Eight Great Caribbean Islands

Is there anywhere in the world with translucent water or white sand quite like Anguilla's? It may not be the most striking island in the Caribbean, with its low-lying terrain and non-descript scenery, but the 30 or more beaches are to-die-for. This is an island to kick back and relax, in luxe or laid-back style, with two of the best five-star resorts in the Caribbean—Cap Juluca and CuisinArt Resort & Spa—and an array of intimate villas, restaurants (Blanchards is wonderful) and beachside bars. But it's the dazzling white-sand beaches—especially Shoal Bay East—aquamarine water and spectacular reefs that put Anguilla up there with the best.

Perhaps the most British of the Caribbean Islands, with old pubs like the Dogwatch Tavern serving pints of beer, no surprise given that Lord Nelson discovered its safe harbors in 1784 and established Britain's most important Caribbean base here. Perched alongside Barbuda, in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua has a lush and luxurious look and feel about it, not least at the island's best hideaway, the Galley Bay Resort. It can get busy, especially during the UK winter when Brits flock to Antigua for some tropical sun, but there's always a small beach or quiet spot to hide away in peace.

There's such a warm and welcoming atmosphere on beautiful Barbados, one of the friendliest and most colorful of the Caribbean islands. With its wildly different Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea coastlines, you can venture to rugged and rocky beaches on the east coast, or delicate pink-and-white sands on the west coast. The best luxury resort is the iconic Sandy Lane, with its fab Spa, but the Coral Reef Hotel and Crane Beach Hotel are also delightful. Dine at The Cliff for superb service, The Restaurant at Southsea for lovely bay views, and The Tides for mouth-watering desserts. A fun 4WD safari will take you to Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Sunbury Plantation House and Mount Gay Rum Distillery for a nip or three.

The most southerly of the Caribbean islands—part of the Dutch Antilles "ABC Islands" (alongside Aruba and Bonaire) and lying off the west coast of Venezuela—Curacao is a delightful surprise. Just 40 miles long and 10 wide, the island's highlights include the multi-colored capital Willemstad (a mini-Amsterdam with a calypso twist) and rugged Shete Boka Park on the wild and windswept northeast coast. Hire a taxi and driver for a few hours and explore the island's lovely coastline, taking time for a relaxing swim and lunch at the beautiful Knip Beach and Playa Kenapa (on the northwest coast) with its translucent water and white-sand beach.

While neighboring Nevis, home to the super-glam Four Seasons Resort Nevis, steals the limelight, St. Kitts is undergoing a sea change of its own. This small but lovely island closed its main industry—sugar cane processing—a couple of years ago and started developing tourism in earnest. The opening of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, complete with casino, was the first step. Next door, building is under way on Ocean's Edge Resort, a complex of luxury villas and condos. Other hotels are in talks with the government (Mandarin Oriental and W Hotels have been mentioned), and there is a “next big thing” feel to the island.

Dense rainforests, exquisite beaches and extinct volcanoes make St. Lucia feel like Hawaii, but it's a lot closer. Variously owned by the French and British, St. Lucia has a rich and varied culture—the annual Jazz Festival in May is a highlight—and treads a line between blissfully romantic and infectiously fun (don't miss Friday night "jump-ups" at Gros Islet and Soufriere). The best resort on the island, and one of the most romantic in the Caribbean, is Anse Chastanet set in 600 acres of lush jungle with two beaches, a coral reef and bewitching views of St. Lucia's twin Piton peaks.

Some places are truly blessed by nature, and this cluster of 40 different islands and cays—only eight of which are inhabited—is one of them. Turks and Caicos has developed a glam superstar reputation (Eva Longoria and Tony Parker spent their honeymoon on Parrot Cay last year), and it's not hard to see why. With some of the world's finest sand beaches, aquamarine water, diving, snorkeling and fishing—and uber-exclusive resorts such as The Meridian Club at Pine Cay—Turks and Caicos is the Caribbean at its best, a place to chill out in the most luxurious way imaginable.

The third largest of the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda is a haven for sailors and land-lovers alike. For the ultimate resort experience, stay at Little Dix Bay, while yachties will like the mariner-friendly accommodations at the Bitter End Yacht Club at the northern tip of the island. For a very private beach experience, check out Guavaberry Spring Bay, just a short walk from Baths—a striking collection of granite boulders and lovely seawater pools. Other attractions include Gordon Peak and the ruins at Coppermine Point. For those looking simply to relax, pristine white-sand beaches abound, including Savannah, Spring and Trunk bays.