The 10 Least Visited Caribbean Islands | Caribbean & Co. (2024)

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  • Ursula Petula Barzey
  • June 11, 2023

I recently published thetop 10 most visited Caribbean islandsbased on data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization. On the list were primarily larger Caribbean islands that, over the last three decades, invested heavily in their tourism infrastructure with increased aviation capacity, new resorts, tour offerings, etc., and now are reaping the benefits. They account for 85% of the stay-over visitors to the region.

So what about the other Caribbean islands? Well, below, I count down the ten least visited Caribbean islands. They represent just 1.36% of the stay-over visitors to the region, but some would say these beautiful and mostly pristine Caribbean islands are a fantastic opportunity for tourists to the region to have a more authentic experience — to discover the Caribbean the way it used to be. So check out these least touristy Caribbean islands and consider one or more for your next vacation.

The 10 Least Visited Caribbean Islands | Caribbean & Co. (1)

Table of Contents

Least Touristy Caribbean Islands

Based on 2022 data provided by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the ten least Caribbean islands/countries include Grenada, Saint Barthelemy, Suriname, St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla, Dominica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St Eustatius, Saba and Montserrat.

10. Grenada 🇬🇩

Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 133,115 / Year 2021: 42,099

Grenada: Hog Island. Photo Credit: © Grenada Tourism Authority.

The iconic Grand Anse Beach is one of the leading attractions in Grenada, where the Caribbean Sea’s gleaming blue waters gently lap the two-mile stretch of pristine white sand. Visitors who manage to pull themselves away from the magnificent beaches can go snorkeling in the world’s first underwater sculpture park or hike through the tropical rainforest. Grenada is also known as ‘The Spice Isle’ due to an abundance of rich spices grown and harvested on its islands. Enjoy these spices in mouthwatering local dishes and take back some spices and locally made bean-to-bar chocolate with you.

9. Saint Barthelemy (St. Barts) 🇧🇱

Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 108,000 / Year 2021: ???

Saint Barthelemy: skyline and Gustavia Harbour. Photo Credit: © Sean Pavone/ Adobe.

At just eight square miles, the island of Saint Barthélemy (casually known as St. Barts) is exquisite in its beauty, with sparkling white sand gently hugging its rugged coastline. Among its imposing beaches are Marigot, known for impressive snorkeling, and Anse des Cayes beach – a favorite of surfers. Go back in time to Gustavia and see the Anglican Church built between 1853-1855, and which still has much of the original structure today. While there, explore the Port of Gustavia, a decades-old symbol of the country’s economic development.

Three young women in pretty mas costumes attending Trinidad & Tobago Carnival.

In Suriname, travelers experience the perfect blend of nature and culture, from its dense forests to the excitement of its Dutch capital, Paramaribo. The mix of cultures is reflected in the languages spoken throughout the country and in Suriname’s spicy cuisines. Shopping, pulsating night spots, and many unique restaurants adorn Paramaribo, while the vast, untamed jungle – reachable by boat – awaits trekking expeditions. Adventure seekers can enjoy birdwatching, wildlife spotting and discover distinct species that can only be found in the area.

7. Saint Kitts & Nevis

Stay-Over Tourists:Year 2022: 77,746 / Year 2021: 19,444

A view of the scenic ‘sugar’ railway in Saint Kitts & Nevis. Photo Credit: © St Kitts Tourism Authority.

Unspoiled beaches and spectacular landscapes await visitors to the twin-island nation of St. Kitts &Nevis. It’s home to the historicUNESCO Brimstone Hill Fortress, once known as the ‘Gibraltar of the West Indies.’ Explore theSaint KittsScenic Railway Tour – the only one of its kind in the Caribbean. From the lush rainforest to the dormant Mount Liamuiga volcano, there are plenty of hiking opportunities on these islands. Enjoy adventures like scuba diving and skydiving in between bar hopping on the beach, sampling rum co*cktails, and eating local dishes.

6. Anguilla 🇦🇮

Stay-Over Tourists:Year 2022: 74,053 / Year 2021: 28,376

CuisinArt Golf Resort Spa Beach in Anguilla. Photo Credit: © Anguilla Tourist Board.

Although it’s only 35 square miles, Anguilla has 33 sparkling white-sand beaches lapped by the gentle waves of turquoise-colored Caribbean waters. It’s no surprise then that the island boasts a wealth of sporting activities, including boat racing, Anguilla’s national sport. Visitors can also enjoy sailing, scuba diving, kite surfing, and paddle-boarding. Accommodations range from luxury resorts to quaint villas and guest houses, in addition to over 100 restaurants where visitors can indulge in local crayfish and lobster dishes or relish international cuisine

5. Dominica 🇩🇲

Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 60,873 / Year 2021: 14,888

Dominica: Canoe on Indian River. Photo Credit: © Discover Dominica Authority.

Known asThe Nature Island,Dominica(pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a) boasts tropical rainforests that host a plethora of wildlife and more than 1,000 plant species. This nature lover’s paradise includes the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, andWaitukubuli National Trail,the Caribbean’s first long-distance walking trail. Dominica is rated as one of the world’s top ten diving spots and is the only country where sperm whales reside year-round. Hiking, canyoning, and a world-famous boiling lake add to Dominica’s natural appeal.

4. Saint Vincent & The Grenadines 🇻🇨

Stay-Over Tourists:Year 2022: 59,021 / Year 2021: 24,230

View of the Port of Kingstown in St Vincent. Photo Credit: © Ursula Petula Barzey.

Seventh on the list of least visited Caribbean islands is Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, well-known for the diverse and rich character of its people and landscape. Regular ferries allow visitors to pack several experiences into one vacation, hopping between its nine inhabited islands –St Vincent, Young Island,Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island, and Petit St Vincent. Explore lush rainforests and jaw-dropping waterfalls, and stroll through the oldest botanic gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Discover the old charm of Bequia’s villages and go snorkeling with hawksbill turtles in Tobago Cays.

3. Sint Eustatius (Statia)🏴󠁢󠁱󠁳󠁥󠁿

Stay-Over Tourists:Year 2022: 5,600 /Year 2021: 3,600

Diving Site in Saint Eustatius. Photo Credit: ©St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation.

Sint Eustatius is a Dutch Caribbean island and remains unspoiled and naturally beautiful. Known locally as Statia, you won’t find mass tourism here. Instead, the tropical island is teeming with rare and exotic life forms, including 35 globally endangered or vulnerable species, and boasts several natural wonders such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and woodlands. Dive into the surrounding waters ofStatiato discover the wonderful world of colorful corals and sponges, as well as hundreds of meters of the old town walls and 17th-century warehouse ruins waiting to be explored. On land, ‘Climbing The Quill’ is a highly recommended activity, where giant trees and colorful flowers grow in abundance.

2. Saba 🏴󠁢󠁱󠁳󠁡󠁿

Stay-Over Tourists:Year 2022: 4,900 / Year 2021: 4,100

View from Mount Scenery in Saba. Photo Credit: © Radioflux via Wikimedia Commons.

Saba is one of the most exquisite destinations in the Caribbean and remains largely untouched by the bustle of tourism. Visitors are drawn to the allure of old Caribbean charm and unparalleled splendor. A stone’s throw away from St. Maarten, Saba is a diver’s paradise with year-round tropical temperatures perfect for exploring striking reefs of fish and coral. Hiking Mt. Scenery, the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom, rewards the traveler with spectacular views. At its peak is the Elfin Forest, a movie-like scene of mysterious clouds gently covering Epiphytes, orchids, and many other unique and rare plants.

1. Montserrat 🇲🇸

Stay-Over Tourists:Year 2022: 4,613 / Year 2021: 1,591

View of the Montserrat Soufrière Hills volcano from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. Photo Credit: © Ursula Petula Barzey.

With just 1,591 stay-over visitors in 2021, Montserrat is the least touristy Caribbean island. Lush green mountains abound on the island of Montserrat, known as theEmerald Isle of the Caribbean. From honeymooners to nature lovers and everyone in between, this gorgeous country has a little something for everyone.And for honeymooners and nature lovers who want to get away from it all, Montserrat is the perfect Caribbean destination. The former capital Plymouth is now a modern-day Pompeii as it was buried in volcanic ash during the 1995 eruption of theSoufriere Hills Volcano. What’s left of the island are evergreen mountains dotted with spectacular hiking trails and mysterious dark sand beaches. Montserrat offers travelers a friendly Caribbean charm blended with modern villa accommodations and nature-themed attractions for a serene vacation experience. Don’t leave the island without trying Goat Water, a tasty stew that is Montserrat’s national dish.

So do you fancy any of these least visited Caribbean islands for your next vacation? With little-known beaches, mesmerizing mountain trails, and untouched forests, these least touristy Caribbean islands offer a plethora of unique experiences for the adventurous traveler to slip away from the crowd and explore hidden gems in these lesser-knownCaribbean islands in the region.

Lonely Planet Caribbean Islands Travel Guide (Buy Now)

The Caribbean: A Brief History by Gad Heuman. (Buy Now)

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Note: Originally published September 15th, 2014, this post was updated June 11th, 2023.

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Ursula Petula Barzey

Ursula Petula Barzey is an award-winning digital content creator and founder of Caribbean & Co. She is passionate about all things related to the Caribbean especially Montserrat from which her family hails! She loves traveling the region in search of the best cultural and foodie adventures, places to stay and live/work opportunities.

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The 10 Least Visited Caribbean Islands | Caribbean & Co. (2024)

FAQs

The 10 Least Visited Caribbean Islands | Caribbean & Co.? ›

Least Touristy Caribbean Islands

Which Caribbean island is the least visited? ›

The United Nations World Tourism Organization listed Montserrat as one of the least visited countries in the world, making it the least visited island in the Caribbean.

Which Caribbean islands are not worth visiting? ›

The most dangerous Caribbean islands

On the basis of crime rates, some of the least safe Caribbean Islands to visit include Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago. As we noted though, most crime in the Caribbean is an internal problem and is linked to inner-city areas well away from tourist resorts.

What are the least visited islands? ›

Tuvalu, one of the world's most beautiful island destinations, is not only the least visited, but is also one of the places that we might never get to visit in the near future.

What Caribbean islands do cruise ships not go to? ›

10 Caribbean islands cruise ships don't visit
  • La Desirade, Guadeloupe Islands. Population: 1,500. ...
  • Tobacco Caye, Belize. Population: 20. ...
  • Guanaja, Bay Islands, Honduras. Population: 5,500. ...
  • Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras. Population: 3,500. ...
  • Big Corn Island, Nicaragua. ...
  • Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. ...
  • The Exumas, Bahamas.
Oct 20, 2016

Where not to go in the Caribbean? ›

Authorities are encouraging travelers to reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime. Additionally, they should exercise increased caution in the country due to terrorism and kidnapping, and they should be aware that some areas have increased risk.

What is the #1 Caribbean island? ›

Barbados. Barbados might just be one of the best all-rounder islands in the Caribbean. Some of the top hotels in the region are found here, as are some of the best beaches, all accessible to the public—there are no private beaches in Barbados.

What is the most underrated Caribbean island? ›

Escape The Crowds: 10 Underrated Caribbean Islands You Need To Visit Now
  • 3 Saba.
  • 4 Guadeloupe. ...
  • 5 Bonaire. ...
  • 6 Tobago. Shutterstock. ...
  • 7 St. Kitts And Nevis. ...
  • 8 Grenada. Photo by Hugh Whyte on Unsplash. ...
  • 9 Anguilla. Photo by Cory Bjork on Unsplash. ...
  • 10 Dominica. Photo by Nario Esprit on Unsplash. ...
Apr 7, 2023

Which island people don t visit? ›

The Sentinelese are the most isolated tribe in the world. They live on their own small forested island called North Sentinel, which is approximately the size of Manhattan, and which is part of an island chain that is also home to another uncontacted tribe, the Shompen.

What is the least touristy place in the world? ›

List of Least Visited Countries In The World
  • Tuvalu. As mentioned by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, this remote Pacific archipelago clinches the title of the world's least-visited nation. ...
  • Marshall Islands. ...
  • Niue. ...
  • Kiribati. ...
  • Micronesia. ...
  • Montserrat. ...
  • Solomon Islands. ...
  • Sao Tome and Principe.
Oct 3, 2023

Which Caribbean island has the least bugs? ›

If you're looking to relax in a considerably warmer climate and you're up for a little adventure, visit the tiny island of Montserrat in the Caribbean British West Indies. It's one of few very hot spots in the world that allows you to essentially live a mosquito-free life.

When not to go on a Caribbean cruise? ›

Hurricane season in the Caribbean generally runs from June 1 to November 30, typically peaking in August and September. Keep yourself well-prepared by checking the National Hurricane Center for updates before you travel.

Where not to go on a cruise? ›

Dangerous Cruise Ports
  • Roatan. Roatan is an island off the coast of Honduras. ...
  • Margarita Islands. These islands can be found off the coast of Venezuela, a country that is known for its high crime rate. ...
  • Quintana Roo. ...
  • Izmit. ...
  • Acajulta. ...
  • Assessing Your Risks. ...
  • Ask Someone.

What is the poorest Caribbean island in the world? ›

The poorest country in South America and the Caribbean is Haiti, which has a GDP per capita of $3,190, as of December 2023, according to data from the IMF.

Which island has the lowest crime rate in the Caribbean? ›

The Safest Islands in the Caribbean
  • The British Virgin Islands. ...
  • Antigua and Barbuda. ...
  • St. ...
  • Montserrat. ...
  • Caiman Islands. ...
  • Martinique. ...
  • Aruba. ...
  • Bonaire. As if being located outside of Hurricane Alley wasn't enough, this Dutch municipality doesn't have much crime at all.

Which is the most unspoilt Caribbean island? ›

The 9 Most Unspoiled Islands in the Caribbean
  • Dominica. Dominica; iSAW Company/Unsplash. ...
  • Culebra, Puerto Rico. Culebra, Puerto Rico; Wenhao Ryan/Unsplash. ...
  • Nevis. Beach at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis/Oyster. ...
  • Tobago. Beach at the Coco Reef Tobago/Oyster. ...
  • Anguilla. Beach at the Zemi Beach House, Hotel & Spa/Oyster.
Nov 14, 2020

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