated areas.
8. Shoal Bay Beach- Shoal Bay Village, Anguilla
Like most of the other beaches on this list of the most walkable beaches in the Caribbean, Shoal Bay Beach is another favorite, also included in TripAdvisor’s list of the top 25 best beaches in the Caribbean for 2020.
Clocking in at roughly 2 miles long, this Anguilla beach is exactly what tropical dreams are made of: blinding chalk-white and baby-powder soft sand, glistening blue-green waters, and gently swaying palm trees.
The quiet and vast stretch of paradise is great for a gentle saunter or even a run with a million-dollar view.
9. Playa Ancon- Trinidad, Cuba
While Varadero is considered the best beach in Cuba, it’s too busy and touristy for my liking.
Varadero is for sure beautiful, but nothing compares to Playa Ancon just outside of Trinidad.
The two-and-a-half mile-long beach is more laid-back than Varadero and doesn’t have the typical resort feel.
It’s more chill and beach bum-y with a local feel.
That being said, it’s fairly quiet if you’re not in the main area around other visitors.
The isolated stretches of sand continue as far as the eye can see and the gentle slope near the waterline make it easy to walk on.
10. Klein Curacao- Curacao
Klein Curacao, or Little Curacao, is a small one square mile island that lies just southeast of the main island.
Although you’ll need to arrange transportation via some sort of boat tour, the trip is well worth the extra effort as you’ll likely have the uninhabited island to yourself.
The quiet beach only has a few structures including an old lighthouse and several huts.
Besides that, the only things you’ll see for miles are snow-white sand, empty shores, palm trees, and glistening teal waters.
11. Horseshoe Bay Beach- Southampton Parish, Bermuda
Although not technically in the Caribbean, Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda is an award-winning beach included in the TripAdvisor round-up nearly every year as one of the top beaches in the Caribbean, so I feel justified in including it here as well.
Where to begin.
The horseshoe-curved beach (hence its name) is known globally for its iconic pink sand.
While the hue is subtle, upon closer inspection you will see rose-colored flecks at your feet from the mixture of crushed coral and other minerals that make up the sand.
Because the beach is one of the most famous in the world, it’s the prime destination of many tourists and cruise ship guests.
But just like some of the other locations mentioned here, there are plenty of secluded patches and hidden gems once you get away from the crowds.
Facing the turquoise ocean and looking directly to your left, you’ll likely see what seems like a packed beach full of tourists.
But walk in that direction and in less than 5 minutes you’ll be out of the crowd and rewarded with spacious pink sand shores all around you as well as dazzling aquamarine waters to your right.
Horseshoe Bay Beach has small coves and caves tucked into its coastline throughout the beach. If you keep walking, you’ll come across these small pockets which you can then explore.
As long as you walk past the crowded clusters, the beach never ends and you’ll be one of just a handful of visitors in the smaller areas of the picture-perfect beach.
Pin and Save For Future Adventures
Leave a reply