CARB

No airport, few vehicles, one village, beautiful palm-lined beaches – tiny Mayreau, the only inhabited island within Tobago Cays Marine Park, represents Caribbean pleasure, pure and simple. On the northern coast, Salt Whistle Bay is the island’s most popular anchorage. Its calm, sheltered waters and soft sands are great for swimming, sunning and snorkeling. Around the island, smaller bays and hidden coves, many rarely visited, offer even greater tranquility. Mayreau’s best views are found at the hilltop Catholic church, a quaint stone building featuring lovely stained glass and art work.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Marigot became St. Martin's capital during the reign of Louis XVI, who built Fort Louis to defend the colonial settlement's harbor warehouses. The formidable walls and cannons of the ruins overlook Marigot Bay and are well worth the short hike up. The town itself charms visitors with winding streets and colorful buildings. Restored St. Martinoise-style houses are now boutiques for luxury goods, all duty-free, while Marigot Market is a melting pot for local foods, spices, art and crafts.

Montserrat represents a unique opportunity to experience the forces of nature that have forged the mountainous idylls of the Caribbean. The northern half has earned the title of the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean thanks in large part to its rugged and lush landscape with its forest-cloaked hills and valleys of ferns, but also to its rich Irish heritage that has been a significant part of the culture for centuries. On the coast, black and silver sand beaches strikingly contrast with the vibrant blues of the sea for a view that’s unique to the rest of the Caribbean.

The yachting capital of Martinique, Le Marin sits at the head of a deep bay and has one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean. At the center of town is one of the area’s few historic sights, the 18th-century stone church of Église Saint-Étienne, whose design suggests an overturned ship’s hull. Businesses in Le Marin are oriented to sailors and yachtsmen, who enjoy the lively ambience in the waterfront bars and clubs. The nearby peninsula of Sainte-Anne is home to the island’s best beaches, the celebrated Grande Anse des Salines among them.

Surrounded by rugged terrain and lush vegetation, La Romana is home to crystalline waters, white sand beaches and impressive coral reef life. It's a gateway to charming villages such as Bayahibe, ecological trails and numerous golf resorts. In the town center is El Obelisco, painted with images of local Dominican life. Nearby Altos de Chavon is a replica 16th-century village and cultural center featuring artist studios, galleries, an archaeological museum and sweeping views of the Chavon River.

Of the four main British Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke is the smallest. Fewer than 300 residents call its three square miles home, but they extend a warm welcome to the sailors and yachtsmen who drop anchor in Great Harbour and White Bay throughout the year. Life here revolves around the surrounding seas – swimming, snorkeling, fishing and diving – and communing over a tropical cocktail and a freshly caught meal at one of Jost Van Dyke’s legendary beach bars and restaurants. The island’s rugged terrain is crossed with trails.

The site of a Puritan colony established in 1629, Providencia is a remote gem of striking topography, golden beaches and turquoise blue waters. Pirate Henry Morgan made this his base to raid the Spanish empire, and treasure is rumored to be buried here. Far from the Colombian mainland, the island feels more Caribbean than Colombian and more English than Spanish, as Creole is spoken and road signs have English town names.

Just south of La Romana is an island paradise that gives an idea of what these environs were like back in 1698 when pirate William Kidd anchored his ship offshore and fled his English pursuers. While less than six square miles in size, Isla Catalina supports diverse ecosystems including sand dunes, mangrove forests and impressive coral reefs. The entire island is a national park and rich in wildlife with numerous species of birds and tropical fish. Catalina is a haven for diving and snorkeling, and equipment can easily be rented.

St. Barthélemy – better known as St. Barth – represents a special brand of Caribbean luxury. Exclusive yet unpretentious, its barefoot elegance is distinctly Gallic in style. Around a scenic harbor filled with yachts and sailboats, the tidy capital of Gustavia is a chic mix of designer boutiques, galleries, and fine restaurants serving elevated French-Caribbean cuisine.

On the island of Grand Turk, it’s all about the gorgeous beaches – and the impossibly clear waters surrounding them. The sea starts shallow at the shore and ever so gradually deepens, which creates a spectacular spectrum of every shade of blue imaginable. Step off your yacht, stroll right onto the beach and relax on the pearly white sands. There are also excellent snorkeling and diving spots around the island, including the offshore coral reefs and Gibbs Cay, where you can swim with friendly stingrays.