10 Caribbean Destinations That Are Even Better Than Hawaii

For millions of people across the globe, Hawaii remains the ideal travel destination — an idyllic vacation hot spot with perfect weather, pristine beaches, and a natural landscape as wondrous as a National Geographic cover image.

However, it’s also worth highlighting the numerous other tropical paradises people should consider exploring, especially with the end of summer on the horizon.

From zip-lining through dense forests to sitting poolside with jumbo-sized cocktails, these Caribbean vacation destinations give Hawaii a serious run for its money.

Saint Lucia

With its rugged mountains and angelic waterfalls, Saint Lucia is the Caribbean’s answer to Hawaii in every way imaginable.

A lauded vacation destination for millions of intrepid travelers worldwide, Saint Lucia is the perfect place to either relax or pursue a tropical adventure (be it hiking, biking, or swimming).

Jamaica

Few islands have the same number of idyllic resorts as Jamaica. A lauded travel hub for thousands of families vacationing from all over the world, Jamaica is the closest thing Hawaii has to a competitor in the Atlantic Oceans.

With plenty of pools and beaches to choose from, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when it comes to the Caribbean’s most widely frequented island.

Barbados

Like any Caribbean island, Barbados is ideal for anyone interested in scenic beaches and crystal-clear water.

However, what sets this island haven apart is its rich plant life and a riveting array of natural wonders, including plants, flowers, and trees that continue to stupefy nature experts the world over.

Dominican Republic

If you want good food, friendly people, lively nightlife, and plenty of flora and fauna, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better vacation spot than the Dominican Republic.

Whether getting up close and personal with some of the island’s premier wildlife or learning how chocolate is made, we honestly can’t emphasize enough how fantastic the Dominican Republic is.

Puerto Rico

A beloved territory of the United States, Puerto Rico is every bit as gorgeous as its neighboring Caribbean islands.

With an active nightlife and plenty of resorts spread across the island, there’s never a dull moment when visiting Puerto Rico. Of course, when visiting, it’s worth trying Puerto Rico’s biggest contribution to alcoholic cocktails: the pina colada.

Nassau

Want to feel like an 18th-century pirate sailing through the warm waters of the Caribbean? Just stop by the island of Nassau — an area highly frequented by seafaring buccaneers in the early 1700s.

If its ties to nautical pirate culture weren’t enough, Nassau is also home to Atlantis — the premium water park of the entire Bahamas.

Grenada

Did somebody say snorkeling? While Grenada has some fabulous beaches and delicious restaurants, the primary reason to visit this oceanic point of interest is its various snorkeling opportunities.

Wading into the water with flippers and snorkel in hand, guests will see some amazing underwater sights in the oceans surrounding Grenada, including some gorgeous shipwrecks.

Cayman Islands

Like Grenada, the Cayman Islands are an excellent vacation choice for anyone interested in scenic snorkeling adventures. Snorkeling not your thing? Visit a sea turtle sanctuary!

While a bit expensive in terms of its hotels and neighboring resorts, the Cayman Islands deserves to be at the very top of every prospective vacationer’s bucket list.

Turks and Caicos

Swimming off the shore of Turks and Caicos is likely the closest you’ll ever come to flying — the water is just that clear and transparent from the surface down.

With no shortage of spectacular beaches to choose from, Turks and Caicos is a British territory you could visit time and time again and still find new things to do.

Saint Maarten

As with every Caribbean island, Saint Maarten hosts a tide of worthwhile beaches and restaurants — each more delicious than the last.

Yet the most fascinating thing about this island is its regional airport. With a runway only a few feet from the beach, sitting on Saint Maarten’s surf will entreat you to a shockingly close view of incoming and departing flights taking off from the island.